cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of system overhead on parallel computers

Ever-increasing demand for computing capability is driving the construction of ever-larger computer clusters, typically comprising commodity compute nodes, ranging in size up to thousands of processors, with each node hosting an instance of the operating system (OS). Recent studies [E. Hendriks (2002), F. Petrini et al. (2003)] have shown that even minimal intrusion by the OS on user applications, e.g. a slowdown of user processes of less than 1.0% on each OS instance, can result in a dramatic performance degradation - 50% or more - when the user applications are executed on thousands of processors. The contribution of this paper is the explication and demonstration by way of a case study, of a methodology for analyzing and evaluating the impact of the system (all software and hardware other than user applications) activity on application performance. Our methodology has three major components: 1) a set of simple benchmarks to quickly measure and identify the impact of intrusive system events; 2) a kernel-level profiling tool Oprofile to characterize all relevant events and their sources; and, 3) a kernel module that provides timing information for in-depth modeling of the frequency and duration of each relevant event and determines which sources have the greatest impact on performance (and are therefore the most important to eliminate). The paper provides a collection of experimental results conducted on a state-of-the-art dual AMD Opteron cluster running GNU/Linux 2.6.5. While our work has been performed on this specific OS, we argue that our contribution readily generalizes to other open source and commercial operating systems.
When Do Blue and Black Make Red? The Role of Racism in Arkansas's 2008 Presidential Vote

Anointed in both 2000 and 2004 as a “battleground state” (and indeed ultimately awarding only single-digit wins to Republicans in both years), Arkansas made national headlines in 2008 by rejecting the nationwide winner, Democrat Barak Obama, by a full 20 points. We examine the role of racism in this outcome using a simple list experiment. The experiment was administered such that half of the more than 1,329 white respondents in a statewide random sample were asked how many (of five) statements “troubled” them about Barak Obama; the other half heard a list that differed in only one respect: the item “he has two children” was replaced with “if elected, he will be the first black president.” We find a modest increase in the average number of “troubling” items reported by the latter group. Low income respondents as well as those without a college degree, were more likely than other groups to respond to the racism stimulus. Because partisan and policy-related factors also triggered experimental effects, however, we conclude that Arkansas’s rejection of Obama likely was the product of both principle and prejudice, but disentangling the two remains challenging.
Securities Analysts' Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest: Unfair Dealing or Securities Fraud?

This article addresses the troubling practice of research analysts' undisclosed conflicts of interest. I first review regulatory developments to proscribe undisclosed conflicts of interest, including ownership interests in recommended securities and the compensation connection between firms' analysts and investment bankers. The article then traces the historical development of the imposition of liability by the courts on securities industry participants for failure to disclose their conflicts of interest, including their intent to trade on the short-term market effect of their recommendations - a practice known as scalping. Finally, I conclude that, in light of the new regulations, analysts should be liable to investors for damages under the federal securities laws for failing to disclose their conflicts of interest in the securities they recommend.
Oral hairy leukoplakia with extensive oral mucosal involvement: Report of two cases

Oral hairy leukoplakia (HL) is a lesion that occurs predominantly on the tongue in HIV-infected persons. Evidence strongly indicates that HL is related to the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in the epithelial cells. The lesion appears on the lateral border of the tongue as a painless, white plaque varying in size from a few millimeters to extensive lingual involvement. Histopathologically, the characteristic findings are hyperparakeratosis, hyperplasia, and ballooning of prickle cells resembling koilocytosis. HL is now considered a frequent, early, and specific sign of HIV infection and a strong indicator that AIDS will develop in the patient. We report on two cases of HL with marked oral mucosal involvement with extension to the pharyngeal mucosa.
Removal of Mercury from Aqueous Streams of Fossil Fuel Power Plants Using Novel Functionalized Nanoporous Sorbents

A new class of hybrid nanoporous materials has been developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for removing toxic heavy metals such as mercury from aqueous and nonaqueous waste streams. These novel materials consist of functional molecules capable of selectively binding mercury (thiol groups) covalently bound (as densely populated monolayers) to the synthetic nanoporous substrates. Tests indicated that this sorbent (Self-Assembled Monolayers on Mesoporous Silica—SAMMS) can achieve mercury loading as high as ∼635 mg/g. The high affinity for Hg adsorption by this material was reflected by Kd values as high as 3.5 × 108 ml/g. Data indicated that SAMMS can adsorb both inorganic and organic forms of mercury. Experimental data indicated that mercury adsorption performance of SAMMS was not significantly affected by pH, ionic strength, presence of other cations (Na, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and complexing anions (Cl, CN, CO3, SO4, and PO4) in solution. Adsorption kinetics studies indicated that SAMMS adsorbed mercury very rapidly (about 99.9% adsorption occurring within first five minutes). Tests conducted using samples of different aqueous and non-aqueous waste streams have confirmed the exemplary performance characteristics of SAMMS sorbents. Preliminary cost estimates indicated that using SAMMS would result in significant savings in mercury remediation costs as compared to the use of conventional adsorbents such as ion exchange resin and activated carbon.
A fully integrated multi-output CMOS frequency synthesizer for channelized receivers

A fully integrated frequency synthesizer that generates multiple frequencies for use in frequency channelized receivers is designed in 0.25 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Many of the unique features of this receiver have been exploited to design a highly integrated and power efficient multi-output frequency synthesizer, including poly-phase filters. The synthesizer generates 4, 5, 6, and 7 GHz signals while dissipating 120 mW.
Contractile role of M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors in gastrointestinal smooth muscle.

Muscarinic agonists elicit contraction through M3 receptors in most isolated preparations of gastrointestinal smooth muscle, and not surprisingly, several investigators have identified M3 receptors in smooth muscle using biochemical, immunological and molecular biological methods. However, these studies have also shown that the M2 receptor outnumbers the M3 by a factor of about four in most instances. In smooth muscle, M3 receptors mediate phosphoinositide hydrolysis and Ca2+ mobilization, whereas M2 receptors mediate an inhibition of cAMP accumulation. The inhibitory effect of the M2 receptor on cAMP levels suggests an indirect role for this receptor; namely, an inhibition of the relaxant action of cAMP-stimulating agents. Such a function has been rigorously demonstrated in an experimental paradigm where gastrointestinal smooth muscle is first incubated with 4-DAMP mustard to inactivate M3 receptors during a Treatment Phase, and subsequently, the contractile activity of muscarinic agonists is characterized during a Test Phase in the presence of histamine and a relaxant agent. When present together, histamine and the relaxant agent (e.g., isoproterenol or forskolin) have no net contractile effect because their actions oppose one another. However, under these conditions, muscarinic agonists elicit a highly potent contractile response through the M2 receptor, presumably by inhibiting the relaxant action of isoproterenol or forskolin on histamine-induced contractions. This contractile response is pertussis toxin-sensitive, unlike the standard contractile response to muscarinic agonists, which is pertussis toxin-insensitive. When measured under standard conditions (i.e., in the absence of histamine and without 4-DAMP mustard-treatment), the contractile response to muscarinic agonists is moderately sensitive to pertussis toxin if isoproterenol or forskolin is present. Also, pertussis toxin-treatment enhances the relaxant action of isoproterenol in the field-stimulated guinea pig ileum. These results demonstrate that endogenous acetylcholine can activate M2 receptors to inhibit the relaxant effects of beta-adrenoceptor activation on M3 receptor-mediated contractions. An operational model for the interaction between M2 and M3 receptors shows that competitive antagonism of the interactive response resembles an M3 profile under most conditions, making it difficult to detect the contribution of the M2 receptor.
Tuber respiratory profiles during low temperature sweetening (LTS) and reconditioning of LTS-resistant and susceptible potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars

Abstract Potato cultivars Premier Russet, GemStar Russet, Defender and Russet Burbank differ substantially in resistance to low temperature sweetening (LTS) and associated metabolism. ‘Gemstar Russet’ and ‘Premier Russet’ have moderate and high resistances, respectively, while ‘Defender’ loses processing quality progressively during storage at 9 °C, and similar to ‘Russet Burbank’, has virtually no resistance to LTS at 4 °C. The different mechanisms of LTS resistance or susceptibility in these cultivars were indicated by changes in sucrose (Suc), fructose (Fru) and glucose (Glc) concentrations in relation to tuber respiratory profiles during wound healing (9 °C), LTS (4 °C) and reconditioning (16 °C). At 4 °C, ‘Premier Russet’ tubers maintained low levels of Suc and reducing sugars (RS, Glc + Fru), while ‘GemStar Russet’ tubers accumulated Suc with little inversion to RS. ‘Defender’ and ‘Russet Burbank’ tubers accumulated RS during LTS but only moderate levels of Suc. Changes in RS content reflected the combined activities of acid invertase and its endogenous inhibitor. In response to an immediate drop from 9 °C to 4 °C, tuber respiration decreased to a minimum and then increased to a new maximum over the next approximately 5 days, before decreasing to a constant basal rate at 4 °C. Relative changes in respiration from the minimum to maximum rate during cold acclimation (respiratory acclimation response, RAR) were 80% for ‘GemStar Russet’ and ‘Defender’, 51% for ‘Russet Burbank’ and 26% for ‘Premier Russet’. The RARs correlated with total sugar (Suc + Glc + Fru) accumulation during LTS and likely reflected the metabolic energy required to catabolize starch to Suc, Glc and Fru. The relative ratio of Fru/Glc was also demonstrative of LTS-resistance, discriminating genotypes that accumulated Suc versus RS under LTS conditions. Changes in carbohydrates, invertase, respiration rates and RARs in response to temperature over the wound healing, LTS and reconditioning phases of storage characterized the LTS phenotypes unique to each cultivar, and revealed different mechanisms of resistance to LTS.
The propagation of non-uniform slow shock waves

Abstract A linearized analysis, based on small entropy variations, is used to determine the perturbation generated when an initially uniform slow magneto-hydrodynamic shock wave of arbitrary strength, propagating along a tube of uniform cross-sectional area, encounters a section of non-uniform cross-sectional area. Although this problem was solved previously, an error in the numerical computations has recently been discovered. This note serves to correct the error.
Using enzyme inhibition as a high throughput method to measure the enantiomeric excess of a chiral sulfoxide.

The enantiomeric excess of methyl p-tolyl sulfoxide can be determined in a high throughput format by measuring its ability to inhibit the alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzed oxidation of ethanol. The two enantiomers of the sulfoxide have very different inhibition constants for the enzyme. Thus, the initial rate of ethanol oxidation in the presence of the sulfoxide is correlated with the sulfoxide enantiomeric excess.
The importance of emotional intelligence in higher education

The following article discusses the importance of incorporating a focus on emotional intelligence, which can be increased, into higher education. It delineates potential personal, social, and societal consequences of so doing and as well as possible effects it could have on the university milieu. Finally, it discusses avenues via which such a focus could be incorporated.
Fitness to drive in patients with cirrhosis and portal-systemic shunting: a pilot study evaluating driving performance

It has been suggested that some patients with cirrhosis are unfit to operate a motor vehicle. However, performance while driving a motor vehicle has not been evaluated in such patients. In this pilot study, we assessed the fitness to drive of stable individuals with cirrhosis and clinical evidence of portal hypertension, portal-systemic shunting and no prior history of hepatic encephalopathy. We examined 15 ambulatory patients with cirrhosis together with 15 age-, educational level- and driving experience-matched healthy controls. Neuropsychological testing was performed with the Reitan trail test, block design and digit symbol tests as well as visual reaction time. A driving test in the laboratory used a film to measure complex visual reaction time (reaction to road symbols) and threat recognition (accident avoidance). Driving on the road was assessed by a licensed Illinois state driving evaluator. Penalty points were given according to 11 standardized driving categories. As a group, patients with cirrhosis had no significant differences in their performance on a simulator or during actual driving conditions when compared to matched controls. Sixty-six percent of the subjects with cirrhosis had two or more abnormal neuropsychological tests, a criterion used to define the presence of subclinical encephalopathy. No deficiencies in simulated or real driving performance was seen when compared to patients with cirrhosis with normal neuropsychological tests. In this study, stable subjects with cirrhosis and evidence of portal hypertension, portal-systemic shunting, abnormal neuropsychological tests and no prior history of overt encephalopathy did not exhibit a major impairment in their fitness to drive.
OPCAM: Optimal Algorithms Implementing Causal Memories in Shared Memory Systems

Data replication is commonly used for fault tolerance in reliable distributed systems. In this paper, we propose three optimal protocols for causal consistency in distributed shared memory systems. Our proposed optimal protocols are designed for partial replication across the distributed shared memory. Complete replication is a special case of our protocols and we also give the optimal implementation of causal consistency for the complete replication case. Algorithm Full-Track is optimal in the sense that it can update the local copy as soon as possible while respecting causal consistency. Algorithm Opt-Track is further optimal in the sense that the size of the local logs maintained and the amount of control information piggybacked on the update messages is minimal. Algorithm Opt-Track-CRP is a special case of algorithm Opt-Track for the full replication case. It is highly scalable, and significantly more efficient than the Baldoni et al. protocol for the complete replication case.
Increasing subtropical North Pacific Ocean nitrogen fixation since the Little Ice Age

Despite a reduction in nutrient supply to the North Pacific subtropical gyre, it has undergone a recent increase in nitrogen fixation, and here records of nitrogen isotopes preserved in Hawaiian corals show that this is a trend that could be linked to climate change since the end of the Little Ice Age. The deep-sea Hawaiian gold coral Kulamanamana haumeaae is a remarkably long-lived species, sometimes attaining ages of thousands of years. Over the millennia these corals provide a unique geochemical time-series as they convert sinking phytoplankton and other tiny particles into a proteinaceous coral skeleton. Primary productivity in the North Pacific subtropical gyre has increased in recent decades despite a decline in nutrient supply. An ecosystem shift towards nitrogen-fixing plankton communities has been put forward as a possible explanation, but the cause for this shift remains unclear. Owen Sherwood and colleagues use nitrogen isotopic (δ15N) records from K. haumeaae corals to establish that the increase in nitrogen fixation had already began around 150 years ago, and that it may have been linked to Northern Hemisphere climate change since the end of the Little Ice Age. The North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG) plays a major part in the export of carbon and other nutrients to the deep ocean1. Primary production in the NPSG has increased in recent decades despite a reduction in nutrient supply to surface waters2,3. It is thought that this apparent paradox can be explained by a shift in plankton community structure from mostly eukaryotes to mostly nitrogen-fixing prokaryotes2,3,4. It remains uncertain, however, whether the plankton community domain shift can be linked to cyclical climate variability or a long-term global warming trend5. Here we analyse records of bulk and amino-acid-specific 15N/14N isotopic ratios (δ15N) preserved in the skeletons of long-lived deep-sea proteinaceous corals collected from the Hawaiian archipelago; these isotopic records serve as a proxy for the source of nitrogen-supported export production through time. We find that the recent increase in nitrogen fixation is the continuation of a much larger, centennial-scale trend. After a millennium of relatively minor fluctuation, δ15N decreases between 1850 and the present. The total shift in δ15N of −2 per mil over this period is comparable to the total change in global mean sedimentary δ15N across the Pleistocene–Holocene transition, but it is happening an order of magnitude faster6. We use a steady-state model and find that the isotopic mass balance between nitrate and nitrogen fixation implies a 17 to 27 per cent increase in nitrogen fixation over this time period. A comparison with independent records7,8 suggests that the increase in nitrogen fixation might be linked to Northern Hemisphere climate change since the end of the Little Ice Age.
‘Our friendly rivals’: rethinking the Great Game in Ya'qub Beg's Kashgaria, 1867–77

The short-lived Emirate of Kashgaria was of strategic and commercial interest to both the Russian and British Empires. However, a close examination of the publications produced by the Russian and British missions to its ruler, Ya'qub Beg, militates against interpreting these missions as merely another episode of the Great Game, the century-long struggle for influence in Central and High Asia. Rather, Russian and British diplomats and travellers participated in a common culture of exploration, sharing a purpose and a European identity. This self-identification, in turn, was closely connected with the practice of exploration: objective measurement and scientific inquiry were coded as activities differentiating Russian and British travellers from the objects of their study. Although the information so gathered had political and strategic utility, the international networks and common values involved in its production established a network of mutual interests, respect, and cooperation even during moments of h...
Bariatric surgery literature in nonbariatric surgery journals: January 2007 to June 2008.

g c o 4 The following articles on bariatric surgery and/or morbid obesity topics have been published during the first 6 months of 2010 in journals other than Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases or Obesity Surgery. They were retrieved from PubMed using the search criteria: “obesity or bariatric surgery, or gastric bypass.” They are allocated to a series of headings (and subheadings) or descriptors of their content, although some articles may cross several headings. I have selected the descriptor that seemed most pertinent clinically. Article titles that I thought particularly important for bariatric surgeons are printed in bold, to which some overall assessment from the abstract or full article review has been added by myself.
Temperature rise in the pulp chamber during fabrication of provisional crowns.

Abstract This study measured and compared thermal changes in the pulp chamber during the fabrication of provisional crowns by direct method using various brands of autopolymerizing resin systems. The effect of curing the crowns in condensation and addition-reaction silicone putty matrices was also evaluated. The results suggested that the amount of the transferred in the pulp chamber during the curing of resins may be damaging to the dental pulp and odontoblasts. Curing provisional resin crowns in either condensation or addition silicone putty impressions significantly reduced the temperature rise in the pulp chamber.
Correlation of rat liver chromatin-bound free and esterified cholesterol with the circadian rhythm of cholesterol biosynthesis in the rat.

Abstract Cholesterol has been shown to be present in rat liver chromatin isolated by methods designed to avoid contamination by membrane fragments. Evidence that the cholesterol was actually a component of chromatin includes (a) the constancy of the amount (1.30 ± 0.14 μg per mg DNA), (b) the striking difference in the ratio of free (i.e. unesterified) to esterified cholesterol between that in chromatin and that in membranes, and (c) the rapid and marked changes which occurred in this ratio during the circadian cycle in chromatin but not in membranes. Although the total amount of chromatin-bound cholesterol did not change throughout the circadian cycle, the concentration of free cholesterol increased sharply a short time before the peak of cholesterol synthetic activity was reached at about midnight; it reached a basal level about 6 h later at approximately the same time the rate of synthesis returned to its basal level. When labelled cholesterol was administered by stomach tube, it was detectable within 2 h in whole nuclei and in chromatin, indicating that chromatin-bound cholesterol is rapidly exchangeable with that in liver cytoplasm and in blood plasma. Removal of basic proteins from chromatin did not result in the loss of any cholesterol, but removal of most of the acidic as well as the basic proteins resulted in loss of most of the chromatin-bound cholesterol. These results indicate that cholesterol is bound either to the acidic proteins or to both the acidic proteins and DNA. The data are compatible with the hypothesis that cholesterol biosynthesis is controlled at the nuclear level and suggest that the relative amounts of free and esterified cholesterol associated with chromatin may play a role.
Characterization of Unsteady Flow Structures Near Leading-Edge Slat. Part 1; PIV Measurements

A comprehensive computational and experimental study has been performed at the NASA Langley Research Center as part of the Quiet Aircraft Technology (QAT) Program to investigate the unsteady flow near a leading-edge slat of a two-dimensional, high-lift system. This paper focuses on the experimental effort conducted in the NASA Langley Basic Aerodynamics Research Tunnel (BART) where Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data was acquired in the slat cove and at the slat trailing edge of a three-element, high-lift model at 4, 6, and 8 degrees angle of attack and a freestream Mach Number of 0.17. Instantaneous velocities obtained from PIV images are used to obtain mean and fluctuating components of velocity and vorticity. The data show the recirculation in the cove, reattachment of the shear layer on the slat lower surface, and discrete vortical structures within the shear layer emanating from the slat cusp and slat trailing edge. Detailed measurements are used to examine the shear layer formation at the slat cusp, vortex shedding at the slat trailing edge, and convection of vortical structures through the slat gap. Selected results are discussed and compared with unsteady, Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) computations for the same configuration in a companion paper by Khorrami, Choudhari, and Jenkins (2004). The experimental dataset provides essential flow-field information for the validation of near-field inputs to noise prediction tools.
Distortion product otoacoustic emission fine structure is responsible for variability of distortion product otoacoustic emission contralateral suppression.

Alteration of the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) level by a contralateral sound, which is known as DPOAE contralateral suppression, has been attributed to the feedback mechanism of the medial olivocochlear efferents. However, the limited dynamic range and large intra- and intersubject variabilities in the outcome of the measurement restrict its application in assessing the efferent function. In this study, the 2f1−f2 DPgram was measured with a high frequency resolution in six human ears, which exhibits a fine structure with the quasiperiodic appearance of peaks and dips. In the presence of contralateral noise, the DPOAE level increased, decreased, or remained unchanged depending on the frequency. At the peaks, DPOAEs were mostly suppressed with a larger change, while those at the dips had greater variance, with increased occurrence of enhancement or no change. The difference between the peak and dip frequencies in the DPOAE-level change was significant. A switch from suppression to enhanc...
PHENOMENOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR FLUCTUATIONS AROUND STEADY STATE

A phenomenological framework to describe fluctuations around steady states is formulated. The framework is illustrated for a magnetic system maintained at a nonequilibrium steady state by an oscillating magnetic field, modeled at the mesoscopic level by a Langevin dynamics. The large deviation formalism along the time axis is employed to construct a generalized entropy to describe the fluctuations in the steady state for time averaged observables (state variables). We propose a phenomenological postulate that the fluctuations about the steady state can be obtained from the response of the state variables to 'thermodynamic conjugate forces' (fluctuation-response relation), as in the ordinary thermodynamic fluctuation theory. An experimentally realizable method to study the linear response about the steady state against state variable perturbations is proposed, and illustrated for the driven magnetic system. The notion of a proper state space to describe nonequilibrium steady states is discussed, and to this end, we introduce a dissipation variable to extend the state space for our model system. In the extended state space, we elucidate and study various stability and Maxwell-type relations that follow from our local phenomenological (thermodynamic) framework. Some relevant issues regarding a more general thermodynamic framework are also discussed.
Circadian rhythm of corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity in rat hypothalamus

Abstract Levels of hypothalamic corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity (CRF-LI) were measured by radioimmunuoassay (RIA) over a 24 hour light-dark cycle and found to exhibit two peaks. One peak was detected at 1100 hr and a secondary smaller peak was found at 2000 hr. The trough between the two peaks was detected at 1700 hr which coincided with the peak in plasma corticosterone levels. The results are consistent with a decreased level of hypothalamic CRF-LI at 1700 hr reflecting an increased release of peptide followed successively by the release of ACTH and corticosterone.
Concerted binding and bending of DNA by Eschericia coli integration host factor

Integration host factor (IHF) is a heterodimeric Escherichia coli protein that plays essential roles in a variety of cellular processes including site-specific recombination, transcription, and DNA replication. The IHF-DNA interface extends over three helical turns and includes sequential minor groove contacts that present strong, sequence specific protection patterns against hydroxyl radical cleavage. Synchrotron X-ray footprinting has been used to follow the kinetics of formation of DNA-protein contacts in the IHF-DNA complex with single base-pair spatial, and millisecond time, resolution. The three sites of IHF protection on the DNA develop with similar time-dependence, indicating that sequence specific binding and bending occur concertedly. Two distinct phases are observed in the association process. The first "burst" phase is characterized by a rate that is greater than diffusion limited (>10(10) s(-1) M(-1)) and the second phase is on the order of diffusion controlled (approximately 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)). The overall kinetics of association become faster with increasing IHF concentration showing that complex formation is second-order with protein. The rate of association is maximal between 100 and 200 mM KCl decreasing at higher and lower concentrations. The rate of IHF dissociation from site-specifically bound DNA increases monotonically as KCl concentration is increased. The dissociation progress curves are biphasic with the amplitude of the first phase dependent upon competitor DNA concentration. These results are the first analysis by synchrotron footprinting of the fast kinetics of a protein-DNA interaction and suggest that IHF binds its specific site through a multiple-step mechanism in which the first step is facilitated diffusion along the length of the duplex followed by subsequent binding and bending of the DNA in a concerted manner.
Reduced adiposity and high-fat diet-induced adipose inflammation in mice deficient for phosphodiesterase 4B.

The concept that obesity is an inflammatory state has changed our understanding of this condition and suggested that pharmacological interventions targeting inflammation may be useful strategies to improve metabolic complications of obesity. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors exhibit profound antiinflammatory effects, but whether PDE4 inhibition suppresses obesity-induced inflammation is unknown. Among PDE4 isoforms, PDE4B is the major species mediating inflammatory responses. We therefore examined obesity-related phenotypes in mice deficient for PDE4B. Compared with wild-type littermates, PDE4B-null mice were leaner, with lower fat pad weights, smaller adipocytes, and decreased serum leptin levels on both chow and high-fat diets (HFDs). PDE4B deficiency suppressed TNF-α mRNA levels and macrophage infiltration in white adipose tissue in mice on HFD, but insulin sensitivity was unaltered. PDE4B-null mice on HFDs had increased locomotor activity. These results suggest a previously unappreciated role for PDE4B in the regulation of energy balance and that PDE4B inhibitors could have utility in treatment of obesity and for suppression of obesity-induced inflammation in white adipose tissue.
Spectral background and transmission characteristics of fiber optic imaging bundles

The emission and transmission properties of three commercially produced coherent fiber optic imaging bundles were evaluated. Full fluorescence excitation versus emission data were collected from 250 to 650 nm excitation for high-resolution Sumitomo, Fujikura, and Schott fiber bundles. The results generated show regions of autofluorescence and inelastic Raman scattering in the imaging bundles that represent a wavelength-dependent background signal when these fibers are used for imaging applications. The high-resolution fiber bundles also exhibit significant variation in transmission with the angle of illumination, which affects the overall coupling and transmission efficiency. Knowledge of these properties allows users of high-resolution imaging bundles to optimally design systems that utilize such bundles.
The Role of Chloramphenicol in the Treatment of Bloodstream Infection Due to Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus

The incidence of bacteremia due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) has increased markedly in recent years. We investigated the role of chloramphenicol in its treatment. All cases of VRE bacteremia occurring at our facility during a 45-month period were analyzed. The response to chloramphenicol, its effect on mortality, and the incidence of adverse effects were assessed. Fifty-one patients (65.4%) received chloramphenicol. Among patients in whom a response could be assessed, 22 (61.1%) of 36 demonstrated a clinical response, while 34 (79.1%) of 43 showed a microbiological response. Forty-two patients (53.8%) died as a result of the bacteremia. Although the mortality rate was lower for patients treated with chloramphenicol, the difference was not significant (odds ratio = 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.28-1.85; P = .49), nor was there an association between earlier initiation of therapy and reduced mortality (P = .45). In cases with central line-related bacteremia, there was no difference in mortality among patients treated with chloramphenicol, line removal, or both (P = .36). Although 16 patients (31.4%) had adverse effects, none could be definitely attributed to chloramphenicol. Although chloramphenicol was well-tolerated, no significant effect of its use on mortality could be demonstrated.
Legislating the past: Cultural resource management in the U.S. forest service

Cultural resource management, commonly called CRM, has emerged in recent years as a popular topic in federal land use programs. Fundamentally, CRM can be used as a paradigm to more effectively manage the diverse resources found on federal lands in the United States. One obvious example of these resources is the physical, archeological artifact. This article addresses cultural resource management on federal lands, and presents the various laws that have been enacted to protect and preserve such resources of the human past. Second, with the U.S. Forest Service as an example, this article describes some of the deficiencies in the current methodology and recommends ways federal agencies can more effectively manage cultural resources.
Effects of Experimentally Achievable Improvements in the Quality of NMR Distance Constraints on the Accuracy of Calculated Protein Structures

New methods for collecting cross-relaxation data from proteins and nucleic acids make it possible to improve the accuracy and precision of interproton distance measurements used as input for NMR solution structure determinations. It thus is of interest to determine whether such experimentally achievable improvements in input distance constraints have significant effects on the precision and accuracy of the resulting structures. To answer this question, we have turned to a computational procedure involving the use of data simulated from a known structure, in order to allow unambiguous assessments of accuracy. The approach to improved distances evaluated here is that afforded by magnetization exchange network editing (MENE); MENE pulse sequences break the network of cross-relaxation interactions into regions that are manipulated so as to defeat certain spin-diffusion terms. A target structure was prepared from the X-ray structure of a small protein, turkey ovomucoid third domain (OMTKY3). A normal NOESY spectrum and two varieties of MENE spectra, BD-NOESY and CBD-NOESY, were simulated by means of complete relaxation matrix analysis. These results were used to create different input data sets with the same number of constraints (perfectly accurate distances derived from the target structure, more accurate distances derived from the MENE simulations, and less accurate distances derived from the NOESY simulation), and these, interpreted at different levels of precision, were used as input for solution structure calculations. The results showed that the use of more precise input data measurably improves the local precision and accuracy of calculated structures, but only if the more precise data include the actual target distance. Incorporation of the experimentally achievable, accurate distances with higher precision afforded by the MENE pulse sequences into the set of input distances was found to improve the accuracy of the resulting structures, particularly in terms of side-chain conformation.
Macroscopic Multistage Image Compression for Robust Transmission over Noisy Channels

We propose a macroscopic multistage compression system to provide progressive and robust transmission of images across noisy channels with varying statistics. Each stage encodes the residual image of the previous stage. The choice of source coder and transmission rate at each stage are design parameters. The multistage structure allows the use of efficient unequal error protection channel coding and introduces source redundancy to enable graceful degradation under severe channel conditions. Both bit errors and packet losses are considered. Specific examples are provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Identification of important primary producers in a Chesapeake Bay tidal creek system using stable isotopes of carbon and sulfur

The use of multiple stable isotopes in the study of trophic relationships in temperate estuaries has usually been limited to euhaline systems, in which phytoplankton, benthic microalgae, andSpartina alterniflora are major sources of organic matter for consumers. Within large estuaries such as Chesapeake Bay, however, many species of consumers are found in the upper mesohaline to oligohaline portions. These lower salinity wetlands have a greater abundance of macrophytes that use C3 photosynthesis to fix carbon, in addition toS. alterniflora, which fixes carbon via the C4 photosynthetic pathway. In a broad survey of the biota and sediments of a brackish tidal creek tributary to Chesapeake Bay, combined δ13C and δ34S measurements disclosed a balanced contribution to secondary production from phytoplankton, C3 macrophytes,Spartina sp., and benthic microalgae. Surface sediment δ13C suggested that the organic matter from C3 plants was derived both from allochthonous sources (terrestrial runoff) and from autochthonous production (marsh macrophytes). Unlike most estuarine systems studied to date, which are dominated by algae (phytoplankton and benthic microalgae) and C4 macrophytes, C3 plants are of greater importance in the diets of consumers in this low-salinity creek system.
Time course of the acute toxic effects of sublethal doses of chlordecone (Kepone).

Abstract Rats were monitored for toxic signs of chlordecone permitting the characterization of onset, peak, and duration of effects following administration of a single oral dose in corn oil. Tremors and abnormal gait were the major early features of toxicity. Both developed within 4 hr, reached a peak 2 days after treatment, had greatly diminished after 2 weeks, and were absent after 49 days. Exaggerated startle response followed a similar pattern but was less severe. Muscle weakness developed during Week 2 and was still increasing slightly in intensity at 49 days although recovery was occurring by the end of 6 months. Thus, while neurological effects are the most severe and rapidly developing effect of the pesticide, muscle weakness is the most persistent outward manifestation of chlordecone toxicity in the rat.
Cardiovascular complications after radiofrequency catheter ablation of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Abstract We report the incidence of cardiovascular complications in patients receiving RF catheter ablation for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. To reduce the incidence of complications, a rigid guideline or policy for the personnel and facilities should be followed. A prospective, multicenter registry program may be needed to further define the complications associated with this procedure.
Harmonic oscillator tensors. II. angular momentum expressions of matrix elements of vibrational operators

The spatial symmetries of the harmonic oscillator and the recently found irreducible tensors constructed from the associated annihilation and creation operators are exploited to obtain new expressions for the elements of the matrix representatives of several examples of vibrational operators. Since all vibrational operators are expressible in terms of the irreducible tensors, their matrix elements reflect the angular momentum symmetry inherent in them, for the results derived here are in terms of the Clebsch–Gordan coefficients and the isoscalar factors that arise from the couplinig rule of the irreducible tensors. Familiarity with the mathematical properties of these quantities derived from the elementary theory of angular momentum facilitates the evaluation of many vibrational operators that may be of importance in the study of potentials in this basis. In particular, it is shown that the nonvanishing of matrix elements is governed by a law of conservation of angular momentum along the axis of quantization of the nondegenerate harmonic oscillator. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of genetic variation on phenolic acid and policosanol contents of Pegaso wheat lines

Total phenolic acid and policosanol contents and compositions of bran from an Italian bread wheat variety Pegaso and its 11 near-isogenic lines were measured. The near-isogenic wheat lines differed at one or more loci coding for storage proteins. The genetic variation included deletions, additions and/or combinations of variations. Almost 95% or more of phenolic acids were in the bound form. Ferulic acid was the predominant bound phenolic acid present in wheat bran samples. Other phenolic acids were p-coumaric, vanillic and syringic acids. Tetracosanol, docosanol, hexacosanol, octacosanol, tricosanol and heneicosanol were found as major policosanol compounds in their decreasing order. Highly significant genotypic differences were observed in total phenolic acid and policosanol concentrations. None of the genetic lines had higher phenolic acid contents than the parent line Pegaso, whereas some of the lines had more policosanol levels. In general, both total phenolic acid composition and contents were higher with genetic lines that varied at Glu-1 loci with 2+Dy high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) (Pegaso 184), variation at Gli-D2 loci (Pegaso 219) and single null A1 (variation at Gli-1/Glu-3 loci; Pegaso 30). Highest total policosanol content was observed with the double null at Glu-A1/Glu-D1 loci (Pegaso 236). These findings may lead to new opportunities for wheat breeders and eventually commercial wheat growers to promote the production of wheat with enhanced levels of health beneficial compounds.
Occupational allergy to honeybee-body dust in a honey-processing plant

Abstract We studied a honey-plant employee who developed severe asthma coincident with the seasonal honey packing process. Symptoms correlated with duration of exposure inside the plant during the honey pack and improved in other environments during that season. The patient was asymptomatic inside the plant at other times of the year. Skin tests to seasonal outdoor aeroallergens were negative, as were inhalation challenges with two insecticides used inside the building during the honey pack. Skin test, RAST, and bronchial provocation test with honeybee whole body extract were positive. We used high-volume air samplers to collect ambient airborne particles on filter sheets outside the patient's home and inside the honey plant, both during and after the honey pack. Skin tests, RASTs, and bronchial provocation tests with eluates from these filters were positive only to eluate from the filter exposed inside the plant during the honey pack. The patient's positive honeybee whole body RAST could be inhibited by preincubation of her serum with this filter eluate but not by preincubation with eluate from a filter exposed outside the patient's home. Collectively, these data support an IgE-mediated, seasonal, occupational sensitivity to honeybee-body dust.
Cost-Effectiveness of Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Versus Observation in Older Patients Presenting with Mild Biliary Disease

Our objective was to determine the probability threshold for recurrent symptoms at which elective cholecystectomy compared to observation in older patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis is the more effective and cost-effective option. We built a decision model of elective cholecystectomy versus observation in patients >65 presenting with initial episodes of symptomatic cholelithiasis that did not require initial hospitalization or cholecystectomy. Probabilities for subsequent hospitalization, emergency cholecystectomy, and perioperative complications were based on previously published probabilities from a 5 % national sample of Medicare patients. Costs were estimated from Medicare reimbursements and from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Utilities (quality-adjusted life years, QALYs) were obtained from established literature estimates. Elective cholecystectomy compared to observation in all patients was associated with lower effectiveness (−0.10 QALYs) and had an increased cost of $3,422.83 per patient at 2-year follow-up. Elective cholecystectomy became the more effective option when the likelihood for continued symptoms exceeded 45.3 %. Elective cholecystectomy was both more effective and less costly when the probability for continued symptoms exceeded 82.7 %. An individualized shared decision-making strategy based on these data can increase elective cholecystectomy rates in patients at high risk for recurrent symptoms and minimize unnecessary cholecystectomy for patients unlikely to benefit.
Photoemission Studies of Energy Levels in the Palladium-Hydrogen System

Photoemission studies of the Pd/H system show a band of hydrogen-induced energy states centered at 1 eV below the bottom of Pd-derived d bands of width 4.4 eV. These results show that the widely accepted simple "proton model" of Pd/H is misleading. Our augmented-plane-wave calculations of PdH, ${\mathrm{Pd}}_{4}$${\mathrm{H}}_{3}$, and ${\mathrm{Pd}}_{4}$H exhibit these lowlying states and also explain why the added number of electrons (0.6) in $\ensuremath{\beta}$-phase PdH exceeds the number of $d$-band holes (0.36) in Pd.
Selecting a Communications Program

After reading my April 1987 OCLC Micro article, several librarians have asked about ProComm and its selection as a communications package of choice and, in general, what principles to use in selecting communications packages for access to OCLC. The questions came about in part because ProComm was comparatively little‐known until recently. For example, a survey conducted by PC World found that the most commonly used packages were Crosstalk XVI and Smartcom II, followed by PC‐Talk, but no package dominated; ProComm was unmentioned. It also wasn't included in PC Magazine's otherwise comprehensive evaluation of communications programs nor was it listed in any of the standard guides, such as Bowker's, to PC software. But that was an oversight; it is a superb program.
COMPNET: an interactive computer networks analysis and design package

COMPNET is an educational software package being used as a teaching tool to study, analyze, and design computer networks. This package is an interactive, user-friendly, entirely menu-driven, and graphics-oriented software tool, implemented for the Apple's MacPlus and Digital's VAX 11/780. The authors describe the applications of this package, and cover topics in graph theory, centralized network design, and queuing systems. The software work has been successfully implemented and classroom-tested by the authors at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Several computer exercises using COMPNET are suggested to accompany classroom lectures and traditional problem assignments. >
Gerald J. Beyer, Recovering Solidarity: Lessons from Poland's Unfinished Revolution

(2012). Gerald J. Beyer, Recovering Solidarity: Lessons from Poland's Unfinished Revolution. Political Theology: Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 374-376.