cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trading cache hit rate for memory performance

Most of the prior compiler based data locality optimization works target exclusively cache locality optimization, and row-buffer locality in DRAM banks received much less attention. In particular, to the best of our knowledge, there is no single compiler based approach that can improve row-buffer locality in executing irregular applications. This presents a critical problem considering the fact that executing irregular applications in a power and performance efficient manner will be a key requirement to extract maximum benefits from emerging multicore machines and exascale systems. Motivated by these observations, this paper makes the following contributions. First, it presents a compiler-runtime cooperative data layout optimization approach that takes as input an irregular program that has already been optimized for cache locality and generates an output code with the same cache performance but better row-buffer locality (lower number of row-buffer misses). Second, it discusses a more aggressive strategy that sacrifices some cache performance in order to further improve row-buffer performance (i.e., it trades cache performance for memory system performance). The ultimate goal of this strategy is to find the right tradeoff point between cache performance and row-buffer performance so that the overall application performance is improved. Third, the paper performs a detailed evaluation of these two approaches using both an AMD Opteron based multicore system and a multicore simulator. The experimental results, collected using five real-world irregular applications, show that (i) conventional cache optimizations do not improve row-buffer locality significantly; (ii) our first approach achieves about 9.8% execution time improvement by keeping the number of cache misses the same as a cache-optimized code but reducing the number of row-buffer misses; and (iii) our second approach achieves even higher execution time improvements (13.8% on average) by sacrificing cache performance for additional memory performance.
Vacuolar transport of the glutathione conjugate of trans-cinnamic acid

Red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) tonoplast membrane vesicles and [14C]trans-cinnamic acid-glutatione were used to study the vacuolar transport of phynylpropanoid-glutathione conjugates which are formed in peroxidase-mediated reactions. It was determined that the uptake of [14C]trans-cinnamic acid-glutathione into the tonoplast membrane vesicles was MgATP dependent and was 10-fold faster than the uptake of non-conjugated [14C]trans-cinnamic acid. Uptake of the conjugate in the presence of MgATP was not dependent on a trans-tonoblast H+-electrochemical gradient, because uptake was not affected by the addition of NH4Cl (1 mM; 0% inhibition) and was only slightly affected by gramicidin-D (5 microM; 14% inhibition). Uptake of the conjugate was inhibited 92% by the addition of vanadate (1 mM) and 71% by the addition of the model substrate S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) glutathione (500 microM). Uptake did not occur when a nonhydrolyzable analog of ATP was used in place of MgATP. The calculated Km and Vmax values for uptake were 142 microM amd 5.95 nmol mg(-1) min(-1), respectively. Based on these results, phenylpropanoid-glutation conjugates formed in peroxidase-mediated reactions appear to be transported into the vacuole by the glutathione S-conjugate pump(s) located in the tonoplast membrane.
A rational model for the via negativa

Our rationality leads us to be somewhat skeptical, of those mystics such as Pseudo-Dionysius who claim to have been in contact with something absolutely ineffable. The foregoing statement is probably an understatement. Not only do the claims of mystics who write in the tradition of the via negativa, that is, who deny every property of the object of their mystical experiences, appear at best (at very best) to be false; at worst, it is doubtful whether their claims are even meaningful. One might attempt to interpret their claims as being not literally true, but instead as highly metaphorical and figurative statements, or one might attempt to interpret them not as statements meant to be true (or false), but rather as attempts to evoke certain feelings. In the end, these interpretations to some extent may be justifiable, but it is a nice puzzle, in view of the mystics' frequent insistence that what they say about the object of their experience is literally true, to attempt to devise some way of understanding their utterances which (a) interprets them literally and (b) at the same time views them as statements capable of being true or false. It appears that some familiar notions from elementary logic and semantic theory can be used to serve this purpose.
Human bone marrow stromal cells display variable anatomic site-dependent response and recovery from irradiation.

Abstract Objectives Orofacial bone is commonly affected by osteoradionecrosis (ORN) during head and neck cancer radiotherapy possibly due to interactions of several factors including radiation damage to resident bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Irradiation causes DNA damage, triggers p53-dependent signalling resulting in either cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis. In same individuals, disproportionately higher rapid growth of orofacial BMSCs relative to those of axial/appendicular bones suggests their response to radiation is skeletally site-specific. We hypothesised that survival and osteogenic recovery capacity of irradiated human BMSCs is site-dependent based on anatomic skeletal site of origin. Methods Early passage BMSCs from maxilla, mandible and iliac crest of four normal volunteers were exposed to 2.5 to 10 Gy gamma radiation to evaluate clonogenic survival, effects on cell cycle, DNA damage, p53-related response and in vivo osteogenic regenerative capacity. Results Orofacial bone marrow stromal cells (OF-MSCs) survived higher radiation doses and recovered quicker than iliac crest (IC-MSCs) based on clonogenic survival, proliferation and accumulation in G0G1 phase. Post-irradiation p53 level was relatively unchanged but expression of p21, a downstream effector was moderately increased in OF-MSCs. Re-establishment of in vivo bone regeneration was delayed more in irradiated IC-MSCs relative to OF-MSCs. Conclusions Effect of irradiation on human BMSCs was skeletal site-specific with OF-MSCs displaying higher radio-resistance and quicker recovery than IC-MSCs.
Adenosine use during aortocoronary vein graft interventions reverses but does not prevent the slow‐no reflow phenomenon

Slow or no reflow (SNR) complicates 10-15% of cases of percutaneous intervention (PI) in saphenous vein bypass graft (SVG). To date there have been limited options for the prevention and treatment of this common and potentially serious complication. We evaluated the procedural outcome of 143 consecutive SVG interventions. We compared patients who received pre-intervention intra-graft adenosine boluses with those who did not. In addition we examined the efficacy of adenosine boluses to reverse slow-no reflow events. Angiograms were reviewed and flow graded (TIMI grade) by film readers blinded to the use of any intraprocedural drug or clinical history. Seventy patients received intragraft adenosine boluses before percutaneous intervention (APPI), 73 received no preintervention adenosine (NoAPPI). There were no significant angiographic differences between the two groups at baseline. A total of 20 patients experienced SNR. The incidence of SNR was similar in the two groups (APPI = 14.2% vs. NoAPPI = 13.6%, P = 0.9). SNR was treated with repeated, rapid boluses (24 microg each) of intra-graft adenosine. Reversal of SNR was observed in 10 of 11 patients (91%) who received high doses of adenosine (>/=5 boluses, mean 7.7 +/- 2.6) and in 3 of 9 (33%) of those who received low doses (<5 boluses, mean 1.5 +/- 1.2). Final TIMI flow was significantly better in the high dose than in the low dose group (final TIMI 2.7 +/- 0.6 vs. 2 +/- 0.8, P = 0.04). No significant untoward complications were observed during adenosine infusion. These findings suggest that SNR after PI in SVG is not prevented by pre-intervention adenosine, but it can be safely and effectively reversed by delivery of multiple, rapid and repeated boluses of 24 microg of intra-graft adenosine.
RETLab: a fast design-automation framework for arbitrary RET networks

Resonance energy transfer (RET) circuits are networks of photo-active molecules that can implement arbitrary logic functions. The nanoscale size of these structures can bring high-density computation to new domains, e.g., in vivo sensing and computation. A key challenge in the design of a RET network is to find, among a huge set of configurations (i.e., design space), the optimum choice and arrangement of molecules on a nanostructure. The prohibitively large size of the design space makes it impractical to evaluate every possible configuration, motivating the need for design-space pruning to be integrated into the design flow. To this end, we have developed a computer-aided design framework, called RETLab, that enables structured pruning of the design space to extract a sufficiently small subset, which is fully evaluated and ranked based on user-defined metrics to yield the best configuration. More importantly, we have developed a new RET-simulation algorithm, which is several orders of magnitude (e.g., for a 4-node network, one million times) faster than the conventional Monte-Carlo-based simulation (MCS). This speedup in configuration evaluation enables a significantly more extensive design-space exploration with fewer and less constrained heuristics, compared to existing RET-network design methods which are ad-hoc and rely on MCS for configuration evaluation.
The Church and the Elderly: The Impact of Changing Age Strata on Congregations.

This study reports the results of a survey of forty-four Lutheran Churches in the New York metropolitan area. It describes present and projected services and programs churches offer to the elderly,...
The effects of subtle sexual harassment on women's performance in a job interview

Although we now know about the long-term consequences of moderate to severe sexual harassment, little is known about the immediate effects of more subtle harassment. The present study was designed to examine real-time consequences of subtle sexual harassment in a job interview using objective indicators of job performance. Fifty women were recruited for a job interview. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two interview conditions during which they were asked either three sexual or non-sexual questions interspersed with standard interview questions. In the former, women applicants spoke less fluently, gave lower quality answers, and asked fewer job relevant questions than did those in the non-sexual interview. It thus appears that even relatively mild harassment disrupts immediate performance.
DMRC: Distortion-minimizing rate control for Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

The availability of inexpensive CMOS cameras and microphones that can ubiquitously capture multimedia content from the environment is fostering the development of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs), i.e., distributed systems of wirelessly networked devices that can retrieve video and audio streams, still images, and scalar sensor data. WMSNs require the sensor network paradigm to be re-thought in view of the need for mechanisms to deliver multimedia content with a pre-defined level of quality of service (QoS). A new rate control scheme for WMSNs is introduced in this paper with a two-fold objective: i) maximize the video quality of each individual video stream; ii) maintain fairness in video quality between different video streams. The rate control scheme is based on both analytical and empirical models and consists of a new cross-layer control algorithm that jointly regulates the end-to-end data rate, the video quality, and the strength of the channel coding at the physical layer. The end-to-end data rate is regulated to avoid congestion while maintaining fairness in the domain of video quality rather than data rate. Once the end-to-end data rate has been determined, the sender adjusts the video encoder rate and the channel encoder rate based on the overall rate and the current channel quality, with the objective of minimizing the distortion of the received video. Simulations show that the proposed algorithm considerably improves the received video quality without sacrificing fairness.
Homologous recombination of exogenous DNA with the Sulfolobus acidocaldarius genome: Properties and uses

In order to quantify recombination between exogenous DNA and the Sulfolobus acidocaldarius chromosome, we electroporated pyrE (uracil-auxtotrophic) recipient strains with functional pyrE sequences and counted Pyr+ transformants by direct plating. Certain culture and post-electroporation conditions increased the yield of Pyr+ recombinants from non-replicating pyrE plasmid, whereas cognate methylation of SuaI restriction sites in the plasmid decreased it. Recombination of linear DNAs with the S. acidocaldarius genome was proportional to the length of a limiting overlap, but even synthetic oligonucleotides produced reasonable numbers of recombinants with appropriate recipient strains. To investigate uses of this latter property, we electroporated an 18-bp pyrE deletion mutant with mixtures of synthetic oligonucleotides altering glycine-55 of the orotate phosphoribosyl transferase encoded by pyrE. Pyr+ transformants were recovered in which this codon was converted to each of the alternatives encoded by the oligonucleotide mixtures, thereby identifying five amino acid substitutions tolerated at this position of the thermostable enzyme.
SUBLETHAL EFFECTS OF PETROLEUM FRACTIONS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF THE LOBSTER, HOMARUS AMERICANUS, AND THE MUD SNAIL, NASSARIUS OBSOLETUS

Studies by our laboratory on sublethal effects of petroleum fractions on behavior of H. americanus and N. obsoletus are summarized in an attempt to clarify contradictory results and to gain an understanding of the underlying principles. There appear a surprising number of similarities in the way specific petroleum fractions affect the behavior of a crustacean arthropod and a gastropod mollusc. Acute toxicity, caused perhaps by the branched-cyclic fraction, was evident in short term exposures to whole No. 2 fuel oil at 50 ppM and kerosene in ..mu..l/100 l quantities. Feeding attraction, caused perhaps by the branched-cyclic fraction in lower concentrations, was seen after exposure to 1 ppM No. 2 fuel oil, and to kerosene and its branched-cyclic and polar-aromatic fractions in ..mu..l/100 l quantities. Repulsion and feeding inhibition, caused perhaps by the polar-aromatic fraction which contains most of the soluble materials, was observed in response to many concentrations of No. 2 fuel oil and kerosene, and their soluble fractions down to 1 ppB levels. No effect was apparent in exposures to the lower concentrations of solubles of .1 and .01 ppM No. 2 fuel oil and to solubles of La Rosa crude at 10 ppB. The hypothesis is advanced thatmore » specific hydrocarbon fractions in specific amounts are responsible for distinct behavioral changes; these fractions are present in varying quantities in different oils; and the changes in behavior are general enough to affect a large number of marine invertebrates in a similar manner.« less
The infiltration of carbon fiber felts and composites by pyrolytic carbon deposition from propylene

Abstract A flow system has been developed to simultaneously obtain data to determine kinetic parameters for the conversion of propylene and the resulting deposition of carbon on carbon fiber substrates. A kinetic scheme is proposed which involves homogeneous initiation of a carbon precursor by a first order reaction of propylene, growth of the precursor by a radical propagation reaction, and ultimately deposition of the precursor on the substrate. The model developed permits the prediction of initial carbon deposition rates based solely on operating conditions. The kinetic parameters determined include an activation energy of approximately 87 kcal/mole for carbon deposition in open structured, carbonized rayon and polyacrylonitrile felts, and a lower activation energy of 68 kcal/mole for a less porous composite substrate which may indicate significant diffusional limitations. The rate of carbon deposition in all cases investigated was found to increase with temperature, residence time, and propylene feed concentration. Also, propylene was found to be converted with an overall order of 1.45, an activation energy of 52.6 kcal/mole, and a preexponential factor of 10 12.8 ml .45 /mole .45 /s for propylene feeds of 5 to 15%.
Synthesis and characterization of a low-density urania (UO3) aerogel

Abstract We report the synthesis and characterization for the first example of a low-density urania aerogel. The monolithic aerogels were prepared through the sol–gel polymerization of hydrated uranyl nitrate in ethanol using propylene oxide as a gelation initiator. The dried UO 3 aerogel was characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analyses. The aerogel micro-structure was determined to be composed of primary particles with two distinct morphologies (spherical and fibrous) with features in the 5–20 nm range. These particles were also determined to be highly crystalline as evidenced by the higher-magnification TEM examination. The urania aerogel possesses high surface area (236 m 2 /g) and pore diameters in the micro- and mesoporous (2–20 nm) range.
Evidence for dx2-y2 pairing from nuclear-magnetic-resonance experiments in the superconducting state of YBa2Cu3O7.

We calculate the electron spin susceptibility for the superconducting state of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ using a band structure with nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor hopping, a momentum-dependent spin-spin interaction, and a superconducting gap with ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{x}}^{2}$-${\mathit{y}}^{2}$ symmetry. Our calculated nuclear magnetic relaxation rates and Knight shift agree favorably with experiment. Our work provides further evidence for a ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{x}}^{2}$-${\mathit{y}}^{2}$ pairing state and demonstrates that antiferromagnetic correlations persist in the superconducting state.
Maternal-Fetal Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission: Timing and Tissue Tropisms

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) model of vertical human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmission was used to explore the timing and tissue tropisms associated with intrauterine lentivirus infection. Cats chronically infected with FIV-B-2542 and their cesarean-derived fetuses and placentas were assayed by polymerase chain reaction and coculture at defined gestational intervals. Prevalence of fetal FIV infection was 0 at 3 weeks, 5% at 5 weeks, 38% at 7 weeks, and 60% at 9 weeks (term). Fetal tissues exhibiting the highest viral tropism were blood mononuclear cells and brain (each containing virus in 60% of FIV-positive fetuses) and thymus (47%). Maternal hematologic and virus load markers did not vary substantially with gestational stage. Therefore, fetal and/or placental maturation may determine the timing of lentivirus transmission. FIV infection prevalence in term fetuses was equivalent to that seen previously in vaginally delivered offspring, suggesting that most vertical FIV transmission occurs late in utero rather than intrapartum.
Book Review: Handbook of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery

David Goldenberg, MD, FACS Bradley J. Goldstein, MD, Editors Handbook of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, New York: Thieme, 2010. ISBN-10: 160406028X ISBN-13: 978-1604060287 Drs. David Goldenberg and Bradley Goldstein’s Handbook of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery is a clinical guidebook covering the vast field of otolaryngology. The editors, reviewers, and contributing authors are well- recognized clinicians and leaders in the field. From general otolaryngology to otology, rhinology, laryngology, pediatric otolaryngology, facial plastic surgery, and the head and neck, the book is divided into easy-to-read sections and references. Embedded tables, figures, and callouts are illustrative and support the text. The content is intentionally brief, well written, and delivered in easily-digested parcels. The facial plastic surgery section, which has the largest number of contributors, …
In silico white blood cell: mechanisms underlying leukocyte rolling and adhesion during inflammation

We have used the synthetic modeling method to construct a multilevel, agent oriented, in silico analogue of an in vitro experimental system for studying leukocyte rolling, activation, and adhesion during inflammatory conditions. We specify capabilities that the envisioned analogues must have to achieve long-term goals. Here, we report progress towards our goal of using variants of this model as experimental systems for exploring the potential role of hypothesized mechanisms that are thought to mediate leukocyte rolling, activation, and adhesion. We focus initially on diffusion and clustering events of the LFA-1 integrin receptor on the leukocyte membrane during rolling and adhesion.
Appetitive Operant Behavior and Free-Feeding in Rats Exposed to Acute Stress

This study investigated whether appetitive operant food reinforcement or free-feeding behavior in rats, food-restricted to 85% of body weight, was disrupted by exposures to 3 h of restraint stress or by 3 h of restraint plus water immersion stress (RWI). Rats were trained under a 3-cycle 10-min time-out-10-min time-in fixed-ratio 15 (FR15) schedule of food reinforcement. Free-feeding was measured in a 3-cycle 10-min food jar-out-10-min food jar-in test conducted in the operant chambers. Three hours of restraint stress did not significantly affect response rate or food reinforcement in the operant FR15 task or in the free-feeding condition. In contrast, 3 h of RWI completely abolished operant food reinforcement and suppressed response rate, whereas free-feeding was significantly reduced but not abolished in food-restricted, hungry rats. We conclude that acute restraint stress in food-restricted, hungry rats does not affect their appetite or motor ability to lever-press for food nor did it affect their ability to feed in a free-feeding situation. In contrast, RWI stress may have induced a motor impairment, or some other aspect of motivation independent of hunger, that disrupted their performance in the operant FR15 task.
Genetics of Epilepsy: An Overview

Studies of the genetics of epilepsy have, until recently, involved epidemiologic or segregation analyses of phenotypic characteristics of a number of seizure disorders. Technical advances in molecular biology involving gene mapping and gene identification have made it possible to examine the heritability of various epilepsy syndromes. Using "reverse genetics" or positional cloning, it is possible to identify an abnormal protein through gene isolation and cloning. Genes are localized through analysis of linkage to phenotypic markers (proteins) or DNA markers such as restriction fragment length polymorphisms, variable number of tandem repeats, and dinucleotides. Methods used to obtain DNA of interest involve digestion of genomic DNA with specific restriction endonucleases or amplification of DNA by polymerase chain reaction technology. Gel electrophoresis is the basis for the separation of different sized DNA. Inherited disorders for which a gene has been cloned or localized have highly penetrant, well-defined clinical phenotypes with no remissions and abundant clinical material. Genetic epilepsies, however, are variably penetrant age-dependent disorders with heterogeneous clinical phenotypes. Despite these difficulties, three genetic epilepsies have been mapped to specific chromosomes: benign familial neonatal convulsions to 20q, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy to 6p, and Baltic progressive myoclonus epilepsy to 21q. Further progress in understanding genetic epilepsies will depend on better definition of syndrome phenotypes, isolation of the epilepsy gene(s), and identification of the abnormal protein(s).
Saturable ethanol binding in rat liver mitochondria.

Abstract The binding of ethanol to rat liver mitochondria is shown to be saturable at physiologically relevant ethanol concentrations. This effect is reversible and is not observed in extracted mitochondrial phospholipids. Brief exposure of the mitochondria to heat abolishes saturable ethanol binding. Previously, saturable ethanol binding was reported in rat liver microsomes. Taken together, the studies indicate that saturable ethanol binding motifs may be widespread in cellular membranes. The possibility is raised that incomplete expression of the hydrophobic effect in membrane assembly results in the expression of amphipathic packing defects which display an affinity for and a sensitivity to ethanol. The presence of saturable binding modalities is reconciled with the long-standing consensus on the biodistribution of ethanol – that ethanol’s interactions with tissue are negligible – on the grounds that the affinities of ethanol and of water for membranes are similar; consequently, free ethanol concentrations are insensitive to the presence of tissue despite significant ethanol binding. A fraction of the binding sites possess submillimolar affinities for ethanol consistent with published functional studies, both in vitro and in vivo, that reported submillimolar efficacies for ethanol.
MAJOR THROMBOCYTOPENIA AFTER TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Thrombocytopenia has been observed after both surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and TAVR but its determinants, sequelae and relative magnitude have been poorly elucidated. We sought to investigate thrombocytopenia post Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and to contextualize its
Electron cryomicroscopy of biological machines at subnanometer resolution.

Advances in electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) have made possible the structural determination of large biological machines in the resolution range of 6–9 A. Rice dwarf virus and the acrosomal bundle represent two distinct types of machines amenable to cryo-EM investigations at subnanometer resolutions. However, calculating the density map is only the first step, and much analysis remains to extract structural insights and the mechanism of action in these machines. This paper will review the computational and visualization methodologies necessary for analysis (structure mining) of the computed cryo-EM maps of these machines. These steps include component segmentation, averaging based on local symmetry among components, density connectivity trace, incorporation of bioinformatics analysis, and fitting of high-resolution component data, if available. The consequences of these analyses can not only identify accurately some of the secondary structure elements of the molecular components in machines but also suggest structural mechanisms related to their biological functions.
Preparation and basicity measurements of ferrocenyl trimethylsilyl ketone

Abstract Ferrocenyl trimethylsilyl ketone, FcCOSiMe3 (I) has been prepared in good yield by a four step sequence. It exhibits an unusually low carbonyl stretching frequency of 1589 cm−1. MeOD has been used to characterize unequivocally the carbonyl stretching band as well as to estimate the basicity of I. In addition, we have measured the basicity of I in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions.
Metropolitan growth and secondary cities development policy.

Most east and south Asian countries will likely experience ongoing urbanization. Approximately 93 million people will be added to the populations of Asian cities over the next 15 years and more than 40% of all Asians are expected to be living in urban centers by the year 2000. Much of the population growth will occur in the largest metropolitan areas. The UN estimates that the number of cities in Asia with more than 1 million inhabitants will grow from 40 in 1960 to more than 175 by the year 2000. Many metropolitan areas in Asia are projected to grow to unprecedented size and will be among the 30 largest cities in the world by the end of the century. This paper looks at the strengths and weaknesses of Asian metropolises alternatives to metropolitan growth the adversities of overconcentration in primate cities potential benefits of a system of secondary cities the role of secondary cities and towns in national and regional development and policies for secondary and small city development.
Recent advances in molecular biology

This special issue is a selection of 13 papers reflecting recent advances in molecular biology. There has been tremendous progress in the field in recent years, in terms of simulation methods, with...
Ultrafast and nanoscale optics

The field of optics is finding myriad applications in information technology, health care, lighting, sensing and national security. This paper explores the role of nanotechnology with special focus on nanophotonics in dielectric and inhomogeneous metamaterials with applications for optical information processing in space and time, communications, and sensing.
A finite strip analysis of locally buckled plate structures subject to nonuniform compression

The post-local-buckling behaviour of thin plate structures is governed by the mode of loading which can be either one of prescribed load eccentricity or displacement pattern of end sections. A finite strip approach to the analysis of post-local-buckling behaviour under either mode of loading is presented. A particularly simple initial postbuckling analysis based on the perturbation technique is discussed in detail. Examples are presented to illustrate the convergence of the solution and contrast the behaviour of the structure under the two modes of loading. In particular it is demonstrated that a channel-section strut is stiffer and attains a higher collapse load under uniform end shortening that when loaded through the centroid of the cross-section.
A molecular transporter engineering approach to improving xylose catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Traditional metabolic pathway engineering rarely considers the influence of molecular transport. Here, we describe the directed evolution of two heterologous transporters, Candida intermedia GXS1 and Scheffersomyces stipitis XUT3. Growth rate on xylose was improved up to 70% by mutant transporter expression. Most mutants were found to exhibit vastly improved V max values and display an increase in high cell density sugar consumption rates. Mixed glucose and xylose fermentations reveal that mutant transporters can alter the diauxic shift dynamics and the simultaneous sugar utilization capacity of the host strain. Analysis of mutations highlights several important residues influencing transporter function including point mutations at F40 of C. intermedia GXS1 and at E538 of S. stipitis XUT3. This work is the first to demonstrate that molecular transporter proteins can be improved for biotechnological applications through directed evolution in yeast.
The role of aldose reductase in sugar cataract formation: aldose reductase plays a key role in lens epithelial cell death (apoptosis).

Abstract Since aldose reductase is localized primarily in lens epithelial cells, osmotic insults induced by the accumulation of sugar alcohols occur first in these cells. To determine whether the accumulation of sugar alcohols can induce lens epithelial cell death, galactose-induced apoptosis has been investigated in dog lens epithelial cells. Dog lens epithelial cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's mimimum essential medium (DMEM) supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum (FCS). After reaching confluence at fifth passage, the medium was replaced with the same DMEM medium containing 50 mM d -galactose and the cells were cultured for an additional 2 weeks. Almost all of the cells cultured in galactose medium were stained positively for apoptosis with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferance-mediated biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. Agarose gel electrophoresis of these cells displayed obvious DNA fragmentation, known as a ladder formation. All of these apoptotic changes were absent in similar cells cultured in galactose medium containing 1 μM of the aldose reductase inhibitor AL 1576. Addition of AL 1576 also reduced the cellular galactitol levels from 123±10 μg/106 cells (n=5) to 3.9±1.9 μg/106 cells (n=5). These observations confirm that galactose induced apoptosis occurs in dog lens epithelial cells. Furthermore, the prevention of apoptosis by an aldose reductase inhibitor suggests that this apoptosis is linked to the accumulation of sugar alcohols.
"Instantaneous" Charges of Recoils from Nuclear Scattering

The distribution of ionic charges has been measured for $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ recoils from the elastic scattering of 10-MeV deuterons in carbon targets down to a thickness of 0.3 \ensuremath{\mu}g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The charge distribution from the thinner targets is distinctly nonequilibrium, indicating that "instantaneous" effects of the atomic and nuclear processes which produced the recoils are being observed, unmodified by electron-exchanging interactions with matter.
In situ single-molecule imaging with attoliter detection using objective total internal reflection confocal microscopy

Confocal microscopy is widely used for acquiring high spatial resolution tissue sample images of interesting fluorescent molecules inside cells. The fluorescent molecules are often tagged proteins participating in a biological function. The high spatial resolution of confocal microscopy compared to wide field imaging comes from an ability to optically isolate and image exceedingly small volume elements made up of the lateral (focal plane) and depth dimensions. Confocal microscopy at the optical diffraction limit images volumes on the order of approximately 0.5 femtoliter (10(-15) L). Further resolution enhancement can be achieved with total internal reflection microscopy (TIRM). With TIRM, an exponentially decaying electromagnetic field (near-field) established on the surface of the sample defines a subdiffraction limit dimension that, when combined with conventional confocal microscopy, permits image formation from 75% of the bleachable fluorescence detected with fTIRM is emitted by five chromophore-labeled myosins in a muscle fiber.
Biological effects of polychlorinated biphenyls and triphenyls on the subhuman primate.

Abstract Rhesus monkeys were fed diets containing 300 ppm of a polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1248) or 5000 ppm of a polychlorinated triphenyl (Aroclor 5460) for 90 days. Both groups of animals developed alopecia, acneform lesions of the skin, subcutaneous edema, liver hypertrophy, and gastric mucosal hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Enlargement of the liver was associated with cell hypertrophy, proliferation of the endoplasmic reticulum, and an increased activity of certain microsomal enzymes.
A pilot study to determine if a dietary mineral supplement can affect reactivity to stimuli by horses in training

Trainers have reported horses to be calmer and easier to train after receiving a calcium- and magnesium-rich mineral supplement derived from a calcified algae source. The purpose of this study was to test whether horses receiving this supplement were calmer than horses receiving a placebo. Fourteen 2-year-old Arabians in training were subjected to a ‘moving object reactivity test’ (MORT) and ‘handling reactivity test’ (HRT). The MORT involves quickly raising a bag suspended from the ceiling and scoring horses' reactions. The HRT involves placing horses into breeding stocks and scoring the horses’ nervousness. Horses were equipped with heart rate (HR) monitors and were scored by four observers blinded to treatment. Reactivity scores and HR were used to randomly striate the horses into two groups: a treated group (MIN) receiving 100 g of Aquacid/horse/day and a control group (CO) receiving a placebo. After supplementation for 60 days, horses were retested. Using PROC Mixed, changes from day 0 were examined....
A fast and scalable clustering-based approach for constructing reliable radiation hybrid maps

The process of mapping markers from radiation hybrid mapping (RHM) experiments is equivalent to the traveling salesman problem and, thereby, has combinatorial complexity. As an additional problem, experiments typically result in some unreliable markers that reduce the overall quality of the map. We propose a clustering approach for addressing both problems efficiently by eliminating unreliable markers without the need for mapping the complete set of markers. Traditional approaches for eliminating markers use resampling of the full data set, which has an even higher computational complexity than the original mapping problem. In contrast, the proposed approach uses a divide and conquer strategy to construct framework maps based on clusters that exclude unreliable markers. Clusters are ordered using parallel processing and are then combined to form the complete map. Using an RHM data set of the human genome, we compare the framework maps from our proposed approaches with published physical maps and with the Carthagene tool. Overall, our approach has a very low computational complexity and produces solid framework maps with good chromosome coverage and high agreement with the physical map marker order.
Exceeding the MSSM Higgs Mass Bound in a Special Class of U(1) Gauge Models

Abstract A special class of supersymmetric U ( 1 ) gauge extensions of the standard model was proposed in 2002. It is anomaly-free, has no μ term, and conserves baryon and lepton numbers automatically. It also allows the lightest Higgs boson to have a mass exceeding the MSSM (Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model) bound, i.e. about 130 GeV, which is of current topical interest from LHC (Large Hadron Collider) data. This and other new aspects of this 2002 proposal are discussed.
Bladder-sphincter dysfunction in childhood

While it is obvious that the combination of elevated intravesical pressure, urinary tract infection, and reflux can be devastating to the upper urinary tracts, it has been appreciated only recently that a single mechanism, obstruction due to disorders of vesicourethral function, can produce all three pathologic phenomena in neurologically normal children. Advances in pediatric urodynamics now permit these patients to be recognized and their particular pattern of bladder and sphincter dysfunction to be diagnosed with certainty. Individualized therapy aimed at the underlying functional disturbance is often successful and may make surgical therapy unnecessary.
Factors that increase diagnostic yield of surgical lung biopsy in pediatric oncology patients.

Abstract Purpose Recent data demonstrate that surgical lung biopsy in immunocompromised children, including oncology patients, alters therapy in only 50% of cases. We hypothesized that there are factors identifiable preoperatively which can predict the patients who will or will not benefit from surgical biopsy. Methods We reviewed the medical records of all children with malignancy who underwent surgical lung biopsy between 2004 and 2013 at a single institution, excluding those children who had previously undergone a solid organ or bone marrow transplant. Results Eighty lung wedge biopsies were performed (median age 13years, IQR 5.25–16; 63% male, n =50) 53 (66%) of which led to a change in patient management. The majority of biopsies were performed to diagnose a new mass or differentiate infection from metastases (mass group) ( n =68, 85%), and 12 biopsies (15%) were performed to diagnose a known infection for antibiotic guidance (infection group). Children in the infection group were more likely to be febrile preoperatively, were more likely to be an inpatient preoperatively, and had a lower absolute neutrophil count at the time of biopsy. Patients in the infection group had higher postoperative mortality rates and higher rates of major complications. Conclusion In pediatric oncology patients, surgical lung biopsy has a lower diagnostic yield and higher complication rate when performed for antibiotic guidance. Prior to proceeding with biopsy in this high-risk patient population, surgeons and oncologists should carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits.
Influence of a periodic potential on the integer quantum Hall effect

Abstract We calculate the Hall conductivity for a disordered non-interacting two-dimensional electron gas in a strong magnetic field under the influence of a periodic potential. We investigate under which experimental conditions the unusual behavior of the Hall effect in the system could be observed.
Working at Home with Computers: Work and Nonwork Issues

The term telecommuting refers to the substitution of telecommunications technology for physical travel to a central work location; it usually implies that the person is working in the home. This paper reviews organizational arrangements which allow employees to work at home on a regular basis as a substitute for attendance at the normal workplace. Two extreme cases of the implementation of such an arrangement are described. In the first, where the employee has a skill in demand and a job that is characterized by complexity and autonomy, work at home reinforces the individual's autonomy and self-control over the work. In the second case, where the employee's skill is not in demand and he or she has few other work options due to nonwork (i.e., family) constraints, the job is designed to reduce individual autonomy and may involve reduced compensation relative to comparable work performed on-site. Based on interviews with employees working at home, we examine the effects of work at home on the relationship between the employee and employer, the connection between work and nonwork domains, and gender issues. We tentatively conclude that work at home will not become a widespread trend, but there is sufficient interest in its use as a flexible work option in special cases that it should be examined more closely.
The presence of distal and proximal promoters for rat mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase

Sequence analysis using the Promoser program predicted two promoter like regions for rat mtGPAT: a distal promoter ∼30 kb upstream and a proximal promoter near the first translational codon. Rat liver cells transfected with pGL3-basic vector containing the distal and proximal promoter resulted in 10.8 and 4.8 fold increase in the luciferase activity, respectively. Results of electromobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation suggested binding of transcription factors to the distal and proximal promoter regions. 5′RACE PCR showed two transcripts with different transcriptional start sites. When transfected rat liver cells were starved and refed, there was about 2.7 fold increase in the luciferase activity with cells transfected with the distal promoter while the proximal promoter showed no change. Thus, the two promoters could be functionally distinguished. Taken together, we conclude that there are two promoters for rat mtGPAT gene and that the transcriptional regulation is mediated through the distal promoter.
On the Wear of Carbide and Cermet Tools in Machining of Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI)

This work presents an extension of a previous investigation [1] conducted on gaining an understanding of the critical tribological issues encountered in the machining of compacted graphite iron (CGI) using different cutting tool materials. As part of this study, wear tests were conducted on flat-faced coated and uncoated carbide tools and coated and uncoated cermet tools. The machining tests were conducted under dry condition. Performance assessment of the cutting tools was made using a comparative analysis of the measured cutting forces and post machining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of used tools. The results reveal the interaction of selected cutting conditions and tool substrate material and coatings on the tribological performance and wear behavior of tools during CGI machining.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The politics of inflation-fighting in new democracies

Several scholars have advocated social pacts as a means to combat inflation in new democracies. This article examines efforts to negotiate social pacts in five nascent democratic regimes during their first five years in existence. Boolean analysis demonstrates the improbable nature of the social pacts negotiated in Spain; subsequent analysis aims at improving our understanding of why Spain successed. While social pacts have been minimally useful in most new democracies, inflation has been combatted more successfully in many countries (including some of the cases analyzed here) via the move from state capitalism toward more free-market policies. While market economics has been more successful in fighting inflation, the political effects of such policies have been mixed.
Telecommunications Courses in Information Systems Programs

This paper reports on an investigation of how undergraduate information systems (IS) programs include telecommunications courses in their curricula. The curricula of a random sample of undergraduate IS programs were examined. The results indicate that telecommunications typically is not an area of emphasis; most IS programs require only one telecommunications course and less than half provide an additional course beyond that. The number and types of required versus elective telecommunications courses included in IS curricula are presented. The results also show that programs identified as IS majors tend to do a better job of including telecommunications courses in their curricula than programs designated as IS concentrations. Implications of the results and questions for further research are discussed.
Spin-dependent magnetotransport through one or more rings in the presence of the Rashba and Dresselhaus terms of the spin orbit interaction

Abstract Magnetotransport through one or several quasi-one-dimensional rings, in the presence of the Rashba (RSOI) and Dresselhaus (DSOI) terms of the spin–orbit interaction (SOI) and of a magnetic field B, is investigated. The RSOI field and an effective DSOI field are taken as E R = E R ( sin γ 1 e r + cos γ 1 e z ) and E D = E D ( sin γ 2 e r + cos γ 2 e z ) , their strengths are denoted by α and β , respectively. The exact one-electron eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are obtained and used to evaluate the transmission as a function of α , β , and of the angles γ 1 , γ 2 . Because the RSOI term couples the electronic orbit (along the θ direction) with the Pauli matrices σ z and σ r while the DSOI term couples it with σ θ , they affect the electronic spin transport through a ring in distinctly different ways. The resulting transmission shows a considerable structure as a function of the angles γ 1 or γ 2 . The same holds for the transmission, versus α or β , with the SOI present only in one arm of the ring and for that through two rings with the same or different radii. Various results of the literature, valid for β = 0 , are readily recovered. For weak magnetic fields B ⩽ 1 T the influence of the Zeeman term on the transmission, assessed by perturbation theory, is negligible.
Biocultural Implications of Systems of Color Naming

Preliminary analysis of color naming data from 111 languages in the World Color Survey confirms the main lines of the original Berlin and Kay hypothesis regarding the existence of semantic universals in basic color lexicons. The analysis further shows that visual physiology plays a role in the evolutionary development of basic color vocabularies, constraining the possible composite categories to a small number of those theoretically possible. One composite category, yellow/green, is clearly attested in the data, but the sequence leading to its emergence remains unknown.