cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An area/performance comparison of subtractive and multiplicative divide/square root implementations

The implementations of division and square root in the FPU's of current microprocessors are based on one of two categories of algorithms. Multiplicative techniques, exemplified by the Newton-Raphson method and Goldschmidt's algorithm, share functionality with the floating-point multiplier. Subtractive methods, such as the many variations of radix-4 SRT, generally use dedicated, parallel hardware. These different approaches give rise to the distinct area and performance characteristics which are explored in this paper. Area comparisons are derived from measurements of commercial and academic hardware implementations. Representative divide/square root implementations are paired with typical add-multiply structures and simulated, using data from current microprocessor and arithmetic coprocessor designs, to obtain performance estimates. The results suggest that subtractive implementations offer a superior balance of area and performance, and stand to benefit most decisively from improvements in technology and growing transistor budgets due to their parallel operation. Multiplicative methods lend themselves best to situations where hardware re-use is mandated due to area or architectural constraints. >
Insulin-Like Growth Factors I and II Peptide and Messenger RNA Levels in Macrosomic Infants of Diabetic Pregnancies

OBJECTIVE Fetal macrosomia is a common complication of maternal diabetes mellitus and is associated with substantial morbidity, but the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms that induce fetal macrosomia are not well understood. We hypothesized that the macrosomia or accelerated fetal growth seen in infants of diabetic mothers is due to a perturbation of a putative placental-fetal growth axis involving growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors. Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) are ubiquitous peptides that share structural homology with insulin and have been implicated in processes that control fetal growth. Studies of IGF levels in pregnancies complicated by diabetes and macrosomia have shown conflicting results. We set out to resolve these inconsistencies using molecular techniques to measure the placental IGF-I and IGF-II messenger RNA levels in placentas and a specific radioimmunoassay to measure IGF-I and IGF-II peptide levels in cord serum of normal and diabetic pregnancies. METHODS Placentas and cord blood were collected immediately after delivery at term from patients from each of three study groups: 1) nonmacrosomic infants of nondiabetic mothers (controls), 2) macrosomic infants of diabetic mothers, and 3) nonmacrosomic infants of diabetic mothers. Both IGF-I and IGF-II levels were measured in cord serum and placental tissue by a specific radioimmunoassay. Total RNA was extracted and analyzed by Northern gels hybridized to IGF-I or IGF-II riboprobes. RESULTS Levels of IGF-I in cord serum from the macrosomic diabetic group (83 +/- 4.2 ng/mL) were significantly higher than levels from either the nonmacrosomic nondiabetic group (38 +/- 1.9 ng/mL) or the nonmacrosomic diabetic group (13 +/- 3.5 ng/mL). There was a direct linear correlation between cord serum IGF-I and infant birth weight, independent of diabetes (r2 = 0.61, P < .01). On the other hand, IGF-II cord serum levels were elevated in diabetic pregnancies (337 +/- 12.2 ng/mL) compared with nondiabetic women (172 +/- 19.8 ng/mL), but there was no correlation with birth weight (r2 = 0.035, P = .52). In contrast to cord blood levels, IGF-II peptide levels were significantly decreased in the placentas from mothers with diabetes compared with nondiabetic controls (116 +/- 3.2 versus 158 +/- 5.3 ng/mL, respectively). Levels of IGF-I peptide in placentas from both nondiabetic controls and diabetic mothers were below the sensitivity of the assay. Levels of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA did not differ in placentas from diabetic mothers versus nondiabetic controls. CONCLUSION Cord serum IGF-II levels are elevated in diabetic pregnancies without a concomitant increase in placental IGF-II levels. This novel finding, combined with the finding that IGF-I levels are correlated with macrosomia independent of the diabetic state, contributes to our understanding of the possible mechanisms involved in fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by diabetes.
Clusters and cosmology

Abstract Rich clusters of galaxies, the largest virialized systems known, place powerful constraints on cosmology. Some of the fundamental questions that can be addressed with clusters of galaxies include: What is the mass-density of the universe? and how is the mass distributed? We show that several independent methods utilizing clusters of galaxies – cluster mass-to-light ratio, baryon fraction in clusters, and cluster evolution – all indicate the same robust result: the mass-density of the universe is low, Ω m ≃0.25 , and the mass approximately traces light on large scales. Combining the cluster results with recent observations of high-redshift supernovae and the cosmic microwave background anisotropy spectrum indicates a remarkable consistency among these independent, nearly orthogonal methods; the combined results, presented in a cosmic triangle plot, suggest a universe that is lightweight, is accelerating, and is flat.
Long-term collaboration between university and industry: A case study of nanotechnology development in Japan

Abstract Much has been studied about university–industry collaboration, with the past studies almost exclusively focused on the explicit outputs out of university, such as patents, publications, licensing, and spin-offs. This article examines the little researched aspect of less explicit and more informal collaboration through two cases of nanotechnology development in Japan. The cases reveal that university and industry collaborate at a deep level, integrates various disciplines of knowledge, and university functions as a hub to develop networks of researchers, and to train corporate researchers to acquire the epistemological thinking process, much more than to transfer technologies. These findings sharply contrast with the conventional theoretical understanding of university–industry collaboration based on the linear model of development. It also provides policy implications to promote more substantial collaboration between university and industry beyond explicit intellectual property outputs.
Pulmonary carcinoid associated with a parathormone producing melanoma.

. A rare presentation of hypercalcemia secondary to the probable ectopic production of parathormone by a malignant melanoma associated with a pulmonary carcinoid is discussed. We suggest the association of melanoma with multiple endocrine neoplasia.
Training for percutaneous umbilical blood sampling during Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowship in the United States.

Objective To describe the rates of percutaneous umbilical blood sampling(PUBS) training in United States Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowships. Study Design We performed an online survey of MFM fellows in all 3 years of fellowship regarding their PUBS training experience. Results Of the 143 surveys, 87 (61%) were completed. The median number of PUBS performed was 1 (range 0–50) with a median of 5 (range 0–50) expected to be performed by fellowship completion. In all, 75 (86%) plan on performing PUBS after completion of fellowship. Of those, 53 (71%) do not expect to perform as many PUBS as they themselves consider the minimum number to achieve competency. There appears to regional variation in training opportunities. Conclusion Training for PUBS in MFM fellowships appears to be limited in many portions of the country. Most fellows planning on performing PUBS in practice will not have performed the self-described minimum number needed for competence during fellowship. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(aryl ether amides): Self polymerization of an A-B monomer via amide-activated ether synthesis

A synthetic approach for the preparation of poly(aryl ether amides) has been developed where the generation of an aryl ether linkage was the polymer-forming reaction. The amide moiety was found to be sufficiently electron withdrawing to activate halosubstituents, towards nucleophilic aromatic substitution polymerizations, analogous to conventional activating groups (i.e, sulfone, ketone etc.). Several new A-B monomers, 4-fluoro-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzamide, 1, and 4-fluoro-N-(3-hydroxyphenyl)benzamide, 2, which contain both an amide-activated fluoro group and a phenol group were prepared and their self polymerization studied. Compounds 1 and 2 were prepared by the condensation of 4-fluorobenzoyl chloride with either 4-or 3-aminophenol, respectively. The polymerizations were carried out in an N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)/N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone (CHP) solvent mixture in the presence of potassium carbonate. Several new high molecular weight poly(aryl ethers) were prepared by this route with Tg's in the 225 °C range.
Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of nocturnal asthma

Nocturnal wheezing is a major component of asthma. This article reviews the many factors (allergen exposure, sleep, airway cooling, diminished clearance of mucous secretions) that have been identified as contributing to nocturnal asthma. Also discussed are recent data suggesting that diurnal variations in hormone concentrations and in autonomic nervous system control are possible mechanisms of nocturnal asthma. Decreased epinephrine secretion and increased vagal tone during sleep not only cause airway obstruction but may also enhance bronchial reactivity. These changes in the modulation of airway smooth muscle tone produce bronchial obstruction, which, in turn, accentuates ventilation-perfusion mismatch and increases hypoxia.
Retinal Detachment and Pseudophakia

A consecutive series of pseudophakic retinal detachments was statistically compared with a matched group of aphakic retinal detachments. Distribution of breaks, anatomic results, and final visual acuities were tabulated. Success in reattachment was equal in the two groups, but final visual acuities were better in the aphakic group. Emphasis was placed on the intraoperative ophthalmoscopic examination of pseudophakic eyes with compromised peripheral fundus visibility.
POU domain genes are differentially expressed in the early stages after lineage commitment of the PNS-derived stem cell line, RT4-AC

RT4 is a family of cell lines derived from a rat peripheral neurotumor and consists of a multipotential stem cell which spontaneously gives rise to a glial derivative and two neuronal derivatives. To begin to understand the role(s) of transcription factors in neural differentiation, we examined the expression of ten transcription factor genes (MASH1, REST/NRSF, Oct-1, Oct-2, Tst-1/SCIP, Brn-1, Brn-2, Brn-3.0, Brn-4, Brn-5) in the RT4 cell lines. We report here that all of the RT4 cells express REST/NRSF, Oct-1 and Brn-5, but do not express MASH1, Brn-3.0 or Brn-4. Furthermore, Brn-2 and Tst-1/SCIP expression was restricted to the RT4 stem cell line and glial derivative, while Oct-2 was expressed predominantly by the RT4 stem cell line and neuronal derivatives. We propose that the lack of expression of MASH1 (which is expressed relatively early in autonomic neuron differentiation) and Brn-3.0 (which is expressed early in sensory neuron differentiation), in combination with the presence of REST/NRSF (a repressor of neuronal gene expression), in all of the RT4 cell lines, establishes the RT4 system as a unique model for examining very early events in neuronal versus glial cell fate determination.
Immunohistochemical localization of TRH in rat CNS: Comparison with RIA studies ☆

Abstract The localization of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) in rat brain determined by use of avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase histochemistry was compared with the distribution and quantitation by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Male Sprague-Dawley rats received intracisternal injections of 100 μg of colchicine or saline and were sacrificed 24 hours later. Brains were either perfused with lysine-periodate fixative and processed for TRH immunohistochemistry or were dissected into 9 brain regions for TRH RIA. In colchicine pretreated rats, TRH immunoreactive perikarya were observed only in nuclei of the hypothalamus and brain stem. No cell body staining was observable in non-colchicine treated rats. With the exception of the olfactory bulb, brain regions exhibiting dense TRH staining contained high concentrations of TRH as measured by RIA. Colchicine pretreatment did not alter the concentration of TRH in most brain regions, however, there was a significant increase in brain stem TRH content 24 hours following colchicine administration. These findings indicate that immunohistochemical localization of TRH corresponds well with endogenous concentrations of TRH determined by RIA.
Computing the generalized singular value decomposition on the Connection Machine

A new algorithm for computing the generalized singular value decomposition that diagonalizes two matrices is introduced. First two existing algorithms are studied one due to Paige and the other to Han and Veselic. The former requires only orthogonal plane transformations resulting in two matrices with parallel rows. The latter employs nonsingular (not necessarily orthogonal) transformations to directly diagonalize the two data matrices. For many applications it is preferable to be given both the diagonal matrices and the txansformation matrices explicitly. Our algorithm has the advantages that the nonsingular transformation is readily available computation of transformations is simple convergence test is efficient in a parallel computing environment and the condition of each nonsingular transformation can be controlled. We present implementation results obtained on a Connection Machine 2 to compare our new algorithm with that of Paige.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Impact of Language in Job Advertising on Fair Practices in Hiring: A Research Note

This experiment investigated the effects of sex-biased language in job advertisements on subjects' reported interest in applying for the advertised positions. Booklets containing 12 advertisments, 4 experimental and 8 control, were distributed to 176 high school seniors. The four experimental advertisements varied across three experimental conditions: sex-biased, sex-unbiased, and sex-reversed. Results of X2 analyses indicate that significantly more subjects express interest in applying for stereotypically “opposite sex” jobs in the sex-reversed condition than in the sex-biased condition. These findings support previous research by Bem and Bem (1973) and have implications for affirmative action programs.
Formulations and dosage requirements for theophylline in the treatment of asthma

SummaryTheophylline has been marketed in many formulations. Fixed-dose combinations with ephedrine have been popular, but synergistic toxicity with only a modest degree of added effect has been demonstrated. The formulation of theophylline with strong bases as so-called ‘salts’ has been inappropriately claimed to improve absorption and/or decrease adverse effects, and stable theophylline derivatives such as dihydroxypropyl-theophylline (diprophylline) are less effective bronchodilators. The high degree of efficacy recently demonstrated for theophylline in controlling symptoms of chronic asthma has resulted from an appreciation of the relationship between the maintenance of serum theophylline concentrations within a defined therapeutic range of 10 to 20 μg/ml, the need to individualize dosage because of variable rates of elimination, and the appreciation of the relationship between formulation and absorption of oral theophylline. Single-dose bioavailability studies in adults have confirmed the inherently c...
Partitioning of polystyrene latex spheres in immiscible critical liquid mixtures.

We have made a systematic survey of the behavior of colloidal polystyrene latex spheres (PLS's) in critical mixtures of 2,6-lutidine plus water at temperatures where the liquid mixture separates into two immiscible phases. By varying the particle size, particle-surface charge density, and global PLS's concentration, we observe a robust and reversible set of phenomena that include the partitioning of the particles into a preferred phase at temperatures close to ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ with a subsequent population of the interface between the liquid phases as the temperature is quenched deeper into the two-phase region. These results are shown to be in good qualitative agreement with thermodynamic models if the models are extended to include the singular temperature dependence of the particle-liquid and liquid-liquid interactions near the critical point. We also observe crystalline ordering of particles on the interface when the population of PLS's on the liquid-liquid interface is high.
Quantum integral cross-section and rate constant of the O(1D) + H2 → OH + H reaction on a new potential energy surface

Abstract Using a Chebyshev wave packet method, initial state specified ( v i =0, j i =0) integral cross-section (over 0–0.9 eV) and rate constant (over 0–1500 K) are obtained for the title reaction on a new potential energy surface that has an accurate representation of the asymptotic regions. All partial wave contributions up to J =67 were calculated explicitly within the coupled states approximation. The rate constant confirms the validity of quasi-classical trajectory results, and both are in reasonably good agreement with experiment.
The role of BIS/BAS in the vulnerability for depression in adolescent girls

Abstract Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST), the original (i.e. Gray, 1982 ) or revised ( Gray & McNaughton, 2000 ), has yet to be used as a framework for investigating vulnerability to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescents. The present study employed a high-risk design to examine whether aberrant BIS-FFFS/BAS activity was similarly present in both depressed girls and girls at high risk for depression. Methods N = 85 age-matched biological daughters of mothers with differential MDD status: (a) MDD ( n = 17), (b) high-risk ( n = 34), and (c) healthy controls ( n = 34) completed measures of the BIS/BAS, depression, and anxiety. Results MDD girls scored significantly higher on BIS than healthy controls but not high-risk girls, and the high-risk and control groups did not differ. No group differences were found on BAS or FFFS-Fear. Conclusions Elevated BIS was not identified as a vulnerability factor for MDD; however, it does distinguish depressed adolescents from healthy controls.
The veil of public ignorance

Abstract A theory of cooperative choice under incomplete information is developed in which agents possess private information at the time of contracting and have agreed on a utilitarian “standard of evaluation” governing choices under complete information. The task is to extend this standard to situations of incomplete information. Our first main result generalizes Harsanyi's (J. Polit. Econ. 63 (1955) 309) classical result to situations of incomplete information, assuming that group preferences satisfy Bayesian Coherence and Interim Pareto Dominance. These axioms are mutually compatible if and only if a common prior exists. We argue that this result partly resolves the impossibility of Bayesian preference aggregation under complete information.
Action Potentials that Go the Distance

Abstract Dendrodendritic inhibition between mitral and granule cells in the olfactory bulb is thought to play an important role in olfactory discrimination. In this issue of Neuron , Xiong and Chen (2002) explore the propagation of action potentials along the secondary dendrites of mitral cells and their modulation by dendrodendritic inhibition.
Multiple Dietary Nutrients and Blood Pressure in Urban Adolescents at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Multiple Dietary Nutrients and Blood Pressure in Urban Adolescents at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Clearing Tau Pathology with Aβ Immunotherapy—Reversible and Irreversible Stages Revealed

The report by Oddo and colleagues in this issue of Neuron demonstrates for the first time that clearance of amyloid also results in the removal of early-stage tau pathology in mice that develop both amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), the two hallmark lesions of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This result supports a primary role for Aβ in AD etiology.
Data Sources to Estimate Local Area Supply and Demand for Nurses

This paper examines existing data sources that can be used to estimate the local supply and demand for registered nurses (RNs). An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of these data is provided.
Controlling mammalian cell interactions on patterned polyelectrolyte multilayer surfaces.

A newly discovered class of cell resistant surfaces, specifically engineered polyelectrolyte multilayers, was patterned with varying densities of adhesion ligands to control attachment of mammalian cells and to study the effects of ligand density on cell activity. Cell adhesive patterns were created on cell resistant multilayer films composed of poly(acrylic acid) and polyacrylamide through polymer-on-polymer stamping of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) PAH and subsequent reaction of the amine functional groups with an adhesion ligand containing RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp). These cell patterns demonstrated great promise for long-term applications since they remained stable for over 1 month, unlike ethylene glycol functional surfaces. By changing the stamping conditions of PAH, it was possible to alter the number of available functional groups in the patterned regions, and as a result, control the ligand density. Cell spreading, morphology, and cytoskeletal organization were compared at four different RGD densities. T...
Determination of blood plasma fluorescence extinction coefficients for dyes used in three-compartment binding model

A three-compartment kinetic model for the binding of a ligand to its receptor in tumor tissue has been explained and the kinetic rates of the model are currently being investigated. In order to determine the plasma excretion rates of the dyes of interest, the fluorescence extinction coefficients must be determined. The fluorescence extinction coefficients of the IRDye700DX-carboxylate (IRDye700DX-C) and IRDye800CW-conjugated to EGFR (IRDye800CW-EGF) have been to be 7.98 ×106 μM-1 cm-1 and 4.73x106 μM-1 cm-1, respectively. We determined that the linear range of these dyes in the blood plasma of a mouse was 0 - 0.26 μM. Administration of 1 nmol of each of these dyes to a mouse weighing 25-30g (0.04 μM - 0.033 μM, respectively) will result in blood plasma fluorescence in the linear and readable range.
Role of trace amounts of water in transfers of hydrophilic and hydrophobic ions to low-polarity organic solvents.

The effect of water content in a low polarity organic phase on transfers of hydrophobic and hydrophilic ions across the liquid/liquid interface was investigated by nanopipet voltammetry. It was shown recently (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 15019) that hydrophilic ions can be transferred to less polar solvents such as 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) only in the presence of organic counterions that facilitate such processes. The addition of trace amounts of water to neat DCE induces the transfers of hydrophilic ions but practically does not affect the transfers of hydrophobic species. Although the conductivity of neat DCE decreases upon addition of water to it, the rates of hydrophilic ion transfers increase markedly with increasing concentration of water in organic phase. This observation suggests different transfer mechanisms for hydrophobic and hydrophilic ions: while the former are transferred directly into neat organic solvents, the latter can only be transferred to aqueous clusters dispersed in organic phase.
Guidelines for the field evaluation of desert tortoise health and disease.

Field evaluation of free-ranging wildlife requires the systematic documentation of a variety of environmental conditions and individual parameters of health and disease, particularly in the case of rare or endangered species. In addition, defined criteria are needed for the humane salvage of ill or dying animals. The purpose of this paper is to describe, in detail, the preparation, procedures, and protocols we developed and tested for the field evaluation of wild desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). These guidelines describe: preparations for the field, including developing familiarity with tortoise behavior and ecology, and preparation of standardized data sheets; journal notes to document background data on weather conditions, temperature, rainfall, locality, and historic and recent human activities; procedures to prevent the spread of disease and parasites; data sheets for live tortoises to record tortoise identification, location, sex, body measurements and activity; health profile forms for documen...
Unique Impact of RB Loss on Hepatic Proliferation TUMORIGENIC STRESSES UNCOVER DISTINCT PATHWAYS OF CELL CYCLE CONTROL

The retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor pathway is disrupted at high frequency in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the mechanisms through which RB modulates physiological responses in the liver remain poorly defined. Despite the well established role of RB in cell cycle control, the deletion of RB had no impact on the kinetics of cell cycle entry or the restoration of quiescence during the course of liver regeneration. Although these findings indicated compensatory effects from the RB-related proteins p107 and p130, even the dual deletion of RB with p107 or p130 failed to deregulate hepatic proliferation. Furthermore, although these findings suggested a modest role for the RB-pathway in the context of proliferative control, RB loss had striking effects on response to the genotoxic hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine. With diethylnitrosamine, RB deletion resulted in inappropriate cell cycle entry that facilitated secondary genetic damage and further uncoupling of DNA replication with mitotic entry. Analysis of the mechanism underlying the differential impact of RB status on liver biology revealed that, while liver regeneration is associated with the conventional induction of cyclin D1 expression, the RB-dependent cell cycle entry, occurring with diethylnitrosamine treatment, was independent of cyclin D1 levels and associated with the specific induction of E2F1. Combined, these studies demonstrate that RB loss has disparate effects on the response to unique tumorigenic stresses, which is reflective of distinct mechanisms of cell cycle entry.
Creativity, magic and morality: The dilemma of the young gifted child

(1978). Creativity, magic and morality: The dilemma of the young gifted child. Roeper Review: Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 14-18.
Hearing loss and visco-elasticity of middle ear fluid.

Summary It has been suggested that the physical properties of middle ear effusion—its viscosity and elasticity—affect the degree of conductive impairment. Exogenous mucus having substantial visco-elasticity was instilled in the bullae of guinea pigs, and the resulting hearing loss was determined by measurements of the cochlear microphonic potential. In this preparation the hearing loss induced by mucus did not differ significantly from that found when the bulla was filled with saline. We find no evidence of a relationship between visco-elasticity of middle ear fluid and amount of conductive impairment.
XML-Based Integration of Design, Analysis and Manufacturing

The integration of design, analysis and manufacturing is a challenging issue in product development. Much research focuses on creating data exchange standards such as STL, IGES, EDI, and STEP etc. However, these standards are not ideal in data exchange and communication via the Web. In this paper, a unified framework based on XML was created to integrate design, analysis, and manufacturing. The structures of DTDs and XML files of geometric design, finite element analysis and NC machining were developed. Key technologies of supporting the XML-based integration and information communication, such as DOM, SAX and SOAP etc. were discussed. XML-based integration will shorten the development cycle, save costs in product development, and finally improve the competitive capability in the global competition of product development.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Learning Curve Spillovers and Market Performance

This paper examines the effect of learning curve spillovers on market structure and performance. We derive a simple characterization of the "true" marginal cost for a broad class of learning curves, and use calculated examples to show that spillovers substantially undercut the barriers to entry erected by proprietary learning. Unlike the case of cost-reducing research and development, spillovers also tend to improve market performance; the increased efficiency of the industrywide reduction process typically outweighs the decrease in firms' incentives to reduce costs by expanding output.
Question of Blackbody Radiation in Inclusive Reactions in the Wee-x Region

The one-particle distribution function in the wee-$x$ region is derived in the diffractive-excitation model. The result describes very well the "isotropy" and "Bose-Einstein" distribution of the 11.8-GeV/c ${K}^{+}p$ data on inclusive reactions in that region. There is no need for the postulation of "blackbody radiation." It is shown that the phenomenon should disappear at asymptotic energies.
Free Radicals Within the Antarctic Vortex: The Role of CFCs in Antarctic Ozone Loss

How strong is the case linking global release of chlorofluorocarbons to episodic disappearance of ozone from the Antarctic stratosphere each austral spring? Three lines of evidence defining a link are (i) observed containment in the vortex of ClO concentrations two orders of magnitude greater than normal levels; (ii) in situ observations obtained during ten high-altitude aircraft flights into the vortex as the ozone hole was forming that show a decrease in ozone concentrations as ClO concentrations increased; and (iii) a comparison between observed ozone loss rates and those predicted with the use of absolute concentrations of ClO and BrO, the rate-limiting radicals in an array of proposed catalytic cycles. Recent advances in our understanding of the kinetics, photochemistry, and structural details of key intermediates in these catalytic cycles as well as an improved absolute calibration for ClO and BrO concentrations at the temperatures and pressures encountered in the lower antarctic stratosphere have been essential for defining the link.
Femoral morphology and cross-sectional geometry of adult myostatin- deficient mice

GDF-8, also known as myostatin, is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of secreted growth and differentiation factors that is expressed in vertebrate skeletal muscle. Myostatin functions as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth and myostatin null mice show a doubling of muscle mass compared with normal mice. We examined femoral morphology of adult myostatin-deficient mice to assess the effects of muscle fiber hypertrophy and hyperplasia on bone shape and cross-sectional geometry. Femora of age- and weight-matched adult mice homozygous for the disrupted myostatin sequence were compared with those of wild-type controls (n = 8 per group). Results show that, as was the case in previous studies, myostatin null mice have hindlimb muscle masses that are approximately double those of controls. Myostatin-deficient mice exhibit third trochanters that are significantly larger than those of controls, whereas the femoral midshafts of the control and experimental mice do not differ significantly from one another in cortical area, bending moment of inertia, and polar moment of inertia. Our findings indicate that the increased muscle mass of myostatin-deficient mice primarily affects sites of muscle insertion, but does not induce additional cortical bone deposition in the diaphysis relative to controls. We therefore conclude that the expanded third trochanters of myostatin-deficient subjects result from tendon and Sharpey fiber expansion associated with muscle growth rather than cortical bone deposition in response to increased levels of mechanical stress.
Orbital Decompression as an Alternative Management Strategy for Patients with Benign Tumors Located at the Orbital Apex

Purpose Tumors located in the intraconal portion of the orbital apex, especially those inferior to the optic nerve, can be difficult to access surgically, carrying a significant risk of ocular morbidity. The purpose of this study was to investigate outcomes in 5 patients with benign-appearing but symptomatic tumors located in the intraconal portion of the orbital apex in which orbital decompression was performed as an alternative management strategy to resection. Design Retrospective interventional case series. Participants Five patients were diagnosed with a compressive optic neuropathy secondary to a benign-appearing tumor at the orbital apex. Intervention Each patient underwent surgical decompression of the affected orbit. None of the patients had the tumor biopsied or resected. Main Outcome Measures Best-corrected visual acuity (VA), pupillary responses, visual fields (VFs), color vision, and orbital imaging. Results Each of the patients demonstrated improvement in visual function, as measured by VA, VFs, and, in some cases, color vision. One patient required a second orbital decompression for recurrent optic neuropathy 4 years after the initial decompression. Complications included ptosis and enophthalmos in 2 patients and diplopia in the extreme right gaze in 1 patient. Conclusions Orbital decompression is a therapeutic option for patients with compressive optic neuropathies from benign orbital apex tumors, offering potential improvement in optic nerve function while sparing morbidity from attempts at surgical resection.
Efficacy and safety of single-dose zoledronic acid for osteoporosis in frail elderly women: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance Eighty-five percent of institutionalized elderly people have osteoporosis and bone fracture rates 8 to 9 times higher than rates observed among community-dwelling elderly people. Nevertheless, most of these persons are left untreated and are excluded from pivotal osteoporosis trials. Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid to treat osteoporosis in frail elderly women in long-term care facilities. Design, Setting, and Participants We conducted a 2-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study from December 2007 through March 2012. Included were 181 women 65 or older with osteoporosis, including those with cognitive impairment, immobility, and multimorbidity, who were living in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Interventions One 5-mg dose of zoledronic acid or placebo intravenously and daily calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Main Outcomes and Measures Hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD) at 12 and 24 months and adverse events. Results There were no baseline differences in mean (SE) age (85.4 [0.6] years), BMD, or functional or cognitive status, but the treatment group included more participants with frailty, falls history, diabetes, and anticonvulsant medication use. Values for BMD were available for 87% of participants at 12 months and 73% at 24 months. Mean (SE) BMD changes were greater in the treatment group: 3.2 (0.7) and 3.9 (0.7) percentage-point differences in the total hip at 12 and 24 months, respectively ( P P P = .52), but more participants in the treatment group had multiple falls (49% vs 35%; OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.01-3.33; P = .047); however, this difference was no longer significant when adjusted for baseline frailty. Conclusions and Relevance In this group of frail elderly women with osteoporosis, 1 dose of zoledronic acid improved BMD over 2 years. The clinical importance of nonsignificant increases in fracture and mortality rates in the treatment group needs further study. Since it is not known whether such therapy reduces the risk of fracture in this cohort, any change in nursing home practice must await results of larger trials powered to assess fracture rates. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00558012
Understanding increments in model performance metrics

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) is the most commonly reported measure of discrimination for prediction models with binary outcomes. However, recently it has been criticized for its inability to increase when important risk factors are added to a baseline model with good discrimination. This has led to the claim that the reliance on the AUC as a measure of discrimination may miss important improvements in clinical performance of risk prediction rules derived from a baseline model. In this paper we investigate this claim by relating the AUC to measures of clinical performance based on sensitivity and specificity under the assumption of multivariate normality. The behavior of the AUC is contrasted with that of discrimination slope. We show that unless rules with very good specificity are desired, the change in the AUC does an adequate job as a predictor of the change in measures of clinical performance. However, stronger or more numerous predictors are needed to achieve the same increment in the AUC for baseline models with good versus poor discrimination. When excellent specificity is desired, our results suggest that the discrimination slope might be a better measure of model improvement than AUC. The theoretical results are illustrated using a Framingham Heart Study example of a model for predicting the 10-year incidence of atrial fibrillation.
Mutational analysis of two putative domains within the large subunit of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase from escherichia coli

Abstract There is a higher degree of homology between the N-terminal and C-terminal halves of the large subunit of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase from E. coli. Selected regions were isolated through genetic manipulations and the mutant proteins purified. None of the truncated mutants or chimeric proteins possessed any full or partial catalytic activities indicating that these two domains cannot function independently of each other.
Instructional Activities and Group Work in the us Inclusive High School Co-Taught Science Class

In the US, there is a significant number of learning-disabled high school students included in regular science classrooms. It has been argued that students with learning disabilities can succeed in science if they receive the kind of instruction they need. To facilitate such instruction, the special education teacher is often incorporated into the class along with the learning disabled students. We observed 53 high school science lessons from ten pairs of science and special-education teachers who were responsible for delivering instruction to groups of students, some of whom were learning-disabled. We analyzed narrative notes collected in these lessons reflecting the kinds of classroom activities, organization of work, and teachers’ roles. In addition, we interviewed the teachers individually to gain a better understanding of these inclusive classes. The underlying question of this research was whether inclusive classes with two teachers delivered the type of science education that is better than solo-teaching in addressing the needs of learning-disabled students. Our evidence indicates that even with a special-education teacher present in the class, learning-disabled students usually did not receive a science education that met their needs. We elaborate on the reasons for this problem and make suggestions for improvement.
Some effects of early social stimulation on the emotional reactivity of ducklings

Newly hatched Khaki Campbell ducklings were housed with a conspecific for 24 h beginning at either 1 or 5 days of age. A third group of ducklings received no social stimulation. When tested on Day 7, ducklings afforded early social stimulation exhibited less distress calling and crouching in a novel open field than ducklings exposed to late or no social stimulation. A second experiment asked whether the above result was due to early social stimulation per se or to the separation which occurred at its termination. Newly hatched ducklings were housed with a conspecific beginning on Day 1. One-half of the birds were separated from their companions on Day 2; the rest were separated on Day 6. On Day 7, the ducklings that were separated early exhibited less crouching and distress calling in a novel open field than the birds that were separated late. This finding implies that the withdrawal of social stimulation, rather than social stimulation perse, was responsible for the reduced emotional behavior observed in Experiment I. It is concluded that early withdrawal of social stimulation generated a strong aversive reaction and that it was the strength and timing of this reaction that mediated the emotionality moderating effects found here. Under these circumstances, the primary function of early social stimulation was to establish a condition whereby the aversive reaction generated by separation would occur early.
Mild hyperuricemia induces vasoconstriction and maintains glomerular hypertension in normal and remnant kidney rats.

Mild hyperuricemia induces vasoconstriction and maintains glomerular hypertension in normal and remnant kidney rats. Background Hyperuricemia has been associated with renal disease. Because glomerular hemodynamic alterations critically contribute to initiation and progression of renal disease, we evaluated the effect of mild hyperuricemia in glomerular microcirculatory changes in rats under normal conditions and with renal injury induced by subtotal renal ablation (RK). Methods Hyperuricemia was induced in normal and remnant kidney (RK) rats on a normal sodium diet by administration of oxonic acid (OA). To prevent hyperuricemia, allopurinol (AP) was administered concomitantly. Glomerular hemodynamics were evaluated by micropuncture techniques. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), proteinuria, arterial morphology, and serum uric acid were measured. In RK rats, glomerulosclerosis, fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration (CD5+) were also assessed. Results In normal rats, hyperuricemia resulted in afferent arteriole thickening associated with renal cortical vasoconstriction [single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) -35%, P P P Conclusion Hyperuricemia induces arteriolopathy of preglomerular vessels, which impairs the autoregulatory response of afferent arterioles, resulting in glomerular hypertension. Lumen obliteration induced by vascular wall thickening produces severe renal hypoperfusion. The resulting ischemia is a potent stimulus that induces tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis, as well as arterial hypertension. These studies provide a potential mechanism by which hyperuricemia can mediate hypertension and renal disease.
National Estimates of Vocational Service Utilization and Job Placement Rates for Adults With Mental Retardation

Data from the 1994 and 1995 Disability Supplements of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used to estimate rates of utilization of vocational services and examine employment outcomes for adults with disabilities who have received vocational services. Those living outside the formal long-term care system, and who were self or proxy identified as having mental retardation, were compared with other adults with disabilities. Analyses suggest that compared to other working-age persons with disabilities, adults with mental retardation (a) have a different population profile, (b) receive different types of services, (c) experience similar levels of satisfaction, (d) have much lower rates of competitive employment, and (e) are much more likely to be employed in segregated work settings. Research and policy implications of findings are discussed.
Quantum Theory of Helium-4 Monolayers

A quantum theory of adsorbed, mobile monolayers of ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ is developed. The formalism, which includes consideration of both the ground state and the excited states, is followed by numerical results for experimentally interesting examples.
The Intelligence Gap: What the Multinational Enterprise Can Learn From Government and Military Intelligence Organizations

Over the past several decades, companies have spent literally trillions of dollars acquiring the latest technologies and building their internal information processing and analysis capabilities. And yet with all this expenditure of time, money, and effort, large enterprises are still caught off-guard on an almost daily basis because they fail to anticipate critical developments in their competitive environment. This shortcoming can be mitigated by adopting an intelligence mind-set. This article provides an overview of seven specific problems concerning the use of business intelligence in the multinational enterprise (MNE) and discusses the corresponding best practices found in professional intelligence organizations. It closes with some suggestions on implementing those best practices in the MNE. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An instructional aid for student programs

Analyzing and grading programs in an introductory computer science course can require a great deal of time and effort from the course instructor. This paper investigates the development of a system called Instructional Tool for Program ADvising (ITPAD) that assumes some of the instructor's duties by keeping student profiles and assignment profiles, by detecting possible plagiarism, and by providing suggestions directly to the students for improving their programs.The design of the ITPAD system is based mainly on the direct application of code optimization techniques to FORTRAN source programs. Several software science measures also provide some of the profile characteristics. The results of test runs show that this system helps the instructor monitor the progress of the students through the term and also helps the instructor determine the individual algorithmic approaches for a particular programming assignment. The system can further benefit the students directly by providing suggestions that emphasize the use of good programming style.