cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of the Abl tyrosine kinase with the Trk nerve growth factor receptor

Nerve growth factor (NGF) initiates the majority of its biological effects by promoting the dimerization and activation of the tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA. In addition to rapid increases in the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and phospholipase C-γ and increased ras activity, phosphorylation of c-Crk and paxillin proteins has been observed upon TrkA activation. The c-Abl tyrosine kinase is involved in the control of the axonal cytoskeleton and is known to interact with c-Crk proteins. Here we have tested the possibility that TrkA receptors might form an association with the c-Abl protein. After transfection in 293T cells, TrkA and c-Abl kinases could be coimmunoprecipitated. This interaction did not require TrkA receptors to be autophosphorylated. Mapping analysis indicated that the region of c-Abl association was confined to the juxtamembrane region of TrkA. The interaction of c-Abl with TrkA was also observed in differentiated pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. These results suggest that c-Abl may be recruited to the NGF receptor complex and be involved in regulating specific phosphorylation events that occur during neuronal differentiation. J. Neurosci. Res. 59:356–364, 2000 © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cystinuria: Genetic Heterogeneity and Allelism

Studies of four stoneforming cystinuric subjects from three unrelated pedigrees indicated that each was heterozygous for two of the three described mutant genes producing cystinuria ( I, II, III). Their genotypes were I-II, II-III, I-III, and I-III, respectively. These doubly heterozygous patients were phenotypically indistinguishable from cystinuric homozygotes of genotype I-I, II-I, or III-III. The data provide the first direct evidence that all of the known mutations responsible for the genetic heterogeneity in cystinuria are allelic.
Black Grandparents Rearing Children of Drug-Addicted Parents: Stressors, Outcomes, and Social Service Needs

This article reports findings from two qualitative studies of black grandparents and great-grandparents who are rearing their children's children as a consequence of parental drug addiction. Data were collected in two urban black communities from 60 grandmothers, grandfathers, and great-grandmothers (ages 43-82). Only 3% of the respondents received consistent, reliable familial support in their role as surrogate parents. Although respondents found parenting their grandchildren an emotionally rewarding experience, they also incurred psychological, physical, and economic costs in performing their roles.
Uniform stabilization of some damped second order evolution equations with vanishing short memory

We consider a damped abstract second order evolution equation with an additional vanishing damping of Kelvin–Voigt type. Unlike the earlier work by Zuazua and Ervedoza, we do not assume the operator defining the main damping to be bounded. First, using a constructive frequency domain method coupled with a decomposition of frequencies and the introduction of a new variable, we show that if the limit system is exponentially stable, then this evolutionary system is uniformly − with respect to the calibration parameter − exponentially stable. Afterwards, we prove uniform polynomial and logarithmic decay estimates of the underlying semigroup provided such decay estimates hold for the limit system. Finally, we discuss some applications of our results; in particular, the case of boundary damping mechanisms is accounted for, which was not possible in the earlier work mentioned above.
High-Resolution Infrared Studies of Al(BH4)3 and Al(BD4)3

High-resolution (0.01 cm-1) FTIR spectra of Al(BH4)3 and Al(BD4)3 recorded for low-pressure samples at room temperature are presented that show only broad vibrational bands, with no trace of resolved rotational structure. The BH bridge stretching and the BH2 deformation regions were also examined at 0.001 cm-1 resolution by tunable infrared diode laser spectroscopy for samples cooled to ∼10 K in a multipass, slit expansion. These too show near continua, with much more congestion than predicted by nonrigid rotor simulations based on boron isotopic shifts, Coriolis constants, and centrifugal distortion parameters estimated from ab initio calculations. The latter indicate that a particularly low barrier, corresponding to the prismatic D3h structure, separates two equivalent, lower energy D3 forms in which the BH4 units are rotated 23° about the Al−B axes. The potential energy surface for the relevant conrotary torsional coordinate is examined at the CCSD/6-311G**//MP2/6-311G** level, yielding a barrier heigh...
Obstetrician-Gynecologists and Perinatal Infections: A Review of Studies of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (2005–2009)

Background. Maternal infection is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and ob-gyns are in a unique position to help prevent and treat infections. Methods. This paper summarizes studies completed by the Research Department of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarding perinatal infections that were published between 2005 and 2009. Results. Obstetrician-gynecologists are routinely screening for hepatitis B and HIV, and many counsel prenatal patients regarding hepatitis B and toxoplasmosis. However, other infections are not regularly discussed, and many cited time constraints as a barrier to counseling. A majority discusses the transmission of giardiasis and toxoplasmosis, but few knew the source of cryptosporidiosis or cyclosporiasis. Conclusions. Many of the responding ob-gyns were unaware of or not adhering to infection management guidelines. Obstetrician-gynecologists are knowledgeable regarding perinatal infections; however, guidelines must be better disseminated perhaps via a single infection management summary. This paper identified knowledge gaps and areas in which practice can be improved and importantly highlights the need for a comprehensive set of management guidelines for a host of infections, so that physicians can have an easy resource when encountering perinatal infections.
Effects of dietary protein concentration on lactating cows.

Abstract Eighteen Holstein cows were used for three consecutive lactations to compare 13, 15, and 17% protein rations. Cows were assigned to six 3×3 Latin squares. Each cow was fed individually and received a different protein concentration for an entire lactation. Alfalfa hay and the designated concentrate were fed ad libitum twice daily. Cows receiving the 15 or 17% protein rations produced more milk, fat, protein, and milk solids-not-fat than those receiving the 13% protein ration. Percentages of milk components did not differ among rations. Cows receiving the 13% protein ration consumed less concentrate than those receiving the 15% or 17% rations. Hay, total dry matter intake, body weight, services per conception, or days cows were open were not different among dietary protein concentrations. The 17% protein ration was the least efficient for converting feed protein to milk protein. No other measure differed between the 15 and 17% protein rations; thus, 15% protein as recommended by the National Research Council appears adequate for cows producing to 29kg milk per day. We concluded that a ration containing 13% protein was insufficient for cows producing to 29kg of milk per day. Moreover, 13% protein also was inadequate for cows in mid- and late lactation, apparently because they had received insufficient protein during early lactation.
Isotopic Composition of Carbonate in EETA 79001 and its Relation to Parent Body Volatiles

Calcite, a probable extraterrestrial weathering product in the shergottite EETA 79001, has δ13C = +9.7%. and δ18O = +21.0%.. In order to account for the large excess of 18O relative to the silicate substrate (δ18O = +4.2%.), a parent body surface reservoir containing both water and carbon dioxide is required. The inferred H2OCO2 ratio is consistent with estimates for the degassed reservoir on Mars.
Footprints in the cache

This paper develops an analytical model for a cache-reload transient. When an interrupt program or system program runs periodically in a cache-based computer, a short cache-reload transient occurs each time the interrupt program is invoked. That transient depends on the size of the cache, the fraction of the cache used by the interrupt program, and the fraction of the cache used by background programs that run between interrupts. We call the portion of a cache used by a program its footprint in the cache, and we show that the reload transient is related to the area in the tail of a normal distribution whose mean is a function of the footprints of the programs that compete for the cache. We believe that the model may be useful as well for predicting paging behavior in virtual-memory systems with round-robin scheduling.
Stereoselective inhibition of natural killer activity by the sigma ligand (+)-pentazocine

Abstract The effect of sigma (σ) receptor ligands on natural killer (NK) activity was examined both in vivo and in vitro. Following injection of mice with σ receptor ligands such as (+)-pentazocine, (−)-pentazocine, BD 1073, BD 1165 and BD 737, NK activity was measured in poly-I.C.-stimulated mouse splenocytes.(+)-Pentazocine reduced NK cell activity in a dose-dependent fashion, while the (−) enantiomer was inactive in this measure. For example, at a dose of 50 mg/kg,(+)-pentazocine suppressed NK activity (using effector to target cell ratios of 200:1, 100:1 and 50:1) by > 70%, 24 h after injection while (−)-pentazocine was inactive. The other σ ligands examined either slightly enhanced or had no effect on NK activity. Nonetheless, parenteral administration of the σ receptor ligand BD 1165 blocked (+)-pentazocine-induced suppression of NK activity, while the opiate receptor antagonist naltrexone was ineffective. Addition of σ receptor ligands (10 −11 –10 −5 ) to splenocyte cultures for 24 h did not affect NK activity. These findings indicate that while s receptor ligands are capable of modulating NK activity, this effect is not the result of an action on splenocyte s receptors, but may be mediated via σ receptors either in the central or peripheral nervous systems.
Angioscopic evaluation of site-specific administration of ReoPro

Systemic administration of newer antiplatelet agents such as the GP IIb/IIIa agent ReoPro (Centocor BV Leiden, The Netherlands) has been shown to decrease the early incidence of recurrent ischemia and recurrent myocardial infarction. The currently approved protocol for administration of ReoPro involves an initial weight adjusted bolus followed by a systemic infusion over the next 12 hr. The systemic administration is proposed as the only route of administration because it is stated that the drug must be exposed to circulating platelets. An alternative approach would be to deliver ReoPro locally and allow the platelets to disaggregate only when in contact with the local arterial wall. The optimal method of monitoring the efficacy of such a strategy is to visually assess the presence of platelet rich or red blood cell rich thrombus using angioscopy. We report our initial experience in 12 patients who received local administration of ReoPro using currently approved catheters for local administration of agents into coronary arteries who were evaluated before and after intervention using intracoronary angioscopy. None of the patients received a subsequent 12-hr infusion. There was successful resolution of thrombus in 11 of 12 patients. Recurrent ischemia occurred in one patient without myocardial infarction.
Differences in the translation of rat forebrain messenger RNA dependent on the source of protein synthesis factors

Abstract A cell-free protein-synthesizing system containing free ribosomes and mRNA from rat forebrain is described. Characteristics of protein synthesis were studied in this system with enzyme factors extracted from rat forebrain ribosomes or rabbit reticulocyte ribosomes. Products of protein synthesis with each of these factor fractions were compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. There were significant differences in the distribution of polypeptide products in the gels, suggesting that the source of protein synthesis factors is important in determining the relative rates of translation of rat forebrain mRNA molecules.
Homer–PIKE complex: a novel link between mGluRI and PI 3-kinase

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, a family of G-protein-coupled receptors, are thought to signal through the phospholipase and inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor system, or through the adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase C system. Rong et al. have recently identified a new phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase enhancer (PIKE-L) that links group I mGlu receptors (mGluRI) to PI 3-kinase through Homer proteins, adaptors that bind mGluRI. mGluRI agonists enhanced mGluRI–Homer–PIKE-L complex formation, leading to activation of PI 3-kinase and inhibition of staurosporine-induced neuronal apoptosis. These results reveal a novel anti-apoptotic signaling mechanism that involves formation of an mGluRI signaling complex.
Effect of the polymer glass transition on the chromatographic retention volumes

Theoretical developments are presented that explain four experimental observations concerning the temperature dependence of chromatographic specific retention volumes. A theoretical framework is proposed for a method that can be used to determine the glass-transition temperature of the pure polymer and for a method of characterizing the concentration dependence of the glass-transition temperature of a polymer–solvent system. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 793–796, 2005
Activating factor for the iron protein of nitrogenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum

As isolated from Rhodospirillum rubrum, the iron protein of nitrogenase has little or no activity. It can be activated by incubating it with a trypsin-sensitive, oxygen-labile component (activating factor) plus adenosine triphosphate and a divalent metal ion. After activation, the iron protein retains its nitrogenase activity when the activating factor is removed.
Distinct temporal phases of microvascular rarefaction in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats

Evolution of metabolic syndrome is associated with a progressive reduction in skeletal muscle microvessel density, known as rarefaction. Although contributing to impairments to mass transport and exchange, the temporal development of rarefaction and the contributing mechanisms that lead to microvessel loss are both unclear and critical areas for investigation. Although previous work suggests that rarefaction severity in obese Zucker rats (OZR) is predicted by the chronic loss of vascular nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, we have determined that this hides a biphasic development of rarefaction, with both early and late components. Although the total extent of rarefaction was well predicted by the loss in NO bioavailability, the early pulse of rarefaction developed before a loss of NO bioavailability and was associated with altered venular function (increased leukocyte adhesion/rolling), and early elevation in oxidant stress, TNF-α levels, and the vascular production of thromboxane A2 (TxA2). Chronic inhibition of TNF-α blunted the severity of rarefaction and also reduced vascular oxidant stress and TxA2 production. Chronic blockade of the actions of TxA2 also blunted rarefaction, but did not impact oxidant stress or inflammation, suggesting that TxA2 is a downstream outcome of elevated reactive oxygen species and inflammation. If chronic blockade of TxA2 is terminated, microvascular rarefaction in OZR skeletal muscle resumes, but at a reduced rate despite low NO bioavailability. These results suggest that therapeutic interventions against inflammation and TxA2 under conditions where metabolic syndrome severity is moderate or mild may prevent the development of a condition of accelerated microvessel loss with metabolic syndrome.
Developing a Church-Based Diabetes Prevention Program With African Americans Focus Group Findings

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to use a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to identify resources and barriers to implementing a church-based diabetes prevention program (DPP) in a rural African American church community in Georgia.MethodsIn collaboration with community leaders, researchers conducted 4 focus groups with 22 key informants to discuss their understanding of diabetes and identify key resources and barriers to implementing a DPP in the church. Three researchers analyzed and coded transcripts following a content-driven immersion-crystallization approach.ResultsThe participants’ comments on diabetes and prevention covered 5 research domains: illness perceptions, illness concerns, illness prevention, religion and coping, and program recommendations. Program success was deemed contingent on cultural sensitivities, a focus on high-risk persons, use of church resources, and addressing barriers. Barriers identified included individuals’lack of knowledge of risk and prevention...
Teaching without a teacher: developing competence with a Bullard laryngoscope using only a structured self-learning course and practicing on a mannequin.

Abstract Study Objective To show that a complex motor skill can be taught without requiring active expert faculty participation. Design Prospective descriptive study. Setting Simulation laboratory of an academic anesthesiology department. Subjects Novice users of the Bullard laryngoscope, predominantly residents. Interventions Novice Bullard users were presented with a PowerPoint presentation using text and pictures describing the use of the Bullard. The learners were also provided with a Bullard laryngoscope and a mannequin on which to practice. Self-learning time was not restricted. Measurements Learners decided for themselves when they were competent and ready for competency assessment. The assessment tool was a checklist of essential steps developed by faculty experienced in Bullard laryngoscopy. The primary end-point was successful intubation. Main Results All learners were deemed competent. The mean self-learning time was 14.1 minutes (SD, 3.1 min; range, 9.2-21.0 min). All subjects indicated a high level of satisfaction with the learning technique. Conclusions Teaching a complex motor skill with no expert instruction is possible.
Critical Pool Level and Stability of Slopes in Granular Soils

The influence of pore-water pressure and the pool water pressure on stability of submerged slopes was investigated using the kinematic approach of limit analysis. For soils with some cohesive component of strength, the critical pool level is slightly below half of the slope height, whereas for slopes built of purely granular soils the critical pool level is not well defined. The most critical mechanism of failure for submerged granular slopes was found to have the failure surface intersecting the face of the slope, with one intersection point above, and the other one below the pool level. The solution to the stability problem was found to be independent of the length scale (slope height), and equally critical mechanisms of failure can be triggered “locally” with any water level in the pool. The safety factor associated with these mechanisms is lower than the well-known factor defined by a planar failure surface approaching the slope face.
Microbiology specimens obtained at the time of surgical lung biopsy for interstitial lung disease: clinical yield and cost analysis.

OBJECTIVES: In efforts to obtain complete results, current practice in surgical lung biopsy (LB) for interstitial lung disease (ILD) recommends sending lung tissue samples for bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral cultures. This study assesses the value of this practice by evaluating the microbiology findings obtained from LB for ILD and their associated costs. METHODS: A total of 296 consecutive patients (140 women, 156 men, median age = 61 years) underwent LB for ILD from 2002 to 2009. All had lung tissue sent for microbiology examination. Microbiology results and resultant changes in patient management were analyzed retrospectively. A cost analysis was performed based upon nominal hospital charges adjusted on current inflation rates. Cost data included cultures, stains, smears, direct fluorescent antibody studies, and microbiologist consulting fees. RESULTS: As many as 25 patients (8.4%) underwent open LB and 271 (91.6%) underwent thoracoscopic LB. A total of 592 specimens were assessed (range 1–4 per patient). The most common pathologic diagnoses were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 122 (41.2%), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia in 31 (10.5%), and respiratory bronchiolitis ILD in 16 (5.4%). Microbiology testing was negative in 174 patients (58.8%). A total of 118 of 122 (96.7%) positive results were clinically considered to be contaminants and resulted in no change in clinical management. The most common contaminants were Propionibacterium acnes (38 patients; 31%) and Penicillium fungus (16 patients; 13%). In only four patients (1.4%), the organism cultured (Nocardia one, Histoplasma one, and Aspergillus fumigatus two) resulted in a change in clinical management. The cost of microbiology studies per specimen was $984 (€709), with a total cost for the study cohort being $582 000 (€420 000). CONCLUSIONS: The yield and impact on clinical management of microbiology specimens from LB for ILD is very low. Its routine use in LB is questionable. We suggest it should be limited to those cases of ILD with a high suspicion of infection. Substantial cost savings are possible with this change in clinical practice.
The Utility of X-Band Polarimetric Radar for Quantitative Estimates of Rainfall Parameters

Abstract The utility of X-band polarimetric radar for quantitative retrievals of rainfall parameters is analyzed using observations collected along the U.S. west coast near the mouth of the Russian River during the Hydrometeorological Testbed project conducted by NOAA’s Environmental Technology and National Severe Storms Laboratories in December 2003 through March 2004. It is demonstrated that the rain attenuation effects in measurements of reflectivity (Ze) and differential attenuation effects in measurements of differential reflectivity (ZDR) can be efficiently corrected in near–real time using differential phase shift data. A scheme for correcting gaseous attenuation effects that are important at longer ranges is introduced. The use of polarimetric rainfall estimators that utilize specific differential phase and differential reflectivity data often provides results that are superior to estimators that use fixed reflectivity-based relations, even if these relations were derived from the ensemble of drop...
DIVERGENT THINKING AND TEMPERAMENTAL TRAITS

To assess temperamental differences between high and low scorers on divergent thinking tasks, 178 undergraduate university students were administered Buss and Plomin's Temperament Survey and Torrance's Incomplete Figures and Unusual User Tests. In comparisons with low scorers, verbal elaborators were more emotional; figural elaborators were more active; and verbally flexible and original persons were less sociable and more impulsive. Differences in temperament according to style of divergent thinking suggest field specificity of temperaments among creative people.
Thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of Nd:YAG-CO2 Double-Pulse Laser-Induced Iron Plasmas☆

article i nfo Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy Double pulse LIBS Laser ablation Laser heating Laser-induced particles Double-Pulse Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy of iron using both Nd:YAG and TEA-CO2 lasers has been investigated to better understand mechanisms of signal enhancement. The signal dependence on the delay between the two laser pulses shows an enhanced signal when the CO2 laser pulse interacts with the sample before the Nd:YAG pulse. Signal kinetics and a simple model of sample heating by the CO2 pulse show that the enhancement during the first 700 ns is due primarily to sample heating. Images of the sample surface after ablation as well as time-integrated pictures of the plasma suggest that particles are ejected from the surface during the first microseconds after the arrival of the CO2 pulse and provide fuel for the subsequent plasma created by the Nd:YAG laser.
The negation in the Checklist Paradigm based m 2 non-commutative fuzzy interval logic system of Goguen and Gaines

This paper continues the study of fuzzy interval logic based on the Checklist Paradigm by Kohout and Bandler. The fuzzy interval system of negation in m2 Goguen-Gaines's logic is investigated in depth. Since the m2 interval system of Goguen-Gaine's logic is non-commutative system, the interval negation of m2 is defined in consideration of the non-commutativity of system. And, the axioms of negation in the m2 interval system are further investigated.
Doing Public Sociology in the Field—A Strong Sociological Intervention Project in China

Through the in-depth analysis of the features of Huabei rural industrialization, the unique factory regime in Baigou, Hebei, and the resulting special workers, this paper reveals two dilemmas the migrant workers in Baigou and larger Hubei area face: Because of the interpersonal network of labor market, personalized trade, familial labor process, and patrimonial management, the workers are unable to become either industrial working class or citizens. Facing this special group of workers, we still believe in their power of self-liberation. Drawing on Touraine’s action sociology and sociological intervention, and Burawoy’s public sociology and praxis-oriented research, we modify “sociological intervention” according to the reality of Chinese society and propose the methodology of “strong sociological intervention” whose vehicle is “Baigou Migrant Worker Night School.” The night school provided workers with courses of labor law, English, and computer based on their actual needs. Labor law is the core to evoke the self-consciousness of the workers. Through communications in the night school and workers’ real living circumstances, we collected their true information and treated it as the source of sociological knowledge. After three sessions of night school training, workers showed changes in skills, social, and psychological aspects, laying a foundation for the growth of self-consciousness.
Interpersonal Touch in High School Relative to Sex and Race

Previous studies have indicated that interpersonal touch decreases from kindergarten through junior high. In the present study 1154 pairs of high school students were observed in school cafeteria queues. Instances of touch were recorded along with body parts used to touch and touched. High school students were observed to segregate themselves by race and sex as did the primary and junior high students in the earlier studies. Touch was not less probable than that observed in younger students. Cross-sex touch was not more frequent as had been predicted. Touch was highest among black students. An increase in aggressive touch seen in female junior high students was not observed in the present study.
Drug‐Induced Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Based on data from 1988 to 1994, it is estimated that 24% of adults in the United States meet the criteria for diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. The use of certain medications may increase the risk of the metabolic syndrome by either promoting weight gain or altering lipid or glucose metabolism. Health providers should recognize and understand the risk associated with certain medications and appropriately monitor for changes related to the metabolic syndrome. Careful attention to drug choices should be paid in patients who are overweight or have other risk factors for diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Optimal systolic blood pressure target, time to intensification, and time to follow-up in treatment of hypertension: population based retrospective cohort study

Objectives To investigate the optimal systolic blood pressure goal above which new antihypertensive medications should be added or doses of existing medications increased (“systolic intensification threshold”) and to determine the relation between delays in medication intensification and follow-up and the risk of cardiovascular events or death. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Primary care practices in the United Kingdom, 1986-2010. Participants 88 756 adults with hypertension from The Health Improvement Network nationwide primary care research database. Main outcome measures Rates of acute cardiovascular events or death from any cause for patients with different hypertension treatment strategies (defined by systolic intensification threshold, time to intensification, and time to follow-up over the course of a 10 year treatment strategy assessment period) after adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, socioeconomic deprivation, history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease, Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index, medication possession ratio, and baseline blood pressure. Results During a median follow-up of 37.4 months after the treatment strategy assessment period, 9985 (11.3%) participants had an acute cardiovascular event or died. No difference in risk of the outcome was seen between systolic intensification thresholds of 130-150 mm Hg, whereas systolic intensification thresholds greater than 150 mm Hg were associated with progressively greater risk (hazard ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 1.30; P 2.7 months) was also associated with increased outcome risk (hazard ratio 1.18, 1.11 to 1.25; P Conclusions Systolic intensification thresholds higher than 150 mm Hg, delays of greater than 1.4 months before medication intensification after systolic blood pressure elevation, and delays of greater than 2.7 months before blood pressure follow-up after antihypertensive medication intensification were associated with increased risk of an acute cardiovascular event or death. These findings support the importance of timely medical management and follow-up in the treatment of patients with hypertension.
Communication complexity for parallel divide-and-conquer

The relationship between parallel computation cost and communication cost for performing divide-and-conquer (D&C) computations on a parallel system of p processors is studied. The parallel computation cost is the maximal number of the D&C nodes that any processor in the parallel system may expand, whereas the communication cost is the total number of cross nodes (nodes generated by one processor but expanded by another processor). A scheduling algorithm is proposed, and lower bounds on the communication cost are derived. The proposed scheduling algorithm is optimal with respect to the communication cost, since the parallel computation cost of the algorithm is near optimal. >
ISOMER: Consistent Histogram Construction Using Query Feedback

Database columns are often correlated, so that cardinality estimates computed by assuming independence often lead to a poor choice of query plan by the optimizer. Multidimensional histograms can help solve this problem, but the traditional approach of building such histograms using a data scan often scales poorly and does not always yield the best histogram for a given workload. An attractive alternative is to gather feedback from the query execution engine about the observed cardinality of predicates and use this feedback as the basis for a histogram. In this paper we describe ISOMER, a new feedback-based algorithm for collecting optimizer statistics by constructing and maintaining multidimensional histograms. ISOMER uses the maximumentropy principle to approximate the true data distribution by a histogram distribution that is as "simple"as possible while being consistent with the observed predicate cardinalities. ISOMER adapts readily to changes in the underlying data, automatically detecting and eliminating inconsistent feedback information in an efficient manner. The algorithm controls the size of the histogram by retaining only the most "important" feedback. Our experiments indicate that, unlike previous methods for feedback-driven histogram maintenance, ISOMER imposes little overhead, is extremely scalable, and yields highly accurate cardinality estimates while using only a modest amount of storage.
NiCoFe Ternary Alloy Deposition II. Influence of Electrolyte Concentration at Steady State

The influence of Co 2+ and Fe 2+ bulk concentrations on the electrodeposition of NiCoFe ternary alloys is examined under conditions where the bulk concentration of Ni 2+ is in comparable excess. Experiments are carried out with recessed rotating cylinder cathodes at a single rotation rate. The Fe rate during alloy deposition appears independent of Co 2+ and Fe 2+ bulk concentrations but is enhanced compared to its single metal rate. Both catalytic and inhibiting effects are observed for Co deposition. The Co rate increases with the Co 2+ bulk concentration but is inhibited with the Fe 2+ bulk concentration. The Ni rate is also inhibited with an increase of the Fe 2+ bulk concentration but appears unaffected by changes in the Co 2+ bulk concentration. A mixed metal catalytic mechanism is shown to describe the experimental anomalous behavior.
Oligothiol Graft-Copolymer Coatings Stabilize Gold Nanoparticles Against Harsh Experimental Conditions

We report that poly(L-lysine)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-g-PEG) copolymers that bear multiple thiol groups on the polymer backbone are exceptional ligands for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). In general, these graft copolymer ligands stabilize AuNPs against environments that would ordinarily lead to particle aggregation. To characterize the effect of copolymer structure on AuNP stability, we synthesized thiolated PLL-g-PEGs (PLL-g-[PEG:SH]) with different backbone lengths, PEG grafting densities, and number of thiols per polymer chain. AuNPs were then combined with these polymer ligands, and the stabilities of the resulting AuNP@PLL-g-[PEG:SH] particles against high temperature, oxidants, and competing thiol ligands were characterized using dynamic light scattering, visible absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectrophotometry. Our observations indicate that thiolated PLL-g-PEG ligands combine thermodynamic stabilization via multiple Au-S bonds and steric stabilization by PEG grafts, and the best graft copolymer ligands balance these two effects. We hope that this new ligand system enables AuNPs to be applied to biotechnological applications that require harsh experimental conditions.
Interaction of ATF6 and serum response factor.

Serum response factor (SRF) is a transcription factor which binds to the serum response element (SRE) in the c-fos promoter. It is required for regulated expression of the c-fos gene as well as other immediate-early genes and some tissue-specific genes. To better understand the regulation of SRF, we used a yeast interaction assay to screen a human HeLa cell cDNA library for SRF-interacting proteins. ATF6, a basic-leucine zipper protein, was isolated by binding to SRF and in particular to its transcriptional activation domain. The binding of ATF6 to SRF was also detected in vitro. An ATF6-VP16 chimera activated expression of an SRE reporter gene in HeLa cells, suggesting that ATF6 can interact with endogenous SRF. More strikingly, an antisense ATF6 construct reduced serum induction of a c-fos reporter gene, suggesting that ATF6 is involved in activation of transcription by SRF. ATF6 was previously partially cloned as a member of the ATF family. The complete cDNA of ATF6 was isolated, and its expression pattern was described. Expression of the c-fos gene is rapidly transcriptionally activated in serum-starved cells by serum and many other mitogens. Mapping of the c-fos promoter suggests that a key sequence element is the serum response element (SRE) (15). SRE-like elements have also been found to be critical for the expression of other immediate-early genes, a number of muscle-specific genes, and interleukin-2 receptor (15). The main nuclear protein found to bind the SRE is serum response factor (SRF). SRF is a 508-amino-acid protein of the MADS box family that binds to DNA as a dimer (21). In addition to central DNA binding and dimerization domains (spanning the conserved MADS box), it contains a C-terminal transcriptional activation domain (13).
Blood pressure management during acute ischaemic stroke

Control of hypertension is a well-established goal of primary stroke prevention. Management of blood pressure in patients during acute ischaemic stroke, however, is complicated by the need to maintain brain perfusion. Lowering blood pressure in the acute setting may avoid the deleterious effects of high blood pressure but may also lead to cerebral hypoperfusion and worsening of the ischaemic stroke. Little information is available from clinical trials concerning optimal blood pressure management in acute stroke. Current protocols of thrombolytic therapy require strict blood pressure control below certain prescribed limits; however, in most acute stroke patients not treated with thrombolysis, blood pressure reduction is not routinely recommended and guidelines for target blood pressures are difficult to justify. Preliminary studies, in fact, suggest that there may be a role for blood pressure elevation in the treatment of some patients with acute ischaemic stroke.
Effect of cutting height and genetics on composition, intake, and digestibility of corn silage by beef heifers.

This research was conducted to determine the effect of corn genetics and cutting height on the composition and nutritive characteristics of corn silage. An in situ study involving eight commercially available corn hybrids indicated main effects and interactions (P 0.10) between cutting heights. Rate of in situ DM and starch degradability was not affected (P > 0.10) by hybrid or cutting height; however DM degradability was greater (P < 0.05) for HI than LO corn silage substrates at 8, 16, and 24 h of incubation. Rate of NDF degradability tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for 3223 than for 3335, and for LO compared with HI corn silage. Degradability of NDF was greater (P < 0.05) for 3223 compared with 3335 substrates at 24, 36, and 48 h of incubation. These data suggest fiber may not be an accurate measure of corn silage quality. Whereas cutting height affected chemical composition, we observed genetics to have a greater effect on corn silage quality.
Effects of aging on entrainment and rate of resynchronization of circadian locomotor activity.

The phase angle of entrainment of the circadian rhythm of the locomotor activity rhythm to a light-dark (LD) cycle was examined in young (2-5 mo old) and middle-aged (13-16 mo old) hamsters. An age...
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Reduces the Capacity of Blood Mononuclear Cells to Induce Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Impact on Blood Progenitor Cell Transplantation

The feasibility of transplanting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-treated normal human donors to myeloablated allogeneic hosts has been demonstrated recently. The current work examined the ability of recombinant G-CSF to alter peripheral blood T-cell function and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in a murine model of allogeneic G-CSF-mobilized PBMC transplantation. Administration of recombinant G-CSF to C57BL/Ka mice markedly increased the capacity of PBMC to reconstitute lethally irradiated syngeneic hosts. T- and B-lineage lymphocytes were depleted about 10-fold in the bone marrow of the treated mice, and the T-cell yield in the blood was increased about fourfold. The ability of PBMC or purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to induce acute lethal GVHD in irradiated BALB/c mice was reduced after the administration of G-CSF. This was associated with decreased secretion of interferon gamma and interleukin-2 (IL-2) and an increased secretion of IL-4. The donor cell inoculum, which was most successful in the rescue of irradiated allogeneic hosts, was the low-density fraction of PBMC from G-CSF-treated mice. These low-density cells were enriched for CD4-CD8-NK1.1+ T cells and secreted about 10-fold more IL-4 than the unfractionated cells from the G-CSF-treated donors.
Investigation of super-sampling techniques with blob-based super-resolution reconstructions for PET imaging

Spatial resolution in positron emission tomography (PET) is still a limiting factor in many imaging applications. Mechanical movement (e.g., controlled scanner or bed motion) has been introduced to PET systems to increase sampling and improve spatial resolution. The objective of this work is to investigate super-sampling techniques with an advanced blob-based super-resolution reconstruction algorithm. We conducted experiments with a small-animal PET scanner (A-PET) using a micro hot-rod phantom. The phantom was mounted on three motorized linear stages with freedom in the three perpendicular axes. We generated motion synchronized digital pulses and recorded them as control-events in list-mode data to separate different data sets from different positions. We investigated different sampling strategies: 1) stationary acquisition, 2) stepping the phantom in 3-D within a motion cube, 3) translating the phantom along the scanner axial direction and 4) translating the phantom along a controlled but deliberately misaligned direction. To fully take advantage of the super-sampling techniques, we developed and implemented a dedicated blob-based super-resolution reconstruction approach based on the MLEM and OSEM algorithms. The object offset was incorporated in the forward and backward projections at each iteration. The high-resolution images were reconstructed from the multiple list-mode data sets using the blob-based super-resolution method. The reconstructed images of the hot-rod phantom were compared for the four acquisitions with different sampling strategies. We demonstrated that both grid and linear super-sampling with deliberately misaligned direction can improve the overall image-quality with the same acquisition time. In conclusion, super-sampling is an effective and economic way to improve sampling and spatial resolution for PET imaging, which has an important implication in preclinical and clinical PET imaging applications.
OCCURRENCE OF TRICHODERMA IN A DOUGLAS-FIR SOIL

Trichoderma species were isolated to a depth of 100 cm in soil supporting a Douglas-fir stand in western Oregon. Isolation from Mueller-Durrell (M-D) tubes was rare below 33 cm in May and August and did not occur below 53 cm in November. Most common species were T. viride, T. hamatum, and T. polysporum. Trichoderma viride accounted for 72% of November isolates while T. hamatum dominated May (54%) and August (34%) isolates. Soil dilution plates from 25-30-cm depth produced only one colony of Trichoderma in nearly 2000 observations whereas it was isolated at a frequency of 10% from M-D tubes at that depth. Antagonism by species of Trichoderma toward other fungi in soil and in wood has been reported by numerous investigators since 1931 (Garrett, 1956). Species of Trichoderma were found to be the principal invaders of wood colonized by Phellinus weirii (Murr.) Gilbertson when buried in forest soil (Nelson, 1964), but soil dilution plates from the same forest site showed that Trichoderma spp. occurred infrequently over the 2-yr sampling period (Nelson, 1969). In 1972, in conjunction with the International Biological Program, Coniferous Forest Biome, the opportunity to answer the following questions arose: Is Trichoderma uncommon in western Oregon Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] soils, or do the limitations of the dilution plate technique only make it appear so? What is the distribution of Trichoderma in the upper meter of soil? What species of Trichoderma are most common? MATERIALS AND METHODS
CdS/CdTe Solar Cells Made by High-Rate Magnetron Sputtering

The dependence of deposition rate of CdTe film on deposition pressure and RF power has been studied. The optimum argon pressure was found to be 5 mTorr while the growth rate as a function of power is slightly superlinear. A deposition rate of 140 nm/min has been achieved which is five times faster than for our conventional deposition conditions. Films were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Pressure has been found to have a greater effect on film morphology than magnetron sputter power. Working devices have been made with 2-micron layers of CdTe deposited at different powers and 10 mTorr of argon pressure. The effect of different temperatures of CdCl2 post-deposition treatment on cell performance was studied. Efficiency of 11.8% with a 2-micron CdTe layer deposited at 133 nm/min was achieved.
ESR Spin Resonance on Carbon Nanofibers

Electron spin resonance investigations on the angular dependence of carbon nanotubes are reported. It is proved that the resonance line is a convolution of three lines one due to electron delocalized over carbon nanotubes, the second assigned either to amorphous carbon or to conducting electrons in interaction with metallic impurities, and the last one originating from catalyst residues.
Reading skill–fractional anisotropy relationships in visuospatial tracts diverge depending on socioeconomic status

Low socioeconomic status (SES) has been repeatedly linked with decreased academic achievement, including lower reading outcomes. Some lower SES children do show skills and scores commensurate with those of their higher SES peers, but whether their abilities stem from the same systems as high SES children or are based on divergent strategies is unknown. We here investigated a potential interactive relationship between SES and real-word reading skill in the white matter in 42 typically developing children. SES was determined based on parental education; reading skill and age were not significantly related to SES. There was a significant neural interaction: Clusters in the bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), left superior longitudinal fasciculus, and left corticospinal tract demonstrated interactive skill-SES relationships in fractional anisotropy. Follow-up analyses demonstrated that higher SES children showed a positive relationship between fractional anisotropy, reflecting tract coherence, and reading skill in left hemisphere tract clusters, whereas lower SES children showed a positive relationship in the right hemisphere homologues. Broadly, the ILF has been demonstrated to support orthographic skill on the left and more general visuospatial processing on the right, so high reading achievement in lower SES children may rely on supplementary visuospatial processing more than for higher SES readers. This pattern is consistent with previous work reporting low SES children's environments to include less rich verbal experience, which may lead them to disproportionately draw on visuospatial skills for success. Further, these results indicate that group SES differences may be best described by an adaptive, not a deficit, model.
Bargmann Space Methods in First-Order Optics

Bargmann space techniques in quantum mechanics [1, 2, 3, 4] consist in performing a transformation upon the modes of an harmonic oscillator that renders the modes and the creation and annihilation operators particularly simple. In this paper the Bargmann space techniques are extended to the optical propagation of gaussian beams in a lenslike medium with possible loss or gain [5] yielding a considerably simplified derivation of the algebra of modes and mode generating operators.