cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metatarsophalangeal joints of Australopithecus afarensis

Metatarsophalangeal joints from African pongids, modern humans, and Australopithecus afarensis are compared to investigate the anatomical and mechanical changes that accompanied the transition to terrestrial bipedality. Features analyzed include the shape and orientation of the metatarsal heads, excursion of the metatarsophalangeal joints, and orientation of the basal articular surface of the proximal phalanges. These features unequivocally segregate quadrupedal pongids and bipedal hominids and demonstrate a clear adaptation to terrestrial bipedality in the Hadar pedal skeleton.
Learning curve in cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy have achieved good long-term results in patients with complete surgical eradication of their peritoneal dissemination but at the expense of significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. The high complication rate has been attributed to the steep learning curve associated with this procedure. We report on the current literature regarding the learning curve for this procedure and the key components that determine the success in learning this new skill. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:293–296. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
EVALUATION OF ANTRAL MAST CELLS IN NONULCER DYSPEPSIA

Two hundred twenty-five patients with the symptoms of nonulcer dyspepsia underwent clinical and endoscopic evaluation including histologic assessment of endoscopic biopsies. Mast cells were counted after special staining with low pH Alcian blue. Of 225 patients, 31 (13%) were found to have 11 or greater mast cells per high-power field. Endoscopic and routine histologic findings were similar between the subset of 31 patients with 11 or more mast cells and the entire group of 225. The 31 patients with increased antral mast cells had failed treatment with standard drug used for peptic ulcer disease. H1-antagonists improved symptoms in the majority of patients (79%) in whom we had adequate follow-up. Patients with increased mast cells on antral biopsy appear to be subset of patients with nonulcer dyspepsia amenable specific treatment with H1-antagonists.
Electrofishing Power Requirements in Relation to Duty Cycle

Abstract Under controlled laboratory conditions we measured the electrical peak power required to immobilize (i.e., narcotize or tetanize) fish of various species and sizes with duty cycles (i.e., percentage of time a field is energized) ranging from 1.5% to 100%. Electrofishing effectiveness was closely associated with duty cycle. Duty cycles of 10–50% required the least peak power to immobilize fish; peak power requirements increased gradually above 50% duty cycle and sharply below 10%. Small duty cycles can increase field strength by making possible higher instantaneous peak voltages that allow the threshold power needed to immobilize fish to radiate farther away from the electrodes. Therefore, operating within the 10–50% range of duty cycles would allow a larger radius of immobilization action than operating with higher duty cycles. This 10–50% range of duty cycles also coincided with some of the highest margins of difference between the electrical power required to narcotize and that required to teta...
Perception of arm orientation in three-dimensional space

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the preferred coordinate system for perception of arm (humerus) orientation in three-dimensional space. Perception of arm orientation relative to trunk fixed versus earth-fixed axes were compared in seven human subjects. The experimenter first moved the subject's trunk and arm into a target configuration (in which the arm's orientation relative to the trunk and/or earth was perceived and memorized by the subject) and then moved the trunk and arm to a new configuration. The blindfolded subject then attempted to reproduce the target orientation of their arm relative to either the trunk (i.e., reproduce shoulder angles intrinsic kinesthetic coordinate system) or earth-fixed axes (extrinsic kinesthetic coordinate system). Perceptual errors were similar for both shoulder (arm relative to trunk) and extrinsic (arm relative to earth) angles. However, elevation angles were perceived with greater accuracy than yaw angles in the two coordinate systems. Also, perceptual errors for arm yaw angles in the extrinsic kinesthetic coordinate system task were better predicted from changes in trunk orientation than the errors for other angles. Furthermore, four subjects matched arm yaw angle relative to the trunk-fixed axis more accurately than to the earth-fixed axis in the extrinsic coordinate system task. These results suggests a bias toward perception of yaw angles relative to trunk-fixed axes (i.e., in an intrinsic coordinate system). These data suggest that the preferred coordinate system for kinesthetic perception of arm orientation is probably fixed in the trunk. Sensory receptors in soft tissues surrounding the shoulder joint can provide sensations related directly to intrinsic (shoulder) angles, but not to angles of the arm in relation to external axes. However, elevation angles of the arm are perceived with about equal accuracy in relation to the trunk and the gravitational axis. Accurate perceptions of the angle of the arm with respect to gravity may be important for computations of the shoulder joint torques needed when producing upper limb movements.
Relationship of two lacustrine ostracode species to solute composition and salinity: Implications for paleohydrochemistry

Nonmarine ostracode species are indicative of the physical and chemical nature of lacustrine environments. Although salinity has traditionally been regarded as one of the more important parameters that affect the occurrence patterns of lacustrine ostracodes, examination of the solute composition and salinities of the lakes where Limnocythere sappaensis and L. staplini live reveals that solute composition and not salinity is the most critical factor that controls their occurrence. The occurrence of these taxa in the modern world is mutually exclusive. L. sappaensis lives in water that is enriched in Na + -HCO 3 − - and depleted in Ca 2+ . L. staplini lives in water that is enriched in various combinations of Na + -Mg 2+ -Ca 2+ --Cl − and is depleted in HCO 3 . These solute compositions are the product of the mineral fractionation processes described by Eugster and Hardie. The positive correlation between these two species occurrences and the mineralogic fractionation processes suggests that these taxa may be used as reliable paleohydrochemical indicators. Studies in progress dealing with other ostracode taxa suggest that saline lacustrine ostracodes can provide a precise method for reconstructing paleohydrochemistry.
Fluorescent PNA Probes as Hybridization Labels for Biological RNA

Fluorescent labeling of biological RNA is complicated by the narrow range of nucleoside triphosphates that can be used for biological synthesis (i.e., transcription) as well as the inability to site-specifically incorporate them into long RNA transcripts. Noncovalent strategies for labeling RNA rely on attaching fluorescent dyes to hybridization probes which deliver the dye to a specific region of the RNA through Watson−Crick base pairing. This report demonstrates the use of high-affinity peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes in labeling mRNA transcripts with thiazole orange donor and Alexa-594 acceptor fluorophores. The PNA probes were targeted to sequences flanking splice sites in a pre-mRNA such that before splicing the PNAs were separated by >300 nucleotides (nts) whereas after splicing the separation decreased to ≤12 nts. The decreased separation led to enhanced Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) for the spliced RNA. Bulk solution and single-molecule fluorescence experiments gave consistent results.
Thyroxine-stimulated synthesis of microvillus membrane glycoproteins during culture of chick embryonic duodenum

The effect of thyroxine on biosynthesis of microvillus membrane glycoproteins has been investigated in organ culture of 18-day-old chick embryonic duodenum. Explants incorporate [3H]leucine and [3H]glucosamine continuously, and overall incorporation is enhanced by 10 nM thyroxine during 48 h of labeling; this increase in radioactivity is associated with vesicles released from the microvilli. Light microscope autoradiography, pulse labeling of brush border fragments, and pulse chase experiments reveal that [3H]glucosamine is incorporated into brush border at an increasing rate during culture, and that newly synthesized glycoproteins are discharged into the medium along with brush border enzymes (alkaline phosphatase and maltase). These results suggest that thyroxine stimulates biosynthesis of microvillus membrane glycoproteins, in addition to stimulating vesiculation of the membrane. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 3H-labeled vesicles and brush border fragments show that [3H]leucine and [3H]glucosamine are incorporated into proteins of high molecular weight. Two protein bands are identified as alkaline phosphatase and maltase. Thyroxine stimulates glycosylation of these enzymes, but does not change protein patterns. Radioactivity assay of alkaline phosphatase- and maltase-active gel slices suggests that thyroxine stimulation of these enzyme activities during culture is not correlated with de novo synthesis of these proteins.
A case of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome treated with clonazepam.

Abstract A case of a 13 year old boy with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome is described. The patient favorable clinical responded to small daily doses of clonazepam. Improvement of the tics and the abnormal vocalization were observed.
Acquiring English as a second language via print: The task for deaf children

Only a minority of profoundly deaf children read at age-level. We contend this reflects cognitive and linguistic impediments from lack of exposure to a natural language in early childhood, as well as the inherent difficulty of learning English only through the written modality. Yet some deaf children do acquire English via print. The current paper describes a theoretical model of how children could, in principle, acquire a language via reading and writing. The model describes stages of learning which represent successive, conceptual insights necessary for second/foreign language learning via print. Our model highlights the logical difficulties present when one cannot practice a language outside of reading/writing, such as the necessity of translating to a first language, the need for explicit instruction, and difficulty that many deaf children experience in understanding figurative language. Our model explains why learning to read is often a protracted process for deaf children and why many fail to make progress after some initial success. Because language acquisition is thought to require social interaction, with meaning cued by extralinguistic context, the ability of some deaf individuals to acquire language through print represents an overlooked human achievement worthy of greater attention by cognitive scientists.
Regional inhibitory effect of ethanol on monoamine synthesis regulation within the brain

Abstract Catecholamine biosynthesis from labeled tyrosine was examined in hippocampal and olfactory tubercle slices. The presence of depolarizing concentrations of potassium (25–55 mM) resulted in significant increases in catecholamine synthesis in both tissue preparations. Following depolarization of slices in 25 mM potassium, the major portion of newly synthesized catecholamine was retained in the tissue whereas incubation in 55 mM potassium resulted in a significant portion of the newly synthetized catechols being released into the media. Addition of ethanol in concentrations of 0.2–0.8% (w/v) to tissue slices prepared from brain regions rich in dopaminergic nerve terminals, such as olfactory tubercles, caused a dramatic reduction in dopamine synthesis from labeled tyrosine induced by potassium depolarization. The ability of ethanol to inhibit the potassium-induced acceleration of catecholamine biosynthesis appeared to be related to the dopaminergic innervation of the tissue. Catecholamine synthesis in slices of depolarized hippocampi, tissue which is relatively free from substantial dopaminergic innervation, was unaffected by ethanol in concentrations as high as 1.2% (w/v). These results are discussed in terms of the selectivity and mechanisms of the ethanol-induced effects.
Anterior retainer design for resin-bonded acid-etched fixed partial dentures

Electrolytically etched castings of varying designs were cemented to prepared enamel. The load required to displace these castings was compared with the load required to displace anterior and posterior three-quarter crowns cemented with zinc phosphate cement. Electrolytically etched castings with grooves, half grooves, pins, a labial wrap, and no additional resistance feature (lingual plate only) were cemented to properly etched enamel. All specimens were loaded in tension from the lingual surface with an Instron testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.05 in/min. Specimens with proximal extensions (3/4 crowns, full grooves, or labial wrap) required significantly more load for displacement than the other groups. This study demonstrated the need for proximal extensions when designing retainers for the Maryland Bridge denture.
Misoprostol for cervical ripening in patients with previous cesarean delivery

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of misoprostol cervical ripening in patients who have had at least one previous cesarean delivery. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective review of patients who received either intravaginal or oral misoprostol for cervical ripening between August 1, 1995 and March 1, 1999. Patients received either 50 μg of misoprostol tablet intravaginally or 200 μg orally every 6–8 hours for two doses. Then the dose was increased to 100 μg vaginally for a total of six doses or 300 μg orally for a total of five doses until Bishop score was 7 or higher or the patient had spontaneous labor or a need for intervention. Results: Nine hundred sixty-five subjects were studied, with 131 having had at least one previous low transverse cesarean delivery. The initial median Bishop score was 3 for both groups, and there was no difference with regard to indications for delivery. There was no difference between the groups in the instance of tachysystole, hypersystole, hyperstimulation, need for terbutaline, variable deceleration rate, late deceleration rate, or success. The incidence of abruption between the Tolac and no-previous-cesarean group was 3 (2.3%) versus 3 (0.4%) (P <0.05). The median number of misoprostol used between the groups was similar, as was the incidence of oxytocin used. The number of cesarean births in the Tolac group was 55 (42%) versus 214 (25.7) (P <0.05). The umbilical artery cord pH, as well as the incidence of Apgar scores, was 7 or higher at 1 minute, and 5 minutes was similar. There was no difference in labor chronology between the groups. There were no uterine ruptures in either study group. Conclusions: When used in patients with at least one previous low transverse cesarean delivery, misoprostol has equivalent success with no difference in neonatal outcomes, but a higher incidence of abruption.
Determining the Age of GLO-mapped Trail Networks: A GIS Analysis of Northern Iowa

AbstractBetween 1833 and 1861, the Government Land Office (GLO) mapped almost 11,000 km of trails in Iowa. It is unknown if substantial portions of this GLO-mapped trail system predate the arrival of Euro-Americans; it is possible they were established in prehistory and used into the historical period. This Geographical Information Systems study compares a sample of archaeological sites within 1 km of the GLO trails in northern Iowa with a control sample. It was expected that GLO trails would be more common near Late Prehistoric sites if much of the GLO trail system was established before Euro-American arrival. Analysis indicates a relationship between GLO-mapped trails and Late Prehistoric, early historic Indian, and early historic Euro-American sites. Statistically, the connection between GLO trails and early historic Euro-American sites is by far the strongest; however, biases in the data suggest the association between Late Prehistoric and early historic Indian sites and GLO trails is underestimated.
Analytical performance and characterization of antibody immobilized magnetoelastic biosensors

This article presents the results of an investigation into the enhancement of sensitivity and thermal stability of polyclonal antibody immobilized magnetoelastic biosensors. The Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) monolayer technique was employed for antibody (specific to Salmonella sp.) immobilization on rectangular shaped strip magnetoelastic sensors. Biosensor performance was investigated by exposing to graded concentrations (5 × 101–5 × 108 cfu mL−1) of Salmonella typhimurium solutions in a flow through mode. Bacterial binding to the antibody on the sensor surfaces changed the resonance parameters, and these changes were quantified by the sensor’s resonance frequency shift. An increase in the sensitivity from 159 Hz decade−1 for a 2 mm sensor to 246 Hz decade−1 for a 1 mm sensor was observed during the dose–response measurements. The stability of the biosensor was also investigated by storing the biosensor at 25, 45 and 65 °C. The binding activity of the stored biosensor was estimated by measuring the changes in resonance frequency after exposure to the bacterial solutions (109 cfu mL−1). Binding activity was also confirmed by counting bound S. typhimurium cells on the sensor surface using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs. The results show that at each temperature, the binding activity of the biosensor gradually decreased over the testing period. Degradation of biosensor accelerated at higher storage temperatures. The activation energy of biosensor system degradation was determined to be 7.7 kcal mol−1.
The Concept of a Large Aperture Seismic Array

Both British work at A.W.R.E. and American work in the A.R.P.A. Vela Uniform Program have demonstrated that arrays of seismometers may be used to enhance the signal/noise ratio of distant seismic events over the single instrument signal/noise ratio. In addition, arrays may have the virtue of suppressing signal-generated noise arising in the crust below the receiver. Other Vela research has demonstrated that buried instruments frequently have a lower noise environment than surface instruments. Borehole emplacement may be particularly effective against wind-generated seismic noise. In an attempt to exploit these possible improvements to the maximum extent we are now constructing a large aperture seismological array of buried seismometers. This instrument will consist of over 500 seismometers distributed in 21 clusters over a 200 km aperture. It will exploit modem array signalprocessing techniques. If it performs as expected it will have major implications for worldwide seismological detection systems. The status of and plans for the experimental array are described along with some of the world-wide system possibilities.
Bulk and contact electrical properties by the magneto-transmission-line method: Application to GaAs

Abstract The application of a magnetic field to the measurement of planar contact resistances and semiconductor sheet resistances by the standard transmission-line method yields additional information about both bulk and contact properties. In particular, the intrinsic semiconductor mobility and sheet carrier concentration are determined, thus eliminating the need for a separate Hall-effect measurement. The technique is applied to GaAs and AlGaAs/InGaAs layers designed for MESFET and MODFET applications, respectively.
Bioavailability Estimation of DL-Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Relative to DL-Methionine in Layers Fed Milo-Soybean Diets Using Different Regression Models

Abstract The bioavailability of liquid DL-methionine hydroxy analogue-free acid (MHA-FA) relative to dry DL-methionine (DLM) in laying hens was estimated using milo-soybean diets, which were formulated to have low methionine and cystine content to increase the sensitivity of methionine deficiency. Five graded supplemental levels of methionine (0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10%) from DLM or MHA-FA were added to the basal diet containing 0.20% methionine on an equimolar basis. Five different models were used to determine the bioavailability of MHA-FA relative to DLM. Three of the models were exponential models with supplemental methionine concentration on a weight basis, supplemental methionine intake on a weight basis, and supplemental methionine intake on a molar basis as the independent variable, respectively. Two of the models were sloperatio models with supplemental methionine intake on a weight basis or supplemental methionine intake above basal diet on a weight basis as the independent variable. The results of the regression analysis indicated average bioavailabilities were 122 (egg production), 109 (egg mass), and 89% (egg weight) on a weight basis or 139 (egg production), 124 (egg mass), and 101% (egg weight) on a molar basis. All bioavailability values were not different (P > 0.05) from 88% on weight basis or 100% on a molar basis but were different (P
Tools for Carex revegetation in freshwater wetlands: understanding dormancy loss and germination temperature requirements

Carex is a globally distributed genus with more than 2000 species worldwide and Carex species are the characteristic vegetation of sedge meadow wetlands. In the mid-continental United States, Carex species are dominant in natural freshwater wetlands yet are slow to recolonize hydrologically restored wetlands. To aid in Carex revegetation efforts, we determined the dormancy breaking and temperature germination requirements of 12 Carex species. Seeds were cold stratified at 5/1°C for 0–6 months and then incubated in light at 5/1°C, 14/1°C, 22/8°C, 27/15°C, or 35/30°C. We found that all Carex species produced conditionally dormant seeds. The optimal temperature for germination for all but three species was 27/15°C. As is the case in other species with physiological dormancy, cold stratification increased germination percentages, broadened the temperature range suitable for germination, and increased germination rates for most species, but the magnitude of the effects varied among species. Many species germinated to 80% at 27/15°C without cold stratification and at 22/8°C with ≤1 month of stratification but required much longer stratification (up to 6 months depending on the species) to germinate to 80% at 14/1°C and 35/30°C. Our findings illustrate how a stratification pretreatment can greatly benefit Carex seed sowing efforts by triggering rapid germination to higher percentages. We recommend that cold stratification be targeted towards species with strong dormancy or used across a wider range of species when seed supplies for restoration are limiting. For Carex revegetation, establishing Carex canopies rapidly may help to prevent the invasion of undesirable species such as Phalaris arundinacea.
Economic Design of Wind Electric Systems

Long term wind records are used to select the rated wind speed for wind electric generators. The wind is characterized by a Weibull dencity function. Detailed results are presented for western Kansas. Graphs are presented which can be used to design a wind system for maximum specific output for a specified load factor at a given site. It is shown that a wind turbine rated at a wind speed of 9 m/s has a specific output within 80% of the maximum for a wide range of wind conditions.
Temperature Dependence of the Optical Rotation in Six Bicyclic Organic Molecules Calculated by Vibrational Averaging

The vibrational corrections and the temperature dependence of the specific rotation of six rigid organic molecules (alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, cis-pinane, camphene, camphor, and fenchone) were calculated at three wavelengths using hybrid time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). A technique for calculating the temperature dependence of the vibrational average of a molecular property has been applied to obtain the specific rotation of the molecules as a function of temperature. For cases in which accurate equilibrium optical rotations can be obtained as a "base value," and for which there is little effect from solvation, accurate predictions of the trends in the temperature-dependence of the specific rotations can be calculated. For other cases, the method can be used to extract purely vibrational contributions to the overall temperature dependence of optical rotation.
MICROCLIMATES WITHIN AN URBAN AREA

The geographic delineation of various microclimates within an urban area is determined by the transfers of energy, mass, and momentum at the city surface. This approach requires a method for quantifying urban surface characteristics. The results of specifying the surface textures of Sacramento, California, and the determination of the attendant microclimates through energy transfer modeling were consistent with spot measurements made within the city. The approach could aid greatly in urban microclimate studies and in city design for the determination of ideal microclimate configurations.
Ordinal comparison of heuristic algorithms using stochastic optimization

The performance of heuristic algorithms for combinatorial optimization is often sensitive to problem instances. In extreme cases, a specialized heuristic algorithm may perform exceptionally well on a particular set of instances while fail to produce acceptable solutions on others. Such a problem-sensitive nature is most evident in algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems such as job shop scheduling, vehicle routing, and cluster analysis. The paper proposes a formal method for comparing and selecting heuristic algorithms (or equivalently, different settings of a same algorithm) given a desired confidence level and a particular set of problem instances. We formulate this algorithm comparison problem as a stochastic optimization problem. Two approaches for stochastic optimization, ordinal optimization and optimal computing budget allocation are applied to solve this algorithm selection problem. Computational testing on a set of statistical clustering algorithms in the IMSL library is conducted. The results demonstrate that our method can determine the relative performance of heuristic algorithms with high confidence probability while using a small fraction of computer times that conventional methods require.
All-optical streak camera

We demonstrate a novel, ultrafast measurement technique based on optical beam deflection in a planar waveguide through the activation of an array of transient prisms for high-dynamic-range, single-shot recording with 2.5 ps resolution.
Protocol verification as a hardware design aid

The role of automatic formal protocol verification in hardware design is considered. Principles that maximize the benefits of protocol verification while minimizing the labor and computation required are identified. A novel protocol description language and verifier (both called Mur phi ) are described, along with experiences in applying them to two industrial protocols that were developed as part of hardware designs. >
Tsunamis on the Moon

The spacing of the five annular mountain rings around Mare Orientale fits a dispersion curve for gravity waves on a 50 km “liquid” layer overlying a rigid basement.
Smart structures-Modeling and applications

Smart structures must adapt to their environment. Piezoelectric ceramics have proved to be effective as both sensors and actuators for a wide variety of applications. Realistic simulation models are needed that can predict the performance of smart structures that incorporate piezoceramics. A hybrid finite element method in conjunction with a boundary element technique is used to model the fields in and around a smart structure containing piezoceramic elements on an immersed structure. Numerical simulation can be used as a design tool for engineering smart materials. Experimental applications to the adaptive control of space and automobile structures, active sonar absorbers and vibration and radiated noise are reviewed. >
PLGA micro/nanosphere synthesis by droplet microfluidic solvent evaporation and extraction approaches

In this paper, we present two approaches for the synthesis of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) micro/nanospheres using non-toxic organic solvents in droplet-based microfluidic platforms. Solvent evaporation and solvent extraction methods were employed to enable the controlled generation of monodisperse PLGA particles that range from 70 nanometres to 30 microns in diameter. Determination of particle size was carried out with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and image analysis to show less than 2% variation in particle size. Sizes of the PLGA microspheres were controlled by the PLGA concentration in solvent and by the relative flow rates of oil and aqueous phases in the system. A penetration imaging assay was performed to determine the depth of diffusion of a model drug molecule fluorescein, out of the PLGA nanoparticles into corneal tissue. With the ability to prepare high quality, monodisperse, biodegradable particles, our methods have great potential to benefit drug delivery applications.
The Endogenous Formation of Sustainable Trade Agreements

This paper addresses the endogenous formation of trade agreements in a three - country model of imperfect competition. While the requirement of sustainability of preferential trade areas has often been ignored in the literature, I construct a framework for predicting which trade agreements form when sustainability is explicitly included as a constraint on the formation of the cooperative agreements. It is found that the introduction of a self-enforcement requirement reduces the overall scope for a cooperative trade agreements, and that preferential trade areas can be stepping stones or stumbling blocks depending on the size of relative demand between countries.
Reactive synchronization algorithms for multiprocessors

Synchronization algorithms that are efficient across a wide range of applications and operating conditions are hard to design because their performance depends on unpredictable run-time factors. The designer of a synchronization algorithm has a choice of protocols to use for implementing the synchronization operation. For example, candidate protocols for locks include test-and-set protocols and queueing protocols. Frequently, the best choice of protocols depends on the level of contention: previous research has shown that test-and-set protocols for locks outperform queueing protocols at low contention, while the opposite is true at high contention.This paper investigates reactive synchronization algorithms that dynamically choose protocols in response to the level of contention. We describe reactive algorithms for spin locks and fetch-and-op that choose among several shared-memory and message-passing protocols. Dynamically choosing protocols presents a challenge: a reactive algorithm needs to select and change protocols efficiently, and has to allow for the possibility that multiple processes may be executing different protocols at the same time. We describe the notion of consensus objects that the reactive algorithms use to preserve correctness in the face of dynamic protocol changes.Experimental measurements demonstrate that reactive algorithms perform close to the best static choice of protocols at all levels of contention. Furthermore, with mixed levels of contention, reactive algorithms outperform passive algorithms with fixed protocols, provided that contention levels do not change too frequently. Measurements of several parallel applications show that reactive algorithms result in modest performance gains for spin locks and significant gains for fetch-and-op.
Reduction of Torpedograss (Panicum repens) Canopy and Rhizomes by Quinclorac Split Applications

Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the reduction of torpedograss canopy by multiple split applications of quinclorac applied postemergence (POST) to bermudagrass golf course roughs in Florida. In one experiment, quinclorac treatments were reapplied for a second year to the same plots, followed by biomass harvest, to evaluate the reduction of torpedograss rhizomes. Quinclorac sprayed at 1.68 kg/ha/yr visually reduced torpedograss canopy to a varying extent, depending on the number of split applications. The most effective treatment, 0.42 kg/ha quinclorac applied four times each year for 2 yr, reduced torpedograss canopy to 10% compared with 86% torpedograss canopy in the untreated plots, and reduced torpedograss dry weight to 1,570 kg/ha compared with 8,010 kg/ha in the untreated plots. After reapplication for 2 yr with the commercially labeled treatment, quinclorac at 0.84 kg/ha applied twice per year, torpedograss canopy was reduced to 45% and dry weight to 4,640 kg/ha. Visual evaluation of...
A nuclear encoded tRNA of Trypanosoma brucei is imported into mitochondria.

Abstract The mitochondrial genome of trypanosomes, unlike that of most other eukaryotes, does not appear to encode any tRNAs. Therefore, mitochondrial tRNAs must be either imported into the organelle or created through a novel mitochondrial process, such as RNA editing. Trypanosomal tRNA(Tyr), whose gene contains an 11-nucleotide intron, is present in both the cytosol and the mitochondrion and is encoded by a single-copy nuclear gene. By site-directed mutagenesis, point mutations were introduced into this tRNA gene, and the mutated gene was reintroduced into the trypanosomal nuclear genome by DNA transfection. Expression of the mutant tRNA led to the accumulation of unspliced tRNA(Tyr) (A. Schneider, K. P. McNally, and N. Agabian, J. Biol. Chem. 268:21868-21874, 1993). Cell fractionation revealed that a significant portion of the unspliced mutant tRNA(Tyr) was recovered in the mitochondrial fraction and was resistant to micrococcal nuclease treatment in the intact organelle. Expression of the nuclear integrated, mutated tRNA gene and recovery of its gene product in the mitochondrial fraction directly demonstrated import. In vitro experiments showed that the unspliced mutant tRNA(Tyr), in contrast to the spliced wild-type form, was no longer a substrate for the cognate aminoacyl synthetase. The presence of uncharged tRNA in the mitochondria demonstrated that aminoacylation was not coupled to import.
Development of lead-free wave soldering process

Lead-free wave soldering was studied in this work using a 95.5Sn/3.8Ag/0.7Cu alloy. A process DOE was developed, with three variables (solder bath temperature, conveyor speed, and soldering atmosphere), using a dual wave system. Four no-clean flux systems, including alcohol- and water-based types, were included in the evaluation. A specially designed "Lead-Free Solder Test Vehicle", which has various types of components, was used in the experiments. Both organic solderability preservative (OSP) and electroless nickel/immersion gold (Ni/Au, or ENIG) surface finishes were studied. Soldering performance (bridging, wetting and hole filling) was used as the responses for the DOE. In addition, dross formation was measured at different solder bath temperatures and atmospheres. Dross formation with Sn/Ag/Cu bath was compared to that with eutectic Sn/Pb bath. Regarding the connector-type component, a pad design giving the best soldering performance was evaluated based on the DOE results. Finally, a confirmation run with the optimum flux and process parameters was carried out using the Sn/Ag/Cu solder, and a comparative run was made with the Sn/Pb solder alloy and a no-clean flux used in production. The soldering results between the two runs indicate that with optimum flux and process parameters, it is possible to achieve acceptable process performance with the Sn/Ag/Cu alloy.
Is hydrology kinematic

A wide range of phenomena, natural as well as man-made, in physical, chemical and biological hydrology exhibit characteristics similar to those of kinematic waves. The question we ask is: can these phenomena be described using the theory of kinematic waves? Since the range of phenomena is wide, another question we ask is: how prevalent are kinematic waves? If they are widely pervasive, does that mean hydrology is kinematic or close to it? This paper addresses these issues, which are perceived to be fundamental to advancing the state-of-the-art of water science and engineering. Copyright  2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Decline of the Death Penalty and the Discovery of Innocence

Since 1996, death sentences in America have declined by more than 60 percent, reversing a generation-long trend toward greater acceptance of capital punishment. In theory, most Americans continue to support the death penalty. But it is no longer seen as a theoretical matter. Prosecutors, judges, and juries across the country have moved in large numbers to give much greater credence to the possibility of mistakes - mistakes that in this arena are potentially fatal. The discovery of innocence, documented in this book through painstaking analyses of media coverage and with newly developed methods, has led to historic shifts in public opinion and to a sharp decline in use of the death penalty by juries across the country. A social cascade, starting with legal clinics and innocence projects, has snowballed into a national phenomenon that may spell the end of the death penalty in America.
Freund's vaccine adjuvant promotes Her2/Neu breast cancer

Inflammation has been linked to the etiology of many organ-specific cancers. Indirect evidence suggests a possible role for inflammation in breast cancer. We investigated whether the systemic inflammation induced by Freund's adjuvant (FA) promotes mammary carcinogenesis in a rat model in which cancer is induced by the neu oncogene. The effects of FA on hyperplastic mammary lesions and mammary carcinomas were determined in a neu-induced rat model. The inflammatory response to FA treatment was gauged by measuring acute phase serum haptoglobin. In addition, changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis following FA treatment were assessed. Rats receiving FA developed twice the number of mammary carcinomas as controls. Systemic inflammation following FA treatment is chronic, as shown by a doubling of the levels of the serum biomarker, haptoglobin, 15 days following initial treatment. We also show that this systemic inflammation is associated with the increased growth of hyperplastic mammary lesions. This increased growth results from a higher rate of cellular proliferation in the absence of changes in apoptosis. Our data suggests that systemic inflammation induced by Freund's adjuvant (FA) promotes mammary carcinogenesis. It will be important to determine whether adjuvants currently used in human vaccines also promote breast cancer.
Adaptive transaction scheduling for transactional memory systems

Transactional memory systems are expected to enable parallel programming at lower programming complexity, while delivering improved performance over traditional lock-based systems. Nonetheless, there are certain situations where transactional memory systems could actually perform worse. Transactional memory systems can outperform locks only when the executing workloads contain sufficient parallelism. When the workload lacks inherent parallelism, launching excessive transactions can adversely degrade performance. These situations are likely to become dominant in future workloads when large-scale transactions are frequently executed. In this paper, we propose a new paradigm called adaptive transaction scheduling to address this issue. Based on the parallelism feedback from applications, our adaptive transaction scheduler dynamically dispatches and controls the number of concurrently executing transactions. In our case study, we show that our low-cost mechanism not only guarantees that hardware transactional memory systems perform no worse than a single global lock, but also significantly improves performance for both hardware and software transactional memory systems.
Dual wavelength photon sieves

Photon sieves (PSs) are diffractive lenses with an array of pinholes that are capable of focusing light with either short, visible, or long wavelengths. PSs were fabricated using electron-beam lithography to pattern opaque silver films on a glass substrate (3 mm diam, 51.7 mm focal length). The size and spacing of pinholes was varied to create single and dual-wavelength PSs to focus 500 and/or 600 nm light, and the pinholes for the dual wavelength design were arranged in sectors, concentric with one another, or randomly. Single wavelength PSs produced focused images of a 100 µm source aperture with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ~100 µm and high relative intensities at the design wavelength. Chromatic aberration resulted in no focused image and very low intensities when monochromatic light was 100 nm from the designed wavelength. Dual wavelength PSs produced focused images of the 100 µm source aperture with FWHMs of ~100 µm but lower relative intensities at both design wavelengths of 500 and 600 nm. The background “secondary maxima” were higher for dual wavelength designs, especially when the PS was illuminated by white light. The FWHM was smaller and the intensities higher for the random or concentric dual wavelength designs as compared to the sector design.
Impaired erythropoietin response to anemia after bone marrow transplantation

Delayed erythroid recovery is common after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), with some patients continuing to require red blood cell (RBC) transfusion support for as long as 1 year. While the etiology is multifactorial, inadequate stimulation of erythroid progenitors by the erythroid growth factor, erythropoietin, may play a role. In this study, the erythropoietin response to anemia of 70 consecutive patients undergoing BMT at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center was compared with the erythropoietin response in uncomplicated iron deficiency anemia. Erythropoietin levels were elevated for the degree of anemia early after BMT; however, at the time of marrow recovery, erythropoietin levels were significantly suppressed in both allogeneic and autologous BMT patients compared with the iron-deficient patients. Patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) had a more marked suppression of the erythropoietin response to anemia. In the patients who remained anemic for extended periods of time (up to 12 months after BMT), an inadequate erythropoietin response to anemia persisted. Delayed erythroid recovery after BMT is associated with inadequate erythropoietin levels. Therefore, recombinant human erythropoietin may be useful in the treatment of the anemia associated with both autologous and allogeneic BMT.
The Abnormal Platelet

This presentation is related to the platelet alterations in man associated with abnormalities in platelet function as defined by in vivo or in vitro measurements. Some of the observations may have no immediate relationship to hemostasis as we now understand the mechanism. Despite the orderly nomenclature that has been assigned to clotting factors in the past decade, the laboratory procedures and terminology for evaluating platelet function has been individualized by investigators, and there is a need to standardize procedures for comparative study. The definitions used in our discussion are a composition that we hope can be useful to appreciate the variety of factors that can participate in the function and regulation of platelets in clotting. Table I must then be considered in part an arbitrary classification to outline the abnormalities.
Correlation of Oncotype Dx Recurrence Score With Progesterone Receptor, HER2, and Lymph Node Status in Invasive Breast Carcinoma

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of Oncotype Dx (ODx; Genomic Health, Redwood City, CA) to quantify recurrence risk (RS) and establish the need for chemotherapy. Although originally approved for stage I/II, estrogen receptor (ER)+, lymph node (LN)-negative breast cancer, it is also currently being used for node-positive cancers. ODx …
Role of Pre-Morbid Factors and Exposure to Blast Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Post-Traumatic Stress in United States Military Personnel.

Abstract Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), the signature injury of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, is a prevalent and potentially debilitating condition that is associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS/PTSD). Prior mTBI, severity and type of injury (blast vs. non-blast), and baseline psychiatric illness are thought to impact mTBI outcomes. It is unclear if the severity of pre-morbid PTS/PTSD is a risk factor of post-injury levels of PTS and mTBI symptoms. The objective of the study was to examine predictors of post-injury PTS/PTSD, including pre-morbid PTS symptoms, and physical and cognitive symptoms in the sub-acute phase (1 week-3 months) following an acute mTBI. A retrospective review of medical records was performed of 276 servicemen assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command referred for mTBI evaluation between December 2009 and March 2011. Post-Concussion Symptom Scale and PTSD Checklist scores were captured pre- and post-in...
Donor-to-Host Transmission of Mycoplasma hominis in Lung Allograft Recipients

Mycoplasma hominis is a significant pathogen in immunocompromised hosts, particularly organ transplant recipients. We describe two recipients of lung allografts from the same donor who had M. hominis pleuropulmonary infection during the immediate postoperative period. The most likely source of infection in these cases was the donor's respiratory tract. The slow-growing pinpoint colonies formed by M. hominis on routine bacterial culture medium may be easily overlooked and should be subcultured to mycoplasmal medium for definitive identification. The recommended management of this infection consists of drainage and antimicrobial therapy with tetracycline, clindamycin, or a fluoroquinolone. This report highlights the potential for M. hominis to be transmitted from donor to recipient during organ transplantation.
An overview of medical abortion for clinical practice.

Medical abortion is a safe, convenient, and effective method for terminating an early unintended pregnancy. Medical abortion can be performed up to 63 days from the last menstrual period and may even be used up to 70 days for women who prefer medical abortion over surgical abortion. Counseling on th
A spatio-temporal atlas and statistical model of the tongue during speech from cine-MRI

Statistical modelling of tongue motion during speech using cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides key information about the relationship between structure and motion of the tongue. In order to study the variability of tongue shape and motion in populations, a consistent integration and characterisation of inter-subject variability is needed. In this paper, a method to construct a spatio-temporal atlas comprising a mean motion model and statistical modes of variation during speech is presented. The model is based on the cine MRI from 22 normal speakers and consists of several steps involving both spatial and temporal alignment problems independently. First, all images are registered into a common reference space, which is taken to be a neutral resting position of the tongue. Second, the tongue shapes of each individual relative to this reference space are produced. Third, a time warping approach (several are evaluated) is used to align the time frames of each subject to a common time series of init...
A tripartite HIV-1 tat―env―rev fusion protein

A 26 kd protein reactive with antiserum to the transactivator tat of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) has been detected in virus producing cells. The 26 kd protein is shown to be a tripartite fusion protein including coding sequences of the tat, envelope (env) and regulator of virion expression (rev) genes. Fusion of these coding sequences occurs by use of a previously undescribed exon within env. This 26 kd protein, designated tnv, has tat but no rev activity detectable with the assay used. The existence of other less abundant tat and rev related proteins in HIV-1 producing cells is also noted.