cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The polarization vectors at the interface and the secular equation for Stoneley waves in monoclinic bimaterials

Stoneley waves propagating in the direction of the x 1 –axis in a bimaterial consisting of two half–spaces x 2 ⩾ 0 and x 2 ⩽ 0 of dissimilar anisotropic elastic materials are considered. Several invariants, independent of x 2 , that relate the displacement and the stress are obtained for a general anisotropic elastic bimaterial. We then study the case when both materials have the symmetry plane at x 2 = 0 (or x 1 = 0). The displacement and the traction at the interface x 2 = 0 describe two separate elliptic paths. They are polarized on planes that contain the x 2 –axis (or x 1 –axis). Moreover, the x 2 –axis (or x 1 –axis) is one of the principal axes of the ellipse. In the rest of the paper we consider special monoclinic bimaterials with the symmetry plane at x 2 = 0, x 1 = 0 or x 3 = 0. The elastic constants for the two monoclinic materials are identical except that those elastic constants that would vanish if the material were orthotropic have the opposite sign for the two materials. It is shown that one of the ellipses degenerates into a line along a coordinate axis while the other ellipse is on a coordinate plane normal to this coordinate axis. When the symmetry plane is at x 3 = 0, both ellipses degenerate into lines along the x 1 – and x 2 –axes. Explicit expressions of the polarization vectors and the secular equation are presented for all three monoclinic bimaterials.
EXAFS studies of nickel(II) and nickel(I) factor 430M. Conformational flexibility of the F430 skeleton

Factor 430 (F430) is a Ni(II) tetrapyrrole (corphin) found in methyl coenzyme M reductase, the enzyme catalyzes the terminal stages of the conversion of carbon dioxide in methane biogenesis. The authors present here EXAFS results for the low-spin (LS) Ni(II) form of F430 M{sup 10} and for its paramagnetic Ni(I) reduction intermediate. The significant differences in Ni-N bond lengths found for the low- and high-spin Ni(II), 1.90 vs. 2.10 {angstrom}, demonstrate the considerable conformational flexibility of the F430 skeleton.
A volcanic environment for bedrock diagenesis at Meridiani Planum on Mars

Surface features at the landing site of Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rover, have been taken as evidence that liquid water was once abundant on Mars. But two groups now present alternative explanations of the layered structures and mineral compositions of the Meridiani Planum that do not involve a standing body of liquid water. Turbulent flow of rock fragments, salts and ice produced by meterorite impact and deposition of volcanic material followed by reaction with condensed sulphur dioxide- and water-bearing vapours, are offered as alternative explanations for the observations. Exposed bedrocks at Meridiani Planum on Mars display chemical and mineralogical evidence suggesting interaction with liquid water1,2,3,4,5,6. On the basis of morphological observations as well as high abundances of haematite and sulphate minerals, the rocks have been interpreted as sediments that were deposited in a shallow body of briny water with subsequent evaporation leaving behind the sulphate minerals1,2. The iron-sulphur mineralization at Meridiani has also been inferred to be analogous to that produced during oxidative weathering of metal sulphide minerals, such as occurs at acid mine drainage sites7. Neither of these interpretations, however, is consistent with the chemical composition of the rocks. Here we propose an alternative model for diagenesis of Meridiani bedrock that involves deposition of volcanic ash followed by reaction with condensed sulphur dioxide- and water-bearing vapours emitted from fumaroles. This scenario does not require prolonged interaction with a standing body of surface water and may have occurred at high temperatures. Consequently, the model invokes an environment considerably less favourable for biological activity on Mars than previously proposed interpretations.
A Consideration of Some Phases of the Mosquito Control Problem

The phases of the mosquito control problem which I want to call to your attention are those that have arisen as a result of the present country wide agitation for wildlife conservation and restoration. As most of you know, mosquito control work on marshes is being attacked in many localities as being destructive to wildlife habitats without bringing any appreciable relief from the mosquito pest, It is not my purpose to mention specifically any of the numerous attacks, but rather to make some suggestions as to what mosquito control workers can do to offset effectively some of the present criticism, part of which is decidedly unjust.
Two dimensional echographic imaging of the left ventricle - Comparison of mechanical and phased array systems in vitro

Abstract To determine the reliability of two dimensional echographic images of the left ventricle with different two dimensional echographic instruments, two dimensional echographic images of the left ventricle were compared in vitro using two phased array and two mechanical systems to image 22 short axis slices of three postmortem human hearts (one with infarction, one with left ventricular aneurysm, one with mitral regurgitation). Total left ventricular area and left ventricular cavity area were determined with planimetry and myocardial area was derived by subtraction. Comparison of total, myocardial and cavity areas with calibrated photographs of each slice showed excellent correlations for each echographic system (r = 0.93 to 0.97 for total area; 0.90 to 0.94 for cavity area; 0.89 to 0.95 for myocardial area). For total left ventricular area, the ratio of echographic to photographic image size was close to unity (0.95 to 1.08) for one mechanical and two phased array systems, but significantly lower for mechanical system 2 (0.71, p
Theory of solubility of gases in polymers

Lattice–hole theory in the formulation of Simha and Somcynsky (SS) is employed to compute the free energy of mixing and the chemical potential of the dissolved gas. The corresponding quantity in the vapour phase is obtained from tabulated values of the second and third virial coefficients. This makes it possible to proceed beyond the limit of Henry’s law. Three gases, argon, methane and carbon dioxide, and two polymers, polyethylene and cis-polybutadiene, are considered. Previous equation-of-state analyses in terms of SS theory provide requisite structural parameters and, where required, are modified or extended. The pressure- and temperature-dependent solubilities derived are reasonable in the light of literature values for similar polymers at atmospheric pressure and 298K. We compare our results with empirical correlations for natural rubber between solubility and gas critical temperature on one hand and heats of solution on the other. The outcome is gratifying. The literature contains the characteristic parameters of the theory for many polymers. Thus applications of the theory to further polymer–gas combinations are indicated. We note an inversion, i.e. positive temperature coefficients of nitrogen solubility in polystyrene and polybutadiene. ©1997 SCI
HEMOGLOBIN AND PLASMA PROTEIN PRODUCTION : VARIOUS PROTEINS, CONCENTRATES, AND DIGESTS INFLUENCE BLOOD PROTEIN PRODUCTION IN ANEMIA AND HYPOPROTEINEMIA.

Given healthy dogs, fed abundant iron and protein-free or low protein diets, with sustained anemia and hypoproteinemia due to bleeding, we can study the capacity of these animals to produce simultaneousiy new hemoglobin and plasma protein. The reserve stores of blood protein-producing materials in this way are largely depleted, and levels of 6 to 8 gm. per cent for hemoglobin and 4 to 5 gm. per cent for plasma protein can be maintained for considerable periods of time. These dogs are very susceptible to infection and to injury by many poisons. Dogs tire of these diets and loss of appetite terminates many experiments. These incomplete experiments are not recorded in the present paper but give supporting evidence in harmony with those tabulated. Under these conditions (double depletion) the dogs use effectively the proteins listed above-egg, lactalbumin, meat, beef plasma, and digests of various food proteins and hemoglobin. Egg protein at times seems to favor slightly the production of plasma protein when compared with the average response (Tables 1 and 2). Various digests and concentrates compare favorably with good food proteins in the production of new hemoglobin and plasma protein in these doubly depleted dogs. Whole beef plasma by mouth is well utilized and the production of new hemoglobin is, if anything, above the average-certainly plasma protein production is not especially favored. "Modified" beef plasma by vein causes fatal anaphylaxis (Table 4). Hemoglobin digests are well used by mouth to form both hemoglobin and plasma protein. Supplementation by amino acids is recorded. Methionine in one experiment may have been responsible for a better protein output and digest utilization (Table 7).
Proestrous hormone surges dissociated from ovulation in the estrogen-treated hamster.

Hamsters injected sc with 50 μg estradiol cyclopentylpropionate (ECP) at 0900 h on day 1 (metestrus) of the cycle show the normal “postovulatory” vaginal discharge 4 days later but do not resume ovulation until 14–18 days later. After ECP injection ovarian histology reveals that the follicles normally destined to ovulate at the end of the cycle (developing follicles) are healthy on the afternoon of day 1, but atretic by day 2. Developing follicles (8–12 granulosal layers) reappear by the afternoon of day 3; follicular development is still retarded by the afternoon of proestrus (day 4). Serum hormone levels were determined by RIA in ECP and oil treated hamsters. ECP fails to affect the normally high levels of FSH present throughout day 1; however, by day 2 both FSH and LH levels are usually undetectable. On day 3, a “rebound” phenomenon occurs and FSH and LH are now detectable in the ECP treated groups. The preovulatory increase of LH occurs on day 4 between 1200 and 1400 h in both groups whereas FSH incre...
Burst mode operation of >100 MW reflex triode vircator

Summary form only given. Vircators are high power microwave sources which operate at frequencies approximately proportional to the plasma frequency of the electron beam as it passes through the anode. As a result, stable frequency operation requires flat top voltage pulses, and diodes which exhibit little variation in impedance over a given pulse duration. However, plasma formation on the anode and cathode followed by plasma expansion causes the effective A-K gap and thus the impedance of the diode to collapse with time. As the impedance collapses current density increases, possibly causing a shift to higher frequency operation. The vircator presently discussed exhibits frequency chirping from 4 to 5.5 GHz during a pulse length of 700 ns when operated with an 8 stage, 1.5 kJ Marx generator that has a pulse shape of an overdamped RLC discharge (assuming arc formation does not occur). However, stable frequency operation is observed with an 8 stage 80 J Marx, each stage constructed from pulse forming networks rather than discrete capacitors. The PFN Marx generator produces a flat top voltage for a 75 ns FWHM pulse; however the energy radiated from the vircator is much lower due to the reduced energy storage of the PFN Marx. Burst mode operation has the potential to improve frequency stability and energy radiated from the vircator. This contribution reports the experimental results of a compact sealed tube vircator operated in burst mode with a repetition rate of up to 100 Hz. The data show voltage and current waveforms during burst cycles as well as microwave waveforms with temporally resolved frequency spectra.
Evaluation of the Infant Adoption Awareness Trainings: Transforming Training Knowledge to Adoption Practice

Mixed methods were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the infant adoption awareness trainings. Quantitative data were collected through a pre-test/post-test design (n = 2797) that measured trainees’ level of knowledge gained from the trainings. Qualitative data were collected through a follow-up survey (n = 304) and telephone interviews (n = 82) with trainees to assess whether the learning that occurred at the trainings has been applied to adoption-related practices. Findings suggest that trainees felt more comfortable discussing adoption as an option and were better prepared to use correct adoption terminology. Implications for practice, policy advocacy, and future research are discussed.
Substandard life-saving drugs: a global concern.

This editorial refers to ‘Comparative analysis of the activity and content of different streptokinase preparations’† by P. Hermentin et al. , on page 933 How can consumers and health professionals be sure that the drugs they use are safe and effective? A drug that has been approved for clinical use has undergone thorough evaluation during ‘phase I’ studies (pre-clinical and dose-finding) and during ‘phase II’ and ‘phase III’ randomized trials that test defined regimens of the new drug against a reference treatment in medium and large patient-year groups. This well-codified process provides information on the short- and mid-term safety and efficacy of the drug and forms the basis for approval by regulatory authorities. However, once the medication reaches the open market, it is more difficult to carry out a systematic and long-term evaluation. In this phase (‘phase IV’), pharmaceutical assessment relies on a combination of government-sponsored vigilance, spontaneous reports, and epidemiological monitoring. The sensational withdrawal of rofecoxib (dictated by a significant increase in the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke) as late as 5 years after its approval has raised questions concerning contemporary methods of monitoring the long-term safety of available drugs.1–3 Indeed, some of the present measures of phase IV surveillance contain internal conflicts that hinder the very actions they are meant to perform. For instance, current regulations provide for the withdrawal of a drug by the same agency that approved its initial marketing or for the report of drug-related adverse events by the manufacturer of the drug itself.1 These arrangements do not favour impartial decisions, as they entail that the agency be ready to recognize its own failure and that the company voluntarily limit its income.1 … *Corresponding author. Tel: +39 6 30154187; fax: +39 6 3055535. E-mail address : felicita.andreotti{at}iol.it
Intermediate Model Solutions to the Lorenz Equations: Strange Attractors and Other Phenomena

Abstract The low-order, nine-component, primitive equation model of Lorenz (1980) is used as the basis for a comparative study of the quality of several intermediate models. All the models are intermediate between the primitive equations and quasi-geostrophy and will not support gravity-wave oscillations; this reduces to three the number of independent components in each. Strange attractors, stable limit cycles, and stable and unstable fixed points are found in the models. They are used to make a quantitative intercomparison of model performance as the forcing strength, or equivalently the Rossby number, is varied. The models can be ranked from best to worst at small Rossby number as follows: the primitive equations, the balance equations, hypogeostrophy, geostrophic momentum approximation, the linear balance equations, and quasi-geostrophy. At intermediate Rossby number the only change in this ranking is the demotion of hypogeostrophy to the position of worst. Caveats about the low-order model, and hence...
Modification of the sagittal ramus osteotomy to produce a more accurate inferior border split.

The sagittal osteotomy of the mandibular ramus was first described by Schuchardt’ and popularized by Trauner and Obwegeser. 2 Numerous modifications have been introduced, including those by Dal Pont,3 Hunsuck, Epker5 and Wolford et al6 With the advent of rigid fixation, technical precision at the inferior aspect of the split has assumed increased significance. Ideally, the inferior split occurs exactly at the inferior edge of the posterior body and ramus, along the entire length of the split. When the fracture occurs medially or laterally, it may be difficult or impossible to place a bone screw in this area. Epker and Fish’ stated that buccal plate fractures occur primarily because of incomplete splitting at the inferior border of the mandible. Wolford and Davis’ noted that with the procedure as it existed, the mandible rarely splits at the inferior border. They introduced a technique involving use of a specially designed blade to allow cutting of the inferior border of the mandible with a reciprocating saw. This report describes an alternative technique to easily create a favorable inferior border split, without the need for additional instrumentation or technical expertise.
Ultrastructural and chemical studies on waxy secretions and wax-producing structures on the integument of the woolly oak aphid Stegophylla brevirostris Quednau (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Abstract The woolly oak aphid (WOA), Stegophylla brevirostris Quednau, is a recently described oak pest in Florida, USA. Colonies of WOA on live-oak trees are distinguished by a thick layer of white filamentous waxy material covering most individuals. Nymphs and apterous adults have several long waxy threads/bundles extending from their head, thorax and especially from their abdomen. We used scanning electron microscopy of ‘naturally waxed’ and ‘dewaxed’ aphids to study the ultrastructure and distribution of wax-producing structures on the cuticle. Two types of ‘wax pores’ and smaller wax ‘pits’ were found clustered in wax pore plates around dorsal setae on the head, thorax and abdomen. The larger, type-1, wax pores produce short or long wax columns with honeycomb interior; the smaller, type-2, wax pores produce short or long hollow wax tubes; whereas wax pits produce the shorter and more loosely net tufts of wax filaments covering most of the body dorsally. Wax columns or tubes produced by clusters of types-1 and 2 wax pores aggregate together forming the longer and thicker wax bundles that extend dorsally and laterally from the cuticle, especially near the posterior end of the abdomen. Type-2 wax pores and wax pits were also found on parts of the legs and antennae. Infrared spectroscopy indicated that wax esters, containing saturated fatty acids and fatty alcohols, are the major constituents of WOA waxy secretions. The possible roles of these secretions, especially in avoiding contamination with honeydew and providing some protection against natural enemies and adverse climatic conditions, are discussed.
Use of the Journal Citation Reports for Serials Management in Research Libraries: An Investigation of the Effect of Self-Citation on Journal Rankings in Library and Information Science and Genetics

This article explores the use of the Institute for Scientific Information’s Journal Citation Reports ( JCR ) for journal management in academic libraries. The advantages and disadvantages to using JCR citation data for journal management are outlined, and a literature review summarizes reported uses of these data by libraries and scholars. This study researches the impact of journal self-citation on JCR rankings of library and information science (LIS) and genetics journals. The 1994 rankings by impact factor and total citations received were recalculated with journal self-citations removed; then the recalculated rankings were compared to the original rankings to analyze the effect of self-citations. It is concluded that librarians can use JCR data without correcting for journal self-citation, although self-citations do exert a major effect on the rankings for a small number of journals.
An interrupt-driven data collection system for MS-DOS personal computers

Abstract A data collection routine for MS-DOS computers is described which allows the user to collect data in a background mode so that other tasks, such as analysis, can be performed in the foreground. The routine was developed as part of the data acquisition system of the Neutral Current Neutrino Experiment presently being conducted at the Savannah River Site. The data must consist of discrete events which occur at a rate less than 18 Hz.
Kinematics of the normal trapeziometacarpal joint

Motion of the trapeziometacarpal joint was studied in 12 hands from fresh human cadavera. By use of a magnetic tracking system, a full range of motion of the first metacarpal was analyzed with respect to a defined trapezial coordinate system. The traces of the reference points on the head and base of the first metacarpal were monitored, and the instantaneous centers of rotation were calculated. During circumduction, the reference points on the head and base followed elliptical paths but in opposite directions. The average instantaneous center of circumduction was at approximately the center of the trapezial joint surface. In flexion-extension, the axis of rotation was located within the trapezium, and the path of the head was identical to the path of the base. In abduction-adduction, the axis of rotation was located distal to the trapezium within the base of the first metacarpal, and the base and head moved in opposite directions. There was no single center of rotation; rather, instantaneous motion occurred reciprocally between these centers of rotation within the trapezium and metacarpal base in the normal thumb. This changing instantaneous center of rotation results in a unique pattern of motion which is related to congruent, tightly constrained joint surfaces of two reciprocal saddle joints and to precisely positioned extraarticular ligaments.
The influence of age at menarche on cross-sectional geometry of bone in young adulthood

Elucidating the somatic and maturational influences on the biomechanical properties of bone in children is crucial for a proper understanding of bone strength and quality in childhood and later life, and has significant potential for predicting adult fracture and osteoporosis risks. The ability of a long bone to resist bending and torsion is primarily a function of its cross-sectional geometric properties, and is negatively impacted by smaller external bone diameter. In pubescent girls, elevated levels of estrogen impede subperiosteal bone growth and increase endosteal bone deposition, resulting in bones averaging a smaller external and internal diameter relative to boys. In addition, given a well-documented secular trend for an earlier menarche, the age at which the rate of subperiosteal bone deposition decreases may also be younger in more recent cohorts of girls. In this study we examined the relationship between pubertal timing and subsequent bone strength in girls. Specifically, we investigated the effects of age at menarche on bone strength indicators (polar moment of inertia and section modulus) determined from cross-sectional geometry of the second metacarpal (MC2) using data derived from serial hand-wrist radiographs of female participants (N = 223) in the Fels Longitudinal Study, with repeated measures of MC2 between the ages of 7 and 35 years. Using multivariate regression models, we evaluated the effects of age at menarche on associations between measures of bone strength in early adulthood and the same measures at a prepubertal age. Results indicate that later age at menarche is associated with stronger adult bone (in torsion and bending) when controlling for prepubertal bone strength (R2 ranged between 0.54 and 0.70, p < 0.001). Since cross-sectional properties of bone in childhood may have long lasting implications, they should be considered along with pubertal timing in assessing risk for future fracture and in clinical recommendations.
Eigenproperties of non‐classically damped primary structure and equipment systems by a perturbation approach

Closed-form expressions are obtained to calculate the approximate complex eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a system composed of a non-classically damped primary structure and a single degree of freedom oscillator. The expressions are obtained through a systematic second order perturbation analysis of a transformed eigenvalue problem of the combined system. The possibility of tuning between the structure and equipment is considered. The dynamic properties of the combined system are derived in terms of the complex eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the supporting structure and the frequency, mass and damping ratio of the equipment. Examples demonstrating the accuracy of the expressions for the eigenvalues and eigenvectors are presented. These eigenproperties are used for generation of floor response spectra for non-classically damped structures to incorporate the dynamic interaction effects between the structure and equipment.
A screen for conditional growth suppressor genes identifies the Drosophila homolog of HD-PTP as a regulator of the oncoprotein Yorkie

Mammalian cancers depend on "multiple hits," some of which promote growth and some of which block apoptosis. We screened for mutations that require a synergistic block in apoptosis to promote tissue overgrowth and identified myopic (mop), the Drosophila homolog of the candidate tumor-suppressor and endosomal regulator His-domain protein tyrosine phosphatase (HD-PTP). We find that Myopic regulates the Salvador/Warts/Hippo (SWH) tumor suppressor pathway: Myopic PPxY motifs bind conserved residues in the WW domains of the transcriptional coactivator Yorkie, and Myopic colocalizes with Yorkie at endosomes. Myopic controls Yorkie endosomal association and protein levels, ultimately influencing expression of some Yorkie target genes. However, the antiapoptotic gene diap1 is not affected, which may explain the conditional nature of the myopic growth phenotype. These data establish Myopic as a Yorkie regulator and implicate Myopic-dependent association of Yorkie with endosomal compartments as a regulatory step in nuclear outputs of the SWH pathway.
Duplex accretion and underplating in an ancient accretionary complex, Kodiak Islands, Alaska

The landward belt of the Kodiak Formation represents a sequence of lower Maastrichtian turbidites that was underplated to the Kodiak accretionary complex by duplex accretion. Evidence for duplexes exists on the mesoscopic and map scale. At the microscopic scale, incremental strain histories are consistent with early shear during underthrusting abrupt landward rotation of individual thrust slices over fault ramps, and locking of thrust packets in steeper orientations. Duplex geometries at the mesoscopic scale are represented by high-angle reverse faults bounded either above or below by low-angle, southeast-verging detachments. At the map scale, different structural belts can be related to a low-angle detachment zone (central belt) flooring a more landward duplex (landward belt). Duplex underplating can result in the uplift and thickening of accretionary prisms without necessarily deforming the overlying, previously accreted material and slope sediments.
DSS & Knowledge Management in Inquiring Organizations: An Update

In 2001, Courtney suggested that organizational problems may be more complex or "wicked" than they seem on the surface, and perhaps a new paradigm for examining decision-making through DSS and knowledge management in organizations would be more appropriate. The notions of multiple perspectives of stakeholders and Churchman's inquiring systems, specifically Singerian inquirers, were integrated to conceptualize a new way to consider solutions. This paper provides a brief summary of the original manuscript and discusses the results of a content analysis conducted to evaluate the works that have cited the Decision Support Systems article since its publication almost ten years ago. Emergent research streams and topical representations are also identified and discussed.
Querying and visualizing gridded datasets for e-science

We demonstrate a Web service and client application for querying and visualizing datasets defined over a topological grid structure. The context for our interest in gridded datasets is CORIE, an environmental observation and forecasting system designed to support scientific and industrial interests in the Columbia River estuary. The CORIE system both measures and simulates the physical properties of the estuary, generating 5GB of data and thousands of data products for each simulation run, including visualizations, aggregated results and derived datasets. In the current production CORIE system, "canned" visualizations are produced eagerly for every run. Users cannot customize their data products nor access the data directly, inhibiting data sharing. The term e-science is used to connote global, distributed collaboration enabled by sharing of both data and compute resources.
Evolutionarily Conserved Intronic Splicing Regulatory Elements in the Human Genome

Splicing is the process by which introns are removed from premature messenger ribonucleic acid (pre-mRNA), and exons are ligated to form mature mRNA before translation into protein products. Aside from the consensus splice signals such as the branch point, acceptor and donor splice sites, additional cis-regulatory elements embedded within the exons and introns control the recognition of exonic (approximately 150 bases) from intronic sequence (approximately 100–100 000 bases). Intronic splicing elements that are evolutionarily conserved across multiple species play important roles in the regulation of constitutive splicing, where a single mRNA is produced, and alternative splicing, where multiple mRNA isoforms are generated. Keywords: alternative splicing; intronic splicing regulatory elements; evolution; bioinformatics; comparative genomics
Carotid and Vertebral Artery Disease

Extracranial carotid artery disease is commonly seen in patients presenting with stroke symptoms. It is also a frequent incidental finding in patients undergoing evaluation as part of a routine examination in the outpatient setting. Several diagnostic imaging modalities are currently available. Treatment strategies include medical and surgical management. Multiple randomized trials conducted over the past decade have laid a foundation for guidelines on the management of extracranial carotid disease. Evaluation and treatment of patients with vertebral artery stenosis is less understood. We review the evidence for the detection and treatment of patients with extracranial carotid artery and vertebral artery disease.
HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors Reduce Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Expression by Human Vascular Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells

The clinical benefit of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) may derive from a qualitative, functional change in atherosclerotic lesions in addition to their lipid-lowering properties. We examined whether statins altered expression of the major determinants of fibrinolytic balance, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in human vascular smooth muscle (SMC) and endothelial (EC) cells. Simvastatin reduced levels of PAI-1 antigen released from SMCs and ECs stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor or transforming growth factor-beta (IC(50) approximately 1 micromol/L). Levels of EC-derived tPA increased 2-fold over the same concentrations of simvastatin that inhibited release of PAI-1. Simvastatin's inhibitory effect was mimicked by C3 exoenzyme and prevented by geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, but not by farnesyl pyrophosphate, suggesting the involvement of geranylgeranyl-modified intermediates. Decreased PAI-1 antigen was correlated with reduced mRNA transcription and activity of the PAI-1 promoter. By inhibiting expression of PAI-1 from SMCs and ECs while increasing expression of tPA from ECs, simvastatin may alter the local fibrinolytic balance within the vessel wall toward increased fibrinolytic capacity that, in turn, would reduce thrombotic risk after plaque rupture.
An algorithm and design to test random access memories

A fast test generation algorithm of 7n complexity for testing RAMs, where n is the number of words, is presented. This algorithm covers 100% single cell stuck-at-1/0 faults, transition 1-to-0 and 0-to-1 faults, bridging faults between two cells (state coupling), and data retention faults. A design methodology (STD architecture) for designing large memories so that a very small test time can be achieved is also presented. The memory is partitioned into several small blocks. The memory address decoder is divided into two or more levels and designed so that in the test mode all small memory blocks can be accessed together. The hardware overhead in this approach is negligible, and a constant test time can be achieved irrespective of the memory size. The STD architecture is applicable to memory chips as well as memory boards. >
General Theory of the Auto-Transformer

The method of complex quantities lends itself admirably to the development of general theory of the auto-transformer. As worked out, in this instance, it is found desirable to maintain the actual voltage ratio instead of reducing values to an equivalent 1:1 basis. Examples are given of calculations by this method, and also comparison is made with calculated performance of the two-circuit transformer. Certain inherent peculiarities of the auto-transformer are pointed out, being due to the effects of internal resistance and reactance. Part II is an application of the theory to transformers without iron and a number of interesting conclusions are brought out.
Optimization of Parallel Discrete Event Simulator for Multi-core Systems

Parallel Discrete Event Simulation (PDES) can substantially improve performance and capacity of simulation, allowing the study of larger, more detailed models, in shorter times. PDES is a fine-grained parallel application whose performance and scalability are limited by communication latencies. Traditionally, PDES simulation kernels use processes that communicate using message passing, shared memory is used to optimize message passing for processes running on the same machine. We report on our experiences in implementing a thread-based version of the ROSS simulator. The multithreaded implementation eliminates multiple message copying and significantly minimizes synchronization delays. We study the performance of the simulator on two hardware platforms: a Core i7 machine and a 48-core AMD Opteron Magny-Cours system. We identify performance bottlenecks and propose and evaluate mechanisms to overcome them. Results show that multithreaded implementation improves performance over the MPI version by up to a factor of 3 for the Core i7 machine and 1.2 on Magny-cours for 48-way simulation.
How can we prevent early death in preterm infants

Itwasobservedthat16%ofthe579eligibleinfantsdiedearly,andthemortalityratevariedfrom5-31%betweencenters.Thisdifferenceinmortalitybetweencenterspersisteddespiteadjustmentsforillnessseverity.Inadditiontocenterofbirth,othervariablesthatwereassociatedwithmortalitywerelowergestationalage,absenceofmater-nalhypertension,lowerApgarscores,andpresenceofrespiratorydistresssyndrome.Thereareseveralimportantstrengthsandlimitationsofthisanalysisandcertainuse-fulinsightsthatcanbeobtainedfromthisreportaswillbediscussedinthiscommentary.Thestrengthsofthisstudyincludethemulti-centernatureofthestudyinvolvingeighttertiaryuniversityhospitalsfromthreestates,theprospectivecohortevaluation,useofanunambiguous“hard”outcomesuchasmortality,andcarefulevaluationofillnessseverityusingtheScoreforNeonatalAcute, Physiology, Perinatal Extension, Version II(SNAPPE-II).Alimitationisthattheresultsfromtheseter-tiarycentersmaynotbegeneralizabletoperipheralcenterswhichmayhaveworseoutcomesforasimilarillnessseverityortosimilartertiarycentersinotherdevelopingcountrieswhereinthelocalinfrastructureandstaffexpertisemaybedifferent.Inaddition,despiteanadequatesamplesizefortheregressionanalysisasperformedinthisstudy,adetailedevaluationoffactorscontributingtointercenterdifferencesinearlymortalityrequiresalargernumberofanalyzedvari-ablesandacorrespondingincreaseinsamplesize.Thevariablesassociatedwithearlyneonatalmortalityinthisstudysuchascenterofbirth,lowergestationalage,absenceofmaternalhypertension,lowerApgarscores,andpresenceofrespiratorydistresssyndromearewellknownaspredictorsofmortalityandtheseresultsmay,therefore,beconsid-eredasunsurprising.However,impor-tant insights into the causes ofmortalitymaybeobtainedbyacloserevaluationofthecentervariable.Theauthorsaretobecommendedontheirfocusonthefactorsunderlyingintercenterdifferencesinmor-tality.Astheauthorsrightlypointout,differencesinmortal-itypersistevenaftercorrectionsfordifferencesinneonatalcharacteristics.Suchdifferencesarewellknown,
Diet-induced insulin resistance precedes other aspects of the metabolic syndrome

This study was designed to examine the effects of a high-fat refined-sugar (HFS) or a low-fat complex-carbohydrate (LFCC) diet on insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose transport, plasma insulin, blood pressure, plasma triglycerides, plasma glycerol, body weight, and body fat in female Fischer rats. Insulin-stimulated glucose transport was significantly reduced in the HFS group at 2 wk, 2 mo, and 2 yr, whereas serum insulin was significantly elevated at all time points. Blood pressure was not significantly elevated in the HFS group until 12 mo, and all HFS animals were hypertensive by 18 mo. Glycerol, triglycerides, and abdominal fat cell size were not significantly different at 2 wk but were significantly elevated in the HFS rats at 2 and 6 mo. Body weight was similar in both groups until 20 wk on the diet, when the HFS rats started to gain more weight. These results demonstrate that insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia occur before the other manifestations of the metabolic syndrome and that diet, not obesity, is the underlying cause.
Queueing Analysis of a Butterfly Network for Comparing Network Coding to Classical Routing

Network coding has gained significant attention in recent years as a means to improve throughput, especially in multicast scenarios. These capacity gains are achieved by combining packets algebraically at various points in the network, thereby alleviating local congestion at the nodes. The benefits of network coding are greatest when the network is heavily utilized or, equivalently, when the sources are saturated so that there is data to send at every scheduling opportunity. Yet, when a network supports delay-sensitive applications, traffic is often bursty and congestion becomes undesirable. The lighter loads typical of real-time traffic with variable sources tend to reduce the returns of network coding. This work seeks to identify the potential benefits of network coding in the context of delay-sensitive applications. As a secondary objective, this paper also studies the cost of establishing network coding in wireless environments. For a network topology to be suitable for coding, links need to possess a proper structure. The cost of establishing this structure may require excessive radio resources in terms of bandwidth and transmit power. Bursty traffic together with structural cost tend to decrease the potential benefits of network coding. This paper describes how, for real-time applications over wireless networks, there exist network topologies for which it may be best not to establish a network structure tailored to network coding.
Mechanisms of Maintenance of Species Diversity

▪ Abstract The focus of most ideas on diversity maintenance is species coexistence, which may be stable or unstable. Stable coexistence can be quantified by the long-term rates at which community members recover from low density. Quantification shows that coexistence mechanisms function in two major ways: They may be (a) equalizing because they tend to minimize average fitness differences between species, or (b) stabilizing because they tend to increase negative intraspecific interactions relative to negative interspecific interactions. Stabilizing mechanisms are essential for species coexistence and include traditional mechanisms such as resource partitioning and frequency-dependent predation, as well as mechanisms that depend on fluctuations in population densities and environmental factors in space and time. Equalizing mechanisms contribute to stable coexistence because they reduce large average fitness inequalities which might negate the effects of stabilizing mechanisms. Models of unstable coexitence...
Rita macracanthus, a new riverine catfish (Teleostei: Bagridae) from South Asia

A new species of bagrid catfish of the genus Rita is described from the Indus River drainage in South Asia. Rita macracanthus differs from all congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: dorsal spine reaching to middle of adipose-fin base; pectoral-spine length 28.7 30.0% SL; depth of caudal peduncle 7.6 8.4% SL; maximum length of premaxillary tooth band 4.8 6.4 times its maximum width; eye diameter 6.9 8.7% HL; interorbital distance 39.4 44.1% HL; dorsal surface of head between eyes and supraoccipital covered with thin skin wherein the underlying bone is visible; two distinct vomerine tooth patches with rounded peg-like teeth. The new species has been identified up until now as Rita rita, but is distinguished from that species in having longer dorsal and pectoral spines, a more slender caudal peduncle, and a longer premaxillary tooth band.
A control-flow normalization algorithm and its complexity

A single method for normalizing the control-flow of programs to facilitate program transformations, program analysis, and automatic parallelization is presented. While previous methods result in programs whose control flowgraphs are reducible, programs normalized by this technique satisfy a stronger condition than reducibility and are therefore simpler in their syntax and structure than with previous methods. In particular, all control-flow cycles are normalized into single-entry, single-exit while loops and all GOTOs are eliminated. Furthermore, the method avoids problems of code replication that are characteristic of node-splitting techniques. This restructuring obviates the control dependence graph, since afterwards control dependence relations are manifest in the syntax tree of the program. Transformations that effect this normalization are presented, and the complexity of the method is studied. >
Exploratory Study on the Association between Interpersonal Violence Experiences and Alcohol Use among Adolescents

Although a high prevalence of interpersonal violence among adolescents has been documented, we know very little about the association between interpersonal violence and alcohol use among adolescents. This study examines the relation between interpersonal violence experiences and alcohol use among a general random sample of 4,564 adolescents recruited through a randomized school-based survey of high school students in Florida. Overall, 30% of high school students reported lifetime interpersonal violence through physical fights, and 8% reported being physically forced to have sexual intercourse. In multivariable multinomial weighted logistic models adjusting for gender, ethnicity, and grade, high school students who were involved in physical fights or physically forced to have sexual intercourse had greater odds of alcohol use or binge drinking in the past 30 days than students who were not exposed to these experiences. In conclusion, adolescents who have faced interpersonal violence experiences may be at a high risk for alcohol use. Findings suggest that early evaluation of interpersonal violence experiences may be important as part of alcohol use prevention programs among adolescents. The article discusses implications for social work prevention programs and recommendations for future research.
Empowering Bystanders to Prevent Campus Violence Against Women A Preliminary Evaluation of a Poster Campaign

Researchers at a midsized public northeastern university evaluated the efficacy of a poster campaign to determine if students increase their knowledge of prosocial bystander behaviors and willingness to intervene in instances of sexual violence after viewing a series of campaign posters where student actors model appropriate bystander behaviors. During the last week of the campaign, undergraduates were invited to participate in a Web survey. The results of this preliminary evaluation indicate promising variation in the awareness of students who reported seeing the campaign compared to those who did not.
Racial differences in the age-related increase in left ventricular mass in youths.

We determined the factors related to left ventricular mass adjusted for body size in 60 black (mean age, 13 +/- 2 years) and 40 white (mean age, 14 +/- 2 years) normotensive youths. The factors examined included age, sex, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone concentration, and sodium and potassium intake as determined by 24-hour excretion. Sex (beta = 13.3, P < .003), age (beta = 2.88, P < .001), and systolic blood pressure (beta = 0.41, P < .02) were independent predictors in the sample as a whole, accounting for 37% of the variance of left ventricular mass adjusted for height. Separate analyses were performed for black and white subjects. In the black subjects, age (beta = 4.4, P < .004) followed by sex (beta = 11.85, P < .02) were independent factors, accounting for 43% of the variance of left ventricular mass adjusted for height. In contrast, in white subjects systolic blood pressure (beta = 0.4, P < .003) followed by sodium excretion (beta = 0.13, P < .05) were independent factors, with gender (beta = 8.89, P < .07) tending to account for 36% of the variance. Similar results were observed for left ventricular mass adjusted for body surface area. In conclusion, the age-related increase in adjusted left ventricular mass in black but not white youths may in part account for the early development of cardiovascular disease among the black population.
Control of nuclear centration in the C. elegans zygote by receptor-independent Gα signaling and myosin II

Mitotic spindle positioning in the Caenorhabditis elegans zygote involves microtubule-dependent pulling forces applied to centrosomes. In this study, we investigate the role of actomyosin in centration, the movement of the nucleus–centrosome complex (NCC) to the cell center. We find that the rate of wild-type centration depends equally on the nonmuscle myosin II NMY-2 and the Gα proteins GOA-1/GPA-16. In centration- defective let-99(−) mutant zygotes, GOA-1/GPA-16 and NMY-2 act abnormally to oppose centration. This suggests that LET-99 determines the direction of a force on the NCC that is promoted by Gα signaling and actomyosin. During wild-type centration, NMY-2–GFP aggregates anterior to the NCC tend to move further anterior, suggesting that actomyosin contraction could pull the NCC. In GOA-1/GPA-16–depleted zygotes, NMY-2 aggregate displacement is reduced and largely randomized, whereas in a let-99(−) mutant, NMY-2 aggregates tend to make large posterior displacements. These results suggest that Gα signaling and LET-99 control centration by regulating polarized actomyosin contraction.