cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction of compilation costs through language contraction

Programming languages tailored to particular groups of users can often be constructed by removing unwanted features from a general purpose language. This paper describes the use of simulation techniques to predict the savings in compilation cost achievable by such an approach. The results suggest a function which describes the effect of changes in the power of a language on the compilation cost of an algorithm expressed in that language: when features not actually used by the algorithm are removed from the language, the cost of compiling the algorithm decreases moderately, but when features that are needed are removed, the compilation cost increases sharply.
Developing a fully online course for senior medical students

In 2002 the University of Michigan Medical School created a one-month course in advanced medical therapeutics (AMT). All senior medical students were required to complete the course. To provide some flexibility for students who were interviewing for residency positions the AMT course was created using a distance-learning model, and in the 2008-2009 academic year it was offered in a fully online format. The components of the course are weekly case-based modules, a weekly online seminar, quizzes based on modules and seminars, and a research project based on a therapeutic question. The paper discusses the development and components of the AMT course, a survey of fourth-year medical students who participated in the course between 2007 and 2010, and how the course evolved over three years. Keywords: medical students; online course (Published: 6 May 2011) Citation: Medical Education Online 2011, 16 : 5733 - DOI: 10.3402/meo.v16i0.5733
A comparison of two post-casting treatment methods for perfluorosulfonated ionomer films

Abstract The resultant effect of two post-casting treatments on the anion-rejection characteristics and adherence to a smooth Pt electrode of a perfluorosulfonate ionomer (Nafion) cast as a thin film (4 μm) from the commercially available alcohol solution is reported. The cyclic voltammetry of ferricyanide from both an acidic and neutral pH solution (2 mM sodium ferricyanide +0.2 M sulfuric acid and 50 mM sodium ferricyanide +0.2 M sodium sulfate, respectively) is used as the measure of anion rejection. Unannealed films which are cured at room temperature serve as the reference and are most permeable to ferricyanide in comparison to high-temperature (170 °C), vacuum-annealed films (20mm Hg) or films which are cured in a low-humidity environment at room temperature under 20mm Hg vacuum (drycured film). For example, after seventy hours of soaking in the neutral pH solution, the amount of ferricyanide absorbed in the unannealed film increased 390% above that after one hour. The dry-cured film, in comparison, absorbed less ferricyanide after one hour; but after seventy hours, even though the amount absorbed was still less than that in the unannealed film, the increase was 1300% above the amount after one hour. In contrast, the thermal-annealed film showed no measurable absorption of ferricyanide even after seventy hours of exposure. All films absorbed ferricyanide from the acidic solution but the thermal-annealed film exhibited the lowest amount. Thermal annealing results in the most stable film of the three: After 16 hours of exposure to 6 M sulfuric acid, the thermal-annealed film adhered to the platinum disk upon rotation, but the other two were sheared off the surface.
The Need of Top Anti-reflective Coating Materials for ArF Immersion Lithography

Recently, a new technology called ArF immersion lithography is emerging as a next generation lithography. The first problem of this technology is contamination issues that come from the dissolution of contaminants from the photoresist to the immersion liquid. The second is optical problem that comes from the using hyper NA system. To solve these two problems, we have developed top antilective coating (TARC) material. This TARC material can be coated on resist without damage to the resist property. In addition to, this TARC material is easily developable by conventional 2.38 wt% TMAH solution. The reflective index of this TARC is adjusted to 1.55, so it can act as an antireflective material. To this TARC material for immersion, quencher gradient resist process (QGRP) was applied also. As a result, we could improve resolution and process margin. However, some of resists showed defects that were generated by this TARC material and QGRP. To solve this defect problem, we introduced buffer function to the TARC material. Thanks to this buffer function, we could minimize defects of resist pattern in immersion lithography.
Unimaginable Change: Future Directions in Planning Practice and Research About Institutional Reform

The issue of institutional change is central to planning. This paper assesses the current state of knowledge about institutions and of how they are constructed and changed. The author identifies major deficiencies in new institutionalism in planning theory and seeks to identify ways to influence positive institutional change. The author analyzed over 90 publications in the planning literature and related social sciences that discussed “institutions.” The varying definitions and underlying epistemologies and philosophies that are at odds with each other were identified. Empirical studies of successful economic development cases were examined in order to critically appraise the efficacy of different theories to account for the observed changes. The findings suggest that different new institutionalism theories in the social sciences are beginning to converge by focusing on social cognition. The recent fundamental changes have not been the result of rational state planning, manipulation by political elites, or activist organizations. A society-wide process of tacit learning from peers and exemplars built new paradigms and practices, which ultimately normalizes new realities. Planners can more effectively engage in fundamental change by knowing more about the social cognition process. Planning practice and research also can make policy-related contributions to the understanding of social cognition change. Objectives for a possible research agenda are suggested.
Dynamic modification of dendritic cable properties and synaptic transmission by voltage-gated potassium channels.

Computer simulations of a dendrite possessing voltage-sensitive potassium conductances were used to determine the effects of these conductances on synaptic transmission and on the propagation of synaptic signals within the dendritic tree. Potassium conductances had two principal effects on voltage transients generated by current injections or synaptic conductances. Locally (near the source of the transient), voltage-gated potassium channels produced a potassium shunt current that reduced the amplitude of voltage transients generated by depolarizing currents. This shunt current increased as the amplitude of the depolarizing transient increased and so acted to prevent large synaptic transients from reaching levels that would saturate due to a reduction in driving force. In the presence of rapidly activating potassium currents, excitatory synapses produced larger synaptic currents that were more linearly related to synaptic conductance, but these produced smaller voltage transients. The maximum amplitudes of the voltage transients were limited by the voltage sensitivity of the K+ conductance and the rate at which it could activate. Sufficiently rapid synaptic currents could outrun the K+ conductance and thus achieve high local peak amplitudes. These effects of K+ conductances were unrelated to whether they were located on dendrites or not, being related only to their proximity to the source of synaptic current. The second class of effects of K+ conductances depended on their alteration of the electrotonic structure of the postsynaptic cell and so were observed only when they were located on postsynaptic dendrites. Voltage-gated K+ conductances produced voltage-dependent electrotonic expansion of depolarized dendrites, which had the effect of isolating synaptic inputs on depolarized dendrites from events on the rest of the neuron. Thus, synapses on the same dendrite interacted destructively to a degree much greater than that expected from the classical driving force nonlinearity. Synapses located proximally to a depolarized dendritic region were less effected than those located distally, and the range of the nonlinear interaction between synapses was dependent on the kinetics of activation and deactivation of the conductance. When present in conjunction with rapidly activating dendritic sodium conductance, the potassium conductance sharpened the requirement for spatial and temporal coincidence to produce synaptic boosting by inward currents, and suppressed out-of-synchrony synaptic inputs.
Salient Environmental and Perceptual Correlates of Current and Established Smoking for 2 Representative Cohorts of Indiana Adolescents

PURPOSE: A secondary analysis of 2000 and 2004 Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey (IYTS) data was conducted to investigate salient environmental and perceptual correlates of adolescents’ current and established smoking while controlling for demographic variables such as gender, grade, and race/ethnicity and to compare the pattern of significant correlates between the years. METHODS: The IYTS was an anonymous school-based survey regarding tobacco use; familiarity with pro- and anti-tobacco media messages; exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS); minors’ access to tobacco products; and general knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about tobacco. In 2000, a representative sample of 1416 public high school students in grades 9-12 and 1516 public middle school students in grades 6-8 (71.44% and 72.53% response rates, respectively) were surveyed. In 2004, 3433 public high school students and 1990 public middle school students (63.04% and 65.44 % response rates, respectively) were surveyed. RESULTS: Significant predictors of adolescents’ current and established smoking habits included exposure to ETS either in homes or in cars, exposure to pro-tobacco messages, perceived benefit of smoking, and perceived peer acceptance of smoking. The influence of exposure to pro-tobacco messages greatly outweighed exposure to any anti-tobacco messages. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study warrant that more efforts and resources be placed on preventing youth from being exposed to ETS, and to control pro-tobacco marketing and improve the tobacco counter-marketing messages. The perceived benefits of smoking found here indicate that smoking for relaxation and weight control may be major influencing factors on adolescent smoking.
Health Insurance Instability Among Older Immigrants: Region of Origin Disparities in Coverage

Objectives. We provide a detailed analysis of how the dynamics of health insurance coverage (HIC) at older ages dif fers among Latino, Asian, and European immigrants in the United States. Method. Using Survey of Income and Program Participation data from the 2004 and 2008 panels, we estimate dis crete-time event history models to examine first and second transitions into and out of HIC, highlighting substantial differences in hazard rates among immigrants aged 50–64 from Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Results. We find that the likelihood of having HIC at first observation and the rates of gaining and losing coverage within a relatively short time frame are least favorable for older Latino immigrants, although immigrants from all three regions are at a disadvantage relative to native-born non-Hispanic Whites. This disparity among immigrant groups per sists even when lower rates of citizenship, greater difficulty with English, and low-skill job placements are taken into account. Discussion. Factors that have contributed to the lower rates and shorter durations of HIC among older immigrants, particularly those from Latin America, may not be easily resolved by the Affordable Care Act. The importance of region of origin and assimilation characteristics for the risk of being uninsured in later life argues that immigration and health care policy should be jointly addressed.
Association of presenile cataracts with heterozygosity for galactosaemic states and with riboflavin deficiency.

Abstract Red cells and the lens of the eye are nonnucleated cells; moreover, they have metabolic similarities. Cataracts develop in childhood in homozygotes for galactosaemic abnormalities, which can be detected by biochemical measurements in red blood-cells. It has not been determined whether heterozygotes for these defects are at greater risk for cataract development later in life. Similarly, riboflavin deficiency for which the erythrocyte is a sensitive indicator, has been associated with cataracts in animals. Red-cell studies were carried out in 22 patients, aged under 50, with cataracts. Heterozygosity for galactokinase deficiency was detected in 5 patients, for galactose-uridyl transferase in 2, and evidence of an erythrocytic deficiency of riboflavin in 8. Even when Black subjects were excluded from analysis because of their high incidence of polymorphism for galactokinase, these findings are significantly different from those expected from population surveys and suggest that many patients with presenile cataracts have a biochemical abnormality which can be detected by examination of red blood-cells and which may be corrected by dietary restrictions or supplements.
N-body

An accurate reproduction of real human movement is essential in simulations of MANETs in order to obtain meaningful performance results. Existing models capturing real world mobility features often require knowledge of the underlying dynamics of the target scenario, therefore limiting the application scope. In this paper we tackle this problem from a different perspective. Rather than considering the details of the target scenario, we extract features from a sample trace, and synthesize traces that have similar features. In particular, as human activities are often socially organized, resulting in a tendency of forming groups, we propose an N-body mobility model that captures the group forming tendency from traces of a small number of nodes, and reproduces them in mobility traces of a larger population. Through simulation we show that the N-body model is capable of synthesizing the group forming behavior similar to that observed from sample traces.
Moment of inertia and damping of liquids in baffled cylindrical tanks.

Mechanical model for representing moment of inertia and fuel sloshing in baffled cylindrical missile tanks
Experimental Study on the Cooling Performance of a Turbine Nozzle With an Innovative Internal Cooling Structure

An innovative cooling structure named multi-slot cooling was invented for high-pressure turbine (HPT) nozzles and blades. This cooling structure has been designed to be simple, inexpensive, and to exhibit good cooling performance. In a previous study (GT2008-50444), the basic design data on the cooling effectiveness and pressure loss coefficients for HPT cooling design were obtained by using simple test pieces. In this study, the cooling performance of the HPT nozzle with a multi-slotted cooling structure in a cascade was reported. First, the HPT nozzle with a multi-slotted cooling structure and its outer profile were selected; its cooling structure was designed by using the data in the previous study and trial-and-error method. Subsequently, ceramic casting cores and casting nozzles were manufactured by way of trial. Furthermore the cooling performance test for the multi-slotted cooling nozzle (TEST #1) in an annular sector cascade test rig was conducted, and the cooling effectiveness fields and pressure loss data were obtained. In addition, the measurement test for determining the heat transfer coefficient on the nozzle (TEST #2) and that for determining the film cooling effectiveness on the nozzle (TEST #3) were conducted. And then, cooling performance of the multi-slotted cooling nozzle was evaluated by using these data. As a result, for the typical configuration, it was confirmed that the basic design data obtained in the previous study are applicable to designing nozzles with multi-slot cooling by introducing a minor modification and the cooling performance of multi-slot cooling is equivalent to that of the conventional cooling under the test condition; consequently, it was confirmed that the multi-slot cooling is well applicable to the cooling of actual HPT airfoils except in the case that its configuration is significantly changed.© 2009 ASME
The path to an angiotensin receptor antagonist-neprilysin inhibitor in the treatment of heart failure.

Abstract The PARADIGM-HF (Prospective comparison of ARNi with ACEi to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure) trial demonstrated that a new angiotensin receptor antagonist-neprilysin inhibitor was superior to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in reducing mortality in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. This paper traces the research path that culminated in the development of this drug. The first phase, elucidation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, began with Tigerstedt’s discovery of renin, followed by isolation of angiotensin, isolation of angiotensin-converting enzyme, and synthesis of its inhibitors and of angiotensin receptor blockers. Phase 2 began with de Bold’s discovery of atrial natriuretic peptide, followed by isolation of the enzyme that degrades it (neprilysin) and its inhibitors. Phase 3 consists of blocking both the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide–degrading systems simultaneously. A molecular complex, LCZ696, developed by scientists at Novartis, combines an angiotensin receptor blocker with a neprilysin inhibitor, is well tolerated, and represents an important step in the management of heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.
Total Syntheses of (–)-Alstolucines A, B, and F, (–)-Echitamidine, and (–)-N-Demethylalstogucine

The first enantioselective total syntheses of (–)-alstolucinces A, B, and F, (–)-echitamidine, and (–)-N-demethylalstogucine are reported. This article details the development of our first- and second-generation approaches toward the ABCE tetracyclic core of the strychnos alkaloids and the application thereof to the aforementioned targets. Key steps involve our sequential one-pot biscyclization method that constructs the C and E rings of the tetracyclic core and Rawal’s application of the intramolecular Heck reaction to secure the pentacyclic framework common amongst all targets.
Outer factor ‘absorption’ for H∞ control problems

We present a constructive method for ‘absorbing’ an irrational outer factor of a plant into the ‘Q-parameter’ in the H∞ optimal weighted sensitivity problem for single-input/single-output distributed parameter systems, when the plant has finitely many irrational zeros on the imaginary axis. This problem could not be solved using previous results. We also extend our new results to the mixed sensitivity problem.
Lipids and Fatty Acids in Fresh and Stored Shell Eggs

Abstract STUDIES of changes in the chemical composition of shell eggs during cold storage were started at the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station nearly 20 years ago. At the time the investigations were started the objectives were to see if there were changes in egg composition that would affect the nutritive value of stored eggs and to study changes in the composition that could be related to changes in the interior quality of the eggs, such as the loss of viscosity of the egg white. Studies of changes in vitamin content of eggs during storage showed that eggs stored for 12 months lost 18 percent of the niacin (Evans et al., 1951a), 51 percent of the vitamin B1 (Evans et al., 1951b), 14 percent of the riboflavin (Evans et al., 1952a), 8 percent of the panthothenic acid (Evans et al., 1952b), 27 percent of the folic acid (Evans et al., 1953a), 33 …
BRCA1 expression restores radiation resistance in BRCA1-defective cancer cells through enhancement of transcription-coupled DNA repair

The breast cancer predisposition genes,BRCA1 and BRCA2, are responsible for the vast majority of hereditary breast cancer. Although BRCA2functions to help the cell repair double-stranded DNA breaks, the function of BRCA1 remains enigmatic. Here, we develop a human genetic system to study the role of BRCA1 in oxidative DNA damage. We show that human cancer cells containing mutated BRCA1 are hypersensitive to ionizing radiation. This hypersensitivity can be reversed by the expression of forms ofBRCA1 that are not growth suppressing. Reversal of hypersensitivity requires the ring finger of BRCA1, its transactivation domain, and its BRCT domain. Lastly, we show that unlike BRCA2, BRCA1 does not function in the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks. Instead, it functions in transcription-coupled DNA repair (TCR). TCR ability correlated with radioresistance as cells containing BRCA1 showed both increased TCR and radioresistance, whereas cells withoutBRCA1 showed decreased TCR and radiosensitivity. These findings give physiologic significance to the interaction ofBRCA1 with the basal transcription machinery.
Development of a Simplified Load-Cycle Model for Wheel Loader Design

An indispensable part of the off-road construction equipment industry, the front-end-loader (FEL) is a classic example of a working machine, having complex—often nonlinear—interaction between its hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical subsystems [1]. Current state-of-the-art in dynamic simulation of these machines employs full-scale vehicle models and an event-based operator model to quantify the overall system performance, efficiency, and operability. Quantifying these machine parameters is further complicated by the variability in the machine's working environment and task profile. It is recognized that full-scale simulations may offer the most insight into the machine performance and system efficiency; however, even simplified models can yield useful information for structural design, rapid prototyping, and local optimization. This paper explores developing a sub-scale dynamic model for the boom and bucket manipulator system on a FEL that will adequately characterize the system response for the purposes of design and optimization. The equations of motion for the multi- rigid body model of the manipulator system are derived using Kane's method. State equations governing the hydraulic flow to the cylinders and reaction forces on the bucket are employed to model the manipulator system's interaction with the machine and work-pile, respectively. Output from the dynamic simulation is correlated and compared to data gathered during field test operation of the machine.© 2006 ASME
Gamma Irradiation Can Be Used To Inactivate Bacillus anthracis Spores without Compromising the Sensitivity of Diagnostic Assays

The use of Bacillus anthracis as a biological weapon in 2001 heightened awareness of the need for validated methods for the inactivation of B. anthracis spores. This study determined the gamma irradiation dose for inactivating virulent B. anthracis spores in suspension and its effects on real-time PCR and antigen detection assays. Strains representing eight genetic groups of B. anthracis were exposed to gamma radiation, and it was found that subjecting spores at a concentration of 107 CFU/ml to a dose of 2.5 × 106 rads resulted in a 6-log-unit reduction of spore viability. TaqMan real-time PCR analysis of untreated versus irradiated Ames strain (K1694) spores showed that treatment significantly enhanced the detection of B. anthracis chromosomal DNA targets but had no significant effect on the ability to detect targets on the pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids of B. anthracis. When analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), irradiation affected the detection of B. anthracis spores in a direct ELISA but had no effect on the limit of detection in a sandwich ELISA. The results of this study showed that gamma irradiation-inactivated spores can be tested by real-time PCR or sandwich ELISA without decreasing the sensitivity of either type of assay. Furthermore, the results suggest that clinical and public health laboratories which test specimens for B. anthracis could potentially incorporate gamma irradiation into sample processing protocols without compromising the sensitivity of the B. anthracis assays.
Multiple concurrent object descriptions in support of autonomous navigation

A sensor system designed to support autonomous navigation should provide a stable, robust model of the environment. We propose and illustrate an approach in which multiple concurrent descriptions of objects are used to construct such a stable model. The principal idea is that several different representations are used to describe the same object in order to support different visual tasks, and to insure an appropriate match between the data, the model, and the task. The use of multiple representations to describe objects requires that the system be able to decide which descriptions of an object are valid. In our approach we use stability over time to indicate validity. To illustrate the power of this approach we have implemented a system, 'TraX', that constructs and refines models of outdoor objects detected in sequences of range data.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Exploring the Legality of Consumer Anti-branding Activities in the Digital Age

The importance of “brand dilution” is changing with the rise in internet-mediated consumer power and increasing consumer involvement in the brand identity and message creation processes. In light of recent legal rulings, this study re-conceptualizes brand dilution as a matter of counter-posed brand meanings and associations in digital markets. Anti-branding dilution cases from both a blurring and a tarnishment dilution basis are examined through consumer interviews. The results show that consumer anti-branding has less potential for brand dilution, and more potential for brand identity collusion. By addressing both legal and marketing views of the meaning systems associated with the dilution versus collusion perspectives, this study provides an approach for understanding anti-branding dilution discussions and a way to develop better functioning branding exchange systems for digital markets. Consequently, possible changes in future branding ownership issues for digital markets are envisioned.
Cheburator Software for Automatically Calculating Drug Inhibitory Concentrations from In Vitro Screening Assays

In the process of new cancer drug development, as the first step of their assessment, their activities are usually studied in vitro against a panel of cancer cell lines. The results of these in vitro drug screening assays are commonly expressed as inhibitory concentration 50% (IC50): the concentration of the tested agent that inhibits the proliferation of the cancer cell population to 50% of the theoretically possible effect (absolute IC50) or maximum effect practically achieved by the drug (relative IC50). The currently available software for calculating IC50 values requires manual data entry, is time consuming, and is prone to calculation errors. Thus, we have developed open source, free, easy-to-use software for performing standardized data evaluations and automatically calculating the IC50. This software eliminates the laborious and error-prone manual entry of data, substantially reduces the amount of time spent for data analysis. It has been extensively used in our department as the main tool for in vitro data processing during the past several years and can be useful for other research groups working in the area of anticancer drug discovery, either alone or combined with other software packages. The current version of our program, Cheburator, together with sample data, source code, and documentation, is freely available at the following URL: http://www.cheburator.nevozhay.com (it is free for academic use, but a license is required for commercial use).
Treatment outcomes in a large cohort of patients with invasive Extramammary Paget's disease.

Abstract Objective The outcome of patients with invasive Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is poorly studied. The goal of the current study was to analyze the incidence, treatment approaches and outcome of patients with invasive EMPD. Methods We searched the SEER program database for patients diagnosed with invasive EMPD between 1973 and 2007. Demographic data, outcome and therapeutic modalities were included in the analysis. Disease specific survival (DSS) was calculated from the time of original diagnosis. Results 1439 patients were diagnosed with invasive EMPD. Most patients (80.4%) had localized disease, while 17.1% had locoregional spread, and 2.5% had distant disease. 1230 (86.4%) patients underwent site directed surgery, and 92 (6.4%) patients radiotherapy. 139 (9.7%) patients did not undergo any surgery or radiation therapy. The 5-year DSS was 94.9% for localized disease, 84.9% for regional disease and 52.5% for distant disease. Multivariate analysis showed a significantly shorter DSS associated with older age and advanced stage treatment modality (HR for death 1.07 and 2.5). Site directed surgery was associated with a significantly improved outcome when compared to patients who underwent no intervention (HR 0.44). Patients who received radiation, alone or in combination with site directed surgery, did not fare any better than patients who underwent surgery alone. Conclusions The DSS of patients with invasive EMPD is generally favorable. A poor outcome was associated with older age, advanced stage and treatment modality. The association between a shortened DSS and the use of radiotherapy, alone or in combination with surgery, is surprising and warrants further investigation.
The relative prognostic value of flow cytometric DNA analysis and conventional clinicopathologic criteria in patients with operable rectal carcinoma

The DNA histograms of resected rectal carcinomas from 121 patients were compared, along with a detailed clinicopathologic assessment of the same tumors, with the incidence of postresection tumor recurrence and patient survival over an extended period of 15-year follow-up. A poorer prognosis was found for patients with DNA aneuploid and DNA tetraploid rectal cancers as compared with patients with DNA diploid cancers. In addition, local tumor recurrence was twice as common among patients with DNA nondiploid rectal carcinomas. The DNA pattern of a rectal carcinoma was an independent prognostic variable in a Cox's multivariate analysis model. DNA nondiploid rectal carcinomas had a statistically significant increased incidence of vascular invasion, tumor fibrosis, and high Dukes' stage.
Separation of phenylthiohydantoin-amino acids by high-pressure liquid chromatography for sequence determination of radiolabeled proteins

Abstract Published procedures for the separation of ethyl acetate-extractable phenylthiohydantoin-amino acids by high-pressure liquid ehromatography with organic solvent gradients have been modified to facilitate sequence determination of proteins labeled with several radioactive amino acids at a time.
Genome-wide association analysis of seedling root development in maize (Zea mays L.)

Plants rely on the root system for anchorage to the ground and the acquisition and absorption of nutrients critical to sustaining productivity. A genome wide association analysis enables one to analyze allelic diversity of complex traits and identify superior alleles. 384 inbred lines from the Ames panel were genotyped with 681,257 single nucleotide polymorphism markers using Genotyping-by-Sequencing technology and 22 seedling root architecture traits were phenotyped. Utilizing both a general linear model and mixed linear model, a GWAS study was conducted identifying 268 marker trait associations (p ≤ 5.3×10-7). Analysis of significant SNP markers for multiple traits showed that several were located within gene models with some SNP markers localized within regions of previously identified root quantitative trait loci. Gene model GRMZM2G153722 located on chromosome 4 contained nine significant markers. This predicted gene is expressed in roots and shoots. This study identifies putatively associated SNP markers associated with root traits at the seedling stage. Some SNPs were located within or near (<1 kb) gene models. These gene models identify possible candidate genes involved in root development at the seedling stage. These and respective linked or functional markers could be targets for breeders for marker assisted selection of seedling root traits.
Evidence for two-site model of char gasification by carbon dioxide

A differential packed-bed reactor has been employed to study the gasification kinetics of Fisher activated coconut char in carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide gas mixtures at a total pressure near 1 atm (101.3 kPa) and temperatures between 724 and 821°C. The rate data were tested with the generally accepted singlesite Langmuir-Hinshelwood expression. The accepted rate expression predicts linear relationships between inverse rate and 1[CO2] for constant or zero [CO], and between inverse rate and [CO] for constant [CO2]. For both [CO] and [CO2] ⩾ 10 kPa, these linear relationships existed in agreement with other literature. However, for near-zero [CO], plots of inverse rate vs 1[CO2] were not linear. Analysis of other literature supports this result. These observations suggest that the accepted single-site model requires modification. A model involving the two-site adsorption and dissociation of CO2 has been proposed which is consistent with the experimental observations obtained here and in the literature.
Computational Modeling of the Temperature-Induced Structural Changes of Tethered Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with Self-Consistent Field Theory

We modeled the effects of temperature, degree of polymerization, and surface coverage on the equilibrium structure of tethered poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) chains immersed in water. We employed a numerical self-consistent field theory where the experimental phase diagram was used as input to the theory. At low temperatures, the composition profiles are approximately parabolic and extend into the solvent. In contrast, at temperatures above the LCST of the bulk solution, the polymer profiles are collapsed near the surface. The layer thickness and the effective monomer fraction within the layer undergo what appears to be a first-order change at a temperature that depends on surface coverage and chain length. Our results suggest that as a result of the tethering constraint, the phase diagram becomes distorted relative to the bulk polymer solution and exhibits closed loop behavior. As a consequence, we find that the relative magnitude of the layer thickness change at 20 and 40 C is a nonmonotonic function of surface coverage, with a maximum that shifts to lower surface coverage as the chain length increases in qualitative agreement with experiment.
Long-term treatment with the combination of amantadine and ribavirin in hepatitis C nonresponders. A case series.

In this report, we describe five cases of chronic hepatitis C that have been treated with the combination of amantadine and ribavirin for an average of 44 months, emphasizing one case where the patient showed improvement in liver biopsy after treatment, worsening on removal, then a repeated improvement with re-initiation. The five patients in this report belong to a pool of sixty patients from a 6 month pilot study using amantadine and ribavirin where treatment was subsequently continued. The mean ALT was 82.8±32 U/L pre-treatment and 33.8±17.3 U/L post-treatment (p=0.02). The mean Knodell score was 7±1 pre-treatment and 3.6±1.5 post-treatment (p=0.13). The mean viral load was 584,155±248,027 lU/ml pre-treatment and 225,878±190,143 IU/ml post-treatment (p=0.05). In this case series we provide provocative data on the long-term use of ribavirin and amantadine in the HCV non-responder.
Effect of brain shift on the creation of functional atlases for deep brain stimulation surgery

Purpose In the recent past many groups have tried to build functional atlases of the deep brain using intra-operatively acquired information such as stimulation responses or micro-electrode recordings. An underlying assumption in building such atlases is that anatomical structures do not move between pre-operative imaging and intra-operative recording. In this study, we present evidences that this assumption is not valid. We quantify the effect of brain shift between pre-operative imaging and intra-operative recording on the creation of functional atlases using intra-operative somatotopy recordings and stimulation response data.
Proprietary code to non-proprietary benchmarks: synthesis techniques for scalable benchmarks

Real world applications constitute intellectual property and simultaneous design of hardware and software is made very difficult due to the need for disclosing proprietary software to hardware designers. Consider a smart phone for which applications are developed by various third parties or a military system, where the classified applications are developed in-house at the military while hardware is procured from standard vendors. Design of hardware that gives good performance and low power can be done if hardware designers had access to the software, so they can understand the features of the software and tune various hardware features to the software characteristics. While non-disclosure agreements and legal arrangements can be used to partly solve the problem, it will be much more convenient to have a mechanism to create proxies of proprietary benchmarks that have the performance (and power) characteristics of the source, but not the functionality.In our past research, we created a benchmark synthesis process for early design exploration. The benchmark synthesis process consists of constructing a proxy workload that possesses approximately the same performance and power characteristics as the original workload [1-3]. The synthesis comprises of two steps: (1) profiling the real-world proprietary workload to measure its inherent behavior characteristics, and (2) modeling the measured workload attributes into a synthetic benchmark program. The set of workload characteristics can be thought of as a signature that uniquely describes the workload's inherent behavior, independent of the microarchitecture. The cloned code in fact has no functionality and cannot be reverse engineered to create the original code or algorithms. The cloned software can be freely released to hardware developers so that they can optimize the hardware they deliver to their clients to yield improved performance.This talk will describe the benchmark synthesis process as well as the status of the research. The process of constructing synthetic proxies that approximately resemble the original proprietary application will be explained. Synthesis for multicore and multithreaded processors will be described.
Terminal restlessness as perceived by hospice professionals

Any hospice professional can identify the syndrome known as terminal restlessness, and all would agree that it is extremely distressing to patients as well as their families and caregivers. Often, caregivers cannot ameliorate the anguish many patients experience at life's end. Many clinicians assert that the causes are physical resulting from medication toxicity, organ shutdown and the associated metabolic changes, pain, urinary or fecal retention, dyspnea and related hypoxia, and sepsis. Yet, many also credit psychosocial and spiritual distress as precipitating factors. The purposes of this study were twofold: to compare the perceptions of practicing hospice clinicians with the literature related to terminal restlessness, and to determine if their experience with terminal restlessness agreed with the components of the one established scale for terminal restlessness found in the literature. In general, the study findings corresponded to the literature in regards to frequency, definition, causes, and behavioral manifestations of terminal restlessness. The clinicians in the study supported the impact of psychosocial and spiritual causes of terminal restlessness and defined the phenomenon in terms of time period; emotional, physical, and spiritual distress; changes in consciousness; and increased activity. However, the study did not support the inclusion of impaired consciousness and withdrawal as comprised in the terminal restlessness scale.
Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry for thin film monitors: computer and equipment integration for enhanced capabilities

Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) is a valuable technique for monitoring thin films used in semiconductor device manufacture. Determinations of the constituent contents in borophosphosilicate (BPSG) phosphosilicate (PSG) silicon oxynitride (SiON:H and spin-on-glass (SOG) thin films are a few applications. Due to the nature of the technique FTIR instrumentation is one of the most extensively computer-dependent pieces of equipment that is likely to be found in a microelectronics plant. In the role of fab monitor or reactor characterization tool FTIR instruments can rapidly generate large amounts of data. Also the drive for greater accuracy and tighter precision is leading to the development of increasingly sophisticated data processing software that tax the computing abilities of most instrument local data stations. By linking a local FTIR data station to a remote minicomputer its capabilities are greatly improved. We discuss three classes of enhancement. First the FTIR in the fab area communicates and interacts in real time with the minicomputer: transferring data segments to it instructing it to perform sophisticated processing and returning the results to the operator in the fab. Characterizations of PSG thin films by this approach are discussed. Second the spectra of large numbers of samples are processed locally. The large database is then transmitted to the minicomputer for study by statistical/graphics software. Results of CVD-reactor spatial profiling experiments for plasma SiON are presented. Third processing of calibration spectra is performed
The Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) DNA Polymerase Accessory Protein, BMRF1, Activates the Essential Downstream Component of the EBV oriLyt

The EBV DNA polymerase accessory protein, BMRF1, is an essential component of the viral DNA polymerase and is required for lytic EBV replication. In addition to its polymerase accessory protein function, we have recently reported that BMRF1 is a transcriptional activator, inducing expression of the essential oriLyt promoter, BHLF1. Here we have precisely mapped the BMRF1-response element in the BHLF1 promoter. We demonstrate that a region of oriLyt (the "downstream component"), previously shown to be one of two domains absolutely essential for oriLyt replication, is required for BMRF1-induced activation of the BHLF1 promoter. Furthermore, the downstream component of oriLyt is sufficient to confer BMRF1-responsiveness to a heterologous promoter. The downstream component contains Sp1 binding sites, and confers Sp1-responsiveness to a heterologous promoter. A series of plasmids containing various protions of the oriLyt downstream component were constructed and analyzed for their ability to respond to the BMRF1 versus Sp1 transactivators. Although the BMRF1-responsive region of the downstream component overlaps the Sp1-responsive element, certain oriLyt sequences required for maximal BMRF1-responsiveness were not required for maximal Sp1-responsiveness. In particular, a site-directed mutation altering the downstream component sequence GATGG (located from -588 to -592 relative to the BHLF1 transcription initiation site) did not affect Sp1-responsiveness, but reduced BMRF-1-responsiveness by 75% and abolished oriLyt replication. Although BMRF1 possesses nonspecific DNA binding activity, were unable to demonstrate specific BMRF1 binding to the downstream component of oriLyt. Our results suggest that BMRF1-induced activation of the essential downstream component of oriLyt may play an important role in oriLyt replication.
The Bilingual Mental Lexicon: Interdisciplinary Approaches edited by PAVLENKO, ANETA

The article reviews the book "The Bilingual Mental Lexicon: Interdisciplinary Approaches," edited by Aneta Pavlenko.
Inorganic Arsenic Exposure and Children’s Neurodevelopment: A Review of the Evidence

Experimental studies suggest a myriad of mechanisms by which inorganic arsenic can interfere with central nervous system development, and, indeed, epidemiological studies published in the last dozen years suggest that exposure to arsenic impairs children’s cognitive development. Most of the studies have been conducted in developing countries (e.g., Bangladesh, India, Mexico), where exposure to arsenic is thought to be considerably higher than it is in developed countries. This review summarizes the results of these studies, focusing in particular on issues pertinent to risk assessment, including the existence of critical windows of vulnerability, characteristics of the dose-effect relationships (e.g., the lowest adverse effect level, the functional form), the most sensitive neurodevelopmental endpoints, and potential effect modifiers such as host characteristics (e.g., methylation efficiency, sex) and co-exposures to other neurotoxicants (e.g., lead, manganese). At present, the epidemiological data do not permit firm conclusions to be drawn regarding these issues. Several factors that complicate an effort to compare the results of studies are identified, including use of a variety of indices of external and internal exposure, and inconsistency in the measurement of important potential confounders for neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Global connectivity through wireless network technology: a possible solution for poor countries

There has always been an unequal access to technology among demographically, economically, and socially diverse groups. However, mobile technology seems to be defying diversity obstacles. The present study investigates the factors that may contribute to the prosperity of mobile technology; especially, socio-economic factors, telecom infrastructures, and internet use. Statistical analyses show that there is an empirical relationship between these factors and the growth of mobile technology. The factors analysed reveal that, unlike other technologies, mobile technology has been growing faster in economically and technologically challenged nations; and therefore, mobile technology may be the best tool to overcome internet connectivity problems in poor countries.
Expression of ligandin and glutathione S-transferase activities by cells in tissue culture.

Abstract A wide distribution of glutathione S-transferase activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and 1,2-dichloro-4-dinitrobenzene has been detected in a range of non-transformed, transformed and hybrid cell lines. The levels of transferase activity are lower in these in vitro cell lines than are corresponding in vivo levels. A majority of the cell lines tested contain proteins that are antigenically related to rat liver glutathione S-transferase B (ligandin).