cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isoproterenol sensitivity of isolated cardiac myocytes from rats with monocrotaline-induced right-sided hypertrophy and heart failure

Rats treated with the alkaloid monocrotaline developed right ventricular hypertrophy with a left:right ventricle weight ratio of 1.35 +/- 0.10 (mean +/- s.e.m., n = 25) compared with 3.83 +/- 0.40 (n = 14) in diet-matched controls (P less than 0.001). Urine volume and sodium content were reduced and body water increased consistent with heart failure. In 10 out of 26 treated rats pleural, pericardial or peritoneal effusions were present. Urine norepinephrine content was significantly raised (P less than 0.02) but epinephrine was unchanged. Plasma norepinephrine levels were raised though not significantly. Myocytes isolated from the right ventricle had a reduced myosin Ca2+-activated ATPase (P less than 0.05) activity and a shift towards slower V2 and V3 myosin isoforms. There was no decrease in maximum contraction amplitude with calcium or isoproterenol in either left or right ventricular cells of treated rats. Right ventricular cells from treated rats showed a reduced rate of contraction in maximum isoproterenol (P less than 0.05) and a significant rightward shift in PD2 (P less than 0.05) representing a two-fold increase in EC50 for isoproterenol compared with right ventricular cells from control animals. There was no shift in EC50 for isoproterenol in left ventricle cells. In parallel experiments, myocytes isolated from both ventricles of rats treated with isoproterenol for one week showed a rightward shift of more than 50-fold in the isoproterenol concentration-response curve and a depressed response to maximum isoproterenol. In the rat monocrotaline model of right-sided cardiac hypertrophy and failure, changes in sensitivity to beta-adrenoceptor agonists are slight, and present only in the right ventricle. The lack of change in the left ventricle seems to suggest that this functional desensitisation is not a consequence of raised circulating catecholamines.
Confined Brownian motion.

We present microscopic observations of the diffusion in water of micrometer-sized spheres confined between two walls. Deviations from the Stokes-Einstein law are observed, which for different bead diameters and different separations between the walls depend on a single dimensionless parameter. We compare numerical predictions with the experimental values.
Benthic community structure near the Woods Hole sewage outfall

Birge-Ekman box cores were used to sample the benthic invertebrate fauna near the Woods Hole, Massachusetts sewage outfall and a nearby control area. Community structure in terms of numbers and taxa fluctuated seasonally at both control site and at the outfall. The outfall fauna was dominated by small nematode worms, and the year-round maintenance of a nematode-dominated community may be a mechanism for utilization of the unpredictable, unnatural, excess organic material available around the outfall. Based on the small size of the invertebrates at the outfall compared to the other areas, it is suggested that the relationship between macrofaunal abundance and average individual size in an assemblage is a measurement of community structure which can be useful in assessing environmental disturbance.
Conceptualizing the role of early experience: Lessons from the Minnesota longitudinal study

We draw upon data from a prospective, longitudinal study to evaluate the role of typically occurring variations in early experience on development from birth to adulthood. Such an evaluation is complex for both methodological and conceptual reasons. Methodological issues include the need to control for both later experience and potentially confounding third variables, such as IQ or temperament. Conceptual complexity derives from the fact that the effects of early experience can be both direct and indirect, can interact with other factors, and because whether an effect is found depends on what early experience and what outcomes are assessed. Even direct effects are probabilistic and are more in evidence with cumulative than with single measures. Often early experience has its effect indirectly by initiating a chain of events, by altering the organism in some way, and/or by promoting the impact of later experience. We provide examples where early experience is moderated and mediated by other factors and where it shows latent effects following developmental change. We illustrate developmental processes through which early experience has its effect and conclude that despite the complexity of development variations in early experience retain a vital place in the study of development.
Fifteen years of experience with bacterial meningitis.

Background.Introduction of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines has dramatically altered the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in children. The goal of this study was to describe these changes in a pediatric teaching hospital.Methods.Patient charts at Children's Hospital and Regional Medi
Ryanodine perfusion decreases cardiac mechanical function without affecting homogenate sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake: comparison with the stunned heart.

Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that perfusion with low concentrations of ryanodine, which opens the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ channel in a sub-conducting state, could mimic the effects of stunning on both mechanical and SR activity. Perfusion of isolated rat hearts with 10–160 n m ryanodine progressively decreased left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and increased end-diastolic pressure (EDP), but LVDP decreased more and EDP increased less than in the stunned heart. The effect of ryanodine perfusion on LVDP and EDP is consistent with the opening of the SR Ca 2+ channel by high-affinity ryanodine binding, reducing SR Ca 2+ content and interfering with mechanical function. In contrast to stunning, ryanodine perfusion did not affect the homogenate Ca 2+ uptake rates measured in the presence or absence of high [ryanodine]. Perfusion with 80 n m 3 H-ryanodine resulted in a large decline in LVDP, but only a small degree of ryanodine binding. Thus, prolonged opening of only a few channels affects the SR in situ , whereas this is undetectable in the homogenate. Higher levels of ryanodine binding (0.3 pmol/mg) to the in vitro homogenate also did not affect the homogenate Ca 2+ -uptake rate in the presence or absence of high [ryanodine], whereas it reduced the stimulation of Ca 2+ uptake by ruthenium red. High-affinity ryanodine binding to the SR Ca 2+ channel, either by perfusion or by binding after homogenisation, did not duplicate the increased Ca 2+ efflux observed in the stunned heart, suggesting that the SR defect in the stunned heart is not a prolonged opening of a sub-conducting state of the SR Ca 2+ channel.
Seismic Strengthening of Reinforced-Concrete Multicolumn Bridge Piers

The analysis, seismic rehabilitation measures, and in-situ performance of a reinforced-concrete (RC) bridge pier subjected to quasi-static loads are presented. The bridge was built in 1963 and was ...
Photochemical and thermal changes in tissue autofluorescence during excimer laser irradiation

A striking consequence of 248-nm excimer laser irradiation of skin is a stable vivid blue fluorescence easily visualized under UVA illumination. Its spectral properties (excitation maximum at "335 nm; emission maximum at ''43O nm) are somewhat similar to those of the fluorescent pigments associated with aging of tissue and peroxidation of lipids, and the fluorescent pigments formed during exposure to high temperatures. This study explores the spectral properties, magnitude, dose response, and laser pulse intensity dependence of this phenomenon in both isolated stratum corneum and epidermal cell suspensions from human skin.
Social desire paths: a new theoretical concept to increase the usability of social science research in society

Social scientists are well-trained to observe and chart social trends, but less experienced at presenting scientific findings in formats that can inform social change work. In this article, I propose a new theoretical concept that provides a mechanism by which social science research can be more effectively applied for proactive policy, organizational, and program development. The approach is to use the metaphor of “desire paths” from landscape architecture to show how social scientists can identify and analyze social desire paths that appear on the social structural landscape. Social desire paths usually emerge because existing formal structures do not meet individual or group needs. Such paths are generally started at the individual level, followed by others through individual actions, and ultimately leave an (usually informal) imprint on the social structure, even though the motivations behind those actions are not usually social change. Using what we know about the sociology of interests and what we have learned from trying to apply social science findings to policy, I propose seven criteria for phenomena to be defined as social desire paths. I then apply the criteria to two case studies related to housing, and discuss social desire paths usefulness to social scientists involved in any research that captures interests, deviance, or innovation; and that also has the potential to inform formal structures such as policy, organizations, program development, and participatory democracy.
Anterior Segment Abnormalities in Cicatricial Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abnormalities that occur in the anterior segments of patients with retinopathy of prematurity have been studied in 72 eyes of 36 patients. The anterior chamber depth, the placido disc image on the cornea, the distortion of polarized light by corneal stress, and keratometry readings were recorded. There was a highly significant correlation between anterior chamber depth, retinopathy of prematurity, and keratometry readings (p less than .001). These findings emphasize the importance of careful follow-up examinations of the anterior segment in retinopathy of prematurity because cataracts, band keratopathy, acute hydrops, and angle-closure glaucoma can progressively occur as complications.
Effect of ploidy, recruitment, environmental factors, and tamoxifen treatment on the expression of sigma-2 receptors in proliferating and quiescent tumour cells

Recently, we demonstrated that sigma-2 receptors may have the potential to be a biomarker of tumour cell proliferation (Mach et al (1997) Cancer Res 57: 156-161). If sigma-2 receptors were a biomarker of tumour cell proliferation, they would be amenable to detection by non-invasive imaging procedures, thus eliminating many of the problems associated with the flow cytometric measures of tumour cell proliferation presently used in the clinic. To be a good biomarker of tumour cell proliferation, the expression of sigma-2 receptors must be essentially independent of many of the biological, physiological, and/or environmental properties that are found in solid tumours. In the investigation reported here, the mouse mammary adenocarcinoma lines, 66 (diploid) and 67 (aneuploid), 9L rat brain tumour cells, and MCF-7 human breast tumour cells were used to study the extent and kinetics of expression of sigma-2 receptors in proliferative (P) and quiescent (Q) tumour cells as a function of species, cell type, ploidy, pH, nutrient depletion, metabolic state, recruitment from the Q-cell compartment to the P-cell compartment, and treatment with tamoxifen. In these experiments, the expression of sigma-2 receptors solely reflected the proliferative status of the tumour cells. None of the biological, physiological, or environmental properties that were investigated had a measurable effect on the expression of sigma-2 receptors in these model systems. Consequently, these data suggest that the proliferative status of tumours and normal tissues can be non-invasively assessed using radiolabelled ligands that selectively bind sigma-2 receptors.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SOME PYRIDINIUM OXIMES AS REACTIVATORS OF PHOSPHORYLATED ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE AND AS ANTIDOTES IN SARIN POISONING.

Abstract A series of five bis-pyridinium oximes utilizing the benzene ring as the group conecting the two quaternary nitrogen atoms, plus two compounds containing aliphatic connecting groups, and a single tris-pyridinium oxime were synthesized and tested for (1) reactivating effect on sarin-inhibited acetylcholinesterase, (2) acute lethal toxicity in mice, (3) effect on sarin-inhibited neuromuscular function in rabbits, and (4) effect on sarin-potentiated, vagus-induced bradycardia in rabbits. The results showed a range of activity as reactivators of phosphorylated acetylcholinesterase which varied from activity greater than that of PAM-2 to less than that of PAM-2. When compared with PAM-2, the benzene derivatives showed greater toxicity as determined by the LD 50 , but only the para-benzene derivatives showed greater potency in producing recovery of sarin-inhibited neuromuscular function. The tris compound showed relatively high reactivator potency in vitro and showed relatively high toxicity and potency in vivo .
A detailed appraisal of steady state flow data for the superplastic Zn-22% Al Alloy

Abstract Several sets of experimental results are available for steady state flow in the superplastic Zn-22%Al eutectoid alloy. It is shown that these data are reasonably consistent in the intermediate region II but that there are marked discrepancies in region I at low stress levels. In region II the extensive experimental data indicate an activation energy QII for grain boundary diffusion, a stress exponent nII of about 2.0, an exponent for the inverse grain size, pII, of about 2.0 and a dimensionless constant in the rate equation, AII, of about 15. However, the precise experimental values of AII may vary by several orders of magnitude because of the interrelationship between AII, nII, pII and QII: in practice, the value of AII is increased when the experimental values of nII, pII and/or QII are high. As a result of this interrelationship, it is not possible to interpret the various values reported for AII in Zn-22%Al in terms of substructural variations in the different materials.
Optical Sensing of Lean Blowout Precursors in a Premixed Swirl Stabilized Dump Combustor

The work described here is part of an effort to detect and prevent lean blowout in turbine engine combustors. The approach uses optical emission, primarily chemiluminescence, to identify blowout precursor events, and is demonstrated in a premixed, swirl-stabilized dump combustor. The results show that the transient behavior of the flame as lean blowout is approached is characterized by short duration, localized extinction and reignition events. These events increase in frequency and duration, and spatial extent, as LBO is approached. Several methods can be used to detect these events in the raw sensor output, including signal thresholding and frequency analysis. The paper describes examples of how these analysis techniques can be used to calculate a simple LBO proximity measure that would be ideally suited for use in an active (closed-loop) control system. The LBO proximity sensing is also demonstrated using sensor technology that is close to what would be required in a realistic turbine engine environment, specifically, optical fibers to collect the chemiluminescence and miniature, metal package PMTs for detection. Possible detection locations within the combustor are discussed and various locations are compared, based on their practicality and sensitivity to LBO precursor detection. It was found that the best detection was from fiber that was mounted on the head end and viewed downstream.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Systematic desensitization, relaxation-training and suggestion in the treatment of test anxiety

Abstract In investigations that have examined the component procedures in traditional desensitization treatment, desensitization was more effective than relaxation-training alone in several studies (Freeling and Shemberg, 1970: Davison, 1968; Rachman, 1968). while these treatments were equally effective in other studies (Benjamin, Mark and Huson, 1972: Aponte and Aponte, 1971; Johnson and Sechrest, 1968). One possible determinant of these inconsistent findings may be the presence of uncontrolled differences in therapeutic suggestion due to the fact that desensitization treatment typically includes a specific ‘rationale’ that explains the expected course and outcome of treatment while comparable authoritative guidelines for providing the rationale for relaxation treatment are not available. The present study compared the relative effectiveness of desensitization and relaxation-training in the treatment of test anxiety under conditions in which suggestion concerning the nature and outcome of treatment were essentially the same for both procedures. To examine systematically the role of suggestion in the treatment of test anxiety, instructions that were high and low in suggestion were given. Treatment outcomes were assessed in terms of changes in measures of anxiety and in performance on objective ability tests. A no-treatment group controlled for the effects of using the same pre- and post-treatment measures.
Dopamine D1 receptor activation rescues extinction impairments in low-estrogen female rats and induces cortical layer-specific activation changes in prefrontal-amygdala circuits.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is twice as common in women as in men; it is a major public health problem whose neurobiological basis is unknown. In preclinical studies using fear conditioning and extinction paradigms, women and female animals with low estrogen levels exhibit impaired extinction retrieval, but the mechanisms that underlie these hormone-based discrepancies have not been identified. There is much evidence that estrogen can modulate dopaminergic transmission, and here we tested the hypothesis that dopamine–estrogen interactions drive extinction processes in females. Intact male and female rats were trained on cued fear conditioning, and received an intraperitoneal injection of a D1 agonist or vehicle before extinction learning. As reported previously, females that underwent extinction during low estrogen estrous phases (estrus/metaestrus/diestrus (EMD)) froze more during extinction retrieval than those that had been in the high-estrogen phase (proestrus; PRO). However, D1 stimulation reversed this relationship, impairing extinction retrieval in PRO and enhancing it in EMD. We also combined retrograde tracing and fluorescent immunohistochemistry to measure c-fos expression in infralimbic (IL) projections to the basolateral area of the amygdala (BLA), a neural pathway known to be critical to extinction retrieval. Again we observed diverging, estrous-dependent effects; SKF treatment induced a positive correlation between freezing and IL-BLA circuit activation in EMD animals, and a negative correlation in PRO animals. These results show for the first time that hormone-dependent extinction deficits can be overcome with non-hormone-based interventions, and suggest a circuit-specific mechanism by which these behavioral effects occur.
Field research among deviants: A consideration of some methodological recommendations

Apart from the ethical, moral, and legal problems that beset the study of individuals in their natural settings, investigations of various kinds of criminal conduct engender special difficulties and snares that set limits on the scope of the research effort and the reliability of findings.
Microfluidic Generation of Gradient Hydrogels to Modulate Hematopoietic Stem Cell Culture Environment

The bone marrow provides spatially and temporally variable signals that impact the behavior of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). While multiple biomolecular signals and bone marrow cell populations have been proposed as key regulators of HSC fate, new tools are required to probe their importance and mechanisms of action. Here, a novel method based on a microfluidic mixing platform to create small volume, 3D hydrogel constructs containing overlapping patterns of cell and matrix constituents inspired by the HSC niche is described. This approach is used to generate hydrogels containing opposing gradients of fluorescent microspheres, MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, primary murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), and combinations thereof in a manner independent of hydrogel density and cell/particle size. Three different analytical methods are described to characterize local properties of these hydrogels at multiple scales: 1) whole construct fluorescent analysis; 2) multi-photon imaging of individual cells within the construct; 3) retrieval of discrete sub-regions from the hydrogel post-culture. The approach reported here allows the creation of stable gradients of cell and material cues within a single, optically translucent 3D biomaterial to enable a range of investigations regarding how microenvironmental signals impact cell fate.
Consideration of grain size distribution in the diffusion of fission gas to grain boundaries

We analyze the accumulation of fission gas on grain boundaries in a polycrystalline microstructure with a distribution of grain sizes. The diffusion equation is solved throughout the microstructure to evolve the gas concentration in space and time. Grain boundaries are treated as infinite sinks for the gas concentration, and we monitor the cumulative gas inventory on each grain boundary throughout time. We consider two important cases: first, a uniform initial distribution of gas concentration without gas production (correlating with post-irradiation annealing), and second, a constant gas production rate with no initial gas concentration (correlating with in-reactor conditions). The results show that a single-grain-size model, such as the Booth model, over predicts the gas accumulation on grain boundaries compared with a polycrystal with a grain size distribution. Also, a considerable degree of scatter, or variability, exists in the grain boundary gas accumulation when comparing all of the grain boundaries in the microstructure.
Molecular cloning and expression of an extracellular nuclease of Serratia marcescens in Escherichia coli

The gene encoding an extracellular nuclease of Serratia marcescens was cloned in Escherichia coli using the vector pBR322. Transformants were selected by their ability to grow in the presence of ampicillin, and nuclease-positive clones were detected on a commercially available DNase test agar. The production of a nuclease could be detected in recombinant strains and enzyme activity was found in culture supernatants of such strains. Deletion derivatives of the parental recombinant plasmid were constructed to define the region of DNA encoding the expression of the nuclease. The smallest DNA fragment found to produce the nuclease was determined to be 2.2 kb in length, although a somewhat smaller fragment appeared to be partially active.
Antibodies to Borrelia sp. in wild foxes and coyotes from Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Serum samples from 93 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and nine gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) trapped in Wisconsin and 23 coyotes (Canis latrans) trapped in Wisconsin and Minnesota were tested for antibodies to Borrelia sp. with an indirect fluorescent antibody test which used Borrelia burgdorferi as the whole-cell antigen. Seven red foxes (8%) and two coyotes (9%) had antibody titers ≥1:64. All the positive samples were from areas known to be endemic for human Lyme disease. Implications for the epizootiology of Lyme borreliosis in wild canids are not well understood, but even if these species are not actual reservoirs of B. burgdorferi they could serve to increase the range of the vector and establish new endemic foci of the spirochete.
Habitat associations of opossums and rodents in a lowland forest in French Guiana

Opossums and rodents were sampled by live-trapping at Paracou, French Guiana to study habitat use. Tomahawk and Sherman traps were placed on the ground and at various heights in the subcanopy and canopy. We captured 10 species of opossums and seven species of rodents. We measured 14 microhabitat variables at each of 485 sampling stations. Presence or absence at a trap station of the three most abundant species of opossums (Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis marsupialis, and Micoureus demerarae) and two rodents (Oecomys rutilus and Proechimys cuvieri) were related by logistic regression analysis to the microhabitat variables. All five species were associated with at least one habitat variable. Linear analysis of categorical data was used to determine the degree of arboreality. Didelphis marsupialis and P. cuvieri were more commonly captured on the ground, D. albiventris was equitably distributed between ground and arboreal traps, and the remaining species were mostly arboreal. Linear analysis was used to compare the distribution of arboreal captures among two substrate types, two heights, and two substrate diameters. Oecomys rutilus was more commonly captured on lianas, D. albiventris and O. rutilus were more commonly captured at lower heights, and D. marsupialis demonstrated a preference for larger arboreal substrates.
The affinity of elongation factor Tu for an aminoacyl-tRNA is modulated by the esterified amino acid.

When different mutations were introduced into the anticodon loop and at position 73 of YFA2, a derivative of yeast tRNAPhe, a single tRNA body was misacylated with 13 different amino acids. The affinities of these misacylated tRNAs for Thermus thermophilus elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu)·GTP were determined using a ribonuclease protection assay. A range of 2.5 kcal/mol in the binding energies was observed, clearly demonstrating that EF-Tu specifically recognizes the side chain of the esterified amino acid. Furthermore, this specificity can be altered by introducing a mutation in the amino acid binding pocket on the surface of EF-Tu. Also, when discussed in conjunction with the previously determined specificity of EF-Tu for the tRNA body, these experiments further demonstrate that EF-Tu uses thermodynamic compensation to bind cognate aminoacyl-tRNAs similarly.
SOCIAL CLASS CORRELATES OF PERCEIVED OFFENDER TYPICALITY

A mock juror-simulation was utilized to analyze the effect of socio-economic status on the tendency to be viewed as a typical offender. Student-subjects (n = 386) were presented a newspaper article in which an individual, varied by social class, was being tried for one of two crimes, petty larceny or armed robbery. As hypothesized, the lower the stimulus person's social class, the lower the perceived personal attractiveness and the higher the tendency to be viewed as a typical offender.
Risk factors associated with adverse health and safety outcomes in the US Hispanic workforce

Background: Historically, jobs that are high in physical labour such as construction, farming, fishing, mining and manufacturing tend to have the highest accident and fatality rates. Many working in these sectors, particularly of Hispanic origin, have been experiencing higher numbers of accidents than workers from other backgrounds. Objective: To investigate adverse safety and health outcomes among Hispanic workers in the US associated with risk factors by means of a systematic review of analytical studies. Methods: A keyword search was used within several academic databases to search for applicable articles. A critical appraisal was carried out to evaluate the selected studies according to epidemiological principles. Results: The critical appraisal of six relevant studies revealed that lack of education and training, language barriers, culture barriers and job type are risk factors associated with adverse safety and health outcomes in Hispanic workers in the US. However, results may be limited due to a n...
Stem cells and the reproductive system: Historical perspective and future directions

Recent findings in stem cell biology have presented new perspectives and opportunities for the treatment of reproductive disease. In a departure from the long held dogma of embryologically fixed numbers of oocytes, current literature suggests that human ovaries contain stem cells which form new oocytes even in adulthood and that these stem cells can be cultured in vitro to develop into mature oocytes. These findings have provided new hope and broader options for fertility preservation. Evidence of endometrial regeneration by bone marrow stem cells in endometrial tissue of women who received bone marrow transplant highlight potential for the novel treatments of uterine disorders and supports new theories for the etiology of endometriosis - ectopic transdifferentiation of stem cells. Further, endometrial derived stem cells have been demonstrated to be useful in the treatment of several chronic and often debilitating diseases, including Parkinson's Disease and Diabetes. Other cells that may present future therapeutic benefits for a myriad of disease states include placental and fetal cells which enter maternal circulation during pregnancy and can later promote parenchymal regeneration in maternal tissue. These findings highlight novel functions of the uterus and ovaries. They demonstrate that the uterus is a dynamic organ permeable to fetal stem cells capable of transdifferentiation as well as a renewable source of multipotent stem cells. While we still have much to understand about stem cells, their potential applications in reproductive biology and medicine are countless.
Dependence of 1/f noise on the distance between wires: Quantum 1/f proximity effect

This paper shows that in certain conditions fundamental 1/f noise in a semiconductor sample is increased by the presence of another similar current-carrying sample located in the close vicinity. This proximity effect is described by simple formulas derived here. The paper displays the connection between coherent and conventional quantum 1/f effect in terms of the s-parameter, i.e., the ratio between magnetic and kinetic energy of the carriers. On this basis the proximity effect is introduced for the first time. It is shown to be important in the transition region between coherent and conventional quantum 1/f effect. This is just the region corresponding to nano-scale structures and devices. Therefore, the new effect will be important in nanotechnology allowing for lower 1/f noise by splitting up the nano-wire into several thinner wires, or wells, with the same total cross section.
Scalable I/O tracing and analysis

As supercomputer performance approached and then surpassed the petaflop level, I/O performance has become a major performance bottleneck for many scientific applications. Several tools exist to collect I/O traces to assist in the analysis of I/O performance problems. However, these tools either produce extremely large trace files that complicate performance analysis, or sacrifice accuracy to collect high-level statistical information. We propose a multi-level trace generator tool, ScalaIOTrace, that collects traces at several levels in the HPC I/O stack. ScalaIOTrace features aggressive trace compression that generates trace files of near constant size for regular I/O patterns and orders of magnitudes smaller for less regular ones. This enables the collection of I/O and communication traces of applications running on thousands of processors.Our contributions also include automated trace analysis to collect selected statistical information of I/O calls by parsing the compressed trace on-the-fly and time-accurate replay of communication events with MPI-IO calls. We evaluated our approach with the Parallel Ocean Program (POP) climate simulation and the FLASH parallel I/O benchmark. POP uses NetCDF as an I/O library while FLASH I/O uses the parallel HDF5 I/O library, which internally maps onto MPI-IO. We collected MPI-IO and low-level POSIX I/O traces to study application I/O behavior. Our results show constant size trace files of only 145KB irrespective of the number of nodes for FLASH I/O benchmark, which exhibits regular I/O and communication pattern. For POP, we observe up to two orders of magnitude reduction in trace file sizes compared to flat traces. Statistical information gathered reveals insight on the number of I/O and communication calls issued in the POP and FLASH I/O. Such concise traces are unprecedented for isolated I/O and combined I/O plus communication tracing.
Infrared Emitting Dye and/or Two Photon Excitable Fluorescent Dye Encapsulated in Biodegradable Polymer Nanoparticles for Bioimaging

Near infrared fluorescent dyes have a significant potential in biological applications. However, many of these organic dyes are hydrophobic and/or their fluorescence is quenched in aqueous media. Nanoparticle technology has been utilized to overcome the hydrophobic property of these dyes, but there remain problems in their fabrication. To overcome these problems, a novel fabrication technique for incorporating hydrophobic dyes in a biodegradable polymer nanoparticle has been developed. An infrared emitting dye (D1) and a two photon excitable fluorescent dye (BT101) were selected as prototypic dyes for incorporation. The D1 nanocrystal dye shows quenched emission in aqueous media. Upon encapsulation in a polymeric nanoparticle, its emission at 1.1 to 1.35 µm was recovered. BT101 dye doped nanoparticles demonstrated significant increase in fluorescent yield in aqueous media as compared to the free dye. In addition, several different sizes of BT101 doped polymer nanoparticles were fabricated (c.a. 35 nm to 100 nm in size). The fluorescence intensity was found to increase with the particle size. The investigation of uptake of BT101 nanocrystal and BT101 doped PLGA nanoparticles by culture cells revealed the importance of polymer coating of dye for efficient cell imaging.
Why Do We Still Call Them “Paradoxes”†

The fact that therapists label some events “paradoxical” may suggest that our current beliefs or theories are limited in their ability to adequately account for those phenomena. It is argued that our underlying belief in objectivity surrounds therapeutic “paradoxes” with a persistently paradoxical aura, and leads to confusion in our understanding of a variety of phenomena. Maturana's ideas regarding structure determinism, instructive interaction, and phenomenal domains are used to suggest an answer to these difficulties. It is claimed that the problematic status of many theoretical concepts (for example, communication, information, resistance, homeostasis, and pathology) is revealing of something quite important — that the experiential validity of instructive interaction repeatedly leads us into implicitly or explicitly employing instructive interaction in a domain where it can never be valid: the domain of theory and explanation.
Children’s belief- and desire-reasoning in the temporoparietal junction: evidence for specialization from functional near-infrared spectroscopy

Behaviorally, children’s explicit theory of mind (ToM) proceeds in a progression of mental-state understandings: developmentally, children demonstrate accurate explicit desire-reasoning before accurate explicit belief-reasoning. Given its robust and cross-cultural nature, we hypothesize this progression may be paced in part by maturation/specialization of the brain. Neuroimaging research demonstrates that the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) becomes increasingly selective for ToM reasoning as children age, and as their ToM improves. But this research has narrowly focused on beliefs or on undifferentiated mental-states. A recent ERP study in children included a critical contrast to desire-reasoning, and demonstrated that right posterior potentials differentiated belief-reasoning from desire-reasoning. Taken together, the literature suggests that children’s desire-belief progression may be paced by specialization of the right TPJ for belief-reasoning specifically, beyond desire-reasoning. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis directly by examining children’s belief- and desire-reasoning using functional near-infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with structural magnetic resonance imaging to pinpoint brain activation in the right TPJ. Results showed greatest activation in the right TPJ for belief-reasoning, beyond desire-reasoning, and beyond non-mental reasoning (control). Findings replicate and critically extend prior ERP results, and provide clear evidence for a specific neural mechanism underlying children’s progression from understanding desires to understanding beliefs.
The Institutional Effects of Incarceration: Spillovers From Criminal Justice to Health Care

The steady increase in incarceration is related to the quality and functioning of the health care system. US states that incarcerate a larger number of people show declines in overall access to and quality of care, rooted in high levels of uninsurance and relatively poor health of former inmates. Providing health care to former inmates would ease the difficulties of inmates and their families. It might also prevent broader adverse spillovers to the health care system. The health care system and the criminal justice system are related in real but underappreciated ways. Context: This study examines the spillover effects of growth in state-level incarcerationratesonthefunctioningandqualityoftheUShealthcaresystem. Methods: Our multilevel approach first explored cross-sectional individualleveldataonhealthcarebehaviormergedtoaggregatestate-leveldataregarding incarceration.Wethenconductedanentirelyaggregate-levelanalysistoaddress between-state heterogeneity and trends over time in health care access and utilization. Findings: We found that individuals residing in states with a larger number of former prison inmates have diminished access to care, less access to specialists, less trust in physicians, and less satisfaction with the care they receive. These spillover effects are deep in that they affect even those least likely to
Real Time Implementation of an Artificial Immune System Based Controller for a DSTATCOM in an Electric Ship Power System

A new adaptive control strategy based on artificial immune system (AIS) for a DSTATCOM in an electric ship power system is presented in this paper. DSTATCOM is a shunt compensation device, which can be used to improve the power quality during the pulse power requirements in a naval shipboard system. The role of DSTATCOM controller is very important to meet this objective. In this paper, the DSTATCOM controller parameters are first tuned by particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique, so that it can provide innate immunity to common system disturbances. Then, these optimum parameters are modified online by an artificial immune system (AIS), which provides adaptive immunity to unusual system disturbances. To evaluate the performance of the proposed control strategy, a simplified model of the ship system consisting of a 45 MVA main generator, a 5 MVA auxiliary generator and a 36 MW propulsion motor is simulated in a real-time environment. The effectiveness of the PSO and AIS based adaptive controller is demonstrated on a real time digital simulator based test system for pulsed loads of different magnitudes and durations.
Identification of Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase Gene Variants That Are Significantly Associated with the Interindividual Variations in Warfarin Maintenance Dose

Cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) is required for drug metabolism by all microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether any of the common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the POR gene and its flanking intergenic sequences correlate with interindividual variations in the warfarin maintenance dose (which is determined partly by rates of warfarin metabolism) in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy. Warfarin dose and patients' demographic and clinical information were collected from 124 patients, who had attained a stable warfarin dose while receiving treatment at the Stratton VA Medical Center. Genomic DNAs were isolated from blood samples and were genotyped for 15 SNPs (including 10 SNPs on the POR gene). Association analysis was performed on 122 male patients by linear regression. Simple regression analysis revealed that vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) -1639A>G, CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3, age, and chronic aspirin therapy were significantly associated with warfarin dose. In contrast, multiple regression analysis revealed that, in addition to several known factors contributing to the variations in warfarin maintenance dose (VKORC1 -1639A>G, CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3, CYP4F2 rs2108622, and chronic aspirin therapy), three common POR SNPs (-173C>A, -208C>T, and rs2868177) were also significantly associated with variations in warfarin maintenance dose. These results indicate, for the first time, that three common SNPs in the POR gene may contribute to the interindividual variability in warfarin maintenance dose. Further studies on functional characterization of the POR SNPs identified, including their impact on the in vivo metabolism of additional drugs, are needed.
Dermatologic side effects associated with the MEK 1/2 inhibitor selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886)

Background Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886) is a second generation MEK inhibitor that is currently in clinical trials for various solid malignancies. MEK kinase inhibitors are associated with dermatologic toxicities. While reactions affecting the skin, hair and nails to other targeted agents, such as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) have been abundantly described in recent years, the dermatologic toxicities associated with MEK inhibitors have not been well characterized. Similarly, their management may present a challenge in clinical trials. We reviewed the clinical presentation, evolution and management of dermatologic toxicities associated with selumetinib. Methods A retrospective review of medical records of 11 patients referred to the Dermatology Service with dermatologic toxicities secondary to selumetinib was performed. Data from two phase II trials in which selumetinib was used to treat advanced metastatic cutaneous, mucosal, or uveal melanomas were reviewed. Parameters studied included the time to onset, clinical presentation, histology and management. In addition, the clinical database was accessed to retrieve clinical photographs when available. Results Eight patients received selumetinib suspension orally at 100 mg twice a day and three patients received a newer capsule formulation at the maximum tolerated dose of 75 mg with the same frequency. The following adverse effects were observed: papulopustular rash (100%), xerosis (36%), pruritus (45%), fissures (9%), telangiectasias (27%), hyperpigmentation (9%), alopecia (9%), angular cheilitis (9%), and paronychia (9%). In addition, secondary bacterial infection with Staphylococcus aureus was documented in 3 patients (27%). Conclusions Dermatologic side-effects associated with selumetinib were similar to those seen with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs). Treatment approaches used for EGFRI-induced dermatologic reactions may be potentially utilized to manage those associated with selumetinib.
On modeling parasitic control loops in RF SoCs: Cross-coupling and spurious analysis

Migrating solutions to the most advance CMOS process node addresses cost reduction but increases RF interference within a SoC. In this paper we address the issue of design verification of single-chip RF SOCs in the presence of unintentional cross-couplings and leakages due to proximity of aggressors and victims. We will extend a previously presented VHDL based simulation methodology that accepts RF input and analyzes receiver BER performance, transmitter output distortion and phase noise by processing several thousand packets of baseband information while compensation algorithms are simultaneously executed. This approach allows building complex RF SoC systems based on behavioral models and has been successfully applied to investigate system behavior in the presence of aggressing nodes that create parasitic control loops due to unintentional and undesirable coupling paths.
Fabrication of Highly-Ordered TiO2 Nanotube Arrays and Their Use in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes were successfully fabricated using a nanoporous alumina templating method. A modified sol−gel route was used to infiltrate the alumina pores with Ti(OC3H7)4 which was subsequently converted into TiO2 nanotubes. The average external diameter, tube lengths, and wall thickness achieved were 295 nm, 6−15 μm, and 21−42 nm, respectively. Diffraction data reveals that the nanotubes consist solely of the anatase phase. Dye-sensitized solar cells using TiO2 nanotube arrays as the working electrode yielded power conversion efficiencies as high as 3.5% with a maximum incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency of 20% at 520 nm.
Enhancing success with open innovation: an investigation of connective capabilities and network characteristics

The aim of this study was to investigate factors that led to increased success with open innovation. In particular, we explored two firm capabilities – relational proclivity and proactive market orientation – as connective capabilities that improved open innovation performance. Important to these capabilities and open innovation, is the environment that firms operate within, thus we considered network centrality and network density as moderators to the capabilities and open innovation link. Using a sample of 199 technology firms, we found that these connective capabilities improved open innovation performance and the moderation due to network characteristics was complex and could lead to improved performance. Relational proclivity did enhance the degree to which firms followed open innovation and that the greater the firm’s proactive market orientation, the greater the level of open innovation. Further, firms with a proactive market orientation and low network density outperformed those with proactive mar...
Antibodies to the vitronectin receptor (integrin alpha V beta 3) inhibit binding and infection of foot-and-mouth disease virus to cultured cells

The amino acid sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) is highly conserved on the VP1 proteins of different serotypes and subtypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and is essential for cell attachment. This sequence is also found in certain extracellular matrix proteins that bind to a family of cell surface receptors called integrins. Within the Picornaviridae family, enterovirus coxsackievirus A9 also has an RGD motif on its VP1 capsid protein and has recently been shown to utilize the vitronectin receptor integrin alpha V beta 3 as a receptor on monkey kidney cells. Competition binding experiments between type A12 FMDV and coxsackievirus A9 using BHK-21 and LLC-MK2 cells revealed shared receptor specificity between these two viruses. Polyclonal anti-serum to the vitronectin receptor and a monoclonal antibody to the alpha V subunit inhibited both FMDV binding and plaque formation, while a monoclonal antibody to the beta 3 subunit inhibited virus binding. In contrast, antibodies to the fibronectin receptor (alpha 5 beta 1) or to the integrin (alpha V beta 5) had no effect on either binding or plaque formation. These data demonstrate that the alpha V beta 3 vitronectin receptor can function as a receptor for FMDV.
Recent Literature on Bryophytes—107(1)

ADIO, A. M., C. PAUL, W. A. KONIG & H. MUHLE. 2003. Volatile constituents in the liverwort Tritomaria polita. Phytochemistry 64: 637-644. AHMED, J. & J.-P. FRAHM. 2003. Isozyme variability among central European species of the aquatic moss Cinclidotus. Cryptogamie Bryologie 24: 147-154. AHONEN, I. 2003. [Abstract] The evolution in the liverwort order Porellales in the light of four molecular markers. Molecular Systematics of Bryophytes: Progress, Problems and Perspectives, p. [16]. B. Goffinet & R. Magill (orgs.). St. Louis, MO. AHRENS, M. 2003. Untersuchungen zum Lebenszyklus von Acaulon triquetrum (Bryopsida, Pottiaceae). Herzogia 16: 239-272. AHRENS, M. 2003. Verbreitung, Okologie und Vergesellschaftung seltener Erdund Felsmoose im Kraichgau und in Nachbargebieten. Carolinea 60: 5-74. Taf. 1-3 [unpaginated color photographic plates]. AHRENS, M. & K. H. HARMS. 2003. Zum Vorkommen und zur Okologie von Fissidens rivularis (Bryopsida) im Nordschwarzwald. Carolinea 60: 75-81.