cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The short-term effects of cisplatin chemotherapy on bone turnover

Cisplatin is an effective agent in the treatment of osteosarcoma of bone but little is known of its effects on normal bone turnover. Twenty-four dogs divided into three study groups were used to study the effect of cisplatin on normal bone turnover at the distant site of surgery. Group 1 served as the control group, group 2 received four cycles of cisplatin every 3 weeks before the surgery, and group 3 received four cycles postoperatively. The bone turnover rate was evaluated by measuring levels of systemic bone markers, osteocalcin, alkaline phospohatase, urine pyridinoline cross-links, and by determination histomorphometric indices. Histomorphological analysis showed poor correlation on bone formation with systemic bone markers at distant sites of surgery. Histomorphometrically normal bone turnover was affected by administration of cisplatin, but the effect was temporary, late, and less significant than what occurred at the surgical site. Our data showed that significant effects of cisplatin are observed at the site of active cellular induction and proliferation, such as implant-host interface, and less effects are seen at the sites of normal bone turnover.
Hydrogen On Track

This paper discusses the latest developments in the field of hydrogen-fuel cell propulsion research for application in the rail transportation and heavy industry. These include the ongoing project at Vehicle Projects LLC to retrofit a 109-metric ton diesel electric yard switcher locomotive with a powertrain that features polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), hydrogen fuel cell stacks. Hydrogen-fueled trains are also being planned for a 59-km long commuter rail line in Denmark and for the 48-km long freight line in North Carolina that is scheduled for conversion into a commuter rail connection by 2009. Hydrogen is also proving to be the fuel of choice for other industrial purposes such as for standby power, airport baggage tractors, forklifts, and shuttle buses
Mechanistic and pharmacologic aspects of status epilepticus and its treatment with new antiepileptic drugs

We review recent advances in our understanding and treatment of status epilepticus (SE). Repeated seizures cause an internalization of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptors, together with a movement of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors to the synapse. As a result, the response of experimental SE to treatment with GABAergic drugs (but not with NMDA antagonists) fades with increasing seizure duration. Prehospital treatment, which acts before these changes are established, is finding increased acceptance, and solid evidence of its efficacy is available, particularly in children. Rational polypharmacy aims at multiple receptors or ion channels to increase inhibition and simultaneously reduce excitation. Combining GABA(A) agonists with NMDA antagonists and with agents acting at other sites is successful in treating experimental SE, and in reducing SE-induced brain damage and epileptogenesis. The relevance of these experimental data to clinical SE is actively debated. Valproate and levetiracetam have recently become available for intravenous use, and the use of ketamine and of other agents (topiramate, felbamate, etc.) have seen renewed interest. A rapidly increasing but largely anecdotal body of literature reports success in seizure control at the price of relatively few complications with the clinical use of those agents in refractory SE.
Dynamic Programming and Inventory Problems

After an introductory discussion of the usefulness of the technique of dynamic programming in solving practical problems of multi-stage decision processes, the paper describes its application to inventory problems. In particular, the effect of allowing the number of decision stages to increase indefinitely is investigated, and it is shown that under certain realistic conditions this situation can be dealt with. It appears to be generally true that the average cost per period will converge, for an optimal policy, as the number of periods considered increases indefinitely, and that it is feasible to search for the policy which minimizes this long-term average cost. The paper concludes with a specific example, in which it is shown that only eight iterations were necessary to find a reasonable approximation to the optimal re-order policy.
Identification of active phosphoprotein in a cation-activated adenosine triphosphatase

Abstract 1. 1. A cation-stimulated ATPase has been labelled with [ 32 P]ATP. 2. 2. It is shown that 95% of the label passes into a phosphoprotein which has been identified by the isolation of radioactive phosphorylserine. 3. 3. Phosphorylation of the protein is stimulated by Na + and requires the presence of Mg 2+ . 4. 4. K + stimulates dephosphorylation of the phosphorylated protein, Mg 2+ is required for this step also. 5. 5. Strophanthin G inhibits both the Na + - and K + -stimulated steps. The latter is more sensitive to the glycoside. 6. 6. Observed rates of phosphorylation and of dephosphorylation of the radio-active phosphoprotein are compatible with observed rates of the cation-stimulated ATPase of the same preparation.
Nuclear and Cytosolic Estrogen Receptor in Gilt Endometrium throughout the Estrous Cycle

The levels of nuclear and uncharged cytoplasmic estrogen receptors were determined in gilt endometrium throughout the estrous cycle. Nuclear estrogen receptor was found to reach its highest level of 1.3 (range, 1.0–1.5) pmol/mg DNA on day 1 of the cycle just before ovulation (day 2), after which the values dropped sharply to 0.3 (range, 0.1–0.4) pmol/mg DNA. This level of nuclear receptor was consistently found through day 9. Between days 9–14, the estrogen receptor present in the nucleus decreased to zero, where it remained until the return of estrus (day 1). The dissociation constant (Kd ± SD) for the nuclear estrogen receptor was 1.6 (±1.4) × 10-9 M. Initially, the nuclear estrogen receptor peak at day 1 was preceded by an elevation (0.04–0.05 pmol/mg DNA) in cytoplasmic receptor at day 19, which declined when the receptor appeared in the nucleus. There was an even larger peak (range of maximal values, 0.07–0.26 pmol/mg DNA) of uncharged receptor in the cytosol near day 5. Throughout the rest of the cy...
Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of LiI-Doped Diglyme and Poly(ethylene oxide) Solutions

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on solutions of diglyme/LiI at 363 and 450 K for compositions of ether oxygen:Li (EO:Li) = 15:1 and 5:1 and have been compared with the results of the previous simulations of 12-repeat-unit PEO/LiI. In agreement with experiments on similar systems, the number of free ions was found to be smaller and the degree of ion aggregation greater in the diglyme/LiI solutions compared to PEO/LiI. The number of EOs coordinating each Li+ cation was found to be significantly fewer in the diglyme solutions, due to the lower solution density and short chain length, leading to the observed increase in ion aggregation. In contrast to PEO/LiI solutions, the number of free ions, ion pairs, and higher aggregates was nearly independent of temperature in the diglyme/LiI solutions for the temperature range investigated. Dynamically, the anion and cation self-diffusion coefficients were found to be greater in diglyme/LiI when compared to PEO/LiI for EO:Li = 15:1. However, the col...
The Instability of Continuous Heton Clouds

Abstract The linear and weakly nonlinear instability of a continuous model of the Heton cloud of Hogg and Stommel is studied. Particular attention is paid to the manner in which the continuous model presented here overlaps in behavior the point vortex dynamics described by Hogg and Stommel. The Heton cloud, which consists of a region of cyclonic vorticity overlying anticyclonic vorticity in the layer below (or vice versa), develops wavelike perturbations on the cloud boundary if the perturbation wavelength is long enough compared to the deformation radius. This is shown to be the case for both cloud bands and cylindrical Heton clouds. An analysis of the weakly nonlinear behavior of the Heton cloud band shows that the interaction of the fundamental wave with its next harmonic leads to nonlinear instability. The resulting explosive behavior is suggestive of the cloud fragmentation found in the point vortex model.
Space perception and luminance contrast: investigation and design applications through perceptually based computer simulations

Pictorial cues are the visual information gathered from 3D scenes; and they provide depth perception in the physical world. Pictorial cues are also used to create the illusion of depth on planar media. Planar media are a common platform for architects to visually examine the spatial qualities of their designs. Therefore, knowledge of pictorial cues can be used as a design strategy to enrich the spatial experience. In this paper, luminance contrast is proposed as an effective depth cue and design strategy. Lighting based perceptual studies are challenged by the dynamics of the luminous environments in physical experimental settings. Computer simulation allows the study of lighting variability throughout the day and year in a systematic manner. This paper utilizes a computational framework to simulate perceptual reality. Psychophysical experiments are conducted in this alternative environment. 3D scenes and the resulting 2D imagery are utilized to investigate the impact of lighting patterns and luminance contrast on depth perception. The results of the study demonstrate that luminance variations within a space impacts the perceived distance as much as they impact the luminance contrast between the task and the background. Application of this pictorial cue is demonstrated through architectural and urban design examples.
The multiple scattering theory of high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy

Abstract The multiple scattering theory of High Resolution Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy has been developed in the last decade. It has proved to be a very powerful tool in the study of surface lattice dynamics, since it predicts where the hard to observe longitudinally polarized surface modes can be seen. It is the purpose of this article to provide a brief review of the theory, to sketch the basic ingredients needed to perform calculations of the scattering cross sections, and to show some typical comparisons of theory and experiment.
Steady axisymmetric solutions for pressurized rotating flexible disk packs

Steady solutions are obtained for undisturbed pressurized flexible disk packs of various configurations. Simplified fluid equations of motion are coupled with the equations governing the deflection of flexible membranes in order to arrive at the differential equations for the spacing between the disks of the pack. A simple asymptotic-solution formula is derived for computing the dependence of the spacing between two neighboring disks on air density and viscosity, the volume rate of flow of air between the two disks, the angular speed of rotation, and the radial position on the disks.
Update on the management of pain in arthritis and the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

Chronic pain from arthritis continues to be one of the biggest causes of disability and loss of function in the United States today. This is still the case despite many new insights into the pathophysiology of pain, effective treatment approaches, and new, safer medications that can be used long-term. There are many different types of arthritic problems. New disease-modifying agents that are available for some of these types of arthritic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, have the potential to have a substantial impact on improvement in the long-term prognosis. Despite this optimistic outlook, pain often is a significant problem and should be treated whenever it becomes a barrier to function. To complicate treatment for this condition, the most widely used group of medications is under new scrutiny because of concerns regarding long-term detrimental side effects. A complete understanding of the risk factors for NSAIDs, specifically cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, is still not available. But published data and new clinical guidelines still suggest that treatment for this large category of diseases can be effective and safe.
Appearance potential study of the 4f levels of cerium, praseodymium and their oxides

Abstract The soft X-ray appearance potential spectra of the M 4,5 levels of cerium, praseodymium and their oxides were obtained in the 800–1000 eV energy range using the modulation potential technique. Rare earths, which have the same valence in the metal as in the oxide, are predicted to have localized 4f electrons which are not affected by oxidation. Contrary to this assertion, an effect of oxygen on the spectra of the rare earths, cerium and praseodymium has been recorded. The spectra are interpreted in terms of the atomic-like transitions involving exchange interaction between the 4f electrons and 3d vacancies and are not considered to be a self-convolution of the density of unoccupied 4f states in the above metals. The data are consistent with the trends in localization of the screening orbitals across the lanthanide series.
A C-based introductory course using robots

Using robots in introductory computer science classes has recently become a popular method of increasing student interest in computer science. This paper describes the development of a new curriculum for a CS 2 course, Imperative Problem Solving and Data Structures, based upon Scribbler 2 robots with standard C. The curriculum contains eight distinct modules with a primary topic theme, readings, labs, and project at the end. Each module resulted from collaboration among former CS 2 students and a faculty member, utilizing an iterative process with revisions. Each lab includes a survey to obtain student feedback that will allow the course to evolve and better fit the needs of future CS 2 students. All materials discussed here are available online for use by others.
Intersubject variation in absorption of digoxin in normal volunteers.

The absorption of oral digoxin preparations was evaluated following single‐dose administration of 0.5 mg of digoxin to 16 normal volunteers in a randomized crossover design. Absorption was estimated using the cumulative excretion of digoxin in urine for 7 days and the area under the 24‐hr serum digoxin concentration curve (AUC). Significant intersubject variability was observed with both parameters, but this variability was greater for the AUC. After intravenous administration, the 7‐day digoxin excretion was 68% of the dose. The elixir and a rapid dissolution tablet were significantly better absorbed (84.5 and 77.8%, respectively) than was a slow dissolution tablet (66.7%), as reflected by the fraction of the amount excreted in the urine following intravenous administration of the same dose. There was a highly significant correlation between the cumulative digoxin excretion in urine during the first 2 days compared to 7 days (r = +0.972, p < 0.001). Bioavailability of oral digoxin preparations can be reliably determined by comparison of the cumulative 2‐day excretion of digoxin following a single dose.
Materials Selection for Gas Turbine Seal Ring Applications

Many alloys are available to designers for seal ring applications in aircraft and industrial gas turbines. In this paper, the capabilities of a number of alloys are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on thermal expansion, density, environmental resistance, high-temperature strength, microstructural stability after exposure to elevated temperatures, weldability, and brazability. Among the alloys considered, the Ni-Cr-Mo HASTELLOY® alloy S offers a potentially useful combination of properties for seal ring applications.Copyright © 1984 by ASME
Spatial variability of soil properties, corn quality and yield in two Illinois, USA fields: Implications for precision corn management

Better understanding of within-field spatial variability of crop quality parameters and yield are needed for precision management of crops. This study was conducted to determine the magnitude of within-field variability in soil properties, corn (Zea mays L.) quality parameters and yield and to characterize their spatial structures. Another objective was to compare the effects of hybrid on corn quality, yield, and the spatial structure of grain quality. Four Pioneer hybrids were planted side-by-side, two in each of the two study fields in eastern Illinois, USA. Coefficients of variation (CV%) for soil properties varied from 6.3 (pH) to 56.8% (soil test P). All the soil properties (except pH at Site 2) displayed well-defined spatial structures, with either strong or moderate spatial dependence. Variability in corn quality and yield (CVs < 10%) was smaller than variability in soil properties. Most quality parameters examined at Site 1 exhibited either moderate or strong spatial dependence, except that corn oil (both hybrids), kernel roundness and weight (hybrid 33Y18) did not show any spatial correlation. Hybrid 33G26 had significantly higher yield and quality for most quality parameters than 33Y18 at Site 1. At Site 2, hybrid 34W67 was significantly lower in oil and protein content, length, roundness and vitreousness than 34K77, but higher in other quality parameters. Significant differences in spatial structures were also observed across hybrids for some corn quality parameters. We conclude that hybrid selection is an important strategy for precision management of corn for optimum yield and quality.
Developing, Testing, and Sustaining Rehabilitation Interventions Via Participatory Action Research

Few published intervention studies in the rehabilitation literature have included consumers in the research process other than as study participants. This lack of consumer involvement in intervention research may contribute to the challenges encountered developing, translating, disseminating, and sustaining evidence-based rehabilitation interventions in clinical practice. The overall objective of this article is to promote the integration of participatory action research (PAR) into rehabilitation intervention research as a mechanism for addressing these gaps. First, we outline essential components of a PAR model across 5 key phases of intervention research, specifically: agenda setting, methods, implementation, diffusion/dissemination, and sustainability. Second, we describe the use of PAR in rehabilitation intervention research within each of these phases by reviewing relevant literature and by providing an illustrative research example from a randomized controlled trial that integrated PAR throughout the research process. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of 5 specific recommendations for promoting the integration of PAR into rehabilitation intervention research.
"Martensitic" instability of an icosahedral quasicrystal.

A density-functional theory is developed to calculate the elastic moduli of crystals and quasicrystals. It is found that the nonaffine character of deformations below the unit-cell scale causes the Poisson ratio of a hard-sphere solid to be negative. An elastic instability is found for the icosahedral quasicrystals which lowers their symmetry to ${D}_{3}$ or ${D}_{5}$. The distortions of the diffraction pattern are in qualitative agreement with experiments.
Dissociable networks involved in spatial and temporal order source retrieval

Space and time are important components of our episodic memories. Without this information, we cannot determine the "where and when" of our recent memories, rendering it difficult to disambiguate individual episodes from each other. The neural underpinnings of spatial and temporal order memory in humans remain unclear, in part because of difficulties in disentangling the contributions of these two types of source information. To address this issue, we conducted an experiment in which participants first navigated a virtual city, experiencing unique routes in a specific temporal order and learning about the spatial layout of the city. Spatial and temporal order information were dissociated in our task such that learning one type of information did not facilitate the other behaviorally. This allowed us to then address the extent to which the two types of information involved functionally distinct or overlapping brain areas. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), participants retrieved information about the relative distance of stores within the city (spatial task) and the temporal order of stores from each other (temporal task). Comparable hippocampal activity was observed during these two tasks, but greater prefrontal activity was seen during temporal order retrieval whereas greater parahippocampal activity was seen during spatial retrieval. We suggest that while the brain possesses dissociable networks for maintaining and representing spatial layout and temporal order components of episodic memory, this information may converge into a common representation for source memory in areas such as the hippocampus.
Barriers to and Interventions for Improved Tuberculosis Detection and Treatment among Homeless and Immigrant Populations: A Literature Review

Tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide have declined over the last 10 years, but strong barriers to detection and treatment of TB still exist, especially among 2 special subgroups of low-income populations, immigrants and the homeless, where the incidence of TB can be up to 20 times higher than the general population even in affluent countries. A systematic review of literature was performed, aimed at identifying the main (1) barriers to and (2) effective interventions for the improved detection and treatment of TB in homeless and immigrant populations. Data were collected from 22 studies out of 80 potentially relevant citations worldwide published between 1998 and 2012. Key findings show that hard-to-reach groups like immigrants and the homeless seem willing to obtain care if they believe it is important, but any new detection/treatment efforts must go beyond current bio-medical models to bio-psychosocial models of the target populations' cultural values. Preliminary results also suggest that the best interventions for the homeless and immigrant populations will be a combination of, at least, monetary incentive and improved accessibility of care.
Star Formation in Magnetic Interstellar Clouds: II. Basic Theory

Magnetic braking and ambipolar diffusion are unavoidable physical processes in interstellar clouds and play a key, perhaps even crucial, role in star formation. We summarize those calculations on magnetic braking and ambipolar diffusion which led to the proposal of the scenario for star formation described in the accompanying paper. This is not a review of the literature. New insights into the underlying physics of the two processes are provided, and further contact with observations is made. The mathematically complicated solutions for the resolution of the angular momentum problem by magnetic braking are elucidated through exact analogies with transverse waves on strings. Reduction of the magnetic flux theading a cloud’s core by 2 to 4 orders of magnitude due to ambipolar diffusion is demonstrated through detailed, one-dimensional collapse calculations and explained in physical terms. However, it is by no means a foregone conclusion that collapse calculations in higher dimensions will confirm this result; we explain why. The first, recent quantification of the effect of ambipolar diffusion on magnetic braking is described; application to molecular cloud cores yields surprising results, which are understood by analogy with electrical resistors connected in series and in parallel. Key problems still remaining unsolved are emphasized.
Deposition of mercury in fetal and maternal brain.

SummaryTen 16-day pregnant rats were force-fed a tracer-dose of 203Hg as methyl mercury chloride. The rat was then killed at 1, 2, 4 or 5 days after force-feeding and the 10 maternal brains as well as the 114 fetal brains were each separated into several brain parts. The uptake of mercury in the maternal brain was greatest in the cerebrum followed in decreasing order by cerebellum, pons plus midbrain, medulla, and hypothalamus. The uptake expressed as a percentage of the dose remained essentially the same throughout the 5-day period after force-feeding. In the fetal brain the uptake however increased more than 3-fold from day 17 to day 21 of fetal life. Expressed on the basis of % of dose per g tissue, the fetal cerebellum contained the highest concentration of mercury when compared to either fetal cerebrum or pons, midbrain plus medulla, or to any maternal brain parts. The total fetal brain mass from an average litter accumulated, during the first 2 days after force-feeding, approximately the same percen...
Inter-cell relay cooperation in heterogeneous cellular uplink systems

Consider a multi-cell relay-assisted time-division uplink system, i.e. one active user per time slot per cell with a relay serving that user. In this paper, we are concerned with heterogeneous networks (networks with unbalanced spatial loads) and we are interested in techniques for increasing the data rate in a congested cell. We propose inter-cell relay cooperation with single-cell decoding as one such solution. In this technique, relays of different cells cooperate to determine optimum precoding weights, but the base stations do not communicate. We compare this strategy to another technique of current interest: base station cooperation through multi-cell decoding, where each cell has a single relay that amplifies and forwards the desired transmission to the base station, and all the base stations cooperatively decode the signals received at each. There will be distinct architectural and implementation consequences for each approach, and inter-cell relay cooperation with single-cell decoding may require less overhead and expense than base station cooperation through multi-cell decoding. Despite this, we see that in some likely channel and interference scenarios, the former actually outperforms the latter. The key contribution of this paper is to propose inter-cell relay cooperation as a promising technology for increasing data rates in heterogeneous cellular uplink networks.
Membrane Tension, Myosin Force, and Actin Turnover Maintain Actin Treadmill in the Nerve Growth Cone

A growth cone is a motile structure at the tips of axons that is driven by the actin network and guides axon extension. Low actin adhesion to the substrate creates a stationary actin treadmill that allows leading-edge protrusion when adhesion increases in response to guidance cues. We use experimental measurements in the Aplysia bag growth cone to develop and constrain a simple mechanical model of the actin treadmill. We show that actin retrograde flow is primarily generated by myosin contractile forces, but when myosin is inhibited, leading-edge membrane tension increases and drives the flow. By comparing predictions of the model with previous experimental measurements, we demonstrate that lamellipodial and filopodial filament breaking contribute equally to the resistance to the flow. The fully constrained model clarifies the role of actin turnover in the mechanical balance driving the actin treadmill and reproduces the recent experimental observation that inhibition of actin depolymerization causes retrograde flow to slow exponentially with time. We estimate forces in the actin treadmill, and we demonstrate that measured G-actin distributions are consistent with the existence of a forward-directed fluid flow that transports G-actin to the leading edge.
Considerations in child and adolescent athletes

Excessive efforts to groom competitive and elite athletes from a very young age may expose children to significant external pressure to perform inappropriate training regimes, sometimes at the expense of their health and psychological well-being. It is essential for the physician to recognize the special physiologic, anatomic, and psychological issues of the child and adolescent athlete and to balance the benefits of appropriate participation in sports and exercise with the risks of physical and psychological injury.
Synthesis of 2′-fluoro-5-[11C]-methyl-1-β-d-arabinofuranosyluracil ([11C]-FMAU): A potential nucleoside analog for in vivo study of cellular proliferation with PET

Abstract Rapid in vivo catabolism limits the use of currently available radiotracers used in tumor proliferation studies with PET. This is manifested by the need to develop complex mathematical models to interpret kinetic and metabolite data obtained from imaging studies with agents such as carbon-11 labeled thymidine. A potential carbon-11 labeled radiotracer for cellular proliferation, 2′-fluoro-5-([ 11 C]-methyl)-1-β- d -arabinofuranosyluracil (FMAU), has been prepared using a previously described method for preparation of [ 11 dmethyl-thymidine where selective alkylation of a pyrimidyl dianion is accomplished with [ 11 C]methyl iodide at the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring. FMAU shares many in vivo characteristics of thymidine, including cellular transport, phosphorylation by mammalian kinase, and incorporation into DNA. Most importantly, in vivo catabolism of FMAU is limited, potentially yielding simplified kinetic models for determination of cellular proliferation with positron emission tomography.
The Impact of Microgravity on Bone Metabolism in vitro and in vivo

Exposure to microgravity has been associated with several physiological changes in astronauts and cosmonauts, including an osteoporosis-like loss of bone mass. In-flight measures used to counteract this, including intensive daily exercise regimens, have been only partially successful in reducing the bone loss and in the process have consumed valuable work time. If this bone loss is to be minimized or, preferably, prevented, more effective treatment strategies are required. This, however, requires a greater understanding of the mechanisms through which bone metabolism is affected by microgravity. Various research strategies have been used to examine this problem, including in vitro studies using bone cells and in vivo studies on humans and rats. These have been conducted both in flight and on the ground, by strategies that produce weightlessness to mimic the effects of microgravity. Overall, the majority of the studies have found that marked decreases in gravitation loading result in the loss of bone mass. The processes of bone formation and bone resorption become uncoupled, with an initial transitory increase in resorption accompanied by a prolonged decrease in formation. Loss of bone mass is not uniform throughout the skeleton, but varies at different sites depending on the type of bone and on the mechanical load received. It appears that the skeletal response is a physiologic adaptation to the space environment which, after long space flights or repeated shorter ones, could eventually lead to significant reductions in the ability of the skeletal tissues to withstand the forces of gravity and increased susceptibility to fracture.
Resource-sensitive profile-directed data flow analysis for code optimization

Instruction schedulers employ code motion as a means of instruction reordering to enable scheduling of instructions at points where the resources required for their execution are available. In addition, driven by the profiling data, schedulers take advantage of predication and speculation for aggressive code motion across conditional branches. Optimization algorithms for partial dead code elimination (PDE) and partial redundancy elimination (PRE) employ code sinking and hoisting to enable optimization. However, unlike instruction scheduling, these optimization algorithms are unaware of resource availability and are incapable of exploiting profiling information, speculation, and predication. In this paper we develop data flow algorithms for performing the above optimizations with the following characteristics: (i) opportunities for PRE and PDE enabled by hoisting and sinking are exploited; (ii) hoisting and sinking of a code statement is driven by availability of functional unit resources; (iii) predication and speculation is incorporated to allow aggressive hoisting and sinking; and (iv) path profile information guides predication and speculation to enable optimization.
Linear MMSE Receivers for Random CDMA in Wireless Networks With Equal Transmit Powers

The performance of single-hop links in ad-hoc wireless systems using direct-sequence (DS) code-division-multiple-access (CDMA) with random signature sequences and linear minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) receivers is investigated. Expressions for the average signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) and spectral efficiency (b s-1 Hz-1 link-1) were derived for a representative link in the presence of interferers distributed randomly on a plane with uniform area density p interferers m-2. Nodes transmit with equal power P, which decays with distance r as r-alpha. An expression for the optimum spreading factor given system parameters is also provided. It is found that for a given link length r, the average spectral efficiency when operating with the optimum spreading factor is approximately inversely proportional to pipr2. The corresponding spectral efficiency is proportional to pipr2. The parameter pipr2 can be interpreted as approximately the average number of interferers closer to the receiver than the desired transmitting node
Myxococcus xanthus gliding motors are elastically coupled to the substrate as predicted by the focal adhesion model of gliding motility.

Myxococcus xanthus is a model organism for studying bacterial social behaviors due to its ability to form complex multi-cellular structures. Knowledge of M. xanthus surface gliding motility and the mechanisms that coordinated it are critically important to our understanding of collective cell behaviors. Although the mechanism of gliding motility is still under investigation, recent experiments suggest that there are two possible mechanisms underlying force production for cell motility: the focal adhesion mechanism and the helical rotor mechanism, which differ in the biophysics of the cell–substrate interactions. Whereas the focal adhesion model predicts an elastic coupling, the helical rotor model predicts a viscous coupling. Using a combination of computational modeling, imaging, and force microscopy, we find evidence for elastic coupling in support of the focal adhesion model. Using a biophysical model of the M. xanthus cell, we investigated how the mechanical interactions between cells are affected by interactions with the substrate. Comparison of modeling results with experimental data for cell-cell collision events pointed to a strong, elastic attachment between the cell and substrate. These results are robust to variations in the mechanical and geometrical parameters of the model. We then directly measured the motor-substrate coupling by monitoring the motion of optically trapped beads and find that motor velocity decreases exponentially with opposing load. At high loads, motor velocity approaches zero velocity asymptotically and motors remain bound to beads indicating a strong, elastic attachment.
Context-dependent acquisition of territories by male collared lizards: the role of mortality

We recorded the behavior of free-ranging collared lizards for 11 consecutive seasons to test the hypotheses that natural mortality of territorial males that were 2 years and older (2yp) allows first-year males to switch to territorial tactics and that such events increase opportunities for courtship. Because neighboring 2yp males sometimes expanded and sometimes did not expand into the areas made vacant by mortality, we also compared first-year male behavior under these 2 conditions. In response to 2yp male mortality, first-year males increased rates of travel, distant display, courtship frequency, and number of different females courted. Newly territorial first-year males did not significantly increase aggression with rival males. Travel and both courtship frequency and number of females courted were higher when neighboring males did not expand. First-year males that acquired territories during the breeding season had lower values for all variables than 2yp males, whereas first-year males acquiring territories after over-winter mortality courted less frequently than 2yp males. First-year males acquiring territories after over-winter mortality traveled at higher rates and were more aggressive with rivals than those that gained territories after mortality during the breeding season and established 2yp males. Our results indicate that mortality of territorial males both during the reproductive season and over winter prompts first-year males to adopt territorial tactics that promote increased opportunities to court females. Acquisition of territories during the first-year as a consequence of territory owner mortality potentially increases the lifetime mating success of these males markedly. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
The collapse of vapor bubbles in a spatially non-uniform flow

Pressure gradients act differently on liquid particles and suspended bubbles and are, therefore, capable of inducing a relative motion between the phases even when no relative velocity initially exists. As a consequence of the enhanced heat transfer in the presence of convection, this fact may have a major impact on the evolution of a vapor bubble. The effect is particularly strong in the case of a collapsing bubble for which, due to the conservation of the system?s impulse, the induced relative velocity tends to be magnified when the bubble volume shrinks. A practical application could be, for instance, the enhancement of the condensation rate of bubbles downstream of a heated region, thereby reducing the quality of a flowing liquid?vapor mixture. A simple model of the process, in which the bubble is assumed to be spherical and the flow potential, is developed in the paper.
The Future of German Finance

The unconditional surrender of Germany has brought the end of the Nazi military machine. In the socio-economic sense, however, it has marked the mere beginning of a lengthy and intricate process of wiping out the vestiges of a totalitarian militarism whose hold upon the German nation had been practically unchallenged over a period of twelve years. If one important aspect-the financial-of economic policies in post-Hitler Germany is singled out in the discussion which follows, then the purpose is certainly not to minimize the importance of other policies in and toward that country. Reparations settlement, industrial disarmament, territorial adjustments and, last but not least, the economic destruction of the Junkers and monopolistic industrial combines are all of equal or greater importance. Likewise, the discussion of financial and other controls over present-day Germany should not arouse the impression that that nation is considered hopelessly and irrevocably imbued with the spirit of evil while all the others have been free of any guilt. Theories of immutable racial traits in black or white should remain the sad privilege of Nazism, and it is the underlying assumption of this whole discussion that social controls and adjustments of a suitable type may result at some future date in a lasting success of peace-minded forces. For the time being, however, the effect of the Nazi poison appears to be far-reaching, especially in dulling the sense of responsibility in the average German. The Western Allies, on their part, have at first concentrated their efforts on technical aspects of control without always realizing the basic necessity of wiping out inexorably all vestiges of Nazism and other forms of militarism, while encouraging consciously whatever traces of democratic and peaceful sentiments can be found in Germany. These general considerations apply to financial policy as much as to other fields.
Unconscious processing of color and form in metacontrast masking

Three experiments employed a metacontrast masking procedure to examine the extent and nature of priming effects from visual stimuli not consciously perceived. The results showed effects of unconscious stimuli on subsequent target responses that (1) were more consistent, reliable, and not subject to strategic control, as compared with consciously perceived stimuli (Experiment 1); (2) produced both facilitation and interference of subsequent processing (Experiment 2); and (3) did not influence indirect response-related levels of processing (Experiment 3). These results demonstrate that color and form attributes of unconscious stimuli are sufficiently registered within the visual system to influence behavior, and that some of these unconscious effects occur at early levels of stimulus encoding, prior to higher level perceptual and response-related processes.
Fatigue resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with three dowel-and-core systems.

Statement of problem The successful restoration of endodontically treated teeth is enhanced by a crown design employing the ferrule effect. However, it is unclear which dowel-and-core system most effectively supports successful treatment. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the load fatigue resistance of 3 dowel-and-core systems. Material and methods Fifteen endodontically treated maxillary central incisors were sectioned perpendicular to the long axis at a point 1.5 mm incisal to the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). At the level of the CEJ, specimens were then prepared for crowns with 1-mm complete shoulder finish lines and 1.5 mm of axial wall height. The prepared teeth were divided into 3 groups (n=5) and restored with 1 of the following dowel-and-core combinations: Group CG, cast gold dowels and cores; Group TA, titanium alloy dowels (ParaPost XH) with composite cores; or Group FR, fiber-reinforced resin dowels (ParaPost FiberWhite) with composite cores. A dentin bonding agent (OptiBond Solo) was placed prior to the composite cores. Dowel-and-core castings and titanium alloy dowels were cemented with zinc phosphate cement. The fiber-reinforced dowels were cemented with a resin cement (ParaPost Cement). The crowns for all specimens were cast with an incisal notch for applying the fatigue load. The independent variable measured was the number of load fatigue cycles required to cause luting cement failure. The data were subjected to 1-way analysis of variance and the Student-Newman-Keuls test for 3 subsets (α=.05). Results The mean value ± standard deviation for the cycles to failure for each group was: Group CG: 11,897 ± 4080 load cycles, Group TA: 24,384 ± 8231 load cycles, and Group FR: 50,696 ± 7063 load cycles. Significant differences were found between all groups ( P Conclusions Fiber-reinforced resin dowels and bonded composite cores under fatigue loading provided significantly stronger crown retention than cast gold dowels and cores and titanium alloy dowels with composite cores under fatigue loading.
Electronic-eye faucets: Legionella species contamination in healthcare settings.

Objective. To compare heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) and Legionella species growth from electronic and manual faucet water samples.Design. Proportions of water samples with growth and colony-forming units were compared using Fisher’s exact test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, respectively.Setting. Two psychiatric units and 1 medical unit in a 1,000-bed university hospital.Methods. Water samples were collected from 20 newly installed electronic faucets and 20 existing manual faucets in 3 hospital units. Manual faucets were located in rooms adjacent to the electronic faucets and received water from the same source. Water samples were collected between December 15, 2008, and January 29, 2009. Four electronic faucets were dismantled, and faucet components were cultured. Legionella species and HPC cultures were performed using standard methods.Results. Nearly all electronic faucets (19/20 [95%]) grew Legionella species from at least 1 water sample, compared with less than half (9/20 [45%]) of manual faucets...
Arginine to tryptophan substitution in the active site of a human lactate dehydrogenase variant — LDHB∗GUA1: postulated effects on subunit structure and catalysis

Abstract A variant of lactate dehydrogenase (LDHB∗GUA1) was previously identified among the Guaymi Indians of Panama and Costa Rica. The LDHB∗GUA1 variant is enzymatically inactive; however, the variant subunits alter the electrophoresic mobility of the tetramers that include active LDHA and LDHB subunits. The kinetic properties of the tetramerc enzyme, comprised of inactive B plus active A subunits, are similar to properties of the heterotetramers with active B subunits, except for the reduced specific activity. We have determined that a single C · G to T · A transition changes an Arg to a Trp at amino acid residue 106. This substitution explains the increase in net negative charge observed by protein electrophoresis. This Arg 106 residue is absolutely conserved throughout evolution. Published high-resolution crystal structures of LDH reveal that this residue is within the hinge of a loop that closes over the active site of the subunit upon binding of substrate and cofactor and also has a direct role in catalysis. Computer modeling of the variant enzyme suggests that replacement of this Arg residue with a Trp does not induce significant change in the structure of the active site. However, this substitution would result in disruption of enzyme activity through the inability of the uncharged tryptophan side-chain to polarize the substrate carbonyl bond. This would explain the loss of catalytic function with maintenance of normal kinetic properties in the heterotetramers containing the variant subunits. The ability to maintain normal, tissue-specific kinetic properties could explain the absence of clinical manifestations in the homozygous LDHB∗GUA1 individuals.
Requirements for long-life mechanical cryocoolers for space application

The growing demand for long wavelength infrared and submillimeter imaging instruments for space observational applications, together with the emergence of the multiyear life Oxford University Stirling cycle cooler, has led to a rapidly expanding near term commitment to mechanical cryocoolers throughout the subkelvin to 150 K temperature range for long-life space missions. To satisfy this growing commitment, emerging cryocoolers must successfully address not only the input power, cooling power, and mass constraints of the spacecraft and instruments, but also the broad array of complex interface requirements that critically affect successful integration to the sensitive instrument detectors. Generic requirements are presented for each of the cryocooler requirement areas, which are then contrasted with the projected capabilities of emerging space cryocoolers. The degree of match is used to highlight both the strengths of existing technologies and the areas in need of increased development.
Renal function in the elderly

Renal size and volume decrease with age, accompanied by intrarenal vascular changes. The number of glomeruli decreases and the mass of the juxtamedullary nephrons falls. The result is a decrease in the filtration area of the glomerular basement membrane and decreased permeability. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is reduced with aging. The GFR is approximated by the endogenous creatinine clearance, which falls in parallel with the inulin clearance (the true measure of GFR) and is always greater because of tubular excretion of creatinine. Analytical methods for serum and urine creatinine overestimate its concentration and suffer, to varying degrees, from interferences, making the normal range method dependent. A further uncertainty arises from the use of a correction to standard surface area. Serum creatinine concentration is an insensitive indicator of renal function in the elderly. Deduction of creatinine clearance from serum creatinine concentration, weight and age using one of many formulae gives only approximate values, usually too high, and is unsuitable for debilitated and seriously ill patients. Tubular function, in general, is decreased in the elderly. The ability of the kidney to concentrate urine maximally after water deprivation decreases with age, as does the ability to excrete a water and salt load, particularly during the night. Nocturnal polyuria is common in the elderly. The aged kidney can maintain acid-base balance under normal conditions, but not when subjected to an acid load.