cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-Time IC Aging Prediction via On-Chip Sensors

Real-time aging prediction for nanoscale integrated circuits (ICs) is a crucial step for developing prevention and mitigation actions to avoid unexpected circuit failures in the field of operation. Current practices for predicting aging-related performance degradation in ICs consist of recording the operating conditions (e.g. workload, temperature, etc.) throughout ICs’ usage time and building a learning model that maps historical operating conditions to actual performance degradation. While some operating conditions such as IC workload can be readily recorded using existing on-chip structures (e.g. registers), other operating conditions such as historical temperature values may not be available for real-time aging degradation prediction. In this paper, we develop a novel real-time IC aging prediction scheme using a set of on-chip sensors that can accurately record historical operating condition parameter values, which will in turn be used for aging-related performance degradation prediction. Experimental results show that by using a machine learning based prediction model and the notion of equivalent aging time, we can achieve accurate aging degradation prediction with the proposed on-chip sensor structure.
Conference Summary: Postcards from Seychelles

Forty-eight speakers attending Lessons from the Local Group gave talks on a wide variety of topics over a period of 5 days to celebrate the careers of David Block and Bruce Elmegreen. In this short summary I highlight some of the lessons I learned when I wasn’t being distracted by the awesome beauty of our surroundings.
Analyzing Stochastic Fixed-Priority Real-Time Systems

Traditionally, real-time systems require that the deadlines of all jobs be met. For many applications, however, this is an overly stringent requirement. An occasional missed deadline may cause decreased performance but is nevertheless acceptable. We present an analysis technique by which a lower bound on the percentage of deadlines that a periodic task meets is determined and compare the lower bound with simulation results for an example system. We have implemented the technique in the PERTS real-time system prototyping environment [6, 7].
Solution growth of a binary icosahedral quasicrystal of Sc 12 Zn 88

We report the discovery of a binary icosahedral phase in a Sc-Zn alloy obtained through solution-growth, producing millimeter-sized, facetted, single grain quasicrystals that exhibit different growth morphologies, pentagonal dodecahedra, and rhombic triacontahedra, under only marginally different growth conditions. These two morphologies manifest different degrees of quasicrystalline order. The discovery of i-Sc{sub 12}Zn{sub 88} suggests that a re-examination of binary phase diagrams at compositions close to crystalline approximant structures may reveal other binary quasicrystalline phases.
The Scholarly Monograph Unbound

Particularly in humanities disciplines, the scholarly monograph has held a privileged place within an ecology of prestige. But systemic changes in the economics of academic publishing and the technical affordances of digital, networked scholarship raise many questions about the “book” and its futures. This essay enters debates about the future of the book to illustrate the institutional pressures, technological shifts, and intellectual opportunities that are reshaping the scholarly monograph.
La identidad americana del "sujeto disfrutante" de Lezama Lima

En un estudio sobre uno de los poemas en prosa de Jose Lezama Lima, James Irby senala que para mejor estudiar la obra del poeta cubano haria falta el aparato critico que se ha hecho imprescindible para la lectura de Blake, Rimbaud o Mallarme. "Lezama es de su estirpe", escribe Irby, "P,ero en un Mundo Nuevo" 1• En efecto, la novedad de Lezama depende de una deliberada ubicacion en el tropico insular2 • Se trata no solo de la participacion en una geografia parti- cular sino tambien de una postura frente al lenguaje y frente a una tradicion literaria asumida y transformada en un idioma propio. Dos textos fundamentales de dicha tradicion que juegan un papel cen- tral en la obra de Lezama son la poesia de Gongora y la de San Juan de la Cruz, los dos luminosos polos de la poesia espanola entre los cuales define el poeta cubano la peculiar potencia de su palabra.
The SearchMap approach to iterative decision-making

The SearchMap algorithm was developed to help mineral explorationists integrate personal experience and intuition into maps. It employs a filter with a radial interest function to sample various data types, and each pixel in the SearchMap is the sum of values calculated from individual layers, weighted by the importance of each layer in the mind of the user. Users adjust search distances and weights iteratively until they are comfortable with the result. In an example, data for geology, topography, lineaments, silver, and arsenic are used to explore for concealed gold deposits in a 12,000 sq km region of northern Nevada.
Environmental life cycle analysis

The trend in industry and with the EPA is to prevent wastes before they are created instead of treating or disposing of them later. This book assists design/systems engineers and managers in designing or changing a product or set of processes in order to minimize the negative impact on the environment during its life cycle. It explains the overall concept of environmental life cycle analysis and breaks down each of the stages, providing a clear picture of the issues involved. Chapters 1 and 2 provide an introduction and overview of the environmental life cycle analysis process. Chapter 3 establishes the basis and methodologies required for analysis through description of the basic framework, definition of boundaries, use of checklists, data gathering processes, construction of models, and interpretation of results. Templates and special cases that may be encountered and how to handle them are addressed in Chapter 4. Chapters 5 through 9 go into detail about modeling, issues, and data collection for each stage of the product life cycle. The final chapter provides a summary of the various steps and offers ideas on how to present data and reports.
Central Role for Endothelial Human Deneddylase-1/SENP8 in Fine-Tuning the Vascular Inflammatory Response

A deeper understanding of the mechanisms that control responses to inflammation is critical to the development of effective therapies. We sought to define the most proximal regulators of the Cullin (Cul)-RING ligases, which play a central role in the stabilization of NF-κB and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). In these studies, we identify the human deneddylase-1 (SENP8) as a key regulator of Cul neddylation response in vitro and in vivo. Using human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs), we examined inflammatory responses to LPS or TNF-α by assessing Cul neddylation status, NF-κB and HIF-1α stabilization, and inflammatory cytokine secretion. HMECs with an intact neddylation pathway showed a time-dependent induction of Cul-1 neddylation, nuclear translocation of NF-κB, stabilization of HIF-1α, and increased NF-κB/HIF-α promoter activity in response to LPS. HMECs lacking SENP8 were unable to neddylate Cul-1 and subsequently were unable to activate NF-κB or HIF-1α. Pharmacological targeting of neddylation (MLN4924) significantly abrogated NF-κB responses, induced HIF-1α promoter activity, and reduced secretion of TNF-α–elicited proinflammatory cytokines. MLN4924 stabilized HIF and abrogated proinflammatory responses while maintaining anti-inflammatory IL-10 responses in vivo following LPS administration. These studies identify SENP8 as a proximal regulator of Cul neddylation and provide an important role for SENP8 in fine-tuning the inflammatory response. Moreover, our findings provide feasibility for therapeutic targeting of the Culs during inflammation.
The ribosomal subunit assembly line

Recent proteomic studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have identified nearly 200 proteins, other than the structural ribosomal proteins, that participate in the assembly of ribosomal subunits and their transport from the nucleus. In a separate line of research, proteomic studies of mature plant ribosomes have revealed considerable variability in the protein composition of individual ribosomes.
Image workflow enterprise architecture of the Clarian Health System

Recently, technological advances in digital imaging modalities and high-speed networks have enabled physicians to store digital medical images and integrate them with the patient's electronic medical record for fast access by computer. This paper outlines the characteristics and design requirements of an image workflow management system (IWFMS) in a large-scale hospital environment. In this paper, we present a four-tiered enterprise architecture of an IWFMS for supporting the streamlining, automating and monitoring of the flow of the medical images in a large-scale consortium of hospitals known as the Clarian Health System in Indianapolis, IN, USA. The first tier presents the graphical user interface (GUI) that enables users to view and interact with the workflow engine. The second tier implements the business model that depends on the work requirements within the different units of the hospital system. The third tier implements the business logic and automates tasks that support image flows. The fourth tier is the back-end database that is used to store and retrieve workflow data. The components in each tier have been designed and implemented as a set of CORBA objects that provide seamless integration of the image flows in the Clarian Health System.
The response of special education students to an activity-centered health curriculum.

The study's purpose was to assess the effectiveness of an activity-centered health education curriculum designed for regular students on the general health beliefs of special education students. As part of an entire school system evaluation, 92 ***Learning Disability students and 142 Learning Limitation students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. All the students were pretested and subsequently posttested using a 28-item questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. The analysis of covariance indicated that the activity-centered health education program apparently was effective among the Learning Disability students, but was not effective among students with IQ scores of 80 or below.
High affinity binding of the transcobalamin II-cobalamin complex and mRNA expression of haptocorrin by human mammary epithelial cells.

Abstract Little is known about the acquisition of cobalamin by the mammary gland and its secretion into milk. Human milk and plasma contain at least two types of cobalamin binding proteins: transcobalamin II (TC) and haptocorrin (HC). In plasma, TC is responsible for the transport of cobalamin to tissues and cells; however, cobalamin in milk is present exclusively bound to HC. We show that human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) exhibit high affinity for TC; Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding sites for the TC–[ 57 Co]cyanocobalamin complex with a dissociation constant ( K d ) of 4.9×10 −11 M. Uptake of the TC–[ 57 Co]cyanocobalamin complex at 37°C was saturable by 24 h. Binding of free [ 57 Co]cyanocobalamin to HMEC was not saturable and very limited binding of the HC–[ 57 Co]cyanocobalamin complex was observed. Expression of the haptocorrin gene by HMEC was confirmed by Northern blot and PCR analysis. Thus, a specific cell surface receptor for the TC–cobalamin complex exists in the mammary gland and once cobalamin is internalized, it may be transferred to HC and subsequently secreted into milk as a HC–cobalamin complex.
Grade Inflation And The Myth Of Student Consumerism

The widespread acceptance of the phrase "grade inflation" poses a potentially damaging overstatement in reference to higher education. Grades are at an all-time high, but a review of the literature demonstrates that the improvement is not incongruous with a rise in faculty development programs and increased varieties of student support services. Students are not consumers who demand high grades from instructors in exchange for favorable teaching evaluations; instead, students aim to succeed through a communal effort to support their learning, and colleges and universities are rising to the challenge.
Recurrent ventricular tachycardia from severe aortic stenosis improves after percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty and transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Abstract We report a case of recurrent ventricular tachycardia from severe aortic stenosis that improved after percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The electrocardiographic features of the arrhythmia were compatible with ventricular tachycardia originating from the left ventricle. Myocardial ischemia and electrolyte abnormalities were ruled out. Clinicians should be aware that recurrent left ventricular tachycardia associated with severe aortic stenosis is a potentially reversible condition by transcatheter intervention. Learning objective: Calcific aortic stenosis is a common problem in the elderly. There is a high prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in these patients. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a relatively new procedure for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. We report a case that illustrates for the first time resolution of recurrent ventricular tachycardia after percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty and transcatheter aortic valve replacement in an elderly patient with severe aortic stenosis.>
Fuel treatment effects on tree‐based forest carbon storage and emissions under modeled wildfire scenarios

Forests are viewed as a potential sink for carbon (C) that might otherwise contribute to climate change. It is unclear, however, how to manage forests with frequent fire regimes to maximize C storage while reducing C emissions from prescribed burns or wildfire. We modeled the effects of eight different fuel treatments on tree-based C storage and release over a century, with and without wildfire. Model runs show that, after a century of growth without wildfire, the control stored the most C. However, when wildfire was included in the model, the control had the largest total C emission and largest reduction in live-tree-based C stocks. In model runs including wildfire, the final amount of tree-based C sequestered was most affected by the stand structure initially produced by the different fuel treatments. In wildfire-prone forests, tree-based C stocks were best protected by fuel treatments that produced a low-density stand structure dominated by large, fire-resistant pines.
Castor Bean Isocitrate Lyase Lacking the Putative Peroxisomal Targeting Signal 1 ARM Is Imported into Plant Peroxisomes Both in Vitro and in Vivo

To understand and manipulate plant peroxisomal protein targeting, it is important to establish the universality or otherwise of targeting signals. Contradictory results have been published concerning the nature and location of the glyoxysomal/peroxisomal targeting signal of isocitrate lyase (ICL). L.J. Olsen, W.F. Ettinger, B. Damsz, K. Matsudaira, A. Webb, and J.J. Harada ([1993] Plant Cell 5: 941–952) concluded that the last 5 amino acids (AKSRM) of Brassica napus ICL were sufficient and the last 37 amino acids were necessary for targeting to Arabidopsis leaf peroxisomes. In contrast, R. Behari and A. Baker ([1993] J Biol Chem 268: 7315–7322) could find no requirement for the almost identical carboxy-terminal sequence AKARM for import of Ricinus communis ICL into isolated sunflower cotyledon glyoxysomes. To resolve this discrepancy, the import characteristics of a mutant R. communis ICL lacking the last 19 amino acids of the carboxy terminus was studied. ICL[delta]19 was able to be imported by isolated sunflower glyoxysomes and by tobacco leaf peroxisomes when expressed transgenically. These results demonstrate that the in vitro import system faithfully reflects targeting in vivo, and that the source of the organelles (Arabidopsis versus sunflower, leaf peroxisomes versus seed glyoxysomes) is not responsible for observed differences between B. napus and R. communis ICL. The R. communis enzyme would therefore appear to possess an additional glyoxysome/peroxisome targeting signal that is lacking in the B. napus protein.
Synchronization of pipelines

A recently formulated general timing model of synchronous operation is applied to the special case of latch-controlled pipelined circuits. The model accounts for multiphase synchronous clocking, correctly captures the behavior of label-sensitive latches, handles both short- and long-path delays, accommodates wave pipelining, and leads to a comprehensive set of timing constraints. Concurrency of pipeline circuits is defined as a function of the clock schedule and degree of wave pipelining. The authors then identify a special class of clock schedules, coincident multiphase clocks, which provide a lower bound on the value of the optimum cycle time. It is shown that the region of feasible solutions for single-phase clocking can be nonconvex or even disjoint, and a closed-form expression for the minimum cycle time of a restricted but practical form of single-phase clocking is derived. The authors compare these forms of clocking on three pipeline examples and highlight some of the issues in pipeline synchronization. >
Short-term Aerobic Exercise and Vascular Function in CKD Stage 3: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background The present study was designed to determine the effect of short-term moderate-intensity exercise training on arterial stiffness in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3. Study Design Randomized controlled trial with a parallel-group design. Setting & Participants Testing and training sessions were performed at Springfield College. 46 (treatment group, n=25; control group, n=21) patients with CKD with diabetes and/or hypertension completed the study. Intervention The aerobic training program consisted of 16 weeks of supervised exercise training at 50%-60% peak oxygen uptake (Vo 2peak ) 3 times per week, while the control group remained sedentary. Identical testing procedures were performed following the 16-week intervention. Outcomes The primary outcome was arterial stiffness. Secondary outcomes were aerobic capacity, various blood parameters (endothelin 1, nitrate/nitrite, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), and health-related quality of life. Measurements Arterial stiffness was assessed with aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), aerobic capacity by Vo 2peak , blood parameters by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and health-related quality of life by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Participants attended 4 sessions before being randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group. Participants gave consent during the first session, whereas a graded exercise test with measurement of Vo 2peak was completed during the second session. During sessions 3 and 4, aortic PWV was measured at rest prior to 40 minutes of either moderate-intensity exercise training or seated rest. A venous blood sample was obtained prior to exercise or rest and participants completed the SF-36 questionnaire. Results 16 weeks of training led to an 8.2% increase in Vo 2peak for the treatment group ( P =0.05), but no changes in aortic PWV . Limitations Randomization was not concealed and was violated on one occasion; also, use of an indirect measurement of endothelial function and the short duration of the intervention. Conclusions Short-term moderate-intensity exercise training does not alter arterial stiffness in patients with CKD, but seems to reduce endothelin 1 levels.
Ergonomic risk factors for low back pain in North Carolina crab pot and gill net commercial fishermen.

Background The objective of this research was to determine the association between LBP that limited or interrupted fishing work and ergonomic low back stress measured by 1) self-reported task, and 2) two ergonomic assessment methods of low back stress.
AMNIOTIC FLUID GAS TENSIONS

Ninety-eight amniotic fluid (AF) samples, collected at amniocentesis over a gestational age (GA) range of 16-40 wks, were analyzed for CO2 and O2 gas tensions. Of these, 21 samples were obtained at Cesarean section and matched with both umbilical vein (UV) and arterial (UA) gas tensions. The cord and expelled placental vessels were catheterized for blood gas tensions. All samples were collected under anaerobic conditions and gas tensions measured by an IL 1301/1303 analyzer. AF gas tension values were analyzed as a function of gestational age and grouped: I = 16-20 wks GA, II: 21-30 wks, and III = 31-40 wks GA. Mean ± SEM values were: Gr. I, 17.5 ± 1 wk GA (n = 38); pH, 7.11 ± 0.01; PO2, 59.1 ± 1.9 mmHg and PCO2 42.3 ± 2.6 mmHg. Gr. II, 26.0 ± 1.0 wks GA (n = 7): pH = 7.16 ± 0.01; PO2 = 64.3 ± 3.1 mmHg; PCO2 = 44.3 ± 1.1 mmHg. Gr. III, 36.0 ± 1.0 wks (n = 53): pH 7.11 ± 0.01, PO2 = 58.1 ± 3.8 mmHg, PCO2 = 47.5 ± 1.2 mmHg. At delivery, the mean ± SEM values of AF and blood gas tensions were correlated as below: These data suggest that there is an equilibrium of gases, especially PCO2, between the fetus, chorioamnion and maternal circulation. AF gas tensions need to be evaluated as an alternative and, presently, a less invasive means of assessing fetal gas tensions and thus of fetal well being.
Synthesis and Characterization of Amphiphilic Biomimetic Assemblies at Electrochemically Active Surfaces

We report on the synthesis and characterization of two amphiphilic biomimetic assemblies grown on electrochemically oxidized gold- and indium-doped tin oxide substrates. The molecular assemblies are bound covalently to the substrates by the reaction of the surface oxide with acid chlorides to form ester-like bonds, creating a hydrophilic region adjacent to the substrate. One assembly possesses a moiety capable of forming a second hydrophilic region with amides that can participate in a hydrogen-bonding network within the monolayer (C6−A−C12), and the other is an aliphatic structure (tetradecane, C14). These interfacial structures, presenting hydrophobic aliphatic chains to an adsorbate, constitute a useful system for the subsequent deposition of a lipid monolayer, leading to the formation of a hybrid bilayer membrane. Examination of the capacitance, cyclic voltammetry, and FTIR data for the C6−A−C12 and C14 systems demonstrates their stability and organization, while preserving some fluidlike behavior cha...
Native low-density lipoprotein induces endothelial nitric oxide synthase dysfunction: Role of heat shock protein 90 and caveolin-1

Abstract Although native LDL (n-LDL) is well recognized for inducing endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, the mechanisms remain unclear. One hypothesis is n-LDL increases caveolin-1 (Cav-1), which decreases nitric oxide ( NO) production by binding endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in an inactive state. Another is n-LDL increases superoxide anion (O2•−), which inactivates NO. To test these hypotheses, EC were incubated with n-LDL and then analyzed for NO, O2•−, phospho-eNOS (S1179), eNOS, Cav-1, calmodulin (CaM), and heat shock protein 90 (hsp90). n-LDL increased NOx by more than 4-fold while having little effect on A23187-stimulated nitrite production. In contrast, n-LDL decreased cGMP under basal and A23187-stimulated conditions and increased O2•− by a mechanism that could be inhibited by L-nitroargininemethylester (L-NAME) and BAPTA/AM. n-LDL increased phospho-eNOS by 149%, eNOS by ∼34%, and Cav-1 by 28%, and decreased the association of hsp90 with eNOS by 49%. n-LDL did not appear to alter eNOS distribution between membrane fractions (∼85%) and cytosol (∼15%). Only 3–6% of eNOS in membrane fractions was associated with Cav-1. These data support the hypothesis that n-LDL increases O2•−, which scavenges NO, and suggest that n-LDL uncouples eNOS activity by decreasing the association of hsp90 as an initial step in signaling eNOS to generate O2•−.
On simultaneous approximations by radial basis function neural networks

It is shown in this paper by a constructive method that any multivariate function and all its existing derivatives can be simultaneously approximated by a radial basis function (RBF) neural network, where the assumptions on the RBFs are relatively mild. By considering the translations of RBFs, it is proved that an O(m^-^1^2) order of simultaneous approximations to a certain class of functions can be achieved by using a translation network with just m neurons.
The effects of nicotinamide on mouse sleep.

Apres avoir recu pendant 21 jours une injection quotidienne de 250 mg/kg nicotinamide, des souris ont ete examinees chroniquement par l'EEG. La nicotinamide prolonge la phase de sommeil et fait augmenter les mouvements oculaires.
Lipoprotein[a] as a risk factor for preclinical atherosclerosis.

Elevated mean levels of lipoprotein\[a\] (Lp[a]) have been associated with symptomatic cardiovascular diseases such as clinically manifest myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery disease, restenosis of coronary artery vein grafts after bypass, and a family history of MI. Associations of Lp[a] with arterial wall thickening in asymptomatic individuals previously have not been addressed and are evaluated in this report among participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Intima-media wall thickening in the extracranial carotid arteries was assessed noninvasively with B-mode ultrasonography; Lp[a] was measured as its total protein component. Individuals with wall thickening > or = 90th percentile of the population maximum far-wall thickness were pair matched to participants < 75th percentile of wall thickness by race, gender, center, 10-year age group, and time of examination. These selection criteria yielded 492 matched pairs, with 395 white pairs and 97 black pairs. The mean Lp[a] protein level for all black participants was 174.6 micrograms/mL compared with 77.8 micrograms/mL for whites. Conditional logistic regression analysis for the association of Lp[a] with case-control status yielded a statistically significant prevalence odds ratio (OR) estimate of 1.49, based on a 1-SD difference in Lp[a] protein, after adjusting for age, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fibrinogen, hypertension, and cigarette smoking. None of these risk factors significantly altered the OR, in agreement with reports that Lp[a] is unaffected by environmental influences. In addition, no differential effect of Lp[a] protein on case-control status (effect modification) was observed by race, gender, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or fibrinogen in this population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Rapid, high--yield purification of rat liver 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase.

Abstract A rapid method for the purification of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase from the livers of cholestyramine-fed rats is reported. The procedure involves a sequence of separations on affinity chromatography columns consisting of Blue Dextran-Sepharose, agarose-CoA, and agarose-HMG-CoA. The advantage of this method is its flexibility in scavenging enzyme that might be lost during purification, resulting in a yield of homogeneous reductase (specific activity approximately 10,000 nmol/min/mg protein) as high as 50%, which is at least twice that previously reported.
Human biology in Papua New Guinea: The small cosmos. People of the great ocean: Aspects of human biology of the early pacific.

Edited by Robert D. Attenborough and Michael P. Alpers. 1993. New York: Oxford University Press. 427 pp. ISBN 0-19-857514-9. $105.00 (cloth). By Philip Houghton. 1996. New York: Cambridge University Press. 292 pp. ISBN 0-521-47166-4. $64.95 (cloth).
Gastrointestinal endoscopy training in general surgery residency: what has changed since 2009?

Background The Residency Review Committee for Surgery increased the endoscopy requirement for general surgery residents graduating in 2009 and thereafter. These changes led to the release of a position paper from 4 major gastroenterology societies claiming that the brief exposure of general surgery residents to endoscopy is not sufficient to gain competency. The societies also stated that these increased requirements will place an undue burden on gastroenterologists to supervise surgical residents in endoscopy training. Methods We designed a retrospective study to see if general surgery residents at our university-based training program were able to meet the 2009 requirements, and if reliance on nonsurgical faculty has increased. The case logs of all general surgery residents graduating from our institution during seven consecutive years were reviewed. Setting All endoscopic procedures were carried out at our main university hospital and at our two affiliated university hospitals. Residents spend two thirds of the year at the main campus and the remaining time at the affiliates. Results We found that our surgical residents have met the new Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements. In our program, surgeons continue to provide most of the resident supervision for endoscopic procedures. Although there was an initial increased utilization of nonsurgical faculty for upper endoscopy, reliance on nonsurgical faculty for endoscopy training has declined every year since the guidelines were revised. Conclusions It is possible for general surgery residents to meet the new Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements in endoscopy without placing an undue burden on gastroenterologists.
“If you want to travel by night, and you have a lamp, set out on your journey!”: A Replique to “Archives, Identity and Place: A Dialogue on What it (Might) Mean(s) to be an African Archivist”

For me one of the more interesting aspects of this dialogue is that the title suggests a soul-searching journey. Therefore I chose a Congolese proverb as my title for the replique. However, my impression was corrected in the very opening of the dialogue, with the reader instead being invited to a jousting contest, where the markings on the shields of the knights do not differ too radically from each other. I would like to attempt this replique by inviting the authors, Verne Harris and Sello Hatang, and the reader to join me in a journey into the night, using what little light we have to gather insights into what an “African” (archivist) might mean. I shall attempt this replique by focusing on two questions only. In the first instance I shall examine the concept of identity formation and place. Secondly, I shall attempt an interrogation of language and orality. ESARBICA Journal Vol.20 2001: 132-138
THE DIFFUSION OF OXYGEN IN THE CORNEA.

The diffusion of oxygen in steer and rabbit corneas was measured by a new micropolarographic technique. The diffusion coefficients of oxygen at 4°C measured up, down and along the steer cornea and in 25% protein solution showed no significant differences, and the diffusion of oxygen in isotonic buffer solution was twice as fast. The diffusion coefficients of oxygen at 25°C and at 33°C measured in one direction through the rabbit cornea showed slightly higher values than those of the steer cornea at 4°C.
Stromal interaction molecule 1 is essential for normal cardiac homeostasis through modulation of ER and mitochondrial function

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ sensor stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) has been implicated as a key mediator of store-dependent and store-independent Ca2+ entry pathways and maintenance ...
Influence of Potassium Fertilization on Enzymatic Activity, Phenolic Content and Discoloration of Potatoes

SUMMARY— Ontario potatoes, representing a variety that is very susceptible to precooking blackening, were grown in each of two consecutive years at different levels of potassium fertilization. In each of the two years of the study, the discoloration and total phenolic content of tubers decreased as potash applications were increased from 140 to 400 or 540 lb. per acre. The differences in discoloration were significant at the 1% level and the differences in phenolic content at the 5% level. Potatoes grown at high levels of potassium fertilization had higher cytochrome oxidase activity than those grown at lower levels. Potassium fertilization had no significant effect on polyphenol oxidase activity. A positive correlation (0.830) was found between the phenolic content and discoloration of potatoes as affected by potassium fertilizer.
Estimating Trends From Censored Assessment Data Under No Child Left Behind

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, large-scale test score trend analyses are widespread. These analyses often gloss over interesting changes in test score distributions and involve unrealistic assumptions. Further complications arise from analyses of unanchored, censored assessment data, or proportions of students lying within performance levels defined by unspecified cut scores. This article introduces ‘‘shift models,’’ particularly the ‘‘normal-shift’’ model, to summarize the limited information available in censored data and to support distribution-wide trend analyses. A simulation study exploring this model’s estimation procedure—an expectation-maximization algorithm for maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of normally distributed censored data—found that the MLEs exhibit little to no bias over a range of sample sizes and cut scores. The normal-shift model was applied to two full state data sets and performed well in recovering effect size estimates in censored scenarios, except when censoring occurre...
A rules-based approach for configuring chains of classifiers in real-time stream mining systems

Networks of classifiers can offer improved accuracy and scalability over single classifiers by utilizing distributed processing resources and analytics. However, they also pose a unique combination of challenges. First, classifiers may be located across different sites that are willing to cooperate to provide services, but are unwilling to reveal proprietary information about their analytics, or are unable to exchange their analytics due to the high transmission overheads involved. Furthermore, processing of voluminous stream data across sites often requires load shedding approaches, which can lead to suboptimal classification performance. Finally, real stream mining systems often exhibit dynamic behavior and thus necessitate frequent reconfiguration of classifier elements to ensure acceptable end-to-end performance and delay under resource constraints. Under such informational constraints, resource constraints, and unpredictable dynamics, utilizing a single, fixed algorithm for reconfiguring classifiers can often lead to poor performance. In this paper, we propose a new optimization framework aimed at developing rules for choosing algorithms to reconfigure the classifier system under such conditions. We provide an adaptive, Markov model-based solution for learning the optimal rule when stream dynamics are initially unknown. Furthermore, we discuss how rules can be decomposed across multiple sites and propose a method for evolving new rules from a set of existing rules. Simulation results are presented for a speech classification system to highlight the advantages of using the rules-based framework to cope with stream dynamics.
Improved quantitative assay procedures for lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan components of Escherichia coli

Abstract Methods are described that allow the rapid quantitative assay of deoxy sugars characteristic of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides and of diaminopimelic acid, which is characteristic of some bacterial peptidoglycans. The advantages of the methods are: ( 1 ) In assaying for lipopolysaccharide or peptidoglycan it is not necessary to separate these components from the rest of the cell. ( 2 ) Assays are easily done in multiplicate on milligram amounts of cell fractions. ( 3 ) The methods are extremely sensitive and selective so that cell fractions which contain reduced amounts of either lipopolysaccharide or peptidoglycan (compared to their relative content in the whole cell) can be readily analyzed. A disadvantage of the method is that a computer or sophisticated calculator is required to handle the mathematical processing of the data.
The university - a systems development center for state government or How to solve the education vs. training problem

During the past few years, I have attended several professional meetings which have included panel discussions between representatives from industry and academia concerning computer science education. Industry usually claims that students graduate with few practical skills - many can't even write a program as simple as a master file update. They further complain that such major issues as documentation, programming style, and team programming are neglected, while the abilities for written expression and oral presentation are often totally lacking. The programming languages which are common in industry (COBOL, FORTRAN) are often not introduced, and actual experience in the use of data base and data communications software just doesn't exist. In summary, universities are not interested in preparing a student for an industrial career.Universities usually respond by stating that their mission is education and not training. They are not attempting to produce a technician who will be obsolete in two years, but rather are attempting to build a base of knowledge which will allow the professional to change with the times. Many claim that they are describing topics on the frontiers of the field which will be used ten years from now. Since universities are expected to be “pioneers”, they are required to lead in the development and research of new technology.
Temporal Dispersion of Activation of Phospholipase C-β1 and -γ Isoforms by Angiotensin II in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells ROLE OF αq/11, α12, AND βγ G PROTEIN SUBUNITS

Abstract Activation of phospholipase C (PLC) is one of the earliest events in angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor (R)-mediated signal transduction in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The coupling mechanisms of AT1 Rs to PLC, however, are controversial, because both tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-γ and G protein-dependent PLC-β activation pathways have been reported. The expression of PLC-β1, furthermore, has not been consistently demonstrated in VSMCs. Here we identified the PLC subtypes and subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins involved in AT1 R-PLC coupling using cultured rat VSMCs. Western analysis revealed the expression of PLC-β1, -γ1, and -δ1 in VSMCs. Ang II-stimulated inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation measured at 15 s, which corresponds to the peak response, was significantly inhibited by electroporation of antibodies against PLC-β1, but not by anti-PLC-γ and -δ antibodies. Electroporation of anti-Gαq/11 and -Gα12 antibodies also showed significant inhibition of the Ang II-induced IP3 generation at 15 s, while anti-Gαi and Gα13 antibodies were ineffective. Furthermore, in VSMCs electroporated with anti-Gβ antibody and cells stably transfected with the plasmid encoding the Gβγ-binding region of the carboxyl terminus of β-adrenergic receptor kinase1, the peak Ang II-stimulated PLC activity (at 15 s) was significantly inhibited. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, had no effect on the peak response to Ang II stimulation, but significantly inhibited IP3 production after 30 s, a time period which temporally correlated with PLC-γ tyrosine phosphorylation in response to Ang II. Moreover, electropor-ation of anti-PLC-γ antibody markedly inhibited the IP3production measured at 30 s, indicating that tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-γ contributes mainly to the later phase of PLC activation. Thus, these results suggest that: 1) AT1receptors sequentially couple to PLC-β1 via a heterotrimeric G protein and to PLC-γ via a downstream tyrosine kinase; 2) the initial AT1 receptor-PLC-β1 coupling is mediated by Gαq/11βγ and Gα12βγ; 3) Gβγ acts as a signal transducer for activation of PLC in VSMCs. The sequential coupling of AT1 receptors to PLC-β1 and PLC-γ, as well as dual coupling of AT1 receptors to distinct Gα proteins, suggests a novel mechanism for a temporally controlled, highly organized and convergent Ang II-signaling network in VSMCs.
Measuring Simultaneous Fluxes from Soil of N2O and N2 in the Field Using the 15N-Gas “Nonequilibrium” Technique

Our purpose was to measure simultaneous fluxes from soil of both N2O and N2 from the same plot in the field using the 15N-gas “nonequilibrium” technique (i.e., the “Hauck” technique) as used previously for N2. We accommodated analysis of N2O by modifying the head amplifier of our mass spectrometer. Our system accurately measured the 15N enrichments of labeled soil slurries for both N2 and N2O. In the field, we measured flux of N2 and N2O during soil denitrification from a 15N-labeled plot of winter wheat. Nine chamber incubations were conducted over 4 days. N2 flux ranged from below detection limit (<0.022 g · m-2 ·d-1) to 0.055 g · m-2 · d-1. N2O flux ranged from 0.0002 to 0.0027 g N2O−N · m-2 · d-1, with a detection limit of 1.0 · 10-6 g N2O−N · m-2 · d-1. For N2O flux, the 15N-gas technique and gas chromatography technique agreed well (r = 0.98). The 15N enrichment of the soil mineral pool undergoing denitrification, measured nondestructively using the N2O data, dropped from about 0.82 to 0.72 atom fra...
An evaluation of Chinese economic forecasts

This paper analyses the real GDP growth and inflation forecasts prepared by the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the private forecasters between 1999 and 2010. The empirical results show that the long-term growth forecasts were inferior to a naive model and were biased. The average of a number of short-term private forecasts dominated those made by the international organisations.
Multi-mode mitigation in an optofluidic chip for particle manipulation and sensing

A new waveguide design for an optofluidic chip is presented. It mitigates multi-mode behavior in solid and liquid-core waveguides by increasing fundamental mode coupling to 82% and 95%, respectively. Additionally, we demonstrate a six-fold improvement in lateral confinement of optically guided dielectric microparticles and double the detection efficiency of fluorescent particles.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Young Child With Sickle Cell Disease: Is Transcranial Doppler Helpful?

To the Editor .— We read with interest the article by Strouse et al.1 This work provided an excellent review of intracranial hemorrhage in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The study also identified risk factors for the development of primary hemorrhagic stroke that included hypertension, red blood cell transfusion, and corticosteroid therapy. We would like to report a case of atraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with intriguing transcranial Doppler (TCD) results in a child with SCD that may add to the risk profile described in the Strouse et al article. An 8-year-old girl …
Lipid-Anchored SNAREs Lacking Transmembrane Regions Fully Support Membrane Fusion during Neurotransmitter Release

Synaptic vesicle fusion during neurotransmitter release is mediated by assembly of SNARE- and SM-protein complexes composed of syntaxin-1, SNAP-25, synaptobrevin-2/VAMP2, and Munc18-1. Current models suggest that SNARE-complex assembly catalyzes membrane fusion by pulling the transmembrane regions (TMRs) of SNARE proteins together, thus allowing their TMRs to form a fusion pore. These models are consistent with the requirement for TMRs in viral fusion proteins. However, the role of the SNARE TMRs in synaptic vesicle fusion has not yet been tested physiologically. Here, we examined whether synaptic SNAREs require TMRs for catalysis of synaptic vesicle fusion, which was monitored electrophysiologically at millisecond time resolution. Surprisingly, we find that both lipid-anchored syntaxin-1 and lipid-anchored synaptobrevin-2 lacking TMRs efficiently promoted spontaneous and Ca2+-triggered membrane fusion. Our data suggest that SNARE proteins function during fusion primarily as force generators, consistent with the notion that forcing lipid membranes close together suffices to induce membrane fusion.
The tyrosine kinase Abl and its substrate enabled collaborate with the receptor phosphatase Dlar to control motor axon guidance.

Abstract Genetic analysis of growth cone guidance choice points in Drosophila identified neuronal receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) as key determinants of axon pathfinding behavior. We now demonstrate that the Drosophila Abl tyrosine kinase functions in the intersegmental nerve b (ISNb) motor choice point pathway as an antagonist of the RPTP Dlar. The function of Abl in this pathway is dependent on an intact catalytic domain. We also show that the Abl phosphoprotein substrate Enabled (Ena) is required for choice point navigation. Both Abl and Ena proteins associate with the Dlar cytoplasmic domain and serve as substrates for Dlar in vitro, suggesting that they play a direct role in the Dlar pathway. These data suggest that Dlar, Abl, and Ena define a phosphorylation state–dependent switch that controls growth cone behavior by transmitting signals at the cell surface to the actin cytoskeleton.
The role of paracrine signals during liver regeneration

During chronic injury a population of bipotent hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) become activated to regenerate both cholangiocytes and hepatocytes. Here we show in human diseased liver and mouse models of the ductular reaction that Notch and Wnt signaling direct specification of HPCs via their interactions with activated myofibroblasts or macrophages. In particular, we found that during biliary regeneration, expression of Jagged 1 (a Notch ligand) by myofibroblasts promoted Notch signaling in HPCs and thus their biliary specification to cholangiocytes. Alternatively, during hepatocyte regeneration, macrophage engulfment of hepatocyte debris induced Wnt3a expression. This resulted in canonical Wnt signaling in nearby HPCs, thus maintaining expression of Numb (a cell fate determinant) within these cells and the promotion of their specification to hepatocytes. By these two pathways adult parenchymal regeneration during acute liver injury is promoted.
A Green Synthesis Technique of Bentazone without Discharging Waste Water

Abstract. Two applied synthesis techniques of bentazone were introduced including the disadvantages. Innovative adjustments were developed to eliminate the produce of waste water in isatoic anhydride route, and determined as: DMF as the solvent of o-amino-benzoyl isopropylamine preparation, based on certain treatments bentazone sodium salt solution as the product, soda lime as hydrolysis reagent to eliminate phosphorus oxychloride. With 95% recycling rate of 2-methyl pyridine, in the sodium salt aqueous solution, bentazone was prepared from isatoic anhydride with the yield of 85.5% and purity of 98%.
Urbanhermes: social signaling with electronic fashion

Humans use fashion signals to indicate access to information. While fashion is typically associated with clothing, fashion also transpires within the domain of electronic media: weblogs, discussion lists, and online communities teem continuously with fresh, digestible content. A fashionable status - well-informed and well-connected - is demonstrated through a consistent, timely, and meaningful display of newly acquired information. While production constraints of material-based fashions limit the signal refresh rate, ephemeral electronic fashions can cycle as quickly as the flow of information. The challenge we present is to develop physical objects that can go beyond the limitations of their materiality, and to signal with the rapidity of electronic fashions. We introduce the design of urbanhermes as a communicative accessory that integrates the fresh, dynamic, fluid nature of electronic-based fashion signals within the tactile, face-to-face environment of a physical space. This paper presents the design discussion within the framework of fashion as a social signal.