cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Soviet Agricultural Surplus: A Retrospective

Abstract This article uses the transcripts of the Central Committee Plenums from December 1928 to November 1929 to re-evaluate James Millar's three propositions concerning collectivisation and the net agricultural surplus. It finds that the debate between Stalin and Bukharin was indeed consistent with Millar's analysis and it supplies new information on the role of markets, repression and primitive accumulation. I examine these questions against the backdrop of the Central Committee transcripts to determine whether the principals truly aimed to increase the agricultural surplus as defined by Millar, their respective positions on coercion, and the role of Marxist ideology in their decision making. The aim is to discover what the actual decision makers expected from collectivisation and the extent to which they (or their critics) were aware of the possible unanticipated consequences of their actions.
Feeding behavior of some phytoseiid predators on the broad mite,Polyphagotarsonemus latus [Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tarsonemidae]

Feeding behavior of 4 phytoseiid species on the broad mitePolyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) was studied.Typhlodromus rickeri Chant,T. porresi McMurtry, andT. annectens DeLeon preferred prey larvae over other stages.Euseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot fed on all but the nymphal stage, and showed a decreased preference for prey larvae and females. None of the 4 species fed upon the nymphal stage.
Ground-state numerical study of the three-dimensional random-field Ising model

The random field Ising model in three dimensions with Gaussian random fields is studied at zero temperature for system sizes up to ${60}^{3}.$ For each realization of the normalized random fields, the strength of the random field, $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ and a uniform external, H is adjusted to find the finite-size critical point. The finite-size critical point is identified as the point in the $H\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ plane where three degenerate ground states have the largest discontinuities in the magnetization. The discontinuities in the magnetization and bond energy between these ground states are used to calculate the magnetization and specific heat critical exponents and both exponents are found to be near zero.
Calculation of molecular band spectra assuming a gaussian line profile

Abstract A method for computing molecular band spectra is described. The integrated intensity of each rotational line considered is distributed spectrally by forcing it to fit a gaussian line profile centered at the computed wavelength for the rotational line. The spectrum is then produced by linearly combining the dispersed rotational lines. The method is applied to CN(violet) emission and found to give an excellent qualitative description of the electronic band shape down to a resolution of about 1·0 A and good quantitative agreement with (0,1) band shock tube measurements.
In a New Kind of Light: Patient Safety in Pediatric Radiology

Patient safety has typically been underemphasized in pediatric radiology. There are many reasons why this is the case, including the emphasis on technology in the specialty of radiology as well as inherent differences in the physician-patient relationship. However, radiologists have the same responsibility as other pediatric health care providers for protecting the welfare of the children (and families) undergoing imaging evaluation. This responsibility goes beyond the typical focus of safe practice in radiology, which includes radiation protection and administration of intravenous contrast media and sedative agents. Radiologists must work with clinical colleagues to develop a comprehensive safety program that crosses specialties and incorporates the components of contemporary models, including a focus on communication (especially at the local, patient care level), adherence to protocol (minimizing human contribution), and nonpunitive procedures for error reporting and review.
Effects of sucrose concentration and goal units on runway behavior in the rat

Abstract Experiment 1 investigated the between- S and within- S effects of sucrose concentration (32 and 6%) and number of goal units (equal volumes of sucrose presented in single or multiple goal cups). The goal-unit variable had no effect on behavior under any of several test conditions employed. Within- S effects of sucrose concentration were approximately equal to between- S effects; no contrast effects were found. When 64 and 6% sucrose solutions were used as reinforcers in Experiment 2, a simultaneous, but not a successive, negative contrast effect was found. Results were discussed in terms of possible functional differences between the successive and simultaneous contrast paradigms and between sucrose solutions and solid food as reinforcers.
Quantification and comparison of baseline cortisol levels between aqueous and plasma from healthy anesthetized hound dogs utilizing mass spectrometry.

Objective The purpose of this study is to quantify and compare the resting cortisol levels between aqueous (Aq) and plasma of anesthetized hound dogs utilizing mass spectrometry. Animals Nine hound breed dogs weighing between 20.8 and 29.2 kg ( = 26.3 kg, SD ± 2.6 kg) were utilized from a previous project. Procedures All dogs underwent two anesthesia sessions to harvest Aq from each eye respectively. A paired blood sample was taken immediately after aqueous centesis. The Aq and plasma were analyzed for cortisol levels using mass spectrometry. Correlation of cortisol levels in dog serum and ocular fluid was determined with Sigma Stat using Pearson's correlation analysis. The level of significance for correlation analysis was set at P < 0.05. Results The plasma resting cortisol levels in the dog ranged from 3.59 to 89.35 nm ( = 31.68 nm, SD ± 28.53 nm), while the Aq cortisol levels ranged from 0.82 to 5.62 nm ( = 2.73 nm, SD ± 1.94 nm). The correlation of cortisol levels in Aq compared to plasma was significant (P = 0.008) with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.779. Based on these results, 61% (r = 0.7792) of the variation in Aq cortisol levels is explained by the variations in plasma cortisol levels. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance This study identified significant levels of cortisol in the Aq of the canine eye and positively correlated them with plasma cortisol levels. The dog may offer a representative model for further studies to help clarify the overall role of cortisol in the anterior chamber.
SU-DD-A4-05: Effects of Pixel Size and OSEM Iteration Parameters On Tc-99m SPECT Resolution

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of pixel size and OSEM iterative reconstruction parameters on radial (RR) and tangential (TR) Tc‐99m SPECT resolution versus distance from isocenter. Method and Materials: Ten high‐concentration Tc‐99m point sources of size <2mm3 were positioned coplanar 0–9 cm from isocenter in a cylindrical phantom with low‐concentration background. Emission scans were acquired on a SPECT/CT system (Symbia T6, Siemens Medical Solutions) with LEHR collimation in continuous (C) and step‐and‐shoot (SS) modes for 360 views over 360° at 0.9, 1.8 and 3.6 mm/pixel. Data were iteratively reconstructed with 3D‐OSEM incorporating resolution, CT‐based attenuation, and scatter modeling, for different combinations of iterations and subsets (IT_SUB): 1_18, 10_18, 20_18, 30_18, 30_36, 30_60, 30_90. SPECT resolution was estimated using a Gaussian fit of the radial and tangential profiles through each point source. Results: TR was consistently better than RR. Anisotropy was independent of pixel size and scan mode but decreased with IT times SUB (e.g., TR/RR=0.78 and 0.62 for 1_18 and 30_90 with 0.9 mm/pixel in SS). Both TR and RR improved linearly with distance away from isocenter. The center‐to‐periphery resolution differences decreased with IT times SUB (e.g., slopes of resolution versus radius were −0.74 and −0.45 for 20_18 and 30_36 with 0.9 mm/pixel in SS) and with smaller pixel sizes (e.g., slopes of resolution versus radius were −0.89, −0.82 and −0.74 for 3.6, 1.8 and 0.9 mm/pixel for 20_18 in SS). TR and RR improved as a power‐law with IT times SUB. The rate of improvement showed no obvious dependence on pixel size. TR and RR were similar between SS and C. Conclusion:Spatial resolution of SPECTimagesreconstructed iteratively exhibited power‐law dependence on IT times SUB, linear dependence on radial position, and exhibited TR/RR anisotropy — modeling of which are important for accurate SPECT quantification.
Monitoring the Ethical Use of Sales Technology: An Exploratory Field Investigation

The use of technology in marketing has become an increasingly important competitive tool in developing and maintaining efficient and productive customer relationships. However, the ethics of using this technology has received little attention. This study investigates how and if marketing organizations are adapting their ethics policies to incorporate use of sales technology (ST). Based on in-depth interviews with executives from a variety of highly regulated to nonregulated business-to-business and business-to-consumer industries, our results show that, although most organizations indeed have codes of ethics, there appears to be a gray area of how these codes address ST. Further, it appears that monitoring the ethical use of ST varies and can be a frustrating and time-consuming issue for marketing and sales executives. Implications of our findings are discussed for the benefit of marketing practitioners, ethics managers, and researchers.
Controlled non-classical photon emission from single conjugated polymer molecules

Photon pair-correlation spectroscopy was used to study the photoluminescence of single, isolated chains of the conjugated polymer MEH-PPV (poly[2-methoxy,5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylene-vinylene]). The chain conformation of these multichromophoric molecules was controlled by varying solvent polarity to result in either tightly folded collapsed chain or extended chain structures. We demonstrate, that the polymer conformation has strong influence on the quantum optical nature of the single chain photon emission. Polymers in the collapsed-chain conformation exhibit the non-classical phenomenon of photon antibunching in contrast to extended-chain structures. Analysis of the second-order correlation function provides a quantitative measure of the number of active emitter sites.
Reversible cerebral lesions associated with tiazofurin usage: MR demonstration

Tiazofurin is an experimental chemotherapeutic agent currently undergoing clinical evaluation. We report our results with magnetic resonance (MR) in demonstrating reversible cerebral abnormalities concurrent with the use of this drug. The abnormalities on MR were correlated with findings on CT as well as with cerebral angiography. The utility of MR in the evaluation of patients receiving this new agent is illustrated.
The practicing orthopedic surgeon's guide to managing long bone metastases

Long bone skeletal metastases are common in the United States, with more than 280,000 new cases every year. Most of these will be managed by the on-call orthopedic surgeon. A practical primer is offered for the evaluation and surgical management for the practicing orthopedist, including questions to ask during the history, pertinent physical examination findings, appropriate imaging requests, proper laboratory work, and biopsy options. Finally, 7 scenarios are presented to encompass most situations a practicing orthopedic surgeon will encounter, and guidelines for treatment and referral are offered.
A minimum design methodology for evaluating bridge flutter and buffeting response

Abstract Over the past two decades, significant advances have been made in understanding the aeroelastic behavior of long-span bridge structures. Using a combination of basic wind-tunnel experimental testing and analytical modeling, the response of such structures to both smooth and turbulent winds can now be predicted with some degree of confidence. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the analysis involved, the required calculations are often lengthy and complex. Thus, while the state-of-the-art in this aspect of bridge analysis is quite advanced, it does not represent that which is necessarily used by practising engineers. To address this shortfall, this paper presents an overview of the pertinent steps and calculations required such an analysis. A basic analytical procedure for response estimation is outlined. In addition, the various techniques (analytical and experimental) available are described. An example of application is presented for a cable-stayed bridge, now under construction.
Large graph mining: patterns, cascades, fraud detection, and algorithms

Given a large graph, like who-calls-whom, or who-likes-whom, what behavior is normal and what should be surprising, possibly due to fraudulent activity? How do graphs evolve over time? How does influence/news/viruses propagate, over time? We focus on three topics: (a) anomaly detection in large static graphs (b) patterns and anomalies in large time-evolving graphs and (c) cascades and immunization. For the first, we present a list of static and temporal laws, including advances patterns like 'eigenspokes'; we show how to use them to spot suspicious activities, in on-line buyer-and-seller settings, in FaceBook, in twitter-like networks. For the second, we show how to handle time-evolving graphs as tensors, how to handle large tensors in map-reduce environments, as well as some discoveries such settings. For the third, we show that for virus propagation, a single number is enough to characterize the connectivity of graph, and thus we show how to do efficient immunization for almost any type of virus (SIS - no immunity; SIR - lifetime immunity; etc) We conclude with some open research questions for graph mining.
Modeling Effects of Human Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Protein-Protein Interactions

A large set of three-dimensional structures of 264 protein-protein complexes with known nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) at the interface was built using homology-based methods. The nsSNPs were mapped on the proteins' structures and their effect on the binding energy was investigated with CHARMM force field and continuum elec- trostatic calculations. Two sets of nsSNPs were studied: disease annotated Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and nonannotated (non-OMIM). It was demonstrated that OMIM nsSNPs tend to destabilize the electrostatic component of the binding energy, in contrast with the effect of non-OMIM nsSNPs. In addition, it was shown that the change of the binding energy upon amino acid substitutions is not related to the conservation of the net charge, hydrophobicity, or hydrogen bond network at the interface. The results indicate that, generally, the effect of nsSNPs on protein-protein interactions cannot be predicted from amino acids' physico-chemical properties alone, since in many cases a substitution of a particular residue with another amino acid having completely different polarity or hydrophobicity had little effect on the binding energy. Analysis of sequence conser- vation showed that nsSNP at highly conserved positions resulted in a large variance of the binding energy changes. In contrast, amino acid substitutions corresponding to nsSNPs at nonconserved positions, on average, were not found to have a large effect on binding affinity. pKa calculations were performed and showed that amino acid substitutions could change the wild-type proton uptake/release and thus resulting in different pH-dependence of the binding energy.
Detection of the Nicotiana rustica chloroplast genome coding for the large subunit of Fraction I protein in a somatic hybrid in which only the N. tabacum chloroplast genome appeared to have been expressed

Nine plants were produced from anthers of a somatic hybrid which had been obtained by fusion of Nicotiana tabacum L. and N. rustica L. protoplants. As determined by electrofocusing, the Fraction I protein of the original somatic hybrid had largesubunit polypeptides exclusively of the N. tabacum type. Two of the plants regenerated from anthers contained Fraction-I-protein large subunits exclusively of the N. rustica type. Since each plant was regenerated from a single cell, the somatic hybrid must have had cells containing both the N. tabacum and N. rustica chloroplast genome although the latter was not expressed. Possibilities to account for this non-expression of a chloroplast genome in the somatic hybrid are discussed.
Promoting positive peer relations with young children: Rationales and strategies

In this article, an argument is made for the importance of peers in the social learning and development of young children. Among the topics considered are the developmental course of peer relations from infancy through preschool and the features of early social competence. Finally, drawing upon a process model of social competence, suggestions are made for promoting positive peer relations through instructional and environmental interventions.
NELL-1 expression in benign and malignant bone tumors.

NELL-1 (NEL-like Protein 1) is an osteoinductive protein with increasing usage as a bone graft substitute in preclinical animal models. NELL-1 was first identified to have bone-forming properties by its overexpression in fusing cranial sutures. Since this time, addition of recombinant NELL-1 has been used to successfully induce bone formation in the calvarial, axial and appendicular skeleton. With increasing interest in the use of NELL-1 as a bone-graft substitute, we sought to examine the expression of NELL-1 in a wide spectrum of benign and malignant bone-forming skeletal tumors. Immunohistochemical expression was examined in human pathologic specimens. Quantitative RT-PCR evaluated NELL-1 expression among OS cell lines in vitro. Results showed NELL-1 expression in all bone tumors. Likewise, all OS cell lines demonstrated increased NELL-1 expression in comparison to non-lesional human bone marrow stromal cells. Among, benign bone tumors (osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma), strong and diffuse staining was observed, which spatially correlated with markers of osteogenic differentiation. In contrast, a relative reduction in NELL-1 staining was observed in osteosarcoma, accompanied by increased variation between tumors. Among osteosarcoma specimens, NELL-1 expression did not correlate well with markers of osteogenic differentiation. Surprisingly, among osteosarcoma subtypes, fibroblastic osteosarcoma demonstrated the highest expression of NELL-1. In summary, NELL-1 demonstrates diffuse and reliable expression in benign but not malignant bone-forming skeletal tumors. Future studies will further define the basic biologic, diagnostic and prognostic importance of NELL-1 in bone neoplasms.
Urgent and emergent psychiatric disorders

In the emergency department, neurologists regularly evaluate patients exhibiting behavioral abnormalities that stem from underlying neurologic diseases. This behavior may be the initial presence of a neurologic illness or may indicate the deterioration and progress of the disease process. In addition, many neurologic patients present with acute and potentially dangerous psychiatric symptoms that demand rapid and accurate management. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with psychiatric manifestations in the context of neurologic illness pose a significant challenge to treating neurologists. This article discusses a general approach to assessment and treatment of some of the more common psychiatric disorders.
Fermi surfaces and Luttinger’s theorem in paired fermion systems

We discuss ground state properties of a mixture of two fermion species which can bind to form a molecular boson. When the densities of the fermions are unbalanced, one or more Fermi surfaces can appear: we describe the constraints placed by Luttinger's theorem on the volumes enclosed by these surfaces in such Bose-Fermi mixtures. We also discuss the nature of the quantum phase transitions involving changes in the number of Fermi surfaces.
Workshop: Reimbursement for anticoagulation services

Anticoagulant therapy units (ATUs) have been developed to enhance quality expertise in the care of patients receiving anticoagulant therapy with warfarin and to coordinate care. The Anticoagulation Forum, representing the program directors and staff of ATUs, surveyed its membership for its 1995 National Conference on Anticoagulation Therapy. Responses were received from 109 programs with an average of 467 patients each. The consensus of program directors was that inadequate reimbursement was an important deterrent to the expansion of such care. A review of current literature reveals substantially superior outcomes in anticoagulation units versus routine care, with estimates of 4.5 fewer major bleeding events per 100 patient-years of treatment and 6 fewer thromboembolic events per 100 patientyears of treatment. The Anticoagulation Forum encourages third-party payers to develop appropriate strategies to reimburse this type of care, which should substantially improve the outcomes of anticoagulant therapy while reducing overall costs.
Modeling and control of smart structures with bonded piezoelectric sensors and actuators: a passivity approach

Smart structure has become an increasingly common term describing a structure embedded or bonded with a large number of lightweight active electro-mechanical sensors and actuators. In this paper, we consider the modeling and control issues related to smart structures bonded with piezoelectric sensors and actuators from the passivity viewpoint. We show that when a piezoelectric patch is used both as an actuator and a sensor, the mapping from the voltage input to current output is passive, which implies that any strictly passive feedback controllers are stabilizing. Issues related to the design of the passive feedback controller with performance optimization and controller order reduction are investigated.
Recent progress of room temperature THz sources based on nonlinear frequency mixing in quantum cascade lasers

We present the recent development of high performance compact THz sources based on intracavity nonlinear frequency mixing in mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers. Significant performance improvements of our THz sources in the spectral purity, frequency coverage as well as THz power are achieved by systematic optimizing the device's active region, waveguide, phase matching scheme, and chip bonding strategy. Room temperature single-mode operation in a wide THz spectral range of 1-4.6 THz is demonstrated from our Cerenkov phase-matched THz sources with dual-period DFB gratings. High THz power up to 215 μW at 3.5 THz is demonstrated via epi-down mounting of our THz device. The THz power is later scaled up to mW level by increased the mid-IR power and conversion efficiency. The rapid development renders this type of THz sources promising local oscillators for many astronomical and medical applications.
Challenges to the Implementation of Personal Advocacy for Older Adults

Despite the endorsement of advocacy by the social work profession, the implementation of advocacy in community-service situations for vulnerable populations poses a major challenge to practice. The...
Shift Scheduling in Services When Employees Have Limited Availability: An L. P. Approach

Abstract This paper compares two linear programming (LP) models for shift scheduling in services where homogeneously-skilled employees are available at limited times. Although both models are based on set covering approaches, one explicitly matches employees to shifts, while the other imposes this matching implicitly. Each model is used in three forms—one with complete, another with very limited meal break placement flexibility, and a third without meal breaks—to provide initial schedules to a completion/ improvement heuristic. The term completion/improvement heuristic is used to describe a construction/ improvement heuristic operating on a starting schedule. On 80 test problems varying widely in scheduling flexibility, employee staffing requirements, and employee availability characteristics, all six LP-based procedures generated lower cost schedules than a comparison from-scratch construction/improvement heuristic. This heuristic, which perpetually maintains an explicit matching of employees to shifts, consists of three phases which add, drop, and modify shifts. In terms of schedule cost, schedule generation time, and model size, the procedures based on the implicit model performed better, as a group, than those based on the explicit model. The LP model with complete break placement flexibility and implicitly matching employees to shifts generated schedules costing 6.7% less than those developed by the from-scratch heuristic.
Security of a Discretely Signaled Continuous Variable QKD Protocol against Collective Attacks

We prove security against collective attacks of a four-state discretely signaled continuous variable quantum key distribution protocol with and without post-selection. This protocol is compatible with optical networks and high speed coding techniques.
Understanding and cooperation in social dilemmas

Cooperation in public dilemmas (and in externality dilemmas generally) is sometimes explained as a function of players' experience with the game: The more experience, the less cooperation. Experience, however, can produce both knowledge about how others will play the game (in particular, that they will defect) and improved understanding of the incentive structure of the game. We report data from two different experiments showing at best only a slight relationship between understanding the incentive structure of the game and cooperation. Inferences from the ‘experience’ finding that cooperation is based on misunderstanding of game incentives, therefore, seem misplaced.
Assessment of cardiac performance with quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography: Right ventricular ejection fraction with reference to findings in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract A reproducible noninvasive technique for measuring right ventricular ejection fraction was developed using first pass quantitative radionuclide angiocardiography. Studies were obtained in the anterior position with a computerized multicrystal scintillation camera with high count rate capabilities. Right ventricular ejection fraction was calculated on a beat to beat basis from the high frequency components of the background-corrected right ventricular time-activity curve. In 50 normal adults, right ventricular ejection fraction averaged 55 percent (range of 45 to 65 percent). This radionuclide measure of right ventricular function was reproducible, with minimal inter- and intraobserver variability and was sensitive to changes in inotropic state induced with isoproterenol. In 36 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, right ventricular ejection fraction ranged from 19 to 71 percent. All 10 patients with cor pulmonale, as well as 9 additional patients, had an abnormal right ventricular ejection fraction. Arterial oxygen tension and forced expiratory volume were depressed significantly more in patients with abnormal right ventricular ejection fraction than in subjects with normal right ventricular function. There was no relation between abnormalities in right and left ventricular ejection fraction.
Bilateral metachronous testicular seminoma associated with microlithiasis.

A 29-year-old man with severe oligospermia and palpably normal testes underwent scrota1 ultrasound, which demonstrated a 1 X 1 x 2.2 cm. hypoechoic mass in the posterior aspect of the left testis with multiple microcalcifications (fig. 1, A). The right testis showed no evidence of a mass and was normal except for scattered microcalcifications (fig. 1, B). Serum p human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level was elevated at 51 MIU/ml. and the a-fetoprotein level was normal. Left radical orchiectomy was performed, and pathological analysis revealed a localized seminoma with foci of trophoblastic giant cells and Leydig's cell nodules. Chest x-ray and abdominal computerized tomography were normal. Postoperatively, the p HCG level returned to normal, and the patient received 2,550 cGy. external beam radiotherapy to the para-aortic lymph nodes and left inguinal region. Pain and tenderness developed in the right testis 8 months postoperatively. Physical examination demonstrated an area of nodularity on the inferior portion of the right testis with a solid intratesticular lesion and microcalcifications that were detected on ultrasound (fig. 2). Serum p HCG level was 13 MIU/ml. and the a-fetoprotein level was normal. Abdominal CT was normal also. Right radical orchiectomy was performed with excision of a 1.2 X 0.8 cm. seminoma with
Stimulation of phenolics, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in dark germinated mung bean sprouts in response to peptide and phytochemical elicitors

The phenyl propanoid pathway (PPP) was stimulated in mung bean sprouts through the pentose phosphate and shikimate pathways, by natural elicitors such as fish protein hydrolysates (FPH), lactoferrin (LF) and oregano extract (OE). Elicitation significantly improved the phenolic, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of mung bean sprouts. The optimal elicitor concentrations were 1 ml/l FPH, 250 ppm LF and 1 ml/l OE for the highest phenolic content that was approximately 20, 35 and 18% higher than control, respectively, on day 1 of dark germination. The antioxidant activity estimated by β-carotene assay in mung bean sprouts was highest on day 1 of germination for all treatments and control. In general, higher antioxidant activity was observed in the elicited sprouts compared with control. In the case of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay the antioxidant activity for all treatments and control was highest on day 2. Among the different elicitor treatments, OE elicited mung bean sprouts showed the highest antioxidant activity of 49% DPPH inhibition on day 2. This increased activity correlates with high guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity indicating that the polymerizing phenolics required during lignification with growth have antioxidant function. For all elicitor treatments a higher glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity was observed during early germination following the high phenolic content. This is due to the general mobilization of carbohydrates to the growing sprouts in response to elicitation. In general the GPX activity steadily increased with germination for treatments and control. The higher phenolics produced on day 1 was utilized for GPX-mediated polymerization to form polymeric phenolics and lignin required during germination. The late stage polymerization linked to GPX activity preceded stimulation of G6PDH. This indicated that as phenolics were polymerized by GPX in late stages, G6PDH linked precursors such as NADPH2 and sugar phosphates were being made available. Antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori was observed in the mung bean sprout extract from control, LF and OE treatments from the day 1 stage. Both the LF and OE elicited extracts showed high antimicrobial activity, which correlated to high antioxidant activity on day 1. The higher antimicrobial activity was also observed with the higher stimulation of G6PDH and GPX activity during early stages of germination. This leads to the hypothesis that enhanced mobilization of carbohydrates (as indicated by G6PDH activity on days 2 and 4), enhanced polymerization of simple phenols (as indicated by GPX activity on day 3) contributed to high antioxidant activity producing intermediary metabolites (day 2).
Cloned genes for bacteriophage T4 late functions are expressed in Escherichia coli

Abstract We have constructed derivatives of plasmid pMB9 carrying Eco RI digestion fragments of bacteriophage T4 DNA that code for late gene functions. When Escherichia coli strains carrying these plasmids are infected with T4 amber mutants, burst sizes up to 30% of the wild-type level are obtained. Single burst experiments imply that the phage progeny result from complementation and do not depend on marker rescue. By electrophoretic and immunological techniques, we have established that the cloned T4 late genes are transcribed and translated in uninfected cells. A serum blocking assay has been used to quantitate the levels of one of the T4 gene products, gp11, before and after T4 infection. Uninfected cells containing the cloned T4 gene 11 DNA have 0.1% and mini cells have 1% of the gp11 levels per unit protein found in cells late after T4 wild-type infection. There is little or no additional gp10 and gp11 formed from the cloned genes after T4 infection.
Sexually dimorphic transitions revealed in the relationships of yearling rhesus monkeys following the birth of siblings

We report here that in a large captive group of monkeys, Macaca mulatta,sudden sex-related changes occur in social interactions in one short phase of an infant’s development. Social interactions of 1-year-old animals (males, N =12; females, N =8) 6 weeks before the birth of siblings were compared with interactions occurring 6 weeks after the birth. On the day of the siblings’ birth, depression-like postures were seen in two yearling males (YMs); 10 YMs showed hyperactivity. In the postbirth period, YMs refocused their attentions away from their mother and toward other, often unrelated members of the group. Although YMs initiated disengagement of interactions with their mothers, there was evidence that mothers attempted to lessen this disengagement. The YMs had close relationships with specific (“preferred”) male individuals. These relationships (particularly those with adult males) became more pronounced following the birth of the sibling. The adult-male group also took an active role in maintaining interactions with YMs. The preferred partners in the YM-other male relationship before the birth of the sibling were, however, not always the same as those in the period after the birth. Dominance relationships and probably genetic factors determined patterns of interaction between YMs and their preferred male partners. Among yearling females (YFs), no dramatic changes in interactions with their mothers or with other group members were detected after their mothers gave birth. Relationships in YF-mother and YF-other-individual pairs (especially when the other individual was kin) seemed to be consolidated during the postbirth interval. There was little evidence of jealousy between the YFs and their younger siblings. Thus, sibling birth acted as a stimulus for the occurrence of sexually dimorphic interactions in yearlings. We suggest that in natural environments, social interactions in YFs promote relationships that will serve to integrate them into the matrilineal social structure, whereas comparable behavior in YMs encourages relationships with males that they may emigrate with into, or meet again in, nonnatal troops.
Topography of closed depressions, scarps, and grabens in the north Tharsis region of Mars: Implications for shallow crustal discontinuities and Graben formation

Using Viking Orbiter images, detailed photoclinometric profiles were obtained across 10 irregular depressions, 32 fretted fractures, 40 troughs and pits, 124 solitary scarps, and 370 simple grabens in the north Tharsis region of Mars. These data allow inferences to be made on the shallow crustal structure of this region. The frequency modes of measured scarp heights correspond with previous general thickness estimates of the heavily cratered and rigded plains units. The depths of the flat-floored irregular depressions (55-175 m), fretted fractures (85-890 m), and troughs and pits (60-1620 m) are also similar to scarp heights (thicknesses) of the geologic units in which these depressions occur, which suggests that the depths of these flat-floored features were controlled by erosional base levels created by lithologic contacts. Although the features have a similar age, both their depths and their observed local structural control increase in the order listed above, which suggests that the more advanced stages of associated fracturing facilitated the development of these depressions by increasing permeability. If a ground-ice zone is a factor in development of these features, as has been suggested, our observation that the depths of these features decrease with increasing latitude suggests that either the thickness of the ground-ice zone does not increase poleward or the depths of the depressions were controlled by the top of the ground-ice zone whose depth may decrease with latitude.
Effect of Parenteral Administration of Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B6 on a Coccidium Infection.

ConclusionVitamins B1 and B6 have an inhibiting influence on the development of Eimeria nieschulzi infections in rats on a special ration when administered by a parenteral route, one at least as striking as when the vitamins are fed.
Double-Blind Crossover Trial of Naproxen and Placebo in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The object of this study was a comparison of the effect of naproxen at the dose of 250 mg bid versus placebo for identical two-week periods in patients with established active rheumatoid arthritis.
Race, education, and knowledge of bone marrow registry: indicators of willingness to donate bone marrow among African Americans and Caucasians.

Abstract Background As bone marrow transplantation (BMT) increases, the availability of suitable donors becomes critical, especially for African Americans, who require a large donor pool to find a suitable match. Previous studies indicated willingness to donate marrow may be a barrier for achieving a large donor pool. Methods We conducted a random-sample, statewide telephone survey of 421 Caucasians and 408 African Americans in South Carolina to determine if racial differences in willingness to donate bone marrow exist. We assessed a general level of willingness, asking, “Will you be willing to be a marrow donor?” We assessed an additional level of willingness, asking, “Are you willing to be contacted about bone marrow donation?” Results We detected no racial differences in general willingness to donate (Caucasians 34%, African Americans 32%, P = .52), although there was a difference in willingness to be contacted to sign-up for the registry (Caucasians 18.3%, African Americans 11%, P = .003). African Americans were more aware that better matches occur within the same race (P Conclusion Our study suggests reported lack of general willingness does not explain the racial disparities in BMT. Many who expressed willingness to donate were not willing to be contacted to sign up for the registry, especially African Americans. Education and adequate pain control may improve minority recruitment.
Dynamic Parity Grouping for Improving Write Performance of RAID-5 Disk Arrays

One major drawback of a RAIDS disk array system is that an update to a data block may involve four disk accesses. Such a high overhead is especially undesirable for workloads with a high update rate. In this paper, we present a dynamic parity grouping (DPG) scheme for efficient parity buffering to reduce the write overhead of a RAID-5 system. In DPG, special parity groups are dynamically created for data blocks with high write activity, referred to as the hot data blocks, in addition to default parity groups for the remaining cold data blocks. The parity blocks of the special parity groups are then buffered in the disk controller cache. As a result, the number of disk accesses on a write to a hot data block is reduced to two.
A complex regulatory network controlling intrinsic multidrug resistance in Mycobacterium smegmatis

Mycobacteria are intrinsically resistant to a variety of stresses including many antibiotics. Although a number of pathways have been described to account for the observed resistances, the mechanisms that control the expression of genes required in these processes remain poorly defined. Here we report the role of a predicted anti-sigma factor, MSMEG_6129 and a predicted eukaryotic like serine/threonine protein kinase, MSMEG_5437, in the intrinsic resistance of Mycobacterium smegmatis to a variety of stresses including the genotoxic agent mitomycin C, hydrogen peroxide and at least four different antibiotics - isoniazid, chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline. We show that MSMEG_5437 influences the phosphorylation state of MSMEG_6129. Further, MSMEG_6129 controls the expression of a plethora of genes including efflux pumps, ABC transporters, catalases and transcription factors, either directly or via regulators like WhiB7, which account for the observed multi-drug resistance phenotypes. MSMEG_6129 in turn phosphorylates a contiguously located putative anti-anti-sigma factor, MSMEG_6127. We therefore propose that MSMEG_5437, MSMEG_6129 and MSMEG_6127 are components of a master regulatory network, upstream of whiB7, that controls the activity of one or more of the 28 sigma factors in M. smegmatis. Together, this network controls the expression of a regulon required for resistance to several unrelated antibiotics.
The Chemokine CXCL8 in Carcinogenesis and Drug Response

Although the functions of chemokines in the regulation of immune processes have been studied in some detail, the role of these biomolecules in cancer is not fully understood. Chemokines mediate migration of immune cells and other functions related to immunity. They are also involved in oncogenesis and in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis through mechanisms similar to their roles in immune functions. Various chemokines also promote cell proliferation and resistance to apoptosis of stressed cells. Consequently, chemokines and their receptors present potential therapeutic targets for anticancer drugs. The chemokine CXCL8, also known as interleukin-8 (IL8), is a proinflammatory molecule that has functions within the tumor microenvironment. Due to its potent angiogenic effects and the activity of the chemokine and its receptors in the promotion of invasion and metastasis, CXCL8 and its receptors are now considered as attractive targets for cancer therapy. This review relates the current understanding of the regulation, signaling, and functions of CXCL8 that contribute to tumor growth and metastasis, and of its role in drug response.
Analysis of resonant longitudinal instability in a heavy ion induction linac

A high current beam of subrelativistic ions accelerated in an induction linac is predicted (in some circumstances) to exhibit unstable growth of current fluctuations at high frequencies ( nu approximately 100 MHz). The instability is driven by the interaction between the beam and accelerator modules at frequencies close to a cavity resonance. The extent of unstable growth depends on features of the coupling impedance, beam parameters, and total pulse and accelerator lengths. Transient and asymptotic analyses are presented. >
Horned lizards (Phrynosoma) incapacitate dangerous ant prey with mucus.

Horned lizards (Iguanidae, Phrynosomatinae, Phrynosoma) are morphologically specialized reptiles characterized by squat, tank-like bodies, short limbs, blunt snouts, spines and cranial horns, among other traits. They are unusual among lizards in the degree to which they specialize on a diet of ants, but exceptional in the number of pugnacious, highly venomous, stinging ants they consume, especially harvester ants (genus Pogonomyrmex). Like other iguanian lizards, they capture insect prey on the tongue, but unlike other lizards, they neither bite nor chew dangerous prey before swallowing. Instead, they employ a unique kinematic pattern in which prey capture, transport and swallowing are combined into a single feeding stage, apparently leaving the mouth, pharynx, esophagus and stomach vulnerable to bites and stings. Nevertheless, horned lizards consume dozens of harvester ants without harm. We show that their derived feeding kinematics are associated with unique, mucus-secreting pharyngeal papillae that apparently serve to immobilize and incapacitate dangerous ants as they are swallowed by compacting them and binding them in mucus strands. Radially branched esophageal folds provide additional mucus-secreting surfaces the ants pass through as they are swallowed. Ants extracted from fresh-killed horned lizard stomachs are curled ventrally into balls and bound in mucus. We conclude that the pharyngeal papillae, in association with a unique form of hyolingual prey transport and swallowing, are horned lizard adaptations related to a diet of dangerous prey. Harvester ant defensive weapons, along with horned lizard adaptations against such weapons, suggest a long-term, predator-prey, co-evolutionary arms race between Phrynosoma and Pogonomyrmex. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:447-459, 2008. r 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Recent Advances in Diagnostic Microbiology

The past decade has seen a surge in the development of a variety of molecular diagnostics designed to rapidly identify or characterize medically important microorganisms. We briefly review important advances in molecular microbiology, and then discuss specific assays that have been implemented in clinical microbiology laboratories throughout the country. We also discuss emerging methods and technologies that will soon be more widely used for the prompt and accurate detection of the agents of infectious diseases.
Management of resident plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria with the cropping system: a review of experience in the US Pacific Northwest

In view of the inconsistent performance of single or mixtures of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains formulated for commercial use, and the high cost of regulatory approval for either a proprietary strain intended for disease control or a crop plant transformed to express a disease-suppressive or other growth-promoting PGPR trait, management of resident PGPR with the cropping system remains the most practical and affordable strategy available for use of these beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms in agriculture. A cropping system is defined as the integration of management (agricultural) practices and plant genotypes (species and varieties) to produce crops for particular end-uses and environmental benefits. The build-up in response to monoculture cereals of specific genotypes of Pseudomonas fluorescens with ability to inhibit Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici by production of 2,4-diacetylphoroglucinol (DAPG), accounting for take-all decline in the US Pacific Northwest, illustrates what is possible but apparently not unique globally. Other crops or cropping systems enrich for populations of the same or other genotypes of DAPG-producing P. fluorescens or, possibly and logically, genotypes with ability to produce one or more of the five other antibiotic or antibiotic-like substances inhibitory to other soilborne plant pathogens. In the U.S Pacific Northwest, maintenance of threshold populations of resident PGPR inhibitory to G. graminis var. tritici is the centerpiece of an integrated system used by growers to augment take-all decline while also limiting damage caused by pythium and rhizoctonia root rot and fusarium root and crown rot in the direct-seed (no-till) cereal-intensive cropping systems while growing varieties of these cereals (winter and spring wheat, barley and triticale) fully susceptible to all four root diseases.
Portable parallel Level-3 BLAS in Linda

Describes an approach towards providing an efficient Level-3 BLAS library over a variety of parallel architectures using C-Linda. A blocked linear algebra program calling the sequential Level-3 BLAS can now run on both shared and distributed memory environments (which support Linda) by simply replacing each call by a call to the corresponding parallel Linda Level-3 BLAS. The authors summarise some of the implementation and algorithmic issues related to the matrix multiplication subroutine. All the various matrix algorithms being block-structured, they are particularly interested in parallel computers with hierarchical memory systems. Experimental data for their implementations show substantial speedups on shared memory, disjoint memory and networked configurations of processors. The authors also present the use of their parallel subroutines in blocked dense LU decomposition and present some preliminary experimental data. >