cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sediment facies determination using acoustic techniques in a shallow-water carbonate environment, Dry Tortugas, Florida

Abstract Two high-frequency acoustic seafloor classification systems (12- and 15-kHz) were used in conjunction with sediment core analysis to characterize sediment facies at a study site near Garden Key in Dry Tortugas, Florida. The acoustic system uses echo return amplitude to compute acoustic impedance that is then correlated with sampled sediment impedance values calculated from wet bulk density and compressional wave velocity. Several bottom provinces were identified using the 15-kHz data to construct a real-time map of ship tracks in colors that represent the surficial sediment facies type. Sediment facies over the entire study site (36 km 2 ) range from sandy silts to exposed limestone rock and coral reef structures. Color contour maps using the 12-kHz data, created after correlating acoustic impedance predictions with core measured sediment properties, validates the initial facies pattern predictions made in real-time. The sediment facies patterns indicate a long-term pattern of deposition of fine-grained, silt-sized, surficial sediments in an area adjacent to the emergent carbonate embankment. Two-dimensional acoustic profiles along survey tracklines also provide cross-sectional views of seafloor and subbottom stratigraphy that confirm the buildup of these fine sediments in the northwest corner of the study site. A generous supply of sediment resulting from an abundance of benthic green algae ( Halimeda sp.) on adjacent shallow platforms form a thick sequence of fine sandy silt at the base of the southeastern edge of the embankment and fringing reef. Sediment cover over the limestone bedrock thins and becomes coarse southeast of Garden and Bush Keys, suggesting the likely existence of a dominant flow around the shallow carbonate embankment that restricts export of fine sediments out of the area.
SOR-HDFS: a SEDA-based approach to maximize overlapping in RDMA-enhanced HDFS

In this paper, we propose SOR-HDFS, a SEDA (Staged Event-Driven Architecture)-based approach to improve the performance of HDFS Write operation. This design not only incorporates RDMA-based communication over InfiniBand but also maximizes overlapping among different stages of data transfer and I/O. Performance evaluations show that, the new design improves the aggregated write throughput of Enhanced DFSIO benchmark in Intel HiBench by up to 64% and reduces the job execution time by 37% compared to IPoIB (IP over InfiniBand). Compared to the previous best RDMA-enhanced design [4], the improvements in throughput and execution time are 30% and 20%, respectively. Our design can also improve the performance of HBase Put operation by up to 53% over IPoIB and 29% compared to the previous best RDMA-enhanced HDFS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first design of SEDA-based HDFS in the literature.
The Hohenheim long-term experiment: a North American perspective.

The Hohenheim experiment represents a five year multi-disciplinary study of tree sapling responses to O3, SO2 and simulated acidic rain singly or in combination in modified open-top chambers. There are no comparable studies in North America which have been brought to completion at the present time. However, many of the results obtained in the Hohenheim study can be examined in the context of North American research. Independent of the differences in the methodology, the experimental conditions and the tree species used, many results are quite comparable between the Hohenheim study and the findings of North American research. However, since comparisons were made with studies in chambers of various types, caution must be used in extrapolating the results in addressing questions in the chamberless ambient conditions.
Static magnetic field modulates excitatory activity in layer II/III pyramidal neurons of the rat motor cortex

Recent studies revealed that transcranial stimulation with static magnetic field (SMF) at 0.1-0.15 T results in reduction of neural excitability in the human motor cortex. We explore the mechanisms of this phenomenon with patch-clamp recording in rat brain slices. Recording from layer II/III pyramidal neurons in motor cortex, we observed an increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) during SMF exposure (n = 23). The amplitude of sEPSCs as well as the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs, n = 7) were unaffected by SMF. Sham stimulation did not result in significant changes in sEPSCs amplitude or frequency (n = 7). A minority of the neurons (9 of 23) from which sEPSCs where recorded did not exhibit frequency increase during SMF exposure, but showed significant frequency reduction after SMF exposure. Since SMF exposure did not cause significant changes in resting membrane potential or input impedance and since the sEPSC frequency, but not amplitude, was affected, our results are consistent with a presynaptic site of the neural effect of SMF. The presence of the effect on EPSCs and not IPSCs may be related to the larger length of excitatory axons compared to inhibitory axons.
Meta‐Analysis of Azelastine Nasal Spray for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Study Objective. To systematically review the efficacy of azelastine nasal spray for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Design. Meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials reported in English. Data Source. Published literature from the PubMed-MEDLINE database. Patients. Patients aged at least 12 (United States) or 16 years (Europe) with allergic rhinitis or nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis. Measurements and Main Results. A global assessment of efficacy was used to estimate the number needed to treat for azelastine nasal spray compared with placebo or active comparators. The total symptom score was used to compare the effect size between azelastine and placebo. In five comparisons of azelastine and placebo, azelastine was most efficacious, with a summary number needed to treat of 5.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3–10.0). In reviewing 11 studies of azelastine versus active comparators, we found no significant difference between azelastine and active comparators (number needed to treat 66.7, 95% CI 14.3 to ∞ to 25]). Azelastine was more efficacious than placebo in terms of total symptom score (effect size of 0.36, 95% CI 0.26–0.46). Conclusion. Azelastine nasal spray was more efficacious than placebo in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. No significant differences were observed between azelastine and active comparators for the treatment of allergic rhinitis; however, when azelastine was compared with oral antihistamines as monotherapy, the trend favored azelastine. Because azelastine appears to be as efficacious as oral antihistamines, the choice of treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis should depend on the patient's preference regarding the route of administration, adverse effects, and the cost of the drug.
Vapor-crystal equilibrium and electrical properties of HgTe

Abstract The vapor-crystal equilibrium of HgTe has been investigated by measuring the electrical properties of samples which were quenched after having been annealed at 150–550°C long enough to reach equilibrium with either (1) a liquid Hg reservoir, (2) a two-phase Hg-rich or Te-rich ingot, or (3) internal Te-rich microprecipitates. Except in a few cases, the electrical measurements showed conclusively that the samples were p-type. Hall coefficient measurements at 4·2°K and about 100 kG could be used to determine the value of (p − n) for samples with (p − n) exceeding 4 × 1018cm−3. Less p-type samples could be arranged in order of (p − n) by comparing their values of the Seebeck coefficient at 300°K and the low-field Hall coefficients at 300 and 77°K. For samples annealed at 550°C, (p − n) increases monotonically with decreasing Hg pressure from 4·7 × 1018cm−3 for Hg saturation to about 9 × 1018cm−3 for Te saturation. Independent of any microscopic model, this variation shows that (p − n) increases monotonically with increasing Te content. According to the simplest microscopic model, the predominant point defects are Hg-vaeancy or Te-interstitial acceptors, and above 450°C the entire homogeneity range lies on the Te-rich side of the stoichiometric composition. Along both the Te-rich and Hg-rich solidus lines the Te content increases with increasing temperature. The value of (p − n) extrapolated to the maximum melting point is about 1·5 × 1019cm−3.
Stable supercontinuum generation in short lengths of conventional dispersion-shifted fiber

By propagating 500-fs pulses through 2.5 m of standard fiber followed by 2 m of dispersion-shifted fiber, we generated >200 nm of spectral continuum between 1430 and 1630 nm, which is flat to less than ±0.5 dB over more than 60 nm. Pulses obtained by filtering the continuum show no increase in timing jitter over the source laser and are pedestal free to >28 dB, indicating excellent stability and coherence. We show that the second- and third-order dispersions of the continuum fiber and self-phase modulation are primarily responsible for the continuum generation and spectral shaping and found close agreement between simulations and experiments.
Evaluation of cracks associated with ultrasonic root-end preparation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the integrity of resected root-end surfaces of extracted human teeth after using ultrasonic tips at low or high frequencies for root-end preparation. Thirty bilaterally matched pairs of single-rooted human teeth had root-end resections using a low-speed diamond saw and were examined for root-end cracks. The matched pairs of teeth were then divided into two experimental groups, with one member of each pair being placed in each group. In group 1, root-end preparations were made with an ultrasonic tip on the lowest frequency setting. The preparations in group 2 were done on the highest power setting. Two investigators again examined the resected root-ends using a stereomicroscope at x20 to x63 and recorded the numbers, types, and location of the cracks. Three types of cracks were observed: canal cracks, intradentin cracks, and cemental cracks. There were significantly more root-ends with cracks after ultrasonic root-end preparation than after root-end resection only. In root-ends that had any cracks, significantly more canal cracks per root occurred when the ultrasonic tip was used on the high-frequency setting for root-end preparation than when the ultrasonic tip was used on the low power setting.
A Novel Method to Probe Membrane Protein Topology Using Unnatural Amino Acid Mutagenesis and Antibody Epitope Tagging

We have developed a novel strategy to probe the topology of membrane proteins in their native bilayer environment. Our technique relies on unnatural amino acid mutagenesis to incorporate p-azido-L-phenlyalanine at a specific site in the expressed target protein. The reactive azido moiety facilitates Staudinger-Bertozzi ligation chemistry to introduce a monoclonal antibody (mAb) epitope-tagged phosphine derivative. This site-specific labeling method allows the flexibility and precision of single codon scanning, and appears to be superior to current biochemical approaches that rely on chemical modifications and/or introduction of epitope tags by mutagenesis. Our approach can be used to identify gross topological determinants for transmembrane proteins of unknown topology as well as to elucidate secondary structural elements with chemical precision. We demonstrate the experimental feasibility of our technique on human C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), a heptahelical transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) of known topology. CCR5 is a major co-receptor for HIV-1 entry into host cells. We labeled CCR5 in membranes with FLAG peptide epitope-phosphine at various sites on the receptor's intra- and extracellular surfaces. The differential reactivity of the FLAG epitope-phosphine reagent for the azido group on the various CCR5 mutants correlated to the known topology of CCR5 and defined specific helical boundaries. We further applied the new label/probe technology to mammalian cells in culture in order to label extracellular sites on surface-expressed CCR5. Our new method appears to be satisfactory to probe membrane protein topology in polytopic membrane proteins and has potential applications in the study of receptor signaling mechanisms in live cells.
Spinal cord neurons are vulnerable to rapidly triggered kainate neurotoxicity in vitro.

Abstract Initial studies found glutamate injury to murine spinal cultures (14–17 days in vitro) to reflect contributions of both NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptors. Subsequent experiments found the spinal cultures to be more sensitive than cortical cultures to injury from prolonged low level kainate exposures, and, unlike cortical cultures, to be significantly damaged by relatively brief (30–60 min) kainate exposures. This rapidly triggered kainate damage to spinal neurons is Ca 2+ -dependent. Also, more than 40% of spinal neurons (in comparison to about 15% of cortical neurons) are subject to kainate-activated Co 2+ uptake (CoPsu2+ (+) neurons), a histochemical technique that labels neurons with Ca 2+ -permeable AMPA/kainate channels. These spinal Co 2+ (+) neurons are very sensitive to Ca 2+ -dependent kainate injury, and show greater kainate-induced elevations in intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations ([Ca 2+ ] i ) than other spinal neurons during low level kainate exposures. Thus, the heightened vulnerability of spinal neurons to kainate toxicity may at least in part reflect the large proportion that possess Ca 2+ permeable AMPA/kainate channels, permitting receptor activation to trigger rapid Ca 2+ influx and overwhelm the cells Ca 2+ homeostatic capabilities.
Measurement and simulation of random vibro-impact responses at brake guide pins

This study firstly conducted measurement of load history profiles at brake guide pins using strain gages subject to random road load history obtained from vehicle durability tests. Then, this study developed a simple mathematical model capable of estimating guide pin load history using the principle of energy conservation for a given road load profile. The model took into account the effect of impact that occurs from a range of acceleration levels and frequency content of the road input. The mathematical model also utilized the measured stiffness of the guide pin specimens and strain versus load relationship to increase the accuracy of the predictions. The estimated loads at a brake guide pin subject to a given random road load history were then computed using the mathematical model and compared to the load history obtained from the measurement. This study also compared cumulative fatigue damages calculated using Smith-Watson-Topper equation with the measured and predicted load profiles at the guide pin. The comparison study showed that the developed simple model is applicable to predict load profiles for fatigue life calculation at brake guide pins.
Use of ethical criteria in medical decision making. Corneal transplantation.

Objectives: To determine for a defined procedure the prevalence of the use of 15 criteria currently or historically relied on to select recipients of scarce medical resources, and to compare this use with the determinations of a report of the American Medical Association Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs identifying many of these criteria as ethically appropriate or inappropriate for such use. Design: Survey. Participants: All US members of a national cornea society were sent survey instruments. Approximately 63% (214/340) responded. Main Outcome Measures: Mean ratings on a scale of 1 to 5 (not important to very important) for each of the allocation criteria with regard to degree of influence on the decision to perform a corneal transplantation. Results: Ethically appropriate criteria tended to receive high overall ratings, and inappropriate criteria, low ratings. Three ethically inappropriate criteria received relatively high ratings: previous use of resources, perceived obstacles to treatment, and contribution of patient to disease. High percentages of respondents applied ratings other than not important to all criteria deemed ethically inappropriate. Conclusions: Certain ethically inappropriate criteria may have been viewed as influencing graft survival and thus thought to have ethically appropriate aspects, mitigating to some degree the aforementioned three ratings. Nonetheless, the study supports the need for standard setting and educational efforts about criteria for the allocation of medical resources to ensure that ethically inappropriate criteria are consciously excluded from decision making and to stimulate discussion and raise consciousness regarding this important issue.
Clustering and dimensionality reduction on Riemannian manifolds

We propose a novel algorithm for clustering data sampled from multiple submanifolds of a Riemannian manifold. First, we learn a representation of the data using generalizations of local nonlinear dimensionality reduction algorithms from Euclidean to Riemannian spaces. Such generalizations exploit geometric properties of the Riemannian space, particularly its Riemannian metric. Then, assuming that the data points from different groups are separated, we show that the null space of a matrix built from the local representation gives the segmentation of the data. Our method is computationally simple and performs automatic segmentation without requiring user initialization. We present results on 2-D motion segmentation and diffusion tensor imaging segmentation.
Design of new materials for environmental control

During the past several years we have pursued a program here at UIUC to tailor the pore size and surface chemistry of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) to greatly increase their efficiency and selectivity for removal of trace contaminants from the environment. In addition we have evolved new ways of preparing the ACFs to sharply reduce their cost (typically ∼$100/lb) to be more competitive with activated carbon granules ($1-2/lb), but also to greatly improve the abrasion resistance of the fibers. This was accomplished by coating glass fibers with a phenolic resin and then activating the coating under a controlled atmosphere to produce a variety of tailored micropores. Using chemically tailored ACFs, we describe major improvements over current activated carbons for adsorption of environmental contaminants.
Demand-driven points-to analysis for Java

We present a points-to analysis technique suitable for environments with small time and memory budgets, such as just-in-time (JIT) compilers and interactive development environments (IDEs). Our technique is demand-driven, performing only the work necessary to answer each query (a request for a variable's points-to information) issued by a client. In cases where even the demand-driven approach exceeds the time budget for a query, we employ early termination, i.e., stopping the analysis prematurely and returning an over-approximated result to the client. Our technique improves on previous demand-driven points-to analysis algorithms [17, 33] by achieving much higher precision under small time budgets and early termination.We formulate Andersen's analysis [5] for Java as a CFL-reachability problem [33]. This formulation shows that Andersen's analysis for Java is a balanced-parentheses problem, an insight that enables our new techniques. We exploit the balanced parentheses structure to approximate Andersen's analysis by regularizing the CFL-reachability problem, yielding an asymptotically cheaper algorithm. We also show how to regain most of the precision lost in the regular approximation as needed through refinement. Our evaluation shows that our regularization and refinement approach achieves nearly the precision of field-sensitive Andersen's analysis in time budgets as small as 2ms per query. Our technique can yield speedups of up to 16x over computing an exhaustive Andersen's analysis for some clients, with little to no precision loss.
What Would It Be Like to Be IBM's Computer, Watson?.

Rachlin (2012) makes two general assertions: (a) “To be human is to behave as humans behave, and to function in society as humans function,” and (b) “essential human attributes such as consciousness, the ability to love, to feel pain, to sense, to perceive, and to imagine may all be possessed by a computer” (p. 1). Although Rachlin's article is an exercise in speculating about what would make us call a computer human, as he admits, it also allows us to contemplate the question of what makes us human. In what follows, I mostly tackle the second general assertion, although I briefly address the first one.
RGD-recognizing integrins mediate interactions of human prostate carcinoma cells with endothelial cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND Interactions of cancer cells with endothelium are a crucial step in metastatic invasion. RGD-recognizing integrins play a definitive role in these interactions. METHODS Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of RGD-sensitive integrins in prostate epithelial cells was performed. Attachment inhibition assay was used to characterize functionality of particular integrins. Potential partners for RGD-binding integrins in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were identified by Western blotting and attachment inhibition assay. To determine the RGD-flanking amino acids optimal for interactions with prostate cell integrins, these cells were biopanned with a phage library. RESULTS Different expressions of RGD-recognizing integrins and distinctions in RGD-dependent adhesion of nonmalignant and cancer cells were observed. Cancer but not control cells were detached from culture plastic by incubation with RGD peptide. Adhesion of carcinoma cells to HUVEC was RGD-sensitive, in contrast to nonmalignant cells. Antibodies against alpha3, alpha5, beta1, and alpha(v)beta3 inhibited interactions of carcinoma cells with HUVEC. Potential ligands for alpha5beta1, alpha3beta1, and alphaVbeta3 integrins, fibronectin, and vitronectin, were detected on the HUVEC surface. Several phages which preferentially bound to the surface of particular prostate cells were selected. CONCLUSIONS Interactions of prostate carcinoma with endothelium are mediated in part via alpha5beta1, alpha3beta1, and alpha(v)beta3 integrins. Because these interactions are RGD-sensitive, synthetic RGD peptides with optimized flanking amino acids can potentially be used as antimetastatic agents.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vif Protein Is Packaged into the Nucleoprotein Complex through an Interaction with Viral Genomic RNA

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vif protein plays a critical role in the production of infectious virions. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of small amounts of Vif in virus particles. However, Vif packaging was assumed to be nonspecific, and its functional significance has been questioned. We now report that packaging of Vif is dependent on the packaging of viral genomic RNA in both permissive and restrictive HIV-1 target cells. Mutations in the nucleocapsid zinc finger domains that abrogate packaging of viral genomic RNA abolished packaging of Vif. Additionally, an RNA packaging-defective virus exhibited significantly reduced packaging of Vif. Finally, deletion of a putative RNA-interacting domain in Vif abolished packaging of Vif into virions. Virion-associated Vif was resistant to detergent extraction and copurified with components of the viral nucleoprotein complex and functional reverse transcription complexes. Thus, Vif is specifically packaged into virions as a component of the viral nucleoprotein complex. Our data suggest that the specific association of Vif with the viral nucleoprotein complex might be functionally significant and could be a critical requirement for infectivity of viruses produced from restrictive host cells.
Dynamic behavior of single-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifiers with instantaneous constant-power loads

Behavior of single-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifiers with instantaneous constant-power loads (CPLs) is described. A second order rectifier filter is used in the analysis. Rectifiers with CPLs may occur in distributed power architectures that are fed by ac sources. CPLs introduce an inverse-voltage term, which could cause output-voltage collapse, and thus render the rectifier system unstable. In particular, stable operation of the rectifier system is dependent on its initial condition and circuit parameters. A necessary condition for stable operation of the rectifier system is, thus, derived. This paper also studies input (power factor) and output characteristics of the rectifier with a CPL, and makes comparisons with the conventional resistive load case. An approximate expression for the output voltage ripple is given for high-enough values of filter capacitance. Furthermore, a more complete mathematical model for the rectifier system is used to incorporate line-voltage distortion. Simulation and experimental results are included for verification.
Do Government Regulations Prevent Transfer Pricing Manipulations

This study investigated the effects of government regulations and incentives on the setting of transfer prices. I found significant main effects of both variables on transfer price choices. Transfer pricing is important, particularly for Multinational Corporations (MNCs), because of increased trends toward globalization of business activities and, simultaneously, decentralization. These trends have led to increased pressures for sound internal pricing systems, specifically transfer pricing, in order for organizations to ensure optimal and efficient allocations of organization resources and to provide profit performance measurements (Tang 1992). It has generally been recognized in the literature that in order to maximize after tax cash flows, MNCs shift profits from high to low tax jurisdictions. Governments in some countries, particularly those with high tax rates, are greatly concerned as to whether or not companies attempt to avoid tax liabilities via transfer pricing manipulation, specifically in terms of trying to shift profits to lower tax jurisdictions, and have enacted laws to limit transfer price choice.
White Lupin as a Protein Source for Layers

Abstract Three feeding experiments were conducted with Single Comb White Leghorn hens to determine the effects of Lupinus albus cv. Ultra on performance. Raw, autoclaved, and extruded lupins were fed at 10 and 20% of the diet for 12 wk in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2 raw and extruded lupins were fed at 10, 15, 20, and 25% of the diet for 16 wk. Raw lupin was fed for 32 wk at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% of the diet in Experiment 3. Average egg weight, egg production (percent hen-day basis), and feed consumption of hens fed lupins were not significantly different (P>.05) from those of hens fed no lupin (basal diet) in Experiments 1 and 2. Haugh unit measurements of eggs from hens fed lupins (Experiment 2) were not significantly different (P> .05) from those of hens fed the basal diet (control). Egg production was depressed (P
What is the role of induction and deduction in reasoning and scientific inquiry

A long-standing and continuing controversy exists regarding the role of induction and deduction in reasoning and in scientific inquiry. Given the inherent difficulty in reconstructing reasoning patterns based on personal and historical accounts, evidence about the nature of human reasoning in scientific inquiry has been sought from a controlled experiment designed to identify the role played by enumerative induction and deduction in cognition as well as from the relatively new field of neural modeling. Both experimental results and the neurological models imply that induction across a limited set of observations plays no role in task performance and in reasoning. Therefore, support has been obtained for Popper's hypothesis that enumerative induction does not exist as a psychological process. Instead, people appear to process information in terms of increasingly abstract cycles of hypothetico-deductive reasoning. Consequently, science instruction should provide students with opportunities to generate and test increasingly complex and abstract hypotheses and theories in a hypothetico-deductive manner. In this way students can be expected to become increasingly conscious of their underlying hypothetico-deductive thought processes, increasingly skilled in their application, and hence increasingly scientifically literate. 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 42: 716-740, 2005 In the words of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1989), ''teaching should be consistent with the nature of scientific inquiry'' (p. 147). Unfortunately, for teachers wanting to do so, controversy persists among scholars regarding the nature of scientific inquiry and its underlying reasoning patterns. For example, Allchin (2003) paints scientific inquiry as '' ... a combination of blind search and selection, and limited induction ... '' whereas Lawson (2003a) counters that scientific inquiry is driven by cycles of hypothetico-deductive reasoning. The recent Allchin/Lawson exchange represents simply another volley in a continuing epistemological battle that can be traced to Greek antiquity. To provide a better sense of this long-standing battle, consider the following list of contrasting claims made by several notable logicians, philosophers, and scientists. Although the list is fairly lengthy, the views expressed are striking, not only because they represent
Adaptive History-Based Memory Schedulers

As memory performance becomes increasingly important to overall system performance, the need to carefully schedule memory operations also increases. This paper presents a new approach to memory scheduling that considers the history of recently scheduled operations. This history-based approach provides two conceptual advantages: (1) it allows the scheduler to better reason about the delays associated with its scheduling decisions, and (2) it allows the scheduler to select operations so that they match the program's mixture of Reads and Writes, thereby avoiding certain bottlenecks within the memory controller. We evaluate our solution using a cycle-accurate simulator for the recently announced IBM Power5. When compared with an in-order scheduler, our solution achieves IPC improvements of 10.9% on the NAS benchmarks and 63% on the data-intensive Stream benchmarks. Using microbenchmarks, we illustrate the growing importance of memory scheduling in the context of CMP's, hardware controlled prefetching, and faster CPU speeds.
Tramadol/acetaminophen combination tablets and codeine/acetaminophen combination capsules for the management of chronic pain: a comparative trial.

Abstract Background: Opioid/acetaminophen (APAP) combination analgesics are widely prescribed for the relief of moderate pain. Tramadol is a synthetic analgesic that has been shown to be effective both alone and in combination with APAP. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of tramadol/APAP tablets with codeine/APAP capsules. Methods: This 4-week, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active-control, double-dummy, multicenter trial compared tramadol/APAP (37.5 mg/325 mg) with codeine/APAP (30 mg/300 mg) for the management of chronic nonmalignant low back pain, osteoarthritis (OA) pain, or both in adults. Pain relief (scale, 0=none to 4=complete) and pain intensity (scale, 0=none to 3=severe) were measured 30 minutes and then hourly for 6 hours after the first daily dose each week. Patients and investigators assessed the efficacy (scale, 1=poor to 5=excellent) of each medication, and patients recorded daily doses of study and rescue medications. Results: A total of 462 patients (mean age, 57.6 years) were randomly assigned to treatment, with 112 (24%) reporting chronic low back pain, 162 (35%) reporting OA pain, and 188 (41%) reporting both low back and OA pain; 309 patients (67%) received tramadol/APAP and 153 (33%) received codeine/APAP. Pain relief and changes in pain intensity were comparable from day 1, as early as 30 minutes after the first dose, and lasted for at least 6 hours. Total pain relief scores (11.9 for tramadol/APAP; 11.4 for codeine/APAP) and sum of pain intensity differences (3.8 for tramadol/APAP; 3.3 for codeine/APAP) were also comparable throughout. Overall assessments of efficacy by patients (mean score 2.9 in each treatment group) and investigators (mean score 3.0 for tramadol/APAP, 2.9 for codeine/APAP) were similar for the 2 treatment groups. Equivalent mean doses (3.5 tablets or capsules daily) and maximum daily doses (5.5 tablets or 5.7 capsules) were used in the 2 treatment groups. The overall incidence of adverse events was comparable, with a significantly higher proportion of patients in the codeine/APAP group reporting somnolence (24% [37/153] vs 17% [54/309], P = 0.05) or constipation (21% [32/153] vs 11% [35/309], P P = 0.08). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that tramadol/APAP tablets (37.5 mg/325 mg) are as effective as codeine/APAP capsules (30 mg/300 mg) in the treatment of chronic nonmalignant low back pain and OA pain and are better tolerated.
Intravenous clonidine produces hypoxemia by a peripheral alpha-2 adrenergic mechanism.

Intravenous injection of the alpha-2 adrenergic agonists, clonidine and xylazine, have been previously shown to produce hypoxemia in sheep. To characterize this effect further, clonidine and ST-91, a clonidine analog that does not cross the blood-brain barrier, were injected i.v. in 10 conscious ewes. Although both clonidine (3-15 micrograms/kg) and ST-91 (3-30 micrograms/kg) produced arterial hypoxemia, clonidine was more effective (arterial PO2 was 91 +/- 4 mm Hg after saline, 30 +/- 3 mm Hg after 15 micrograms/kg of clonidine and 43 +/- 6 mm Hg after 30 micrograms/kg of ST-91; mean +/- S.E., P less than .0001). ST-91 increased mean arterial blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner (P less than .0001), whereas clonidine did not affect blood pressure. Clonidine-induced hypoxemia was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist idazoxan (0.01-1 mg/kg, complete inhibition after 1 mg/kg; P less than .0001), the hydrophilic alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist DG-5128 (0.1-10 mg/kg, 62 +/- 7% inhibition after 10 mg/kg; P less than .0005) and by infusion of prostacyclin (0.15-0.5 microgram/kg/min, 57 +/- 7% inhibition after 0.5 micrograms/kg/min; P less than .05). Hypoxemia was not inhibited by the opiate antagonist naloxone (1 mg/kg), the alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist prazosin (1 mg/kg) or the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor ibuprofen (12.5 mg/kg). To characterize pulmonary vascular effects, clonidine was injected i.v. in four anesthetized, mechanically ventilated ewes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
CVM - A communication virtual machine

The convergence of data, voice, and multimedia communication over digital networks, coupled with continuous improvement in network capacity and reliability has resulted in a proliferation of communication technologies. Unfortunately, despite these new developments, there is no easy way to build new application-specific communication services. The stovepipe approach used today for building new communication services results in rigid technology, limited utility, lengthy and costly development cycle, and difficulty in integration. In this paper, we introduce communication virtual machine (CVM) that supports rapid conception, specification, and automatic realization of new application-specific communication services through a user-centric, model-driven approach. We present the concept, architecture, modeling language, prototypical design, and implementation of CVM in the context of a healthcare application.
Evaluation of a high-volume portable bioaerosol sampler in laboratory and field environments.

UNLABELLED This study investigated the physical and biological performances of a portable centrifugal sampler for viable bioaerosols, RCS High Flow. The performance of the test sampler in the laboratory and field environments was compared with that of a reference sampler, BioSampler. The laboratory experiments with non-biological particles of KCl, oleic acid, and polystyrene latex showed that the test sampler's collection efficiency is about 22% for 0.5-microm particles, 48% for 1.0-microm particles, and approximately 100% for particles of 2.5 microm and larger. These tests indicated that the sampler's cut-off size (d50) was 1.1 microm. The test sampler's physical performance when collecting the spores and vegetative cells of Bacillus subtilis var. niger (BG) was similar to that when collecting non-biological particles of the same size. In the laboratory tests, the RCS High Flow sampler was found to enumerate approximately 40% of BG spores and cells relative to the reference sampler, BioSampler. A similar ratio was found during testing in an indoor environment. This ratio decreased to below 10% when testing was performed in an outdoor environment. We hypothesize that the test sampler's underperformance compared with the BioSampler could be caused by the damage to sensitive microorganisms during the collection process, test sampler's sensitivity to wind direction and speed as well as break-up of particle aggregates during the impingement process in BioSampler, which resulted in more colony-forming units (CFUs) being counted by the reference sampler than by the test sampler. Overall, when the RCS High Plus is used to sample culturable airborne microorganisms, the results obtained may have to be adjusted to avoid potential underestimation of microorganism concentration in the air. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The laboratory testing of the RCS High Flow bioaerosol sampler showed that the sampler collects 1 microm particles and larger with an efficiency of 50% and higher; the efficiency reaches approximately 100% for particles of 2.5 microm and larger. When considering this result, most of the airborne fungal spores would be collected with an efficiency between 50 and 100%. The field testing, however, indicated that the RCS High Flow sampler recovered from 41 to 71% of microorganisms collected relative to the reference sampler, Biosampler, and this ratio dropped to below 5% during outdoor testing. Thus, while the RCS High Flow sampler offers certain advantages over other samplers for viable bioaerosols--it is lightweight, battery operated, and collects viable microorganisms at a high flow rate directly on agar media, the results obtained may have to be adjusted to avoid potential underestimation of microorganism concentration in the air, especially if sampling is performed outdoors.
Electrokinetic Phenomena and Surface Characteristics of Fly Ash Particles

The zeta-potentials of two fly ashes were studied (high-calcium and low-calcium). It was found that they possess a point of charge reversal at pH = 10.5 to 12. The point of zero charge (low-calcium fly ash) was found to be at pH = 5. Furthermore, it shifted to more acidic values after the fly ash is aged in several calcium-containing solutions. The surficial changes that could happen when mixing fly ashes with cement and concrete were further evaluated by aging fly ashes in different solutions: Ca(OH) 2 , CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O, NaOH and water solutions. Information from analyses for different ionic species in the solutions and characterization of the solid residues (XRD and SEM) was used in tentative explanations for the different behavior of the two types of fly ash in cementitious mixtures and concrete.
Comparison of eye position versus computer identified microcalcification clusters on mammograms

The purpose of this study was to compare identifications of microcalcification clusters on mammograms by a computerized detection scheme and by human observers having their eye position recorded. Eighty digitized mammograms (half with a subtle microcalcification cluster) were analyzed by a computerized detection scheme and then were read from laser-printed films by six mammographers while eye position was recorded. The computer had 83% true positives with a false-positive rate of 0.5 per image. The true positives of the radiologists ranged from 78% to 90%, with false-positive rates ranging from 0.03 to 0.20. Locations of true and false positives identified by computer and by the human were compared. All but 5% of the true clusters were identified by either the computer, human, or by both. Here 10% of the clusters were detected by only the computer, and 11% were missed by the computer but detected by at least one radiologist. False positives were of three types: identified by computer only, by the human reader only, or by both. Eye-position data indicated significant differences in dwell time between both true-positive and false-positive locations reported by the radiologist versus the computer detections. A follow-up analysis indicated that microcalcification clusters and false positives were judged to have more identifiable characteristics of true calcifications and were associated with longer gaze durations than those with fewer microcalcification characteristics. In general, the computer was able to detect clusters judged to have few or no features that the radiologists were not able to detect. Comparison of computer versus human identification of microcalcification clusters may be useful for improving computerized detection schemes to serve as clinical aids to mammographers, and for understanding what image features lead to false-positive decisions for both the computer and the human reader.
Contemporary Instructor-Librarian Collaboration: A Case Study of an Online Embedded Librarian Implementation

This paper reports the results of a case study evaluation of an embedded librarian project at a large, land-grant, research institution. The case is comprised of learners who are full-time academic health care professionals enrolled in an online graduate educational technology program. The mixed methods methodology focused on assessing the embedded librarian's impact upon the information literacy competency of the participants. Results support the documented literature by indicating that embedded librarians are of value to online students. The course instructor's experience with the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the embedded librarian project are emphasized in the presentation, providing unique faculty insight into collaborating with librarians. Recommendations for the assessment of embedded librarian projects include the need for future studies to investigate various contexts and the use of other methodologies to provide stronger empirical evidence.
The Human T-Cell Receptor

Recent studies using cloned antigen-specific T lymphocytes and monoclonal antibodies directed at their various surface glycoprotein components have led to the identification of the human T-cell antigen receptor as a surface complex comprised of a clonotypic 90-kD Ti heterodimer and the invariant 20- and 25-kD T3 molecules. Approximately 30,000–40,000 Ti and T3 molecules exist on the surface of human T lymphocytes. These glycoproteins are acquired and expressed during late thymic ontogeny, thus providing the structural basis for immunologic competence. The α and β subunits of Ti bear no precursor-product relationship to one another and are encoded by separate genes. Moreover, the presence of unique peptides following proteolysis of different Ti molecules isolated by non-cross-reactive anticlonotypic monoclonal antibodies supports the notion that variable regions exist within both the α and the β subunits. N-Terminal amino acid sequencing and molecular cloning of the Ti β subunit further show that it bears an homology to the first V-region framework of immunoglobulin light chains and represents the product of a gene that rearranges specifically in T lymphocytes. Triggering of the T3-Ti receptor complex gives rise to specific antigen-induced proliferation through an autocrine pathway involving endogenous IL-2 production, release, and subsequent binding to IL-2 receptors. The implications of these findings for understanding human T-cell growth and its regulation in disease states are discussed.
The Relationship between Particulate Chemistry and Air Masses in Southern Indiana

Abstract The particulate characteristics of the surface layer of the atmosphere over a region of southwest Indiana were determined for forty-two 24-hour periods between September 1985 and April 1986. The water-soluble sulfate, chloride and sodium content of particles classified into mass median diameters (MMD) of 7, 3.3, 2, 1.1 μm and less than 1.1 μm, was related to different air masses. Atmospheric concentrations of chloride and sodium and the S/Cl and Na/Cl ratios in particles with MMD greater than or equal to 3.3 μm were used to differentiate between maritime and continental air masses. Maritime, compared to continental, air masses had higher concentrations of sulfate in all particle sizes. Both synoptic situations had high concentrations of sulfate-bearing particles with MMD 3.3 μm particle chloride and sodium were primarily due to sea-salt particles and that the MMD < 1.1 μm and some of the MMD 7 μm sulfate particles in g...
Double-Weighted Sales Factor for Alabama

Congress and the U.S. Constitution impose no single apportionment method that all states must follow. The states have wide latitude in developing their apportionment formulas. The apportionment of business income for state tax purposes is a major consideration in maintaining the fairness of business taxation and encouraging business investment. This paper looks at the issues involved in deciding whether Alabama should change its apportionment formula to one that doubleweights the sales factor.
Research Note: Relative Profitability of Acute Care Hospital Services

"This research note categorizes medical services provided by acute care hospital according to their relative profitability (i.e., relatively profitable, relatively unprofitable, or variably profitable). The categorization is based on interviews with relevant experts as well as reviews of published research, policy reports, trade journals, and popular press. The different methods of characterizing services yield similar results." *Supplement to "Making Profits and Providing Care: Comparing Nonprofit, For-Profit and Government Hospitals"
Potentiation of Polymyxin B Toxicity by ACTH.

SummaryAn in vitro technic has been used to detect the interaction of various basic substances (ACTH, polymyxin, clupein and neomycin) with heparin, an acidic mucopolysaccharide of the tissues. It was observed that substances effectively interacting with heparin in this in vitro system markedly potentiated the toxicity of polymyxin B in vivo. It has been suggested that polymyxin tolerance is dependent on an ion exchange function of heparin-like constituents of the tissues and that the capacity for tolerance can be reduced by substances which have a strong affinity for these heparin-like constituents.
Artificial Insemination of the Boll Weevil

When the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, was artificially inseminated by a new technique, fertile eggs were obtained from 68.7% of the females; however, the number that laid fertile eggs dropped quickly over a 2-week period. Not as many spermatozoa reached the spermathecae of artificially inseminated females, and the spermatozoa were apparently not as active as those of normally inseminated females. The presence of active spermatozoa in the copulatory pouch stimulated egg production and normal oviposition behavior. The behavior of females artificially inseminated with only male accessory gland material was indistinguishable from that of virgin females.
Respiratory Failure in Congenital Heart Disease

Infants and children with congenital heart disease (CHD) present unique difficulties when they develop respiratory failure, either as a consequence of their heart disease, in relation to cardiac surgery, or from infectious causes. Extensive cardiac surgical repairs are now being performed on younger infants with complex anatomy and physiology. The evolution of cardiac surgical technique and perioperative management has revealed the importance of subtle interactions between respiratory physiology and hemodynamic performance.