cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation of Wire-Limited Hierarchical Networks

In the study of multiprocessor networks, attention must be paid to the effects of packaging constraints on cost and performance as well as the physical hierarchy imposed by packaging. Given wiring costs and constraints, hierarchical or clustered networks are a promising approach to building multiprocessor interconnects. We examine a simple approach to clustering: local buses connect processors within a cluster, and intercluster networks such ask-aryn-cubes and generalized shuffle?exchange networks provide connections between clusters. We perform detailed queueing analysis and simulations and compare the performance of a variety of flat and clustered networks. Previously, hierarchical networks were believed to be beneficial only for traffic with good locality. Under wiring cost models, we find that hierarchical networks may have superior performance to nonhierarchical networks, even under uniform traffic (which previously was believed to be a “worst case” scenario for hierarchical topologies). Relative performance is dependent on the cost constraint used, the system configuration and message granularity. The choice of a multiprocessor interconnect must take into consideration all these factors.
Fast high-order perturbation of surfaces methods for simulation of multilayer plasmonic devices and metamaterials

The scattering of time-harmonic linear waves by periodic media arises in a wide array of applications from materials science and nondestructive testing to remote sensing and oceanography. In this work we have in mind applications in optics, more specifically plasmonics, and the surface plasmon polaritons that are at the heart of remarkable phenomena such as extraordinary optical transmission, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and surface plasmon resonance biosensing. In this paper we develop robust, highly accurate, and extremely rapid numerical solvers for approximating solutions to grating scattering problems in the frequency regime where these are commonly used. For piecewise-constant dielectric constants, which are commonplace in these applications, surface formulations are clearly advantaged as they posit unknowns supported solely at the material interfaces. The algorithms we develop here are high-order perturbation of surfaces methods and generalize previous approaches to take advantage of the fact that these algorithms can be significantly accelerated when some or all of the interfaces are trivial (flat). More specifically, for configurations with one nontrivial interface (and one trivial interface) we describe an algorithm that has the same computational complexity as a two-layer solver. With numerical simulations and comparisons with experimental data, we demonstrate the speed, accuracy, and applicability of our new algorithms.
Progress in wetland restoration ecology

It takes more than water to restore a wetland. Now, scientists are documenting how landscape setting, habitat type, hydrological regime, soil properties, topography, nutrient supplies, disturbance regimes, invasive species, seed banks and declining biodiversity can constrain the restoration process. Although many outcomes can be explained post hoc, we have little ability to predict the path that sites will follow when restored in alternative ways, and no insurance that specific targets will be met. To become predictive, bolder approaches are now being developed, which rely more on field experimentation at multiple spatial and temporal scales, and in many restoration contexts.
Long‐term solar activity: a glimpse at its pre‐telescopic history

Aims at the structuring of an analytical tool that traces the time course of geophysical phenomena, regional or global, and compares it to that of long‐term solar conditions – long term meaning decades or centuries. The model is based on the postulate that since in a previous analysis the preponderance of atmospheric, hydrospheric, and some aspects of geospheric phenomena are powered by energy from the sun, now or in the past, the long‐term behaviour of such phenomena is ultimately “connected” to long‐term changes occurring in the sun itself. Proposes and models a stable surrogate pattern for the long‐term solar activity; introduces a transfer‐function for modelling the connection between the surrogate and terrestrial phenomena viewed as partners in the connection; and probes the connection outcome for episodic or unanticipated effects that may arise due to the fact that in the present context, the connection, should it exist, is very likely non‐linear. Presents the theory of the concept, and demonstrates its pertinence to terrestrial phenomena.
Brief endocardial surge of Ca2+ transient but monotonic suppression of action potential occurs during acute ischemia in canine ventricular tissue

Background Ischemia suppresses action potentials (APs) by elevating interstitial K + and activating K ATP channels and alters cytosolic Ca 2+ transients (CaTs) via metabolic inhibition. Objective To test the hypothesis that AP and CaT respond to ischemia with different spatiotemporal courses and patterns. Methods Thirty-four transmural wedges were isolated from canine left ventricular free walls, perfused arterially, and stained with voltage- and Ca 2+ -sensitive dyes. Twenty-eight wedges underwent 15 minutes of arterial occlusion during pacing at a cycle length (PCL) of 300 ms (n = 19) or 600 ms (n = 9). Six other wedges had a sequential reduction of perfusion flow from full to 50%, 25%, and 10% at 300 ms PCL. AP and CaT were recorded on the cut-exposed transmural surfaces with an optical mapping system. Results Although ischemia suppressed APs, it enhanced CaT to 150% ± 10% (more in the endocardium than in the epicardium) and induced CaT alternans during the first 2 minutes of arterial occlusion and then suppressed CaT (PCL = 300 ms). Enhancement of CaT (to 159% ± 23%) also occurred during low flow (25%) perfusion (PCL = 300 ms). Faster suppression of AP occurred with subepicardial preference as compared to that of CaT. After 15 minutes of arterial occlusion, AP and CaT remained in only small regions during 300 ms PCL but were preserved in most regions during 600 ms PCL. Conclusions Early ischemia induced a surge and alternans in CaT and caused its dissociation from AP both in time course of suppression and in spatial distribution. These results suggested that there were different cellular regulatory mechanisms of AP and of CaT in responding to ischemia from arterial occlusion.
A characterization of globin mRNA sequences in the nucleus of duck immature red blood cells

Abstract Studies were performed with duck immature red blood cells to identify and characterize the globin mRNA sequences in nuclear RNA. Annealing of 3 H-globin cDNA to unlabeled nuclear RNA has identified three distinct size classes of nuclear RNA molecules containing globin mRNA sequences. The largest size class contained 1–2% of total nuclear globin mRNA sequences and sedimented through 85% formamide-sucrose gradients at the same rate as 28S ribosomal RNA. Chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose indicated that most of these molecules are not polyadenylated. The bulk of nuclear globin mRNA sequences (70%) was contained in polyadenylated RNA molecules which sedimented at 16.5S. The remainder of nuclear globin mRNA sequences (∼30%) was detected in molecules sedimenting at 10S (the position of cytoplasmic globin mRNA). To determine whether a precursor-product relationship exists between these nuclear molecules and cytoplasmic globin mRNA, pulse-label and chase experiments were performed. Labeled globin mRNA sequences were assayed by annealing to globin cDNA-cellulose. Labeled 28S nuclear globin RNA sequences could not be detected, perhaps due to technical reasons. 16.5S nuclear globin RNA was labeled and chased into cytoplasmic globin mRNA sequences. The half-life of 16.5S nuclear globin RNA was estimated to be less than 30 min. These results demonstrate that in duck immature red blood cells, globin mRNA is transcribed as a larger precursor. Furthermore, size characterization of this precursor during pulse-label and chase periods suggests that it is processed within the nucleus to 10S globin RNA.
Population differences in how black-tailed prairie dogs deal with snakes

This paper examines the antisnake behavior of a snake-experienced Texas (TX) population and a snake-naive South Dakota (SD) population of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). Animals in both populations were presented with tethered rattlesnakes and nonvenomous bullsnakes before and after the first emergence of pups from their natal burrows. SD and TX adults were more likely to actively harass snakes than were pups. There were no differences in the behavior of SD adult males vs females or fathers vs non-fathers, contrary to what was found in TX. However, SD mothers did call more and stayed closer to snakes than did SD non-mothers. All SD adult sex-parental classes spent less time dealing with snakes after the emergence of pups, which was not observed in TX. The primary difference between the two populations was the behavior of TX males who spent a great deal of time harassing snakes. SD adults behaved most like TX females in that these groups spent little time actively dealing with snakes. Pups in both populations behaved similarly. These results are interpreted in terms of the relationship between potential predator and potential prey.
Analysis of Self-Excited Combustion Instabilities Using Two- and Three-Dimensional Simulations

Three-dimensional simulations of combustion instability can provide extremely valuable insight into the problem physics, but they represent an enormous investment in time and, thus, may preclude parametric studies that are practical with two-dimensional simulations. Three numerical simulations of an unstable laboratory rocket combustor were performed to assess the effect of grid resolution and dimensionality on the ability to predict and model combustion instability. Computations show that two-dimensional axisymmetric simulations using both coarse and fine grids are able to capture the amplitude of the first longitudinal mode within an order of magnitude of what was measured in the experiment. Whereas the three-dimensional calculation based on the coarse grid resolution shows excellent agreement with the experimental level of instability two-dimensional simulations are valuable in parametric evaluations in developing diagnostic methods and in increasing the efficiency of expensive three-dimensional simula...
An artificial betacell: assessment of the glucose analyser, infusion system and optimization of constants for the algorithms.

The glucose analyser and insulin infusion modules of the BiostatorB were tested. The infusion system was reliable since more than 99 % of the computed volume of insulin solution was delivered by the infusion pump at infusion rates above 1/100 of maximum, and no insulin was adsorbed onto infusion bags or tubing.Blood glucose results from the Biostator were compared with routine laboratory methods during long-term feedback control. Both slope (0.73) and scatter (r = 0.87) around the regression line were unsatisfactory when the recommended calibration procedure was used. Tests in fasting non-diabetic subjects showed a significant correlation between the variation in Biostator glucose read-out and the plasma protein concentration in the detector outflow. In diabetics the ratio between Biostator glucose read-out and laboratory glucose determinations declined significantly with time.These observations led to the introduction of a standardization procedure based on externally determined blood glucose concentrati...
Surface magnetic ordering in chromium

The magnetic properties of the (001) surface of chromium at finite temperature are investigated by means of spin-fluctuation theory. It is found that, in contrast with the behavior in the bulk, large localized magnetic moments form at the surface. Interactions between these moments and their coupling to bulk spin fluctuations are included in the calculations. The results show that magnetic ordering at the surface persists well above the bulk N\'eel temperature. Comparison is made with available experimental results.
DNA-methylation gene network dysregulation in peripheral blood lymphocytes of schizophrenia patients.

Abstract The epigenetic dysregulation of the brain genome associated with the clinical manifestations of schizophrenia (SZ) includes altered DNA promoter methylation of several candidate genes. We and others have reported that two enzymes that belong to the DNA-methylation/demethylation network pathways—DNMT1 (DNA-methyltransferase) and ten-eleven translocator-1(TET1) methylcytosine deoxygenase are abnormally increased in corticolimbic structures of SZ postmortem brain. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the expression of these components of the DNA-methylation–demethylation pathways known to be altered in the brain of SZ patients are also altered in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The data show that increases in DNMT1 and TET1 and in glucocorticoid receptor (GCortR) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNAs in PBL of SZ patients are comparable to those reported in the brain of SZ patients. The finding that the expressions of DNMT1 and TET1 are increased and SZ candidate genes such as BDNF and GCortR are altered in the same direction in both the brain and PBL together with recent studies showing highly correlated patterns of DNA methylation across the brain and blood, support the hypothesis that a common epigenetic dysregulation may be operative in the brain and peripheral tissues of SZ patients.
Postembryonic development of the olfactory system in the mothManduca sexta: primary-afferent control of glomerular development

Abstract The olfactory system of the sphinx mothManduca sextabears many similarities to its vertebrate counterpart in functional organization, physiology and development. In the moth, the antenna (the olfactory organ) and the antennal lobe (the primary olfactory center) of the brain arise during postembryonic metamorphic development and are accessible, independently manipulable, and structurally relatively simple. In addition, they house a conspicuous, sexually dimorphic subsystem specialized for detection of a specific pheromonal odor. These features make this system experimentally favorable for studies of development of olfactory glomeruli. Such studies have demonstrated the importance of regulatory interactions among sensory axons, glial cells and antennal-lobe neurons.
New model life tables for high-mortality populations.

(1993). New Model Life Tables for High-Mortality Populations. Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History: Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 149-159.
B-cell depletion for 2 years after autologous stem cell transplant for NHL induces prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia beyond the rituximab maintenance period.

Although autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) may benefit patients with relapsed or high-risk non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), many patients still relapse and die of their disease. Most relapses occur...
Sphingomyelin/phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol interactions studied by imaging mass spectrometry.

Label-free imaging mass spectrometry is utilized the first time to study lipid−lipid interactions in a model membrane system. Ternary lipid mixtures of cholesterol (CH), sphingomyelin (SM), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) on supported Langmuir−Blodgett films are investigated as a mimic of the cellular membrane. The unique chemical specificity and imaging capability allow identification and localization of each lipid molecule in the membranes. The SM and PC in each ternary mixture vary in their acyl chain saturation with both, either, or neither one double bonded at the same position of their acyl chain. For the ternary mixtures with SM and PC both saturated or unsaturated, all the lipids are evenly distributed in the molecule-specific images. However, domain structures were observed for the two mixtures with either SM or PC unsaturated. In both films, the saturated lipid, whether it is SM or PC, colocalized with CH while the unsaturated lipid was excluded from the CH domains. These results strongly suggest t...
Excess currents larger than the point contact limit in normal-metal/superconducting junctions

Abstract In a point contact NS junction, perfect Andreev reflection occurs over a range of voltages equal to the superconducting energy gap, producing an excess current of Iexc = (4 / 3)(2 eΔ / h). If the superconductor has a finite width, rather than the infinite width of the point contact, one cannot neglect superfluid flow inside the superconducting contact. The energy range available for perfect Andreev reflections then becomes larger than the superconducting gap, since superfluid flow alters the dispersion relation inside the finite width superconductor. We find a maximum excess current of approximately (7 / 3)(2 eΔ / h) when the width of the superconductor is approximately 7 / 3 times the width of the normal metal.
Molecular Assembly of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator in Plasma Membrane

Based on electrophysiological measurements, it has been argued that the active form of cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel is a multimer. It has also been demonstrated that this multimerization is likely due to PDZ domain-interacting partners. Here we demonstrate that although CFTR in vitro can self-associate into multimers, which depends on PDZ-based interactions, this may not be the case in cell membrane. Using chemical cross-linking, we demonstrated that CFTR exists as a higher order complex in cell membrane. However, this higher order complex is predominantly CFTR dimers, and the PDZ-interacting partners (Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor-1 (NHERF1) and NHERF2) constitute ∼2% of this complex. Interestingly solubilizing membrane expressing CFTR in detergents such as Triton X-100, Nonidet P-40, deoxycholate, and SDS tended to destabilize the CFTR dimers and dissociate them into monomeric form. The dimerization of CFTR was tightly regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase-dependent phosphorylation and did not depend on the active form of the channel. In addition, the dimerization was not influenced by either the PDZ motif or its interacting partners (NHERF1 and NHERF2). We also demonstrated that other signaling-related proteins such as Gβ and syntaxin 1A can be in this higher order complex of CFTR as well. Our studies provide a deeper understanding of how the CFTR assembly takes place in native cell membrane.
Job design and staff satisfaction in human service settings

It was hypothesized that job design is systematically related to employee satisfaction. The job design variables included were: variety, task-identity, feedback, autonomy participation, learning, and information. Subjects were 137 professional and nonprofessional employees of 22 agencies providing services to children. Agencies included mental health facilities, visiting nurse associations, residential care settings, and foster placement and adoption agencies. The hypothesis was supported. The correlations between specific jog design variables and work satisfaction were examined.
Attenuation of early liver fibrosis by pharmacological inhibition of smoothened receptor signaling

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. It has been previously shown that Hh-inhibitor cyclopamine (CYA) can reduce liver fibrosis in rats. However, CYA is not stable in vivo, which limits its clinical application. This study compares the antifibrotic potential of two known Hh antagonists, vismodegib (GDC-0449, abbreviated to GDC) and CYA. GDC is a synthetic molecule presently in clinical cancer trials and has been reported to be safe and efficacious. These drugs attenuated early liver fibrosis in common bile duct ligated rats, improved liver function, and prevented hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, thereby suppressing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). While both CYA and GDC increased the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive liver cells in vivo, only CYA increased Caspase-3 expression in HSCs in rat livers, suggesting that while GDC and CYA effectively attenuate early liver fibrosis, their hepatoprotective effects may be mediated through different modes of action. Thus, GDC has the potential to serve as a new therapeutic agent for treating early liver fibrosis.
External-internal relationships in humeri of modern human females

With data from an early twentieth century human skeletal collection, this exploratory study investigates associations between inner cortical and medullary cavity structures and outer shaft and epiphyseal features of a long bone. Humeri are measured directly in both whole bone and transverse section contexts; data along 2 axes at 2 sites are obtained. Twenty-two probable females, with an age range concentrated in middle adulthood, comprise the sample. Correlations between multiple external and internal bone measurements are analyzed, with the aim of yielding information on the physical nature of bone and on the effects of different measurement types, locations, and orientations for bone relationships. The study also examines whether prediction of inner humeral dimensions from outer measurements would be appropriate. Results indicate biepicondylar width and maximum length as the strongest external correlates of cortical dimensions. Contrasting with studies on the proximal femur, the humeral head shows external size changeability, mostly in the transverse plane, in response to modeling forces shared with the shaft. Epiphyseal measures are more highly associated with absolute rather than percent, and areal rather than linear, cortical variables. Medullary cavity dimensions are not significantly correlated with whole bone measures. Most associations demonstrate shape or proportion influences rather than a shared effect of linear body size. Regarding location and orientation, the distal site and medial-lateral axis display the strongest correlations among external and internal bone dimensions. In light of the demonstrated correlation patterns, prediction of humeral cortical quantity from external bone measures in living and skeletal populations would benefit from utilizing (1) biepicondylar width and maximum length; (2) an absolute, areal cortical measure; (3) a distal location; and (4) a medial-lateral orientation.
Autologous CD34+ enriched peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation is associated with higher morbidity in patients with lymphoma when compared to unmanipulated PBPC transplantation.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by CD34+ enriched peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplantation is used for the treatment of primary refractory or relapsed Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. The CD34+ enrichment procedure, while reducing tumor burden, may compromise immunological reconstitution in the transplanted patient and result in increased rates of post-transplant infection. We compared infectious complications in patients with lymphoma who were treated with high-dose chemotherapy and supported either with CD34+ enriched PBPC (n = 19) or unmanipulated PBPCs (n = 24). Analysis was limited to patients discharged from initial hospitalization for transplantation with a minimum of 1 year follow-up and free of lymphoma recurrence. We found a statistically significant increase in the number of patients with one or more infectious events in the CD34+transplant group (14/19) compared with the unmanipulated PBPC group (9/24, P < 0.01). Greater numbers of patients with two or more infectious events were observed in the CD34+ group (7/19 vs 2/24, P < 0.03) and an increased incidence of bacterial infections was observed in the CD34+ group (10/19 vs 5/24, P < 0.05). Two deaths due to infectious complications were observed in the CD34+ group. There was no significant difference in blood lymphocyte or monocyte recovery between the groups. These data demonstrate a significant increase in the long-term incidence of infectious events in lymphoma patients transplanted with autologous CD34+ enriched PBPCs compared to unmanipulated PBPCs. Thus, patients who undergo CD34+ enriched PBPC transplantation should be followed closely for infectious complications and prolonged infectious prophylaxis should be considered. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2000) 26, 831–836.
Low-thrust mission trade studies with parallel, evolutionary computing

New mission concepts are increasingly considering the use of ion propulsion for fuel-efficient navigation in deep space. The development of new low-thrust mission concepts requires efficient methods to rapidly determine feasibility and thoroughly explore trade spaces. This paper presents parallel, evolutionary computing methods to assess a trade-off between delivered payload mass and required flight time. The developed methods utilize a distributed computing environment in order to speed up computation, and use evolutionary algorithms to approximate optimal solutions. The methods are coupled with the Primer Vector theory, where a thrust control problem is transformed into a co-state control problem and the initial values of the co-state vector are optimized. The developed methods are applied to two mission scenarios: i) an orbit transfer around Earth and ii) a transfer between two distant retrograde orbits around Europa. The solutions found with the present methods are comparable to those obtained by other state-of-the-art trajectory optimizers. The required computational time can be up to several orders of magnitude shorter than that of other optimizers thanks to the utilization of the distributed computing environment, the significant reduction of the search space dimension with the primer vector theory, and the efficient and synergistic exploration of the remaining search space with evolutionary computing.
Death after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: findings at autopsy

More than half a million endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures are performed annually in the United States. The risk of severe complications after ERCP is less than 1%; however, autopsy pathologists see a select group of patients having fatality. Thirty-five autopsies were performed after ERCP over a 13-year period. Fourteen of these 35 patients died of ERCP complications. The remaining patients formed the control group. Fatal complications of ERCP included acute pancreatitis (7), sepsis (5), gastrointestinal/biliary perforation (3), bleeding (2), myocardial infarction (2), and cardiac arrhythmia (1). Cancer (14) and chronic pancreatitis (4) were the most reported causes of death in the control group. Median times to death after ERCP in ERCP-related deaths versus controls were 9.5 and 40 days, respectively. The most common indications for the procedure in ERCP-related deaths were suspected choledocholithiasis and jaundice/biliary obstruction; in controls, jaundice/biliary obstruction and chronic pancreatitis were more common. Patients having fatal ERCP complications had more cannulations reported as "difficult" (69% versus 20%; P = .003). The Kloppel chronic pancreatitis score was lower (mean, 2.6 versus 6.6; P = .03), and the percentage of nonfibrotic pancreatic parenchyma was higher (mean, 85% versus 56%; P = .02) in ERCP-related death group versus controls. Although patients rarely die after ERCP, our findings suggest that healthy acinar tissue is a risk factor for ERCP-related death, especially in the setting of difficult cannulation.
Absence of Smad3 confers radioprotection through modulation of ERK-MAPK in primary dermal fibroblasts

Summary Background Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a key biological mediator following ionizing radiation, plays a role in a complex tissue reaction involved in local radiation-induced pathological damage. Knocking out Smad3 (S3KO), a downstream signaling intermediate in the TGF-β pathway, in mice protects their skin from radiation damage as demonstrated by decreased epithelial acanthosis and dermal fibrosis as compared to Smad3 wild-type (S3WT) mice. Objective The present study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms contributing to increased radioprotection in the absence of Smad3. Methods Primary dermal fibroblasts derived from S3WT and KO mice were exposed to 5 Gy ionizing radiation in vitro. Western blot analyses, immunocytochemistry, and reporter transfections were used to dissect the radiation-induced events. Results There was increased phosphorylation of ERK-MAPK, p53 and H2A.X in S3KO compared to the S3WT fibroblasts, implicating them in a key signaling cascade in response of these cells to radiation. Pro-fibrotic gene expression was decreased in S3KO fibroblasts post-irradiation. Conclusion The absence of Smad3 may decrease radio-responsiveness by increasing activation of DNA damage sensing mechanisms and decreasing induction of pro-fibrotic genes.
Size-ascent rate relationships in positively buoyant marine diatoms

Cell size and ascent rate were measured in individual short chains (2-8 cells) and single cells of positively buoyant marine diatoms from natural populations and cultures. Maximum ascent rates for Rhizosolenia formosa, Rhizosolenia acuminata, Rhizosolenia castracanei, Rhizosolenia debyana, and Ethmodiscus rex suggest an upper limit to diatom ascent rates on the order of 7-8 m h-l. Ascent rates were weakly correlated with cell diameter, volume, and surface : volume ratio across the pooled d;ata for all species (n = 105). Among Rhizosolenia spp., ascent rate was strongly correlated with size-related measures. The Rhizosolenia spp. average diameter was highly correlated with average ascent rate (r 2 = 0.99, n = 4). Calculated cell density was inversely related to cell diameter in Rhizosolenia spp. Cell diameter is a better predictor of ascent rate than volume in long, cylindrical cells owing to covariations of density and form resistance. The observed ascent rates are consistent with vertical migration by these large diatoms in oligotrophic seas. Phytoplankton suspension has long been regarded as an important property influencing community losses, material flux, and successional characteristics (Hutchinson 1967). Although more recent work has indicated that accelerated transport rates and mass phytoplankton sinking are in large part due to flocculation processes (Alldredge and Gotschalk 1989; Jackson 1990; Lampitt 1985), individual cell responses are still important for understanding how both size and physiological condition modify sinking characteristics. Diatom sinking rates are strongly related to cell quota (Bienfang and Harrison 1984), cell size, and nutritional state (Smayda 1970). In healthy, nonaggregated cells, sinking and ascent rates are generally described by Stokes’ equation (Hutchinson 1967). Large, negatively buoyant cells have a slower sedimentation rate than is predicted based on densities derived from smaller cells, implying a lower density with increasing size (Smayda 1970). Such empirical evidence implies that active density regulation must occur and that the size effect is related to the vacuole and changing surface : volume ratios. This observation was noted early on (Gross and Zeuthen 1948) and has led to several papers that examine the cell sap composition of both marine diatoms and buoyant nonmotile dinoflagellates (Beklemishev et al. 196 1; Kahn and Swift 1978; Smayda 1970). Active cellular regulation of cytoplasmic density is also implied by results of studies that use selective anesthetics and inhibitors in limnetic and marine diatoms (Smayda 1974; Waite et al. 1992). Such mechanisms are required to lower density because eucaryotes do not possess gas vesicles as found in procaryotes such as Trichodesmium spp. (Walsby 1978). Both
A low-power, high-performance, 1024-point FFT processor

This paper presents an energy-efficient, single-chip, 1024-point fast Fourier transform (FFT) processor. The 460000-transistor design has been fabricated in a standard 0.7 /spl mu/m (L/sub poly/=0.6 /spl mu/m) CMOS process and is fully functional on first-pass silicon. At a supply voltage of 1.1 V, it calculates a 1024-point complex FFT in 330 /spl mu/s while consuming 9.5 mW, resulting in an adjusted energy efficiency more than 16 times greater than the previously most efficient known FFT processor. At 3.3 V, it operates at 173 MHz-which is a clock rate 2.6 times greater than the previously fastest rate.
Identification of BV/ODV-C42, an Autographa californica Nucleopolyhedrovirus orf101-Encoded Structural Protein Detected in Infected-Cell Complexes with ODV-EC27 and p78/83

orf101 is a late gene of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). It encodes a protein of 42 kDa which is a component of the nucleocapsid of budded virus (BV) and occlusion-derived virus (ODV). To reflect this viral localization, the product of orf101 was named BV/ODV-C42 (C42). C42 is predominantly detected within the infected-cell nucleus: at 24 h postinfection (p.i.), it is coincident with the virogenic stroma, but by 72 h p.i., the stroma is minimally labeled while C42 is more uniformly located throughout the nucleus. Yeast two-hybrid screens indicate that C42 is capable of directly interacting with the viral proteins p78/83 (1629K) and ODV-EC27 (orf144). These interactions were confirmed using blue native gels and Western blot analyses. At 28 h p.i., C42 and p78/83 are detected in two complexes: one at approximately 180 kDa and a high-molecular-mass complex (500 to 600 kDa) which also contains EC27.
Usefulness of a Synoptic Data Tool for Reporting of Head and Neck Neoplasms Based on the College of American Pathologists Cancer Checklists

The primary source of information that clinicians use when evaluating and managing patients with cancer is the surgical pathology report. Omission of critical information from the report is a recognized problem in pathology, especially considering the expanding amount of information, such as molecular diagnostics data, that is now routinely included in reports. To standardize surgical pathology reports, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) introduced the CAP checklists. In 2004, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer mandated that 90% of pathology reports indicating a cancer diagnosis at participating centers contain all scientifically validated or regularly used data elements. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has implemented synoptic reporting based on the CAP checklists for all major tumor types. We report our experience with synoptic reporting on head and neck neoplasms, demonstrating, in particular, how this can be customized according to needs of each institution.
Neighborhood socioeconomic conditions are associated with psychosocial functioning in older black and white adults

We examined neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) in relation to depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and hostility in 5,770 community-dwelling older black and white adults (mean age=73 years; 62% female) from 3 contiguous neighborhoods covering 82 census block groups in Chicago, IL. NSES was an average of z-scores of four Census 2000 block-group variables: % public assistance, % households earning ≤$25,000 annually, % with ≥college degree, and % owner-occupied dwellings valued ≥$200,000. NSES was inversely related to hostility (beta=−0.305), stress (beta=−0.333) and depressive symptoms (beta=−0.223) (p<.001) in multi-level mixed-effects regression models adjusted for age, sex, race and years in the neighborhood. With further adjustment for education, income, marital status and health conditions, NSES remained associated with depressive symptoms (beta=−0.078) and hostility (beta=−0.133) (p<.05); the association with hostility was strongest in non-black neighborhoods. Neighborhood social conditions contribute to the psychosocial well-being of older residents; research is needed to investigate pathways through which neighborhoods influence health outcomes in an aging population.
Preferential Concentration of Cloud Droplets by Turbulence: Effects on the Early Evolution of Cumulus Cloud Droplet Spectra

Abstract A mechanism is presented, based on the inherent turbulent nature of cumulus clouds, for the broadening of cloud droplet spectra during condensational growth. This mechanism operates independent of entrainment and, therefore, can operate in adiabatic cloud cores. Cloud droplets of sufficient size are not randomly dispersed in a cloud but are preferentially concentrated in regions of low vorticity in the turbulent flow field. Regions of high vorticity (low droplet concentration) develop higher supersaturation than regions of low vorticity (high droplet concentration). Therefore, on small spatial scales cloud droplets are growing in a strongly fluctuating supersaturation field. These fluctuations in supersaturation exist independent of large-scale vertical velocity fluctuations. Droplets growing in regions of high vorticity will experience enhanced growth rates, allowing some droplets to grow larger than predicted by the classic theory of condensational growth. This mechanism helps to account for tw...
Developing a Peace Course in Police Studies: How a Culture of Peace Can Enhance Police Legitimacy in a Democratic Society.

This paper reflects my experiences developing a course within the Criminal Justice Technology Associates of Science degree program at Valencia College that fuses topics unique to peace and police studies. The key challenge in developing this course was in confronting the paradox of the police as instruments of both peace and conflict. In dealing with this paradox, students examine the role of the police in a democratic society and the authority of the police to use coercive force. Key topics covered in this course include defining peace, the police role in peace movements, the history, structure and strategies affecting the police, causes of violence, conflict analysis and conflict intervention, and ethical foundations for peace. In addition, this course examines occupational, organizational, institutional factors that contribute to the development of a unique police subculture that values crime fighting as its core responsibility and the impact of that orientation on police attitudes and behaviors toward...
Altered myocardial shear strains are associated with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Background Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) limits life expectancy and can lead to postinfarction global left ventricular (LV) dilatation and remodeling, the pathogenesis of which is not completely known. We tested the hypothesis that IMR perturbs adjacent myocardial LV systolic strains. Methods Thirteen sheep had three columns of miniature beads inserted across the lateral LV wall, with additional epicardial markers silhouetting the ventricle. One week later posterolateral infarction was created. Seven weeks thereafter, the animals were divided into two groups according to severity of IMR (≤ 1+, n=7, IMR[−] vs ≥ 2+, n=6, IMR[+]). Four dimensional marker coordinates and quantitative histology were used to calculate ventricular volumes, transmural myocardial systolic strains, and systolic fiber shortening. Results Seven weeks after infarction, end-diastolic (ED) volume increased similarly in both groups, end-systolic (ES) E 13 (circumferential-radial) shear increased in both groups, but more so in IMR(+) than IMR(−) (+0.12 vs 0.04, p 12 (circumferential-longitudinal) shear increased in IMR(−) but not IMR(+) (+0.04 vs −0.01, p Conclusions An equivalent increase in LV end-diastolic (ED) volume in both groups, coupled with unchanged ED and end-systolic remodeling strains as well as systolic circumferential, longitudinal, and radial strains, argue against a global LV or regional myocardial geometric basis for the cardiomyopathy associated with IMR. Further, similar systolic fiber shortening in both groups militates against an intracellular (cardiomyocyte) mechanism. The differences in subepicardial E 12 and E 13 shears, however, suggest a causal role of altered interfiber (cytoskeleton and extracellular-matrix) interactions.
Virchow's triad: Kussmaul, Quincke and von Recklinghausen.

For most of the 19th century, Germany was the centre of the medical world. From there the most innovating research came and many of the physicians of that era are known to nearly every medical student and physician of today. Virchow, Kussmaul, Quincke, von Recklinghausen, Muller and Schonlein are familiar names in today's medicine but insofar as they are merely eponyms associated with signs, symptoms, disease and anatomy. The story of their lives, their research and their influence on each other has been little examined. This is an essay about Virchow's relationship with his mentors Muller and Schonlein and how these relationships shaped the development of Kussmaul, Quincke and von Recklinghausen as students of Virchow and their work in medicine and clinical observation after leaving Virchow's laboratory.
Evaluating Cough Assessment Tools: A Systematic Review

Background Little is known about the comparative validity, reliability, or responsiveness of instruments for assessing cough frequency or impact, where the term impact encompasses both cough severity and the impact of cough on health-related quality of life. Methods We conducted a systematic review to evaluate instruments that assess cough frequency or impact in adults, adolescents, and children with acute or chronic cough. Results Seventy-eight studies were included, of which eight were randomized controlled trials and 70 were observational studies. In all age groups, audio and video electronic recording devices had good reliability compared with other methods of assessing cough frequency but had variable correlation with other cough assessments, such as visual analog scale scores, quality-of-life questionnaires, cough diaries, and tussigenic challenges. Among adult and adolescent patients, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and the Cough-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (CQLQ) were valid and reliable, showing high intraclass and test-retest correlations. Among children, the Parent Cough-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire and Pediatric Cough Questionnaire were valid and reliable. Conclusions Electronic recording devices can be valid assessments of cough frequency. The LCQ and CQLQ for adults and the Parent Cough-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire for children are valid instruments for assessing cough impact. There is limited but insufficient evidence to determine the reliability or concurrent validity of the different types of cough diaries or visual analog scale scores. There are also limited data to support the responsiveness of recording devices. There is good responsiveness data for the LCQ and CQLQ, but more evidence is needed.
A note on bivariate box splines on a k -direction mesh

Abstract We determine the dimension of the polynomial subspace of the linear space spanned by the translates over lattice points of a bivariate box spline on a k-direction mesh.
Advanced booking and revenue management: Room rates and the consumers’ strategic zones

Abstract The advanced-booking generic-strategies decision model is extended in this study to include consumer utility. It identifies the switch points, that is, the room rates and corresponding consumer-expected utilities at which a prospective consumer shifts from one strategic zone to another. The analysis indicates that the hotel benefits the most when the upper boundaries of the first three strategic rate zones are stretched to the right. The wider these ranges, the more likely the consumer is to respond with a favorable decision. The paper discusses eight of the hotel-controlled model factors (such as the size of the penalty for canceling a reservation), demonstrating how they affect the rate zones and the generic booking strategy when manipulated through marketing and pricing efforts. The analysis indicates that these factors have an opposing impact on the various consumer generic strategies. Consequently, the effectiveness and success of such marketing and pricing policies depends on the distribution of consumers on the rate/utility plane.
Circadian Organization of Behavior and Physiology in Drosophila

Circadian clocks organize behavior and physiology to adapt to daily environmental cycles. Genetic approaches in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, have revealed widely conserved molecular gears of these 24-h timers. Yet much less is known about how these cell-autonomous clocks confer temporal information to modulate cellular functions. Here we discuss our current knowledge of circadian clock function in Drosophila, providing an overview of the molecular underpinnings of circadian clocks. We then describe the neural network important for circadian rhythms of locomotor activity, including how these molecular clocks might influence neuronal function. Finally, we address a range of behaviors and physiological systems regulated by circadian clocks, including discussion of specific peripheral oscillators and key molecular effectors where they have been described. These studies reveal a remarkable complexity to circadian pathways in this “simple” model organism.
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma: fine-needle aspiration biopsy findings.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a malignant soft tissue tumor which typically presents as an enlarging mass in an extremity. In this location it is amenable to sampling and diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. We present our experience with three cases of EMC and discuss the differential diagnosis of myxoid soft tissue tumors. Diagn Cytopathol 1994; 11:363–366. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Biological sensitivity to self-assembled nanomatrix platforms depends on the phenotype of MIN6 Β-cells

Pancreatic β-cell lines that possess the same native characteristics as insulin producing β-cells within islets of Langerhans have been widely used to evaluate newly developed scaffolds for the ultimate purpose of improving pancreatic islet transplantation (PIT). However, the morphological and functional characteristics of pancreatic β-cell lines in use are often overlooked; changes are gradually observed with each subsequent subculture of cells. Long-term cultured MIN6 β-cells that have alterations in morphology and function can lead to poor evaluation of newly proposed scaffolds. To investigate the influence of aged MIN6 β-cells in properly assessing a given scaffold, self-assembled nanomatrix platforms formed by peptide amphiphiles (PAs) that mimic native extracellular matrices (ECM) were made, and MIN6 β-cells of different subcultures were cultured for up to seven days. Compared to young MIN6 β-cells, old MIN6 β-cells showed reduced sensitivity in function to the self-assembled nanomatrix platform containing RGDS ligands. Young MIN6 β-cells displayed higher normalised insulin values than old MIN6 β-cells, indicating that the apparent functional performance of ECM-mimicking platforms depends not only on the ECM-mimicking ligands present but also on the condition of cells used to evaluate the ECM-mimicking platform. Moreover, the morphological differences were observed between young and old MIN6 β-cells. Overall, this study describes the importance of using suitable pancreatic β-cell lines in evaluating an ECM-mimicking platform for PIT.
Assignment of the XRCC2 human DNA repair gene to chromosome 7q36 by complementation analysis

The V79 hamster cell line irs1 is a repair-deficient mutant hypersensitive to radiation and DNA-reactive chemical agents. Somatic cell hybrids were formed by fusing irs1 cells with human lymphocytes and selecting for complementation in medium containing concentrations of mitomycin C (MMC) that are toxic to irs1. Thirty-eight MMC-resistant hybrids showed extensive segregation of human chromosomes, with 35 of them retaining human chromosome 7, as indicated by molecular marker and cytogenetic analyses. Inter-Alu-PCR products from the DNA of hybrids, when used as fluorescence in situ hybridization probe onto normal human metaphases, indicated that one resistant hybrid was monochromosomal for chromosome 7 and that the three resistant hybrids shown to be negative for chromosome 7 markers have retained portions of chromosome 7, with region 7q36 being the smallest common region. MMC-sensitive subclones of a resistant hybrid lost human chromosome 7. Therefore, the gene complementing the repair defect, XRCC2 (X-ray repair cross complementing), is assigned to human chromosome 7q36.