cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of an Antihistamine on the Increased Vascular Permeability induced by Leucocyte Lysosome Fractions

Effect of an Antihistamine on the Increased Vascular Permeability induced by Leucocyte Lysosome Fractions
Influence of subjective social status on the relationship between positive outcome expectations and experimentation with cigarettes.

Abstract Purpose In Texas, Mexican American (MA) adolescents, and in particular boys, are at increased risk for experimenting with cigarettes compared with their black or white counterparts. Positive outcome expectations (POE), that is, the functional social significance ascribed to cigarettes, and subjective social status (SSS), that is, the adolescents' subjective views of where they lie in the school-based social hierarchy, are independent predictors of smoking. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that SSS moderates the relationship between POE and experimentation with cigarettes. Methods Moderating effects of SSS were examined using a between-subjects, 2×2 analysis of variance and unconditional logistic regression analyses. Using a prospective study design, we followed 1142 MA adolescents aged 11–13 years. Participants completed a baseline survey at home, which assessed POE, SSS, and smoking and were followed via telephone at 6-month intervals over a 12-month period to assess changes in smoking behavior. Results At follow-up, there were 99 new experimenters. Consistent with our hypothesis, adolescents who reported moderate–low SSS and who held POE at baseline were more likely to have experimented with cigarettes at either follow-up evaluation than their peers with moderate–low SSS who held less POE (odds ratio [OR], 1.92, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02–3.58). There was no association between outcome expectations and experimenting among adolescents with high SSS (OR, 1.79, CI, .73–4.36). Low SSS boys were more likely to experiment than girls and high SSS boys. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that adolescents with moderate–low SSS hold different outcome expectations about smoking than their higher SSS peers. The results underscore the possibility that moderate–low SSS adolescents view behaviors such as smoking as a way to achieve higher SSS and thereby increase their peer social standing. Our results suggest that, in addition to tailoring intervention efforts by gender, placing adolescents of similar social standing to one another within the school into intervention groups that are led by a peer-nominated peer may increase the overall effectiveness of these peer-led prevention efforts.
Integrated microsystems for molecular pathology

We have integrated electronic, optical, magnetic, thermal and fluidic devices into systems to construct useful analysis tools. Over the past several years, we have developed soft lithography approaches to define microfluidic systems in which pico-Liter volumes can be manipulated. These fluidic delivery systems have more recently been integrated with optical and electronic devices. We have also developed thermal control systems with fast (>50oC/s) cooling and heating ramp speeds and excellent accuracy.
Museums: A Visual Anthropology (Bouquet)

This work is a book review considering the title Museums: A Visual Anthropology by Mary Bouquet.
The first phase to nucleate in planar transition metal-germanium interfaces

Abstract The first compound to nucleate in binary reaction couples at subeutectic temperatures can be predicted by a rule proposed by Walser and Bene. This paper reports on the formation of germanides of Co, Hf, Mn, Ni, Pd and Rh at temperatures ranging between 100 °C and 600 °C. With the exception of the PdGe system, the first compounds formed agree with the rule of Walser and Bene. Possible nucleations of a second and third compound are studied also.
Mindshift: The mental revolution we are in

Abstract It is by now a commonplace to say that today the world is in the midst of a revolution as profound as any we have ever experienced. It is, however, much less of a commonplace to specify precisely of what this revolution consists. The contention of this article is that the revolution is more than a mere shift in our industrial or technological base. Fundamentally, it is a change in underlying mental attitudes—how we conceive of the world. It is thus a shift in our values but at the same time much more basic than this alone. This article describes the nature of the change that is occuring in mental attitudes. However, it does not do so in a traditional way. Primarily, it does it by means of a fable. The reason is that the shift we are experiencing is also in part a shift in our aesthetic vision, that is, in the styles of discourse that we use to describe reality. In short, different conceptions of the world require different stylistic forms. The full nuances of a new era can not be captured by the forms of the past.
Representational Altruism: The Wary Cooperator as Authoritative Decision Maker

What drives policymakers to put the interests of others above their own? If human nature is inherently selfish, it makes sense to institutionalize incentives that counter decision makers' temptations to use their positions to benefit themselves over others. A growing literature rooted in evolutionary theories of human behavior, however, suggests that humans, under certain circumstances, have inherent predispositions towards “representational altruism,” i.e., to make an authoritative decision to benefit another at one's own expense. Drawing on Hibbing and Alford's conception of the wary cooperator, a theoretical case is made for such behavioral expectations, which are confirmed in a series of original laboratory experiments.
A new anisotropic diffusion method, application to partial volume effect reduction

The partial volume effect is a significant limitation in medical imaging that results in blurring when the boundary between two structures of interest falls in the middle of a voxel. A new anisotropic diffusion method allows one to create interpolated 3D images corrected for partial volume, without enhancement of noise. After a zero-order interpolation, we apply a modified version of the anisotropic diffusion approach, wherein the diffusion coefficient becomes negative for high gradient values. As a result, the new scheme restores edges between regions that have been blurred by partial voluming, but it acts as normal anisotropic diffusion in flat regions, where it reduces noise. We add constraints to stabilize the method and model partial volume; i.e., the sum of neighboring voxels must equal the signal in the original low resolution voxel and the signal in a voxel is kept within its neighbor's limits. The method performed well on a variety of synthetic images and MRI scans. No noticeable artifact was induced by interpolation with partial volume correction, and noise was much reduced in homogeneous regions. We validated the method using the BrainWeb project database. Partial volume effect was simulated and restored brain volumes compared to the original ones. Errors due to partial volume effect were reduced by 28% and 35% for the 5% and 0% noise cases, respectively. The method was applied to in vivo "thick" MRI carotid artery images for atherosclerosis detection. There was a remarkable increase in the delineation of the lumen of the carotid artery.
Disseminated spinal myxopapillary ependymoma in an adult at initial presentation: A case report and review of the literature

Disseminated spinal myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is extremely rare in adults. We report a 63-year-old man with chronic low-back pain found to have multiple MPEs in the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine. Diagnostic and management strategies of disseminated MPE are discussed with a review of pertinent literature.
Can We Predict Subsurface Mass Transport

Predictions of contaminant transport produced by computer models are now widely used to evaluate health risks, determine remediation strategies, and guide environmental regulatory decisions. But model prediction errors are not generally well-known or quantified. In this study, the results of an extensive tracer test at the Columbus Air Force Base (CAFB), MS, test site are used to quantify error in computer model predictions of groundwater contaminant movement in the subsurface. Our modeling assumes no knowledge of the observed solute transport, uses widely applied modeling methods to generate computer predictions, and uses permeability and water levels as input data. Predicted and observed mass transport differ significantly, despite the relative abundance of aquifer data. It is not possible to accurately predict mass transport at CAFB using our approach because permeability cannot be characterized at the necessary resolution. Prediction errors at Superfund sites and other contaminated groundwater sites m...
Yield and Botanical Composition of Rhizoma Peanut‐Grass Swards Treated with Herbicides

Weeds are an increasing problem in rhizoma peanut (RP) (Arachis glabrata Benth.), a warm-season perennial forage legume. The objective of this field study was to measure the effect of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] at 1.12, 2.24, or 3.36 kg a.i. ha -1 and triclopyr {[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]acetic acid] at 0.56, 1.12, or 1.68 kg a.i. ha -1 applied in the summer on dry matter (DM) yield and botanical composition of weed-infested RP-grass swards at 2 and 4 mo after application. Mexican-tea (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.) and cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv.] were the most common weeds. Glyphosate, at all rates, reduced Mexican-tea DM 2 mo after application in both years. However, substantial recovery of existing MT plants was observed 4 mo after application at all but the high rate. Glyphosate had no effect on cogongrass or other grasses in 1995 or 1996. In both years, rhizoma peanut DM declined as the rate of glyphosate increased. Some recovery of RP was noted at the low (1.12 kg ha -1 ) rate of glyphosate by 4 mo after application. Edible DM (RP + other grasses) was reduced due to glyphosate treatment only at the high glyphosate rate. In both years, triclopyr was effective in reducing Mexican-tea DM 2 mo after application with limited recovery of treated plants 4 mo after application. Cogongrass and other grasses increased in the triclopyr treatments in both years, possibly due to reduced competition from Mexican-tea. Rhizoma peanut DM decreased as the rate of triclopyr increased in 1995 at 2 and 4 mo after application, but this effect was observed only at 2 mo after application in 1996. Triclopyr application had little effect on edible DM, but this was a consequence of the substitution effect of other grasses for RP. Both triclopyr and glyphosate can be useful in weed-infested RP stands, but glyphosate at the rates tested was not as effective as triclopyr in controlling Mexican-tea.
Nano-Engineered Surfaces With Heterogeneous Wettability for Boiling Heat Transfer Enhancement

In this work we describe the manufacturing and characterization of multi-scale patterned heterogeneous wettability surfaces. We find drastic enhancements of the pool boiling performance in water. Compared to a hydrophilic SiO2 surface with a wetting angle of 7°, we find that surfaces combining superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic patterns can increase the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) by 300% and can increase the critical heat flux (CHF) by more than 100%.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Mexico's Health System: More Comprehensive Reform Needed

Jason Lakin discusses and critiques a Policy Forum that reviews 25 years of reform to the Mexican health system and argues that more comprehensive reform is needed.
ζ-potential characterization of collagen and bovine serum albumin modified silica nanoparticles: a comparative study

In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and collagen (COLL) were adsorbed independent of one another, onto the surface of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) at pH’s where the ζ-potential of the proteins were equal in magnitude, but opposite to the SNP surface to ascertain the differences in surface coverage and conformation in the adsorbed layer. In both systems, increasing the concentration of free protein resulted in an increase in protein surface coverage and ζ values, with ζ values approaching that of native protein at high surface coverage. However, a lower critical charge reversal concentration range was measured for COLL relative to BSA (COLL: 0–25 μg/mL, BSA: 25–90 μg/mL). Additionally, a considerable difference in ζ for adsorbed protein versus free protein was observed. These results when interpreted in terms of the theory of Ottewill and Watanabe indicate a higher Gibbs energy of association for COLL versus BSA on SNP surfaces, accompanied by perturbation in protein structure.
The meanings of whiteness

It was after class and a student asked to speak with me about the term's first assignment. The assignment is a cultural autobiography in which the student identifies and analyzes the transmission of some aspect of her culture (e.g., race, ethnicity, class, religion) and speculates as to how this aspect of her cultural identity will shape her future role as a social worker. If appropriate, the student also examines how membership in a culturally dominant group(s) results in differing degrees of privilege, even if unwarranted or undesired. This particular student claimed that she was unable to do the assignment because she believed she had no culture. At least 3 or 4 students make such a claim every year. In every case, the student is white.
NORMAL NEONATAL SURGE OF GONADOTROPHINS AND SEX STEROIDS IN INFANTS OF MEN WITH ISOLATED HYPOGONADOTROPHIC HYPOGONADISM

SUMMARY The inheritance of isolated hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (IHH) is not fully determined. Although men with this diagnosis can be treated to induce fertility, it is not known whether their offspring will inherit the hormonal deficiency. We evaluated the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in nine children (born to men with IHH) during the first few months of life. This axis normally shows activation in infancy similar to that which occurs at puberty. Luteinizing hormone (LH) releasing hormone stimulated a peak LH response in excess of prepubertal levels (39.0 ± 11 mIU/ml [mean ± SD]). Testosterone in males (6.2 ± 2.8 nmol/1 and oestradiol in two of the females (320 and 100 pmol/1) were also in excess of prepubertal levels. These infants of men with IHH showed no evidence of inheriting hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. While further studies will be conducted at the usual age of puberty to confirm spontaneous activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, our studies suggest that it may be possible to assess the integrity of this axis at a much younger age.
Diseases resulting from mitochondrial DNA point mutations.

A number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been identified which cause familial, late onset neuromuscular degenerative diseases. These include missense mutations in most of the mtDNA polypeptide genes as well as base substitutions in several tRNA genes. Missense mutations in the mitochondrial electron-transport genes cause Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. Ten mutations have been associated with this disease, but four at nps 11 178, 3460, 4160 and 15 257 appear sufficient in themselves to cause the disease. One missense mutation in the ATPase 6 gene at np 8993 causes a second phenotype, neurogenic muscle weakness, ataxia and retinitis pigmentosum. Transfer RNA mutations have been identified for myoclonic epilepsy and ragged-red fibre disease in the tRNALys gene at np 8344 and for the mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes syndrome and for maternal mitochondrial myopathy and cardiomyopathy syndrome in the tRNALeu(UUR) gene at nps 3234 and 3260, respectively. Deficiencies in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation enzymes have been observed in several common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Perhaps mtDNA mutations play a role in these as well.
Pros and Cons of Over-the-Counter Availability of Histamine2-Receptor Antagonists

THE POTENTIAL availability of histamine 2 -receptor antagonists (or H 2 blockers) on an over-the-counter (OTC) basis has raised more questions than we currently have answers for. In this article, I review the mechanism of action and current prescription uses of this family of drugs and consider what we now know about its likely OTC use. After this review of H 2 blockers, I discuss arguments in favor of and against the OTC availability. In 1977, soon after the development of a family of H 2 blockers by Black, cimetidine became the first H 2 blocker to be marketed in the United States. Cimetidine was initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the acute healing of duodenal ulcer, at a dose of 300 mg four times daily, and for treatment of acid hypersecretory states, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, in which much higher doses than 1200 mg/d were
RLIP76, a Glutathione-Conjugate Transporter, Plays a Major Role in the Pathogenesis of Metabolic Syndrome

Purpose Characteristic hypoglycemia, hypotriglyceridemia, hypocholesterolemia, lower body mass, and fat as well as pronounced insulin-sensitivity of RLIP76−/− mice suggested to us the possibility that elevation of RLIP76 in response to stress could itself elicit metabolic syndrome (MSy). Indeed, if it were required for MSy, drugs used to treat MSy should have no effect on RLIP76−/− mice. Research Design and Methods Blood glucose (BG) and lipid measurements were performed in RLIP76+/+ and RLIP76−/− mice, using Ascensia Elite Glucometer® for glucose and ID Labs kits for cholesterol and triglycerides assays. The ultimate effectors of gluconeogenesis are the three enzymes: PEPCK, F-1,6-BPase, and G6Pase, and their expression is regulated by PPARγ and AMPK. The activity of these enzymes was tested by protocols standardized by us. Expressions of RLIP76, PPARα, PPARγ, HMGCR, pJNK, pAkt, and AMPK were performed by Western-blot and tissue staining. Results The concomitant activation of AMPK and PPARγ by inhibiting transport activity of RLIP76, despite inhibited activity of key glucocorticoid-regulated hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes like PEPCK, G6Pase and F-1,6-BP in RLIP76−/− mice, is a salient finding of our studies. The decrease in RLIP76 protein expression by rosiglitazone and metformin is associated with an up-regulation of PPARγ and AMPK. Conclusions/Significance All four drugs, rosiglitazone, metformin, gemfibrozil and atorvastatin failed to affect glucose and lipid metabolism in RLIP76−/− mice. Studies confirmed a model in which RLIP76 plays a central role in the pathogenesis of MSy and RLIP76 loss causes profound and global alterations of MSy signaling functions. RLIP76 is a novel target for single-molecule therapeutics for metabolic syndrome.
WANTED: Natural-Born Sickler

Once we find the cause of a disease, we often expect to understand its mechanism in short order. Not so for sickle cell disease (SCD), the most common hereditary blood disorder. More than 50 years after Ingram first described that mutations in the gene that encodes β-globin proteins were linked to SCD, the mechanism by which mature red blood cells (RBCs) assume a sickled shape remains surprisingly unclear. These abnormally rigid RBCs cause trouble when they get trapped in small blood vessels. The only effective therapy—hydroxyurea—is a clever workaround: It increases the production of fetal RBCs, which are immune to sickling. Now, Zhang and colleagues provide an eminently druggable target by demonstrating that RBC sickling is due to an overactive enzyme that produces excessive quantities of the lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Seeking an unbiased approach to identify pro-sickling compounds, the authors compared the metabolomic profiles from whole-blood samples of transgenic mice expressing wild-type or SCD human hemoglobin genes. Of the thousands of metabolites analyzed, S1P stood out because it was consistently higher in SCD samples. High S1P levels were also found in RBCs isolated from mice and patients with SCD. The activity of SPHK1, the only enzyme that generates S1P in RBCs, was higher than normal in both mouse and human “sicklemic” RBCs, and a SPHK1 inhibitor could reduce RBC sickling in vitro. In mice with SCD, inhibition of SPHK1 using two distinct approaches helped prevent RBC sickling as well as other symptoms characteristic of the disease (hemolysis and enlarged spleen). Altogether, these data make a strong case that S1P is a central player in the sickling process and that drugs that normalize S1P blood levels via inhibition of SPHK1 are promising new therapeutic agents for SCD. The next step will be to determine how mutations in the β-globin gene lead to aberrant S1P metabolism in RBCs. Y. Zhang et al ., Elevated sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes sickling and sickle cell disease progression. J. Clin. Invest. 124 , 2750–2761 (2014). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/74604#top
Substrate Stiffness Increases Twitch Power of Neonatal Cardiomyocytes in Correlation with Changes in Myofibril Structure and Intracellular Calcium

During neonatal development, there is an increase in myocardial stiffness that coincides with an increase in the contractility of the heart. In vitro assays have shown that substrate stiffness plays a role in regulating the twitch forces produced by immature cardiomyocytes. However, its effect on twitch power is unclear due to difficulties in measuring the twitch velocity of cardiomyocytes. Here, we introduce what we consider a novel approach to quantify twitch power by combining the temporal resolution of optical line scanning with the subcellular force resolution of micropost arrays. Using this approach, twitch power was found to be greater for cells cultured on stiffer posts, despite having lower twitch velocities. The increased power was attributed in part to improved myofibril structure (increased sarcomere length and Z-band width) and intracellular calcium levels. Immunofluorescent staining of α-actin revealed that cardiomyocytes had greater sarcomere length and Z-band width when cultured on stiffer arrays. Moreover, the concentration of intracellular calcium at rest and its rise with each twitch contraction was greater for cells on the stiffer posts. Altogether, these findings indicate that cardiomyocytes respond to substrate stiffness with biomechanical and biochemical changes that lead to an increase in cardiac contractility.
Upper Endoscopy in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Results of a Decision Analysis

Background The management of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) can present a challenge. The utility of upper endoscopy (esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD) and endoscopic therapy must be weighed against safety considerations. Aim To assess the utility and safety of EGD in patients with UGIB and AMI. Methods Using decision analysis, patients with UGIB and AMI were assigned to one of two strategies: (1) EGD prior to cardiac catheterization (EGD strategy) and (2) cardiac catheterization without EGD (CATH strategy). Results In patients with overt UGIB, the EGD strategy resulted in 97 deaths per 10,000 patients, compared with 600 deaths in the CATH strategy. The EGD strategy resulted in fewer non-fatal complications (1,271 vs. 6,000 per 10,000 patients). In patients with occult blood loss, the EGD strategy resulted in more deaths (59 vs. 16 per 10,000) and more non-fatal complications (888 vs. 160 per 10,000) than the CATH strategy. Conclusions Our analysis supports EGD prior to cardiac catheterization in patients with AMI and overt UGIB. This strategy results in fewer deaths and complications compared with a strategy of proceeding directly to catheterization. Our analysis does not support routine EGD prior to cardiac catheterization in patients with fecal occult blood.
Hard Rules and Soft Rules for XBRL

In January 2009, the SEC issued its final mandate for conversion to XBRL standards for financial statement reporting. However, the implementation has been painfully slow in the United States. In this article, I will investigate the factors impeding the XBRL conversion progress. I will recommend some available XBRL software for the “bolt-on,” “built-in,” and “deeply embedded” implementations. I will also try to help the readers understand all the major components of the XBRL taxonomy.
Classical monte carlo dynamics: A simulated annealing approach to the construction of double-ended classical trajectories

We discuss here a convenient numerical approach for the construction of double-ended classical trajectories. This problem occurs frequently in both semiclassical and numerical path integral applications. The present approach utilizes a combination of simulated annealing and path integral methods.
Monitoring phase behavior of hydrogen confined in carbon nanopores by in-situ Small Angle Neutron Scattering technique

We report on the use of in-situ small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique to study the phase behavior of hydrogen confined in narrow pores of ultramicroporous carbon (UMC) with a very large surface area (2630 m2/g) and pore volume (1.3 cm3/g). The effect of pore size and pressure on hydrogen adsorbed on UMC at room temperature and pressures up to ∼200 bar were investigated. In a previous experiment, we have measured the density of adsorbed H2 gas in the nanopores and mesopores of polyfurfuryl alcohol-derived activated carbon (PFAC) by SANS technique. Here, a comparative SANS study between the UMC and PFAC was conducted in order to further investigate the densification of H2 as a function of pore size and pressure. Initial results suggest that the density of confined H2 in both UMC and PFAC is considerably higher than that of the bulk hydrogen gas. The density is systematically higher in the narrow pores and decreases with increasing pore size. These results clearly demonstrate the advantage of adsorptive storage over compressed gas storage and emphasize the greater efficiency of micropores over mesopores in the adsorption process, which can be used to guide the development of new carbon adsorbents tailored for maximum H2 storage capacities at near-ambient temperatures.
Roles for protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase in nicotine-induced secretion from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Both the Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases (protein kinases C, PKCs) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been implicated as participants in the secretory response of bovine adrenomedullary chromaffin cells. To investigate a possible role for these kinases in exocytosis and the relationship of these kinases to one another, intact chromaffin cells were treated with agents that inhibited each of the kinases and analyzed for catecholamine release and MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)/MAPK activation after stimulation with secretagogues of differential efficacy. Of the three secretagogues tested, inactivation of PKCs by long-term phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment or incubation with GF109203X had the greatest inhibitory effect on nicotine-induced catecholamine release and MEK/MAPK activation, a moderate effect on KCl-induced events, and little, if any, effect on Ca2+ ionophore-elicited exocytosis and MEK/MAPK activation. These results indicate that PKC plays a significant role in events induced by the optimal secretagogue nicotine and a lesser role in exocytosis elicited by the suboptimal secretagogues KCl and Ca2+ ionophore. Treatment of cells with the MEK-activation inhibitor PD098059 completely inhibited MEK/MAPK activation (IC50 1-5 microM) and partially inhibited catecholamine release induced by all secretagogues. However, PD098059 was more effective at inhibiting exocytosis induced by suboptimal secretagogues (IC50 approximately 10 microM) than that induced by nicotine (IC50 approximately 30 microM). These results suggest a more prominent role for MEK/MAPK in basic secretory events activated by suboptimal secretagogues than in those activated by the optimal secretagogue nicotine. However, PD098059 also partially blocked secretion potentiated by short-term PMA treatment, suggesting that PKC can function in part by signaling through MEK/MAPK to enhance secretion. Taken together, these results provide evidence for the preferential involvement of MEK/MAPK in basic secretory events activated by the suboptimal secretagogues KCl and Ca2+ ionophore and the participation of both PKC and MEK/MAPK in optimal, secretion induced by nicotine.
Involvement of Drosophila Uncoupling Protein 5 in Metabolism and Aging

A novel uncoupling protein, UCP5, has recently been characterized as a functional mitochondrial uncoupler in Drosophila. Here we demonstrate that UCP5 knockout (UCP5KO) flies are highly sensitive to starvation stress, a phenotype that can be reversed by ectopic neuronal expression of UCP5. UCP5KO flies live longer than controls on low-calorie diets, have a decreased level of fertility, and gain less weight than controls on high-calorie diets. However, isolated mitochondria from UCP5KO flies display the same respiration patterns as controls. Furthermore, total ATP levels in both UCP5KO and control flies are comparable. UCP5KO flies have a lower body composition of sugars, and during starvation stress their triglyceride reserves are depleted more rapidly than controls. Taken together, these data indicate that UCP5 is important to maintain metabolic homeostasis in the fly. We hypothesize that UCP5 influences hormonal control of metabolism.
Structural Change in Higher Education: Implications for Research

The political and economic environment in which agricultural research is conducted is changing. The methods of funding research are changing, food markets are international in scope, and the public is demanding greater accountability in higher education. These trends are creating new tensions within the agricultural research system, and the heightening of these tensions requires that a new equilibrium be established between the system’s public mission and the competing public demands on the system (Danbom). This new equilibrium will determine the structure and performance of the agricultural research system in the coming decade,
On Embodied Consciousness in Anlo-Ewe Worlds A Cultural Phenomenology of the Fetal Position

Anlo-Ewe generally refers to a dialect of the Ewe language spoken in southeastern Ghana, with Anlo designating an ethnolinguistic group whose homeland is on a littoral between the Keta Lagoon and t...
Implementing and evaluating nested parallel transactions in software transactional memory

Transactional Memory (TM) is a promising technique that simplifies parallel programming for shared-memory applications. To date, most TM systems have been designed to efficiently support single-level parallelism. To achieve widespread use and maximize performance gains, TM must support nested parallelism available in many applications and supported by several programming models.We present NesTM, a software TM (STM) system that supports closed-nested parallel transactions. NesTM is based on a high-performance, blocking STM that uses eager version management and word-granularity conflict detection. Its algorithm targets the state and runtime overheads of nested parallel transactions. We also describe several subtle correctness issues in supporting nested parallel transactions in NesTM and discuss their performance impact.Through our evaluation, we quantitatively analyze the performance of NesTM using STAMP applications and microbenchmarks based on concurrent data structures. First, we show that the performance overhead of NesTM is reasonable when single-level parallelism is used. Second, we quantify the incremental overhead of NesTM when the parallelism is exploited in deeper nesting levels and draw conclusions that can be useful in designing a nesting-aware TM runtime environment. Finally, we demonstrate a use-case where nested parallelism improves the performance of a transactional microbenchmark.
Wavelength sensitivity in polymer photodegradation

This review examines the terminology and experimental approaches used to describe wavelength sensitivity in polymer photodegradation and summarizes the data published on the subject. Wavelength sensitivity or the efficacy of different regions or individual wavelengths in the ultra violet-visible region of the spectrum is usually expressed in terms of action and activation spectra. An action spectrum shows the effectiveness of a photoprocess at unit or constant irradiating photons, at different irradiating wavelengths. An activation spectrum shows the efficacy of different spectral regions of a specific source spectrum in causing a photoprocess. Published data on both naturally-occurring polymers and the key synthetic polymers are summarized.
Recent characterizations of electron beams from the APS linac

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) facility includes an S-band linear accelerator (linac) that normally provides beam for the injection system of the 7-GeV storage ring. This beam is usually generated by one of two RF thermionic guns or the RF photocathode (PC) gun under special circumstances. When the beams are not required for injection, we may characterize them at a station located at the end of the linac. At this station we have begun a retrofit and upgrade of the optics on the diagnostics table that is outside of the linac enclosures. For beam transverse profiling studies, a CCD camera was used to image the beam spot at the YAG:Ce screen or the optical transition radiation (OTR) screen. In using the quadrupole field scanning technique we demonstrate that the YAG:Ce saturation effect is present under these conditions so that OTR imaging is needed for PC gun beam. A Hamamatsu C5680 streak camera with OTR and a zero-phasing RF technique with an electron spectrometer were used for bunch length measurements of beam from a newly-installed RF thermionic gun. These results will also be presented.
Ectomycorrhizal fungal associates of Pinus contorta in soils associated with a hot spring in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Molecular methods and comparisons of fruiting patterns (i.e., presence or absence of fungal fruiting bodies in different soil types) were used to determine ectomycorrhizal (EM) associates of Pinus contorta in soils associated with a thermal soil classified as ultra-acidic to extremely acidic (pH 2 to 4). EM were sampled by obtaining 36 soil cores from six paired plots (three cores each) of both thermal soils and forest soils directly adjacent to the thermal area. Fruiting bodies (mushrooms) were collected for molecular identification and to compare fruiting body (above-ground) diversity to below-ground diversity. Our results indicate (i) that there were significant decreases in both the level of EM infection (130 +/- 22 EM root tips/core in forest soil; 68 +/- 22 EM root tips/core in thermal soil) and EM fungal species richness (4.0 +/- 0.5 species/core in forest soil; 1.2 +/- 0.2 species/core in thermal soil) in soils associated with the thermal feature; (ii) that the EM mycota of thermal soils was comprised of a small set of dominant species and included very few rare species, while the EM mycota of forest soils contained a few dominant species and several rare EM fungal species; (iii) that Dermocybe phoenecius and a species of Inocybe, which was rare in forest soils, were the dominant EM fungal species in thermal soils; (iv) that other than the single Inocybe species, there was no overlap in the EM fungal communities of the forest and thermal soils; and (v) that the fungal species forming the majority of the above-ground fruiting structures in thermal soils (Pisolithus tinctorius, which is commonly used in remediation of acid soils) was not detected on a single EM root tip in either type of soil. Thus, P. tinctorius may have a different role in these thermal soils. Our results suggest that this species may not perform well in remediation of all acid soils and that factors such as pH, soil temperature, and soil chemistry may interact to influence EM fungal community structure. In addition, we identified at least one new species with potential for use in remediation of hot acidic soil.
Differential Age Effects in Semantic and Episodic Memory

Results from 4 experimental tasks and 8 data sets (the 4 tasks involved either multiple sessions or different stimuli) as well as a vocabulary test conducted on the same 80 participants (40 younger and 40 older adults) are reported. The authors employed 2 semantic memory tasks (lexical decision and multiplication verification) using data from 2 sessions (for a total of 4 semantic data sets) and 2 episodic memory tasks (hybrid visual search and memory search with digits and with words as stimuli). Factor analyses using slope and intercept data from the 8 experimental data sets indicated the presence of 3 latent factors: a single intercept factor for both episodic and semantic tasks and separate slope factors for episodic and semantic tasks. A structural equation model with paths from age to 3 different 1st-order latent factors (episodic central processes, semantic central processes, and combined episodic and semantic peripheral processes) fit better than general factor models. These data are consistent with a theoretical framework in which there are age-related dissociations between peripheral and central processes across semantic and episodic memory.
Characterization and predictors of first and subsequent inappropriate ICD therapy by heart rate ranges: Result of the MADIT-RIT efficacy analysis.

Background Data on inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy and effects of programming by heart rate are lacking. Objective We aimed to characterize inappropriate ICD therapy and assess the effects of novel programming by heart rate. Methods Incidence and causes of inappropriate therapy by heart rate range (below or above 200 bpm) were assessed. Predictors of inappropriate therapy and effects of programming by heart rate were evaluated with multivariate Cox regression models. Crossovers were excluded. Results Inappropriate therapy occurred in 9.2% of the total patient population, with 19% of patients randomized to study arm A, 3.6% in arm B, and 4.7% in arm C. Inappropriate therapies P = .032) and a reduction in subsequent inappropriate episodes ( P = .006). Conclusion In MADIT-RIT, inappropriate ICD therapy is most frequent at rates below 200 bpm and can be predicted, and effectively prevented, with high-rate cutoff programming. Long-delay therapy effectively reduces fast inappropriate therapy ≥200 bpm and subsequent events. [Clinical trial registration: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00947310].
The Effects of Incomplete Personal Capability Knowledge and Overconfidence on Employment Contract Selection

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of workers not knowing their performance capability for job‐related skills on their contract selection decisions. We hypothesize that participants with incomplete personal capability knowledge will tend to be overconfident about their abilities and that such overconfidence will affect contract choice (they will incorrectly select a performance‐based contract when they should select a fixed‐pay contract) and result in lower participant earnings. We also hypothesize that once these participants learn their actual performance capability they will be more likely to switch contracts in a subsequent period than participants who know their performance capability at the time of initial contract selection. We design an experiment to test our predictions and find strong support. The paper also discusses implications of the findings, limitations of the study, and suggestions for future research.
Clinical and scanning electron microscopic features of invasive cervical resorption in a maxillary molar.

This case report presents clinical and morphological features of severe invasive cervical resorption (ICR) involving a maxillary first molar. Surface morphology of the ICR defect that extended into enamel was studied using a scanning electron microscope. The topography and morphology of resorbed enamel and pulpal surfaces are described. The pulpal space was characterized by proliferation of fibrovascular tissue invaded by a number of ≥15-μm-large dentinoclastlike cells. The vertical orientation and hexagonal geometric outlines of enamel rods indicated that the resorptive defect had extended into the outer surface of enamel. Preferential odontoclastic dissolution of interprismatic enamel was noted. Deposits of a cementumlike substance were noticed on enamel surfaces, indicating that resorptive process was coupled with repair. Complete destruction of dentin was associated with no response by the tooth to cold stimulus, supporting the hydrodynamic theory of dentinal sensitivity. The results of this study indicate that in addition to predentin and cementum, the outer surface enamel may be resistant to the resorptive process as well.
REMARKS ON THE RELATIVISTIC KEPLER PROBLEM

By means of a new representation, the Dirac-Coulomb spherical wave functions are treated in a manner which brings out the close formal similarity between these solutions and the spherical wave solutions for the free-electron problem. The radial functions in the new representation have the same form as the non-relativistic radial Coulomb functions, but with an irrational orbital "angular momentum," $l(\ensuremath{\gamma})$. This representation is utilized to deduce a general recursion relation for radial Coulomb eigenfunctions, and show the existence of the Coulomb helicity operator as a constant of the motion. The advantages and properties of this formulation are discussed briefly.
A MEMS RF-interrogated biosensor

A MEMS RF-interrogated Biosensor (MIB) is proposed to measure the level of pH and eventually glucose concentration (Brix) in grapes. The MIB is a microfabricated biosensing structure that is comprised of a microneedle, a functionalized gel, a tuned tank oscillator circuit, and a miniature antenna. The functionalized polymer (hydrogel) changes in volume in response to changes (pH, glucose) within the grapes into which the device is inserted. This volume change induces the deflection of a capacitor plate which in turn modifies the resonance frequency of the tank circuit. This device is designed to be wireless and powerless: the changes in the tank oscillator circuit can be determined by remote RF interrogation, using a passive scheme in which the need for a local power source is made unnecessary.
RUBEN: a technique for scheduling multimedia applications in overlay networks

In this paper, we propose a technique for scheduling soft real-time multimedia applications in overlay networks. Our scheduling technique consists of a novel distributed and dynamic resource utilization based urgency scheduling algorithm, which exploits the urgency of the tasks and uses monitoring and feedback mechanisms to determine an efficient schedule for the tasks in the system. The algorithm is entirely distributed, uses only local knowledge and scales well with the size of the system. Extensive empirical results validate the performance of our mechanism as a function of the number of tasks, the frequency of feedback propagation and the load on the peers.
Conversion factors for laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Background: Since 1994, 27 patients at our institution have undergone laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Laparoscopic splenectomy was completed in 22 of these patients. We sought to identify factors that precluded successful laparoscopic splenectomy in the remaining 5 patients. Methods: Retrospective review of 27 patients with ITP undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy was performed at Duke University Medical Center from August, 1994 to September, 1997. Results: Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed in 16 women and 11 men with a mean age of 47.2 years. Five (18%) of these procedures were converted to open splenectomy. There was no significant difference in age, ASA score, gender, weight, height, or splenic size between the converted and laparoscopic groups. However, preoperative and postoperative platelet counts were significantly higher in the laparoscopic group than in the converted group (p < 0.001). Operative times also were significantly longer for the laparoscopic group than for the converted group (p < 0.001). Adherent adjacent structures, associated comorbidities, and technical errors prohibited laparoscopic completion in five patients. Technical errors with subsequent bleeding required conversion in two patients. A thickened greater omentum blanketing the splenic capsule and a densely adherent pancreatic tail extending well into the splenic hilum prevented laparoscopic completion in two patients. Increased peak airway pressures greater than 60 mmHg after pneumoperitoneum necessitated conversion in the remaining patient, who had a previous history of pulmonary insufficiency. Regardless of surgical approach, all patients achieved a therapeutic response after splenectomy. Splenectomies completed laparoscopically resulted in a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Densely adherent adjacent structures, technical errors, and cardiopulmonary instability may preclude successful completion of laparoscopic splenectomies. Thorough preoperative evaluation with an emphasis on the cardiopulmonary system may elicit a cohort of individuals with ITP who are unlikely to undergo laparoscopic splenectomy successfully. This cohort also may include individuals with preoperative platelet counts less than 35,000 mm−3.
Performance analysis of the ARL Linux network cluster

A 256-processor I686 Linux cluster was installed at the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Major Shared Resource Center (MSRC) to augment the center's current unclassified scientific application processing capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of wall-clock-time performance of this system and the other unclassified HPC platforms currently installed at the ARL MSRC. A suite of vendor applications currently receiving significant utilization on the ARL platforms is used to perform this analysis. The other existing unclassified HPC platforms at ARL include: an SGI 3800 with 512 processors, an IBM SP3 with 1024 processors, and an IBM SP4 with 128 processors. The following application codes are used: CTH, CFD++, OVERFLOW, GAMESS, COBALT, LS/spl I.bar/DYNA and FLUENT. Each code will be run using 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112, and 128 processors. Using these timing metrics we analyze the appropriateness of the I686 architecture for use as a large-scale distributed computing platform for each of these scientific application codes.
Fluidization: hydrodynamic stabilization with a magnetic field

Fluidization of magnetizable particles by a gas stream in the presence of a uniform applied magnetic field oriented parallel to the flow prevents the hydrodynamic instability that otherwise leads to bubbles and turbulent motion within the medium. The fluidized emulsion expands uniformly in response to gas flow speeds in excess of that at the incipient fluidization point, with transition from the quiescent stable state to bubbling occurring suddenly at a characteristic increased rate of flow. Experimental data demonstrate the dependence of this transition velocity on the intensity of the applied magnetic field, length of the bed, and type of magnetic solids. Data illustrate the pressure distribution through the bed medium, the bedflow characteristics, and other phenomena.
Accurate web recommendations based on profile-specific url-predictor neural networks

We present a Context Ultra-Sensitive Approach based on two-step Recommender systems (CUSA-2-step-Rec). Our approach relies on a committee of profile-specific neural networks. This approach provides recommendations that are accurate and fast to train because only the URLs relevant to a specific profile are used to define the architecture of each network. We compare the proposed approach with collaborative filtering showing that our approach achieves higher coverage and precision while being faster, and requiring lower main memory at recommendation time. While most recommenders are inherently context sensitive, our approach is context ultra-sensitive because a different recommendation model is designed for each profile separately.