cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPASS: A Community-driven Parallelization Advisor for Sequential Software

The widespread adoption of multicores has renewed the emphasis on the use of parallelism to improve performance. The present and growing diversity in hardware architectures and software environments, however, continues to pose difficulties in the effective use of parallelism thus delaying a quick and smooth transition to the concurrency era. In this paper, we describe the research being conducted at Columbia University on a system called COMPASS that aims to simplify this transition by providing advice to programmers while they reengineer their code for parallelism. The advice proffered to the programmer is based on the wisdom collected from programmers who have already parallelized some similar code. The utility of COMPASS rests, not only on its ability to collect the wisdom unintrusively but also on its ability to automatically seek, find and synthesize this wisdom into advice that is tailored to the task at hand, i.e., the code the user is considering parallelizing and the environment in which the optimized program is planned to execute. COMPASS provides a platform and an extensible framework for sharing human expertise about code parallelization - widely, and on diverse hardware and software. By leveraging the “wisdom of crowds” model [30], which has been conjectured to scale exponentially and which has successfully worked for wikis, COMPASS aims to enable rapid propagation of knowledge about code parallelization in the context of the actual parallelization reengineering, and thus continue to extend the benefits of Moores law scaling to science and society.
Gyration in the ergosphere of a black hole

Abstract A covariant definition of gyration is proposed and used to refute a previous demonstration that gyration is impossible in the equatorial plane of an ergosphere. We show that reasonable charge to mass ratios and magnetic field strengths can induce gyration and consider implications for the observation of collapsed objects.
Supplementation of deprenyl attenuates age associated alterations in rat cerebellum

Aging, a multifactorial process of enormous complexity is characterised by physio-chemical and biological aspects of cellular functions. It is closely associated with changes in metabolism of various biological molecules in the system. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of deprenyl on cerebellum during ageing process in male Wistar rats with respect to the changes in levels of protein, glycoproteins and amino acids in experimental rats of three age groups (6, 12 and 18 months old). Intraperitoneal administration of liquid deprenyl (2 mg/kg body weight/day for a period of 15 days i.p., significantly P < 0.05) attenuated age-associated alterations in the levels of amino acids (taurine, aspartate, glutamate, arginine, hydroxy proline and homocysteine), protein content and glycoprotein components (hexose and hexosamine) in the rat cerebellum. The results of the present investigation indicate that the protective effect of deprenyl is probably related to its ability to strengthen the neuronal membrane by its membrane stabilizing action or to a counteraction of free radicals by its antioxidant property.
Mediterranean Fishes of the Family Istiophoridae

SCOMBROID fishes belonging to the family Istiophoridae are rather uncommon in the Mediterranean. However, a species has been known for a long time and was actually discovered there. It is Tetrapturus belone, described by Rafinesque1 from Sicily, where it is captured chiefly during the summer months; later, it was found in other localities, for example, Spain, Genoa, Naples, Malta and the Adriatic.
A human model system for the release of endogenous inhibitor(s) of prostaglandin biosynthesis

Abstract The evolving vesicular patch test reaction served as a huma model for immunologically induced epidermal damage. We observed that inhibitory factor(s) were detectable in the homogenates only after epidermal disruption had appeared. Maximum inhibition correlated with acute changes seen histologically in the evolving patch test reaction. During resolution of the patch test reaction, the presence of inhibitory factor(s) in the skin homogenates became undetectable. A white ring similar to the Woronoff ring described after ultraviolet light and coal tar therapy of psoriatic plaques was reproduced surrounding the vesicular patch test reaction, suggesting that the inhibitory substance(s) detected following epidermal trauma of various types (physical, immunologic, inflammatory, etc.) functioned in vivo in a similar fashion. Our results suggests that Woronoff's ring is a nonspecific phenomenon that can be formed following various types of trauma to the skin rather than a specific occurrence associated only with the treatment of psoriatic plaques.
Parallel computation of 3-D electromagnetic scattering using finite elements

The finite element method (FEM) with local absorbing boundary conditions has been recently applied to compute electromagnetic scattering from large 3-D geometries. In this paper, we present details pertaining to code implementation and optimization. Various types of sparse matrix storage schemes are discussed and their performance is examined in terms of vectorization and net storage requirements. The system of linear equations is solved using a preconditioned biconjugate gradient (BCG) algorithm and a fairly detailed study of existing point and block preconditioners (diagonal and incomplete LU) is carried out. A modified ILU preconditioning scheme is also introducted which works better than the traditional version for our matrix systems. The parallelization of the iterative sparse solver and the matrix generation/assembly as implemented on the KSR1 multiprocessor is described and the interprocessor communication patterns are analysed in detail. Near-linear speed-up is obtained for both the iterative solver and the matrix generation/assembly phases. Results are presented for a problem having 224,476 unknowns and validated by comparison with measured data.
Differential thermal wave radiometry for noninvasive blood glucose monitoring: feasibility analysis

Blood glucose monitoring is essential for management of diabetes especially for those patients who requires regular insulin injections. A reliable noninvasive technique may eliminate inconvenience associated with frequent skin puncture to draw blood for measurement by a standard meter. Laser-induced thermal waves in tissue and detection of resulting IR response may provide a valuable approach to development of noninvasive glucose sensor. The present report analyzes radiometric response of tissue at the two wavelengths in mid-IR spectral band with phase-sensitive detection to evaluate feasibility of differential phase radiometry for noninvasive glucose monitoring. Sensitivity of the differential phase method is computed using two models of laser-tissue interaction: homogeneous light absorption and a discrete chromophore heating.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A kinetic criterion for quasi-brittle fracture

A new criterion is proposed for quasi-brittle fracture based on the recognition that quasi-static fracture toughness measurements are merely a limiting case of dynamic fracture. It is found that a unique relationship exists between the energy stored ahead of a loaded crack or blunt notch and the velocity of a crack injected into the material by the failure of a microstructural element lying in the zone of elevated stress. The criterion establishes a minimum velocity required for the continued propagation of the injected crack as a function of the crack tip opening displacement at the instant of crack nucleation. Comparison of the predictions of the model with existing data on various steels and an aluminum alloy show excellent correlation. The implications of the model for phenomena such as the ductile-to-brittle transition, microstructural effects on the resistance to unstable crack propagation and grain boundary embrittlement/strengthening by solute segregation are also explored.
Most primary care physicians are aware of prescription drug monitoring programs, but many find the data difficult to access

State prescription drug monitoring programs are common tools intended to reduce prescription drug abuse and diversion, or the nonmedical use of a prescribed drug. The success of these programs depends largely upon physicians’ awareness and use of them. We conducted a nationally representative mail survey of 1,000 practicing primary care physicians in 2014 to characterize their attitudes toward and awareness and use of prescription drug monitoring programs. A total of 420 eligible physicians (adjusted response rate: 58 percent) returned completed surveys. Among all physicians surveyed, 72 percent were aware of their state’s prescription drug monitoring program, and 53 percent reported using one of the programs. We identified several barriers that may prevent greater use of the programs, including the time-consuming nature of information retrieval and the lack of an intuitive format for data provided by the programs. These results suggest that the majority of US primary care physicians are aware of and use ...
A novel fluorescence imaging approach for comparative measurements of pancreatic islet function in vitro.

Pancreatic islet dysfunction is a key element in the development of type 2 diabetes. Determining possible early warning signs of dysfunction is thus important to determining the underlying causes o...
Isolation of a chromatographically unique glycopeptide from murine Histocompatibility-2 (H-2) membrane alloantigens labelled with H3-fucose or H3-glucosamine

Abstract Murine H-2 alloantigen glycoproteins from cultured mast cell tumor cells labelled with H3-glucosamine or H3-fucose, were solubilized by papain digestion and purified by a combination of conventional techniques and an antibody-antigen complex step. Sephadex G-50 chromatography of pronase digested radiolabelled H-2 alloantigen showed a single major glycopeptide of around 3,300 molecular weight, whereas glycopeptides from pronase digested unpurified membrane glycoproteins were heterogeneous upon Sephadex chromatography.
Weed Management in conservation crop production systems

Information on weed management in conservation crop production systems is needed as adoption of practices such as reduced tillage and cover crops becomes more widespread. This review summarizes recent research on weed management aspects in these systems. Changes in patterns of tillage, planting systems, and other management strategies can alter the soil environment and lead to shifts in weed populations. Weed patterns and populations are not always consistent and vary with locale, crop, and herbicide use. However, in many long-term conservation management studies, a general increase in perennial weeds and grass species has been observed. The development of low-dose herbicides, selective postemergence herbicides, and transgenic crops has greatly improved the flexibility of producers who use conservation systems where opportunities for tillage are limited. With a higher level of management inputs, producers can successfully implement conservation management practices.
New antiproliferative epoxysecosterols from Pseudopterogorgia americana

Two new 9(11)-secogorgosterols containing oxirane rings at the C-5/C-6 position (1 and 2) were isolated from Pseudopterogorgia americana along with a known secogorgosterol (3). The structures were elucidated using detailed spectroscopic studies and the epoxysecosteroids were found to exhibit activity against prostate (LnCap) and lung cancer (Calu-3) cell lines.
Firework-related childhood injuries in Greece: a national problem.

During a 5-year period, out of 110 066 children with injuries recorded in the Greek Emergency Department Injury Surveillance System (EDISS), 91 had firework-related injuries. Descriptive analyses and the Barrell matrix were used to determine risk factors and extrapolated national firework childhood injury figures were calculated. The estimated annual incidence of childhood firework injuries treated in the emergency departments of hospitals countrywide, was 7 per 100 000 children years. Seventy percent of injuries concerned older children (10–14 years), mostly boys with self-inflicted injuries, whereas girls suffered injuries as bystanders. A sharp peak in spring was noted, when the Greek Orthodox Easter is celebrated. Illicitly sold fireworks caused most injuries, but in eight instances homemade firecrackers were responsible. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.
Ultrasonic and radionuclide scanning in pancreatic disease

Ultrasonic examination of the pancreas is rendered difficult by the echogenic characteristics of the organ, by its depth, by the overlying gas, and by bony structures and anatomic variations. The reintroduction of gray-scale imaging promises to simplify the technique and expand its usefulness. The 75 Se- l -selenomethionine scan is a reliable test when performed after effective pancreatic stimulation with a scintillation camera, that permits the angulation required to separate pancreas from liver. Gallium-67-citrate may be important for both mapping inflammatory processes and imaging some tumors. Retrograde pancreatography has developed into a rather reliable and sensitive method of visualizing pancreatic duct abnormalities. Angiography remains the most reliable technique for finding small lesions, while computerized axial tomography appears a promising modality in the near future. In acute pancreatitis, gallium scanning may find a place alongside plain films, GI series, and echography. Chronic pancreatitis appears best studied by pancreatography, possibly with selenomethionine scanning as a function study and echography to find associated mass lesions. Pseudocysts are most easily located by ultrasound examination. Screening for pancreatic carcinoma is done most effectively with selenomethionine scanning when the index of suspicion is low and with pancreatography or arteriography when ft is high. Echography is useful for localization for aspiration biopsy and for sequential evaluation of therapeutic response. Islet-cell tumors are best found by angiographic studies.
The role of character displacement in the molarization of hominin mandibular premolars

Closely related species are likely to experience resource competition in areas where their ranges overlap. Fossil evidence suggests that hominins in East Africa c. 2-1.5 million years ago may have lived synchronically and sympatrically, and that competition may have contributed to the different tooth sizes observed in Homo and Paranthropus. To assess the likelihood that these taxa overlapped, we applied a character displacement model to the postcanine tooth size of fossil hominins and validated this model in populations of living primates. Mandibular fourth premolar (P4 ) crown size was measured from fossil taxa and from living primate species where dietary overlap is established. Dimensions of the P4 crown were fitted to a character matrix and described as the response variables of a generalized linear model that took taxon and location as input variables. The model recovered significant divergence in samples of closely related, living primates. When applied to fossil hominins the same model detected strong indications of character displacement between early Homo and Paranthropus (P = 0.002) on the basis of their P4 crown size. Our study is an example of how ecologically informed morphologies measured in appropriate extant referents can provide a comparative context for assessing community and ecological evolution in the fossil record.
Intracellular nucleotides isolated from Chromobacterium violaceum

Abstract Intracellular nucleotides of Chromobacterium violaceum have been fractionated by anion-exchange chromatography and subsequent paper chromatography of the nucleotide peaks obtained therefrom. There was a predominance of diphosphopyridine nucleotide (NAD) and monophosphorylated nucleotides and relatively low levels of various nucleotidyl sugar compounds. No glucose-, heptose-, or fucosamine-containing nucleotides were observed. 8-Azaguanine and 5-fluorouracil treatment failed to cause marked increases in the concentration of intracellular nucleotides normally present in this organism. However, 8-azaguanine-treated cells appeared to accumulate a number of nucleotides at a higher level than untreated cells, some of which, including several uridine diphosphate (UDP)-muramic acid-containing compounds, were normally too low in concentration to be seen in the nucleotide profiles of “untreated” or 5-fluorouracil-treated cells. Dowex 50 cation-exchange chromatography of acid hydrolyzates of C. violaceum polysaccharide revealed, in addition to glucosamine and fucosamine, a previously unreported unidentified, cationic reducing compound.
Serum cleaved tau protein levels and clinical outcome in adult patients with closed head injury

Abstract Study Objective: Intracranial injuries (ICI) are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Unfortunately, tools for diagnosis and risk stratification of ICIs are limited in the emergency department setting. We determine the relationship between the presence or absence of a detectable cleaved serum tau protein (τ c ), ICI, and outcome at hospital discharge in adults with closed head injuries (CHI). Methods: This was a prospective pilot study of adult patients with CHI presenting to the ED of an urban Level I trauma center. Patients presenting within 10 hours of a CHI who underwent a head computed tomographic (CT) scan were eligible. A blood sample was collected at presentation and the τ c level was measured. Initial Glasgow Coma Scale scores and demographic information were recorded. A chart review was performed to determine outcome and final readings on the initial head CT scan. Results: Patients were dichotomized to 1 of 2 groups, those with an ICI (n=17) and those with an isolated skull fracture or no CT abnormality (NICI) (n=11). The 2 groups were similar in regard to demographic composition, mechanism of injury, and coexisting injuries. A τ c level of more than 0 was associated with an increased chance of an ICI on the initial head CT scan (odds ratio 11.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17 to 108.4) and a greater chance of poor outcome, defined as death while in hospital or transfer to a nursing home at hospital discharge (odds ratio 8.17; 95% CI 1.42 to 47). Conclusion: A τ c level of more than 0 is associated with a greater chance of intracranial injury and poor outcome in patients with CHI. [Shaw GJ, Jauch EC, Zemlan FP. Serum cleaved tau protein levels and clinical outcome in adult patients with closed head injury. Ann Emerg Med. March 2002;39:254-257.]
Medicaid payment innovations to financially sustain comprehensive childhood asthma management programs at federally qualified Health Centers

Background. One in 7 children in the United States is diagnosed with asthma, the leading cause of chronic childhood disease. Although a manageable condition when recommended medication regimens are...
Mean field calculations of the dynamic mechanical properties of two-phase elastomer blends: Included particles in a matrix phase

Mean field theories developed by Kerner and van der Poel were applied to several binary elastomer blends. Calculations were compared with experimental small strain dynamic mechanical properties of the blends. Although the blends exhibit a wide range of detailed structures, the theories were able to model blenas with well-defined included particles embedded in a matrix phase. Blends with a continuous morphology were not properly modeled with the Kerner or van der Poel theories.
Economics of hydrogen as a fuel for surface transportation

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the systems which produce hydrogen from renewable energy sources (solar and wind), and which use hydrogen as a fuel for surface transportation. A steady state model has been developed which analyses process performances, the costs of each of the stages in hydrogen production, storage and distribution, and estimates material and energy requirements for building and operating the Solar Hydrogen Energy System. Analysis of the solar hydrogen production, storage and distribution has shown that the price of delivered hydrogen depends mostly on the cost of available solar technologies (photovoltaic cells and wind turbines) and their efficiencies. The real cost of transportation has been calculated for both gasoline, as the existing fuel for surface transportation, and hydrogen as an alternative in the future. The real cost includes environmental and societal damage caused either by burning the fuel or by processing it. The unit costs and efficiencies of photovoltaics and wind turbines, which enable electrolytic hydrogen production at competitive prices, have been calculated.
Observational consequences of Martian wind regimes

The connection with past and future observations of Mars of the high velocity relief winds deduced by Gierasch and Sagan (1971) is examined with the assistance of a large topographic map of Mars. A unimodal hypsometric curve is derived. Seasons and locales of wind velocities at the half surface pressure level below 80 m/sec, sufficient to lift dust at the surface, are identified. A number of suggestions are made that can be checked by observations with the Mariner Mars 1971 orbiters.
Kinetics and Mechanisms of Monolayer Interactions V: Surface Activities of Alkylamides, Alkylmonocarboxylic Acids, and Alkylketones and their Interaction Energies with Phospholipid Monolayers

The adsorption free energies of the C1-C6 alkylamides, C3-C8 alkylketones, and C1-C10 alkylmonocarboxylic acids at the air-water interface, estimated from plots of the surface pressure (⩽5 dynes/cm) versus the bulk concentration, were linear functions of the total surface area per molecule (square angstroms per molecule), with a slope 46% higher for the alkylamides and 25% lower for the alkylketones than that for the monocarboxylic acids. The interaction energies of alkylamides with dipalmitoyl lecithin and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine spread at the air-water interface, estimated from the surface pressure increase with increasing concentrations of the injected C1-C5 compounds, were linear functions of the total surface area per molecule. The diffusion free energies, ΔGdif, of the alkylamides within a phospholipid bilayer, predicted from the permeability equation and their interaction energies with dipalmitoyl lecithin monolayers by assuming the additivity of their free energies of adsorption and dehydration at the solution-bilayer interface, agreed with the literature data.
Situation Awareness in the NextGen Air Traffic Management System

The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is expected to revolutionize how air traffic will be managed and significantly enhance the capacity of the National Airspace System in the United States. Because NextGen is a system that requires a high level of interaction between human operators and technology, there is a need to assess how NextGen tools and concepts of operation will impact operator situation awareness (SA). The goal of this study is to highlight the importance of SA to operator performance in complex systems. The defended view is that SA is situated, which means that operators rely in fundamental ways on interactions with external tools to maintain their understanding of a situation, minimizing internal memory storage of task relevant information. Consequently, SA metrics must be conducted in the context where operators have access to their displays and tools. The article ends with a discussion of how the situated SA approach can be used to explain the acquisition of shared SA in...
Expressed emotion, human agency, and schizophrenia: toward a new model for the EE-relapse association.

Although there is a clear statistical association between expressed emotion (EE) and schizophrenic relapse, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying this relationship is underdeveloped. This study tested a theoretical model in which caregivers’ perceptions of their ill relative’s agency underlie the EE-relapse association. To evaluate this model, we completed qualitative and quantitative analyses of narratives provided by individuals caring for a relative with schizophrenia. The results indicate that high-EE caregivers perceive the expression of symptoms as stemming from their ill relative’s agency more frequently than low-EE caregivers. This was true for both high-EE-criticism and high-EE-emotional overinvolvement caregivers. High-EE and low-EE caregivers did not differ in their perceptions of the role of their ill relative’s agency with regard to the control of symptoms. The findings suggest that EE may be a proxy risk factor for caregivers’ perceptions of their ill relative’s agency.
Variations on a Theme: The Shift From Distinction to Commonality in Philadelphia's Diverse Provider Model 2002–2008

Recent years have seen a growing push toward Portfolio Management Models that incorporate a variety of “providers” operating public schools. One rationale for this is that such organizations can offer distinct and innovative educational practices. This article describes the Diverse Provider Model implemented in Philadelphia from 2002–2008, and the shifts in practices by many outside providers away from distinction and toward alignment with the district approach. Drawing on institutional theory, we examine possible explanations for these shifts, including the particular structures and incentives in Philadelphia and discuss what can be learned about the prospects for innovation through outside providers.
Polyunsaturated Protected Lipid: Effect on Milk Phospholipids

Abstract Five lactating Holsteins were fed a complete mixed control ration for 20 days, sunflower-soybean protected lipid supplement for 28 days, and finally control for another 20 days. Total milk phospholipid and milk fat produced per day increased during protected lipid feeding, whereas milk produced per day remained the same throughout the study. Digly cerides from fresh milk had larger amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids during protected lipid feeding. In contrast to milk diglycerides, there was little change in fatty acid composition of milk phospholipids in response to the protected lipid diet. Independence of bovine milk phospholipid fatty acid composition from influence of dietary fatty acid composition is important to the understanding of mammary fat synthesis. Stability of fatty acid composition in bovine milk phospholipids sharply contrasts with changes in milk diglycerides and triglycerides.
Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography for thick tissue imaging

Continuous-wave ultrasonic modulation of scattered laser light has been used to image objects in tissue-simulating turbid media for the first time. We hypothesize that the ultrasound wave focused into the turbid media modulates the laser light passing through the ultrasonic focal spot. The modulated laser light collected by a photomultiplier tube reflects the local mechanical and optical properties in the focal zone. Buried objects in 5-cm thick tissue phantoms are located with millimeter resolution by scanning and detecting alterations of the ultrasound-modulated optical signal. Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography separates the conflict between signal and resolution in purely optical imaging of tissue and does not rely on ballistic or quasi-ballistic photons but on the abundant diffuse photons. The imaging resolution is determined by the focused ultrasonic wave. This technique has the potential to provide a noninvasive, nonionizing, inexpensive diagnostic tool for diseases such as breast cancer.
Building down and dreaming up

Scholars and journalists have heralded the spread of direct sellers like Avon and Amway in the developing world as providing a training ground for capitalist entrepreneurs. By examining ethnographic evidence from Omnilife, a Mexican producer of nutritional supplements, I argue that person-to-person marketing is not a rationalist response to neoliberal economic reforms but, rather, a spiritual one. Quasi-religious organizations like Omnilife promise workers a renewed self-image that restores the balance between individual interests and obligations to others that has been disrupted by neoliberal economic reforms. In pursuing this total transformation, workers accept mechanisms of control that mask the company's overriding profit motive.
Health status and suicide in the second half of life.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of suicide in the second half of life with medical and psychiatric illness, functional limitations, and reported use of inpatient, ambulatory, and home health care services. METHOD: A retrospective case-control design was used to compare 86 people over age 50 years who died by suicide with a comparison group of 86 living community participants that were individually matched on age, gender, race, and county of residence. RESULTS: Suicide decedents had more Axis I diagnoses, including current mood and anxiety disorders, worse physical health status, and greater impairment in functional capacity. They were more likely to have required psychiatric treatment, medical, or surgical hospitalization in the last year, and visiting nurse or home health aide services. In a multivariate model, the presence of any active Axis I disorder and any impairment in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) made independent contributions to suicide risk. CONCLUSIONS: Mental illness, physical illness, and associated functional impairments represent domains of risk for suicide in this age group. In addition to individuals with psychiatric illness, those with severe or comorbid physical illness and functional disability who require inpatient and home care services should be targeted for screening and preventive interventions. Language: en
ORIFICE-VIEW ROENTGENOGRAPHY OF THE MITRAL VALVE

The mitral valve can be visualized as if looking directly into the valvular orifice by obtaining roentgenograms directed obliquely through the heart at a 25 degree superior elevation, with the patient rotated 60 degrees in the right anterior oblique direction. This view was based upon trigonometrical calculations of the spatial orientation of the annulus of prosthetic mitral valves in 25 patients. Calculations based upon measurement in these patients indicate that the area of the orifice of the mitral valve can be shown with less than ten percent error due to distortion of the projected image in 80 percent of patients. During the injection of contrast material into the left ventricle, orifice-view roentgenograms serve as a useful adjunct to standard ventriculograms. Such views permit assessment of the size of the mitral annulus and the degree of stenosis. Plain orifice-view roentgenograms of heavily calcified mitral valves permit measurement of the area circumscribed by calcium in such patients. The measu...
Acrylic resin veneer crown by the direct method

Abstract A practical method of waxing veneer crowns directly in the mouth has been described. The procedure is rewarding, from an economic as well as a technical point of view. It gives the dentist a certain amount of independence from the commercial laboratory, and for those who carry out their own laboratory procedures it does away with the time-consuming steps required by the indirect method.
Differential absorption of zinc and low-molecular-weight ligands in the rat gut in protein-energy malnutrition.

The differences in zinc absorption in the presence of four low- molecular-weight ligands in the jejunum, ileum and colon of protein-energy mal nourished juvenile rats (M), and their controls (C) were investigated. An in vivo perfusion procedure was applied to vascularly intact segments of the three areas of the gut. The absorption of L-proline and L-histidine, and a hydrolysis-resistant dipep- tide, glycylsarcosine, were also determined. In certain instances, the M rats absorbed zinc at a lower rate than the C animals. This effect was especially consistent through out the gut when glycylsarcosine was present in the perfusates. In the colon, zinc, but not the amino acids, was taken up. Glycylsarcosine was well absorbed by the colon in both the M and C rats. The data indicate that protein-energy deficiency may impair the absorption of zinc by the rat intestinal mucosa in the presence of low- molecular-weight substances of high affinity for zinc, without altering the absorption of amino acids, or of zinc organometallic complexes in which the metal is tightly bound. The two contrasting situations may be relevant to alleviating zinc deficiency in nutritionally compromised conditions. J. Nutr. 115: 900-908, 1985.
Disaster warning and communication processes in two communities.

This paper is based on a study of disaster warning in the communities of Crescent City, California and Hilo, Hawaii, both of which have had a history of tsunami threats and warnings. Disaster warning is viewed in the paper as a process consisting of a number of interrelated activities and procedures in which a variety of organizations and individuals become involved. The study indicates that local officials such as those in Crescent City and Hilo are responsible for evaluating incoming information concerning potentially disruptive environmental changes and for determining if a public warning is to be issued. Among the problems that local officials may face while attempting to meet such responsibilities is the lack of adequate information on which to base critical decisions and the difficulty of maintaining public willingness to comply with requests for evacuation when there have been repeated alerts not followed by disaster. Although both the communities in the study have undergone major tsunami disasters, the data show that this has been followed by significant change and improvement in warning procedures chiefly in Hilo. For example, evacuation areas have been predetermined in Hilo and a variety of mechanisms for transmitting tsunami warning signals and information to the public have been devised. These changes came about largely because local officials in Hilo received considerable feedback from scientific experts and others regarding the kinds of improvements needed in the community's warning system. Such a feedback process did not develop in Crescent City following the major tsunami disaster in that community and thus less change occurred in its warning procedures.
Effects of stress on responses to methamphetamine in humans

Studies with laboratory animals indicate that acute stress can modify both the direct effects of drugs of abuse and the tendency to self-administer drugs. Similarly, stress may also alter the acute subjective effects of drugs or the tendency to seek and consume drugs in humans. This laboratory-based study was designed to determine whether an acute social stressor (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) alters subjective responses to a low oral dose of methamphetamine (METH; 10 mg) in humans. The study utilized a mixed within- and between-subjects design. Healthy young men (n=28) participated in two sessions, one with stress and the other without. They were randomly assigned to two groups who received either METH (n=16) or placebo (n=12) on both sessions. On each session, subjects underwent the TSST or no TSST, and then ingested a beverage containing drug (10 mg METH) or placebo (PLAC). Over the next 1.5 h various self-reported mood measures and physiological measures, including salivary cortisol levels, were obtained at regular intervals. Both acute stress and METH produced mood-altering and physiological effects. Stress increased ratings of anxiety immediately after the stressful task, and increased salivary cortisol levels 20 min later. METH increased feelings of stimulation, and decreased fatigue and sedation, beginning about 20 min after drug administration and peaking at 60 and 90 min. Stress dampened the early responses to METH (i.e. at 20 min), but not the later effects (60 or 90 min). These results demonstrate that acute stress can dampen subjective responses to a low dose of METH, but these effects are short-lived. It remains to be determined what mechanisms mediate this effect.
A Quadratic Programming Approach to Blind Equalization and Signal Separation

Blind equalization and signal separation are two well-established signal processing problems. In this paper, we present a quadratic programming algorithm for fast blind equalization and signal separation. By introducing a special non-mean-square error (MSE) objective function, we reformulate fractionally spaced blind equalization into an equivalent quadratic programming problem. Based on a clear geometric interpretation and a formal proof, we show that a perfect equalization solution is obtained at every local optimum of the quadratic program. Because blind source separation is, by nature and mathematically, a closely related problem, we also generalize the algorithm for blind signal separation. We show that by enforcing source orthogonalization through successive processing, the quadratic programming approach can be applied effectively. Moreover, the quadratic program is easily extendible to incorporate additional practical conditions, such as jamming suppression constraints. We also provide evidence of good performance through computer simulations.
Jahn–Teller Effect in Circulenes: X‐ray Diffraction Study of Coronene and Corannulene Radical Anions

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of two polyaromatic radical anions crystallized as sodium salts, namely [Na(DME)(3) ](+)[C(20) H(10)(-)] (1) and [Na(DME)(3)](+)[C(24)H(12)(-)] (2) are reported. This allowed the first structural evaluation of Jahn-Teller (JT) effects for monoreduced circulenes and a comparison between bowl-shaped corannulene and planar coronene. The C(s) and D(2h) symmetrical distortions are found to fit the experimental data for C(20)H(10)(·-) and C(24)H(12)(·-), respectively. The continuous symmetry measure (CSM) analysis was carried out to provide a quantitative measure of the JT distortions in 1 and 2. In addition, the X-ray crystallographic results were fully supported by DFT calculations.
Single-molecule orientation measurements with a quadrated pupil

We present a means of measuring the dipole orientation of a fluorescent, rotationally fixed single molecule (SM), using a specially designed phase mask, termed a “quadrated pupil,” conjugate to the back focal plane of a conventional widefield microscope. In comparison to image-fitting techniques that infer orientation by matching simulations to defocused or excessively magnified images, the quadrated pupil approach is more robust to minor modeling discrepancies, defocus, and optical aberrations. Precision on the order of 1°-5° is achieved in proofof- concept experiments for both azimuthal (φ) and polar (θ) angles. Since the phase mask is implemented on a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) that may be deactivated without any mechanical perturbation of the sample or imaging system, the technique may be readily integrated into conventional imaging studies.
Fluid Dynamics as an Evolutionary Constraint for Flapping Appendages

1 that relates the kinematics of a flapping wing with the circulation of the leading edge vortex produced. We show experimentally that a characteristic value of the formation parameter is associated with vortex saturation and maximum transient lift production, and then we further generalize the definition of the formation pa rameter b y explicitly including the wing shape in its formulation. This allows a "reverse engineering" of the shape of a flapping wing , starting from its kinematics. We demonstrate the concept by considering Drosophila Melanogaster as a case study, showing that the aspect ratio of its wings is determined by the need to form vortices of max imal circulation while flapping.
Improving the accuracy and precision of an arsenic field test kit: increased reaction time and digital image analysis

Two procedures to improve the performance of the Hach EZ test kit for quantifying inorganic arsenic concentrations in drinking water have been investigated. In the first, a digital image of the colored spot formed on the test strip, obtained with a flat-bed scanner was analyzed, by the computer program Colors, for the R, G, and B values. Calibrations were constructed by plotting the B values as a function of concentration. Agreement between the experimentally determined B-values and those of the printed chart was only obtained by either increasing the reaction time (to 40 min) or increasing the reaction temperature. The precision as a function of concentration was quantified. A comparison with previously estimated values for visual comparison of the colours, showed that the improved precision of the digital analysis would produce fewer false positive and fewer false negative results at the important threshold values of 10 and 50 μg L−1. By running the test for 24 h, improved performance at the low concentration (around 10 μg L−1) end of the response scale was obtained.
Multistage order statistic filters for image sequence processing

The application of multistage order statistic filters (MOS) to the task of noise suppression in time-varying imagery is studied. It is shown that MOS filters efficiently preserve image structures under motion without motion compensation preprocessing. In particular, the families of multistage median and weighted median filters are considered. Motion preservation and statistical smoothing measures are derived. It is shown that spatiotemporal filtering allows for a significant improvement over both spatial and temporal filtering in terms of output image resolution and noise suppression. >
Pten inactivation accelerates oncogenic K-ras-initiated tumorigenesis in a mouse model of lung cancer

Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted from chromosome 10 (Pten) is expressed aberrantly in non-small cell lung cancer cells, but the role of Pten in lung neoplasia has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we used a genetic approach to inactivate Pten in the bronchial epithelium of mice. Although, by itself, Pten inactivation had no discernible effect on bronchial epithelial histology, it accelerated lung tumorigenesis initiated by oncogenic K-ras, causing more rapid lethality than that induced by oncogenic K-ras alone (8 weeks versus 24 weeks of median duration of survival, respectively). Lung tumors arose in K-ras mutant, Pten-deficient mice that rapidly obstructed bronchial lumina and replaced alveolar spaces. Relative to K-ras mutant tumors, the K-ras mutant, Pten-deficient tumors exhibited more advanced histologic severity and more prominent inflammation and vascularity. Thus, Pten inactivation cooperated with oncogenic K-ras in promoting lung tumorigenesis.
How does performance of ultrasound tissue typing affect design of prostate IMRT dose-painting protocols?

Purpose: To investigate how the performance characteristics of ultrasound tissue typing (UTT) affect the design of a population-based prostate dose-painting protocol. Methods and Materials: The performance of UTT is evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. As the imager's sensitivity increases, more tumors are detected, but the specificity worsens, causing more false-positive results. The UTT tumor map, obtained with a specific sensitivity and specificity setup, was used with the patient's CT image to guide intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning. The optimal escalation dose to the UTT positive region, as well as the safe dose to the negative background, was obtained by maximizing the uncomplicated control ( i.e. , a combination of tumor control probability and weighted normal tissue complication probability). For high- and low-risk tumors, IMRT plans guided by conventional ultrasound or UTT with a one-dimensional or two-dimensional spectrum analysis technique were compared with an IMRT plan in which the whole prostate was dose escalated. Results: For all imaging modalities, the specificity of 0.9 was chosen to reduce complications resulting from high false-positive results. If the primary tumors were low risk, the IMRT plans guided by all imaging modalities achieved high tumor control probability and reduced the normal tissue complication probability significantly compared with the plan with whole gland dose escalation. However, if the primary tumors were high risk, the accuracy of the imaging modality was critical to maintain the tumor control probability and normal tissue complication probability at acceptable levels. Conclusion: The performance characteristics of an imager have important implications in dose painting and should be considered in the design of dose-painting protocols.
Mentoring Teachers: What Are the Issues?

(1988). Mentoring teachers: What are the issues? Theory Into Practice: Vol. 27, Mentoring Teachers, pp. 175-182.
How to improve system stability without risking subsynchronous resonance

Various static devices for raising the stability limit of a power system are examined with respect to their employment at or near the electrical center of a two-machine system. Among these devices are series capacitors, shunt capacitors, combined series and shunt capacitors, and shunt static reactive compensators consisting of a fixed capacitor and a variable reactor. New concepts of current gain, voltage gain, and power gain are defined and illustrated. The natural frequencies of each circuit are examined, and it is shown that with series capacitors these frequencies are subsynchronous and hence produce a risk of subsynchronous resonance, whereas all shunt-connected devices give supersynchronous natural frequencies and therefore do not involve such a risk.
Prognostic Biomarkers in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although it represents a curable disease, less than half of the patients are cured with conventional chemotherapy. The highly variable outcome reflects a heterogeneous group of tumors, with different genetic abnormalities and response to therapy. The International Prognostic Index (IPI) is useful in predicting the outcome of DLBCL patients. However, patients with identical IPI still exhibit marked variability in survival, suggesting the presence of significant residual heterogeneity within each IPI category. The discovery of specific genetic alterations and the assessment of protein expression led to the identification of multiple novel single molecular markers capable of predicting the outcome of DLBCL patients independently of clinical variables. The recent application of DNA microarrays and tissue array technologies allowed a better understanding of the biology of lymphoma and the development of novel diagnostic tools capable of improving the current models for outcome prediction. However, much confusion exists in the literature regarding the importance of different prognostic biomarkers and their applicability in routine practice. This review summarizes the recent advances in our understanding of prognostic biomarkers in DLBCL and discusses whether this is the right time for biomarkers-guided risk-adjusted therapy.