cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between exposure to televised messages about paranormal phenomena and paranormal beliefs

This paper seeks to continue exploration begun by Sparks, Hansen, and Shah (1994) into the possible relationship between exposure to media messages and paranormal beliefs. It reports the results of a random‐sample survey that revealed that exposure to particular programs that regularly depict paranormal activity is associated with an increased tendency to endorse paranormal beliefs. The fact that this association is found only for individuals who report no prior experience with paranormal phenomena may hold implications for cultivation theory's resonance hypothesis. Suggestions for future study in this area are recommended.
MSP domain proteins show enhanced expression in male germ line cells.

Nematode sperm utilize a crawling motility based on polymerization-depolymerization of a nematode-specific cytoskeletal molecule— major sperm protein (MSP). While several proteins that interact with and regulate MSP filament formation have been identified using in vitro approaches, it is likely that additional molecules participate in vivo in the regulation of MSP cytoskeletal dynamics. By comparing EST data generated from an Ascaris suumtestis germinal zone cDNA library with EST data from other tissue- and stage-specific A. suum cDNA libraries and with expression profile data from Caenorhabditis elegans, 42 genes were selected with exclusive or enhanced expression in male germ line cells. In addition to 11 protein kinases and seven protein phosphatases, 10 genes encoding proteins with protein–protein interaction domains were identified. These potential cytoskeletal modifiers included five novel MSP-domain proteins (As-MDPs). All five As-mdps were highly expressed in male germ line cells, but only As-mdp-2, 3 and 5 were transcribed exclusively in the testis. The prediction that As-MDP-1, 2 and 3 were cytosolic components and that As-MDP-4 and 5 were associated with the sperm cell membrane proteins was supported by the results of immunoblotting experiments. The 23 members of the MDP family of proteins fromC. eleganswere predicted to be transcribed in the testis. The findings provide additional candidates to the growing list of molecules that regulate MSP cytoskeletal dynamics. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Preservation of hepatic cell integrity by aprotinin in hypoxia.

Abstract Perfused cat livers subjected to 2.5 hr of hypoxia exhibited dramatic increases in perfusate cathepsin D and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, amino nitrogen concentrations, and a 60% depression in the clearance rate of carbon particles by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Addition of aprotinin (250 KIU/ml) to the perfusate prior to hypoxia prevented the increases in circulating cathepsin D, LDH, and amino-nitrogen observed at 150 minutes. In addition, aprotinin prevented the reduction in carbon clearance during severe hypoxia. However, aprotinin had no effect on the percent free cathepsin D activity indicating that this agent did not directly prevent increases in lysosomal fragility occurring in response to hypoxia. Thus, addition of pharmacologic doses of aprotinin to the perfusate protected RES cells, and markedly reduced the release of cytoplasmic and lysosomal enzymes. The prevention of cell membrane dissolution appears to be a critical factor in hepatic preservation, and may be related to the inhibition of proteolysis by aprotinin. These effects may help explain the therapeutic effectiveness of this agent in shock and in myocardial ischemia.
Correlation between in vitro autoradiographic results and histological WHO grades in human urothelial bladder tumours

Summary 253 biopsy specimens of 106 urinary bladder tumours have been examined by means of in vitro autoradiography and the results compared with the WHO grading. An increase of the average labelling index occurred parallel to increasing WHO grades. However, great inter-tumorous differences in proliferation behaviour existed particularly in papillary G 2 and G 3 urothelium carcinomas. Possible causes of this heterogeneity are discussed. In vitro autoradiography is a suitable method for the objective characterization of the malignancy potential of urinary bladder tumours.
Second messenger role for Mg2+ revealed by human T-cell immunodeficiency

The magnesium ion, Mg(2+), is essential for all life as a cofactor for ATP, polyphosphates such as DNA and RNA, and metabolic enzymes, but whether it plays a part in intracellular signalling (as Ca(2+) does) is unknown. Here we identify mutations in the magnesium transporter gene, MAGT1, in a novel X-linked human immunodeficiency characterized by CD4 lymphopenia, severe chronic viral infections, and defective T-lymphocyte activation. We demonstrate that a rapid transient Mg(2+) influx is induced by antigen receptor stimulation in normal T cells and by growth factor stimulation in non-lymphoid cells. MAGT1 deficiency abrogates the Mg(2+) influx, leading to impaired responses to antigen receptor engagement, including defective activation of phospholipase Cγ1 and a markedly impaired Ca(2+) influx in T cells but not B cells. These observations reveal a role for Mg(2+) as an intracellular second messenger coupling cell-surface receptor activation to intracellular effectors and identify MAGT1 as a possible target for novel therapeutics.
Benefit of physical fitness against inflammation in obesity: Role of beta adrenergic receptors

Evidence shows that both poor physical fitness and obesity are linked to low-grade inflammation and inflammatory diseases. However, their relative roles on inflammation and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Given the inhibitory effect of catecholamines on inflammatory cytokine production, we speculated that compromised responsiveness of immune cells’ beta adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) to agonists may be associated with constitutively elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines. We examined circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1β, IL-6 and β-AR sensitivity of, 70 overweight or obese compared to 26 normal-weight, otherwise healthy individuals in order to investigate the associations among obesity, physical fitness, and low-grade inflammation and to examine the role of β-ARs in these relationships. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by VO2peak (ml/kg/min) via a treadmill exercise. Beta-AR sensitivity was evaluated by measuring the degree of inhibition in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated monocytic intracellular TNF production by isoproterenol. In all participants, BMI, which was initially a predictor of IL-1β and IL-6 levels independent of demographic characteristics, no longer significantly predicted them after controlling for fitness levels. Among the overweight or obese participants, greater cardiorespiratory fitness was a strong predictor of lower levels of TNF and IL-1β after controlling for the covariates. When β-AR sensitivity was controlled for, however, fitness was no longer a significant predictor of those cytokines. Monocytic β-AR sensitivity was negatively associated with inflammatory marker levels and diminished in obese individuals; however, when fitness was controlled for, the significant weight group differences in β-AR sensitivity disappeared. Our findings indicate that better cardiorespiratory fitness protects against obesity-related low-grade inflammation and β-AR desensitization. Given the significance of β-AR function in pathogenesis of various diseases, clinical implications of its role in the fitness-inflammation association among the obese are profound.
Adaptation and Growth Characteristics of Influenza Virus at 25° C

THERE have been many attempts to adapt influenza virus to growth at lower temperatures. For many viruses such as polio1–3, Japanese oncephalitis4 and measles5, a relationship has been observed between virulence and the ability to grow at lower temperatures, and this has been used in the selection of attenuated variants.
View 3: The case for pneumatic retinopexy.

Pneumatic retinopexy (PR) is a minimally invasive technique for the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). It is composed of intravitreal gas injection, either cryopexy or laser, and postoperative positioning. Given an optimal clinical scenario, PR has several advantages over primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and/or scleral buckle (SB) for the repair of an RRD. Pneumatic retinopexy is usually performed in the office or as a brief procedure in an outpatient surgical facility. In a multicentre trial reported by Tornambe,1 the average number of hospital days including reoperations was 0.6 for the PR group and 2.7 for the SB group. The physician spends less time waiting for availability of the operating room, performing the procedure, and performing postoperative hospital rounds. It should be noted, however, that since this publication in 1989, the majority of procedures, including PR, primary PPV, and SB, are now performed in an outpatient setting. With PR, the patient generally experiences less pain, and there is a quicker recovery in the more comfortable home setting. There is also a significant economic advantage to the patient and the insurer in terms of cost savings by avoiding the operating room, anaesthesia, and hospital expenses. It is estimated that the cost of PR is between 25% and 50% that of SB including re-operations.2 Pneumatic retinopexy is a technically easy procedure. There are very few significant intraoperative complications. When they do occur, it generally involves improper location of the injected air or gas, generally into the subconjunctival or subretinal space—in only 0–10% and 0–4% of cases.1–7 New and/or missed retinal breaks are created in 7–33% of cases.1–10 There are more significant risks associated with primary PPV and SB procedures. Primary PPV surgery has a much higher incidence of lens injury/cataract (3%) and other …
Immunogenetic differences between lymph node cell and bone marrow cell grafts in irradiated mice.

Abstract C3H lymph node cell (LNC) grafts, but not bone marrow cell (BMC) grafts, were resisted by lethally irradiated NZB, (C57BL × NZB)F1, and (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F1 mice. BALB/ c hosts did not resist C3H LNC, suggesting that Ir-like genes regulate resistance to such grafts. Cyclophosphamide, silica particles, and 89Sr pretreatments of prospective host mice resulted in successful proliferation of C3H LNC in most instances. These agents were known to abrogate resistance to incompatible BMC grafts. The determinants for antigens recognized on LNC appear to map in or near the D region of H-2. LNC grafts of all H-2k strains tested (C3H, CBA, C58, C57BR) were strongly resisted while A, C3H.A, B10.A(5R), A.TL, and A.Tlab LNC grafts were not strongly resisted by NZB hosts. Grafts of H-2b (C57BL/6, C57BL/10, 129) LNC, or BMC are resisted by NZB or (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F1 hosts. (C3H × C57BL)F1 LNC but not BMC were resisted by similar hosts. (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F1 mice were injected with C57BL/6 spleen cells four times to induce specific “unresponsiveness” to parental-strain Hemopoietic histocompatibility (Hh) antigens. Unresponsiveness was induced to C57BL/6 BMC, as expected, but C57BL/6 and C3H LNC grafts were resisted despite the spleen cell injections. The data suggest that the antigens recognized during rejection of C3H LNC are not expressed on C3H BMC. It is even conceivable that Hh antigens on C57BL/6 BMC and LNC have separate determinants. Alternatively, the injections of C57BL/6 spleen cells may have induced an anti-idiotypic response that was capable of eliminating C57BL/6 LNC by a different effector mechanism.
Identification of cytochrome P450 and arylamine N-acetyltransferase isoforms involved in sulfadiazine metabolism.

Sulfadiazine hydroxylamine has been postulated to be the mediator of the greatly increased rates of adverse reactions to sulfadiazine experienced by people with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Therefore, we investigated the in vitro human cytochrome P450 (P450) and N- arylamine acetyltransferase (detoxification) metabolism of sulfadiazine. Formation of both the hydroxylamine and 4-hydroxy sulfadiazine was NADPH-dependent in human liver microsomes (HLM). The average K m (±S.D.) and V max in HLM ( n = 3) for hydroxylamine formation was 5.7 ± 2.2 mM and 185 ± 142 pmol/min/mg, respectively. Significant ( p r = 0.76, p ≤ 0.004, n = 12). Fluconazole (CYP2C9/19 and CYP3A4 inhibitor at clinical concentrations) inhibited hydroxylamine formation, with one-enzyme model K i estimates ranging from 9 to 40 μM. Acetylation of sulfadiazine in human liver cytosol (HLC) correlated strongly with NAT2 activity as measured by sulfamethazine N- acetylation ( r = 0.92, p n = 12). The average K m (±S.D.) and V max in HLC ( n = 3) was 3.1 ± 1.7 mM and 221.8 ± 132.3 pmol/min/mg, respectively. The polymorphic acetylation of sulfadiazine may predispose slow acetylator patients to adverse reactions to sulfadiazine. On the basis of our K i estimates, clinical fluconazole concentrations of 25 μM would produce decreases of 40 to 70% in hepatic-mediated hydroxylamine production. Therefore, we predict that fluconazole may prove useful in the clinic as an in vivo inhibitor of sulfadiazine hydroxylamine formation to suppress adverse reactions to this drug.
Bee Hunt! Ecojustice in Practice for Earth's Buzzing Biodiversity

ABSTRACT The Bee Hunt! project and curriculum are designed with cultural and environmental sensitivity in mind. In this project, K–12 students develop their awareness and understanding of science and investigate North American pollinator declines. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are integrally connected to the pollination of the world's crops for agricultural, pharmaceutical, and textile use. Because pollinators are so important, this article relates to a serious condition emerging from cultural and environmental disregard in school science. The authors explore some reasons why educating for cultural diversity should be extended to include biodiversity and provide a case study to engage students with the Bee Hunt! protocol, digital photography, and data sharing. Finally, the development of Bee Hunt! curriculum guides, including ideas for inquiry-based learning experiences for teachers of elementary language arts; middle school life science; and high school biology, chemistry, physics, and environ...
Hypersonic Maneuvering for Augmenting Planetary Gravity Assist

In a previous paper, the authors analyzed aeromaneuvers at Venus and Earth. In this paper, they extend the study to Mars, examining the potential of aeroassist maneuvers at Mars for missions to the Sun and to Pluto, using a high lift/drag vehicle such as the waverider to perform an atmospheric fly-around of Mars, in order to rotate the planetocentric velocity vector, thus adding to the rather small rotation due to gravity alone. A fly-around in one direction or the other can place the aphelion or the perihelion of the resulting orbit at the Mars distance for missions toward the Sun or toward Pluto, respectively. The parameters of such maneuvers are given as a function of Earth launch velocity. It is found to be advantageous in terms of Earth launch velocity to perform two aeromaneuvers, e.g., one at Venus and then one at Mars. Some problems regarding the actual implementation of these aeromaneuvers are discussed.
Obesity as a confounding health factor among women with mobility impairment.

Purpose To examine the relationships between self-reported height and weight and factors associated with disabilities that impair mobility among adult women. Data Sources Survey data were gathered from a convenience sample of 83 women with disabilities at community events targeting the disabled population. Height, weight, and factors associated with their disabilities were reported on a demographic questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) was estimated using a conversion table and the self-reported height and weight of each participant. Conclusions The average self-reported weight was 168.3 lb. Only 38% of the women fell into the normal range on estimated BMI, but 62% of the women fell into the categories of overweight or obese. The incidence of overweight and obesity exceeded that reported for the general population of women in a national sample X2= 6.48, p= 03, 2 df). Self-reported weight was positively correlated with the number of comorbidities reported by the women (r= .419, p < .0001). Implications The issue of obesity is an important problem facing women with disabilities. Women who have mobility limitations need to be weighed periodically, and strategies should be devised for weight management, including both dietary plans and appropriate exercise regimens given their limitations.
Automatic recognition of design motifs using semantic conditions

Program comprehension is vital for building, enhancing and maintaining existing software systems. In this paper, we propose an automatic reverse engineering approach that leverages understanding and reusing software libraries through the automatic recovery of the motifs described by design patterns. Initially we formalise the description of common patterns. We then exploit Semantic Web knowledge representation mechanisms for capturing these descriptions in source-code. Empirical evaluations of this approach show evidence that when conceptual knowledge of source-code is represented using ontology formalisms, and when semantic rules are used to capture pattern structure and behavior, we can achieve an effective and flexible detection of patterns without relying on hard-coded heuristics.
Recurrence of intramucosal esophageal adenocarcinoma arising in a former esophagostomy site: a unique case report

A 75-year-old male with a long history of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms developed adenocarcinoma proximally within a long segment of Barrett's esophagus. He was taken for esophagectomy and gastric pull-up, but intraoperatively, he was found to have a marginal blood supply in the gastric tube. A temporary left-sided esophagostomy was created with the gastric tube sutured to the left sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck. Pathology showed an intramucosal adenocarcinoma, limited to the muscularis mucosa with surrounding high-grade dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia. The proximal esophageal margin showed no tumor cells, but there was low-grade dysplasia within Barrett's esophagus. He was reconstructed after several months, and 2 years after reconstruction, the patient noticed a nodule at the former esophagostomy site. Biopsy revealed an implant metastasis of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Here, we review the literature and discuss the possible etiology.
Agar—A Pre-War Japanese Monopoly

A seaweed product of ever-increasing importance, half a million pounds of which are annually used in the United States in foods, medicines, cosmetics, dentistry and other industrial operations.
Comparative threonine, valine, histidine, and glucose oxidation in chicks.

SummaryWhen different amounts of uniformly labeled L-threonine, L-valine, L-histidine, or glucose were administered intraperitoneally to young chicks previously fed complete purified diets or diets lacking different essential amino acids, the total percentage of administered activity recovered as C14O2 during 14 hour experimental periods averaged 10% for threonine, 25% for histidine, 40% for valine, and 50% for glucose. There were large differences in the fraction of each amino acid incorporated into picric acid-precipitable protein. Peak C14O2 production occurred about one hour after administration of glucose, threonine, or valine; 2 hours after administration of histidine. Neither previous diet (complete or lacking the amino acid injected) nor 10-fold variations in amounts of amino acids administered appeared to affect fractions oxidized or synthesized into proteins.
Inhibition of S-ribosylhomocysteinase (LuxS) by substrate analogues modified at the ribosyl C-3 position.

Abstract S-Ribosylhomocysteinase (LuxS) catalyzes the cleavage of the thioether bond of S-ribosylhomocysteine (SRH) to produce homocysteine and 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD), which is the precursor of type 2 autoinducer for bacterial cell–cell communication. In this work, we have synthesized several SRH analogues modified at the ribose C3 position as potential inhibitors of LuxS. While removal or methylation of the C3–OH resulted in simple competitive inhibitors of moderate potency, inversion of the C3 stereochemistry or substitution of fluorine for C3–OH resulted in slow-binding inhibitors of improved potency. The most potent inhibitor showed a K I ∗ value of 0.43 μM.
A CLASS OF 3-COMPLEXES WITH INFINITE CYCLIC FUNDAMENTAL GROUP

Let D be a clasp disk in S3 with n singularities and let U be a regular neighborhood of D. Say D bounds the knot Γ. We show that the 3-complex X=(U\Γ)∪ c * Bd(U) 3-deforms to $S^1 \vee \underbrace{(S^2 \vee \dots \vee S^2)}_{n~\rm copies}$. In particular, π1(X)=ℤ for all 3-complexes X constructed in this manner. We observe that each X in this class corresponds to an unknotting scheme for the participating knot Γ.
Utilization of Gibberella-Infected Corn by Chicks and Rats

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the effect of Gibberella zeae (Gib) infection of corn on its utilization by chicks and rats. No differences in 7 to 25 day weight gain or feed efficiency were noted between chicks fed normal and Gib-infected corn diets. Rats fed the Gib-infected corn diet, however, grew at only 28% the rate of rats fed the normal corn diets. When rats were given a choice between the normal and Gib-corn diets, they exhibited an almost complete rejection of the Gib-corn diet after the first two days.
Theoretical correlations and lateral discontinuities in the Quaternary aminostratigraphic record of the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain

Abstract Aminostratigraphic correlations of emergent Quaternary deposits along the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain have employed independent radiometric data, regional temperature history models, and assumptions regarding the nature of the preserved late Quaternary sea-level record on this passive margin. A substantial “aminostratigraphic offset” is required if regional aminozones are rigorously constrained by all available Th U data. New insights regarding the relation of this offset to subsurface stratigraphy in the Cape Fear region of southeastern North Carolina can explain these conflicts as consequences of the highly incomplete post-Cretaceous depositional record of the region. Southward projection of theoretical aminostratigraphic correlation trends suggests that stage 5 correlative marine units are rarely preserved on the emergent portion of the Coastal Plain between Cape Lookout and central South Carolina and that samples of this age would be most frequently found in this region only as fragmentary (and/or reworked) deposits on the inner shelf or in the subsurface of modern barrier islands. If this hypothesis is correct, then the accuracy of several Th U coral dates from the South Carolina Coastal Plain must be questioned, along with sea-level, tectonic, and paleoclimatic conclusions derived from these dates.
Seasonal diet composition of juvenile and adult pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & Richardson, 1905), in the channelized lower Missouri River

Summary Although habitat alterations and reproductive success are the main contributors to declines of the pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & Richardson, 1905) listed in 1990 as federally endangered, disrupted trophic links within diets of pallid sturgeon populations have been hypothesized as partial contributors. The objective of this study was to evaluate pallid sturgeon food habits within a 500 km reach of the lower channelized Missouri River using non-lethal pulsed gastric lavage. Trotlines, gill nets, trammel nets, and benthic otter trawls were used to collect 284 pallid sturgeon, which ranged in fork length from 265 to 1047 mm. Stomach contents of pallid sturgeon included fish (Cyprinidae and Ictaluridae), aquatic insects, copepods, leeches, and mussels. Cyprinids were the most abundant prey item; ictalurids were also of high abundance. Otter trawl catch rates of ictalurids and cyprinids were not spatially correlated to the respective abundances in pallid sturgeon diets; however, the ratio of the average catch rate to the average number of fish per pallid sturgeon indicated preference for cyprinids (1.5 : 1), particularly Macrhybopsis species, relative to ictalurids (7 : 1). Our results support the need for management of native cyprinids, especially Macrhybopsis species, which have been in decline within the entire range of the pallid sturgeon. However, pallid sturgeon are also able to consume ictalurids, a species which has remained in high abundance in the lower Missouri River.
Preserved features of thalamocortical projection neuron dendritic architecture in the somatosensory thalamus of the rat, cat and macaque

Abstract A number of studies have shown that the organization of the mammalian somatosensory thalamus varies between species. As differences in cellular and synaptic thalamic organization would be expected to influence neuronal dendritic architecture, we compared somatosensory thalamocortical projection (TCP) neurons from the rat, cat and macaque. The results show that key features of the dendritic branching pattern remain unchanged despite large differences in the size of TCP neurons between the species. The features examined were: (i) ratio of the length of terminal branches to the lenght of the entire dendritic tree; (ii) the percentage of branch points that gave rise to two daughter branches as opposed to those that gave rise to three or more daughter branches; (iii) the proportional sum of absolute deviations (a measure of branching symmetry), and (iv) the mean branch order of the terminal segments. The present study provides evidence that somatosensory TCP neurons in these species comprise a homogeneous class and share a common dendritic architecture that is conserved across species despite changes in other aspects of thalamic circuitry. This suggests that TCP neuronal form is based on relatively stable genetic blueprint and that epigenetic factors (e.g. synaptic input) resulting from evolutionary changes in thalamic organization have had less influence on dendritic architecture.
Ian Horrocks: Standardizing OWL

Ian Horrocks describes the early days of the Web Ontology Language (OWL) and the effort it took to standardize it and other languages. The first Web extra at http://youtu.be/MVTNSRwSCxM is an audio interview in which author Charles Severance speaks with Ian Horrocks about the early days of the Web Ontology Language (OWL) and the effort it took to standardize it and other languages. The second Web extra at http://youtu.be/bl4JshvshT8 is an audio recording of Charles Severance's Computing Conversations column, in which he discusses his interview with Ian Horrocks about the early days of the Web Ontology Language (OWL).
Microvascular Decompression in Hemifacial Spasm: Intraoperative Electrophysiological Observations

Facial muscle responses in patients with hemifacial spasm undergoing microvascular decompression operations were recorded. Two peripheral branches of the facial nerve were stimulated and the electrical responses of muscles innervated by these branches were studied to see how the lateral spread of activity that is known to be present in these patients was affected by decompressing the facial nerve. In some of the patients the hemifacial spasm ceased when the dura mater was opened, in some it ceased when the arachnoid was opened, and in others the spasm persisted until the offending vessel was dissected away from the nerve. The lateral spread of activity elicited by antidromic stimulation of a branch of the facial nerve was less affected by opening of the dura mater or arachnoid: it usually persisted until the blood vessel that had been compressing the facial nerve was removed and reappeared when the vessel that had been compressing the facial nerve was allowed to slip back onto the nerve. This seems to indicate that microvascular decompression of the facial nerve is effective in alleviating hemifacial spasm because it removes the actual cause of the disorder rather than simply causing local injury to the nerve as a result of the procedure.
Changes in Mitotic Indices in Roots of Secale Exposed to Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)

Rye root tips were exposed to different concentrations of DMSO. Mitotic indices were determined for the various treatments. As the concentration of DMSO increased from 1% to 11%, the mitotic index decreased from 20.6 to 0.6. The dosage response curve for 50% inhibition was near 3% DMSO.
Multicore-based vector coprocessor sharing for performance and energy gains

For most of the applications that make use of a dedicated vector coprocessor, its resources are not highly utilized due to the lack of sustained data parallelism which often occurs due to vector-length variations in dynamic environments. The motivation of our work stems from: (a) the mandate for multicore designs to make efficient use of on-chip resources for low power and high performance; (b) the omnipresence of vector operations in high-performance scientific and emerging embedded applications; (c) the need to often handle a variety of vector sizes; and (d) vector kernels in application suites may have diverse computation needs. We present a robust design framework for vector coprocessor sharing in multicore environments that maximizes vector unit utilization and performance at substantially reduced energy costs. For our adaptive vector unit, which is attached to multiple cores, we propose three basic shared working policies that enforce coarse-grain, fine-grain, and vector-lane sharing. We benchmark these vector coprocessor sharing policies for a dual-core system and evaluate them using the floating-point performance, resource utilization, and power/energy consumption metrics. Benchmarking for FIR filtering, FFT, matrix multiplication, and LU factorization shows that these coprocessor sharing policies yield high utilization and performance with low energy costs. The proposed policies provide 1.2--2 speedups and reduce the energy needs by about 50p as compared to a system having a single core with an attached vector coprocessor. With the performance expressed in clock cycles, the sharing policies demonstrate 3.62--7.92 speedups compared to optimized Xeon runs. We also introduce performance and empirical power models that can be used by the runtime system to estimate the effectiveness of each policy in a hybrid system that can simultaneously implement this suite of shared coprocessor policies.
4. PAEDIATRIC HIV-STUDY ZURICH: FIRST RESULTS

Since June 1986 thirty-two children born to HIV-positive mothers have been followed at the AIDS-outpatient clinic of the Children's Hospital Zurich. They were given 3 month check-ups which included neurodevelopmental, immunological and virological evaluation. The main purpose of our longitudinal study is the assessment of immunological and microbiological trigger factors of an HIV-encephalopathy. Six of the 32 children are definitely infected with HIV as demonstrated by culture, 5 of them have developed an immunodeficiency and 2 are symptomatic (encephalopathy). Four of 32 are possibly infected with HIV (positive specific IgM and/or IgA), one of them has an immunodeficiency and a second shows psychomotor retardation. In 22 children, infection with HIV can neither be ascertained nor disproven. One of them is immunodefident, another presents a spastic hemiparesis. Up to now, our data reveal a close correlation between positive HIV culture and immunodeficiency on one hand, and HIV-associated symptoms including encephalopathy on the other. However, a negative HIV-culture together with immunocompetence are not associated with clinical symptoms. The risk for developing AIDS remains uncertain in those children in whom only HIV-anatibodies or an immunodeficiency have been revealed.
‘I’m Sister Maria. Please help me’: A lexical study of 4-1-9 international advance fee fraud email communications:

4-1-9 is a multi-billion-dollar international email scam that is believed to have originated from Nigeria. This study examines the framing of email communications used in this fraud and content-ana...
Academic Freedom Legislation: The Latest Effort to Undermine the Integrity of Science and Science Education

On June 28, 2008, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law the Louisiana Science Education Act (LSEA), despite opposition from nine national scientific societies, including the American Asso...
The negaton decay of 122Sb

Abstract The negaton spectrum in the decay of 122 Sb was investigated using a 180° shaped magneticfield spectrometer. The energy signature technique was employed in order to discriminate against background and instrumentally scattered electrons. The spectrum shape factor for the 2 − −2 + , 1414 keV beta transition of 122 Sb is essentially statistical within the experimental errors. The result of this shape measurement makes it possible to limit the number of solutions for the six nuclear matrix elements which enter into this once-forbidden non-unique transition. Only three beta groups were observed, and their end-point energies (keV), intensities and log 10 ƒt values are: 723 (4.0±0.5%, 7.7), 1414±3 (69.0±0.2%, 7.6) and 1980±3 (27.0±0.2%, 8.6).
Relationships Between Geologists and Geophysicists: ABSTRACT

The treatment of this subject is best developed by one who has been on both sides and in the middle. The problem (briefly stated) is the general feeling that the two disciplines are not mutually appreciative of each other and are, therefore, less effective as an exploration team than would otherwise be the case. One must understand that, as long as exploration continues to change, to foster the introduction of new methods, and to use men trained in a wide variety of specialties, complete mutual appreciation should not be expected. Complete appreciation will be possible only when the exploration industry is stagnant. It is management's business to optimize the situation by vigorous use and continuous training of earth scientists, and it is everybody's business to avoid unreasonable attitudes and statements. End_of_Article - Last_Page 482------------
Psychology's public image in "Topics of the Times": commentary from the editorial page of the New York Times between 1904 and 1947.

Between 1904 and 1947, the New York Times published in a section of its editorial page, "Topics of the Times," 196 commentaries on psychology. Prior to World War I, the majority of editorials centered on Hugo Munsterberg; psychological topics most frequently examined after the war were the mental test, child rearing advice, and psychoanalysis. Although the Times was enthusiastic in its support for psychology in the years immediately before and after World War I, editorial opinion soon turned negative. Critical of psychology for promising more than it could deliver, being inconsistent in its assertions over time, and not rising above the level of common sense, Times editorials weighed heavily on the side of undermining, rather than promoting, psychology's credibility from the late 1920s to 1940s.
Cell-free protein synthesis: the state of the art

Cell-free protein synthesis harnesses the synthetic power of biology, programming the ribosomal translational machinery of the cell to create macromolecular products. Like PCR, which uses cellular replication machinery to create a DNA amplifier, cell-free protein synthesis is emerging as a transformative technology with broad applications in protein engineering, biopharmaceutical development, and post-genomic research. By breaking free from the constraints of cell-based systems, it takes the next step towards synthetic biology. Recent advances in reconstituted cell-free protein synthesis (Protein synthesis Using Recombinant Elements expression systems) are creating new opportunities to tailor the reactions for specialized applications including in vitro protein evolution, printing protein microarrays, isotopic labeling, and incorporating nonnatural amino acids.
Effect of Copulation Time on Spermatozoan Transfer of Diabrotica virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The percent of Diabrotica virgifera females receiving a spermatophore and the percent of females containing spermatozoa in the spermathecae increased directly with duration of copulation. A prolonged copulatory period of ca. 3–4 h was necessary for maximal insemination of female D. virgifera during a single copulation. Spermatophores of mated females gradually degenerated and disappeared 7 days after mating. Spermatozoa were present and remained viable within the spermathecae up to 40 days following mating.
Strehl ratio and scintillation theory for uplink Gaussian-beam waves: beam wander effects

First-order weak-fluctuation Rytov theory predicts that the longitudinal (on-axis) component of the scintillation index of an uplink collimated beam will become significantly smaller as the size of the transmitter aperture increases up to around 100 cm. However, the results of recent computer simulations are at odds with this behavior, and we believe that this discrepancy is due to the fact that the conventional Rytov theory does not correctly account for the effects of beam wander on the scintillation index. We present a theoretical structure that accurately describes far-field irradiance fluctuations caused by uncorrected beam wander. This new theory is validated by demonstrating excellent agreement between the predicted scintillation index and computer code results for both tracked and untracked beams. For many applications of practical interest, such as free-space optical communications, a good understanding of the time-average Strehl ratio is also essential simulation results for this parameter are presented and shown to be in good agreement with the theory.
Free MRA of the abdomen: postprocessing dynamic gadolinium-enhanced 3D axial MR images.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced whole-abdomen axial images were obtained by using a fat-suppressed, three-dimensional, breath-hold enhanced fast spoiled gradient-echo technique, configured for optimal evaluation for detection and characterization of liver lesions. We then evaluated the feasibility of using these images to reconstruct “free” abdominal magnetic resonance angiography, without additional cost or acquisition time, in 32 randomly chosen patients. The aorta, celiac trunk, superior mesenteric, hepatic, splenic, and renal arteries were clearly depicted.
Determination of humic acid by chemiluminescence

Abstract The analytical utility of the chemiluminescence resulting from the reaction of humic acid with permanganate is investigated. The chemiluminescence response curve rises sharply to a peak value at about 0.5 s after mixing and decays somewhat more slowly. The peak signal for a fixed humic acid concentration is shown to pass through a maximum near a permanganate concentration of 17 μmol l-1 and to increase continuously with potassium hydroxide concentration up to 2.0 mol l-1. Calibration plots of peak signal vs. humic acid concentration exhibit complex behaviour, being approximately linear up to about 20 mg l-1, curving slightly toward the concentration axis up to about 40 mg l-1, and then curving away from the concentration axis above 40 mg l-1. The detection limit for humic acid is about 0.7 mg l-1. No interference is observed for thirteen common inorganic species at typical levels in water samples. Substantial differences are observed for humic acid in selected samples determined by the chemiluminescence and visible absorption procedures.
Between the constitution and the deep blue sea: Contractual controls on opportunism aboard pirate vessels

When contracting is costly, members of a production team will seek assurance that the transaction-pecific investments they make will be protected. The institutional framework created by a firm in such a setting can be considered a constitution. Under some circumstances, firms will create explicit written constitutions. The constitutions of pre-1850 privateer and pirate vessels provide two examples of actual written constitutions. These constitutions were designed to resolve the problems of contractual opportunism created by the specific investments of the crewmembers. Privateering was a legal and state-sanctioned activity whereas pirates engaged in illegal activities; aside from this difference their activities were virtually identical. This contrast allows for the examination of an interesting question: specifically, what effect does the constitutional backup provided by the state have on the constitutional structure of the firm?
Actinomyces infection in porous polyethylene orbital implant.

• Background: A 60-year-old patient developed actinomycotic inflammation within a porous polyethylene orbital implant which she received following enucleation. • Methods: She had repeated conjunctival exposures with inflammation the primary implant was removed and replaced with another one. • Results: The anterior two-thirds of the porous implant was infiltrated with numerous actinomycotic granules surrounded by polymorphonuclear cells and necrotic debris. The organisms were demonstrated with Gram stains on the histopathologic preparations and with scanning electron microscopy. Within the zones of inflammation, the polyethylene skeleton of the implant was extensively damaged. • Conclusion: Actinomycetes have been described as causative organisms in conjunctivitis, blepharitis, canaliculitis, dacryocystitis and keratitis, but to the best of our knowledge actinomycotic involvement has never been reported in an infected porous orbital implant.
Blood Pressure Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease in Neonates

Pulse oximetry (POx) screening for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) in neonates is less effective in identifying aortic arch obstruction than in detecting other forms of CCHD. This study was performed to assess the use of neonatal blood pressure (BP) screening to detect CCHD. A retrospective review of BP and POx measurements performed at the age of 24 h or before discharge in asymptomatic term neonates was undertaken. The charts of infants readmitted younger than 30 days with a diagnosis of CCHD also were reviewed to identify infants with a missed diagnosis. The screening process was completed for 10,012 of 10,436 infants. Because of an abnormal initial result, 164 neonates required a repeat screening (139 due to abnormal BP). A total of 12 infants failed the BP screening component, and 1 infant failed both the BP and Pox components. The average final right arm-to-leg BP gradient was 25 mmHg in these 13 babies. For nine infants, CCHD was excluded by echocardiography. Three patients were normal at their 1-year well-child exam, and one patient was lost to follow-up evaluation. No infants were identified who had been discharged home with a missed diagnosis of CCHD. Neonatal BP screening to detect CCHD was responsible for more inappropriately performed screenings, repeated screenings, and screening failures than the POx component of the screening protocol and had a highest possible positive predictive value of 1 in 13. These data suggests that BP screening at the time of routine newborn hospital discharge is of limited value in the detection of unrecognized CCHD.
Normal-mode analysis of infrared and Raman spectra of poly(vinyl fluoride)

Abstract Infrared and Raman spectra of samples of poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF) have been recorded. The vibrational spectra have been analyzed by means of normal-mode calculations. A force field was derived by using 2-fluorobutane as a model compound. Crowder's force field for hydrofluorocarbons was employed as a starting point and subsequently refined in application to secondary fluorides. A planar zigzag, syndiotactic single-chain model of crystalline PVF was submitted to be analyzed by this scheme. A comparison of observed infrared and Raman bands with frequencies calculated for syndiotactic PVF shows that PVF produced by conventional free radical polymerization has an atactic structure, supporting the 19 F-NMR results and conclusions reached by Koenig and Boerio. Band assignments in terms of atactic structure are proposed.
Rheolytic Thrombectomy with or without Adjunctive Indwelling Pharmacolysis in Patients Presenting with Acute Pulmonary Embolism Presenting with Right Heart Strain and/or Pulseless Electrical Activity.

Purpose. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Possis rheolytic thrombectomy with or without indwelling catheter-directed pharmacolysis for the treatment of massive pulmonary embolus in patients presenting with right heart strain and/or a pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Materials and Methods. Retrospective review of patients undergoing pulmonary pharmacolysis was performed (07/2004–06/2009). Pre- and posttreatment Miller index scoring weres calculated and compared. Patients were evaluated for tPA doses, ICU stay, hospital stay, and survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results. 11 patients with massive PE were found, with 10/11 presenting with a Miller score of >17 (range: 16–27, mean: 23.2). CTPA and/or echocardiographic evidence of right heart strain was found in 10/11 patients. 3 (27%) patients presented with a PEA event. Two (18%) patients had a contraindication to pharmacolysis and were treated with mechanical thrombectomy alone. The intraprocedural mortality was 9% (𝑛=1/11). Of the 10 patients who survived the initial treatment, 7 patients underwent standard mechanical thrombectomy initially, while 5 received power pulse spray mechanical thrombectomy. Eight of these 10 patients underwent adjunctive indwelling catheter-directed thrombolysis. The mean catheter-directed infusion duration was 18 hours (range of 12–26 hours). The average intraprocedural, infusion, and total doses of tPA were 7 mg, 19.7 mg, and 26.7 mg, respectively. There was a 91% (10/11) technical success rate. The failure was the single mortality. Average reduction in Miller score was 9.5 or 41% (𝑃=0.009), obstructive index of 6.4 or 47% (𝑃=0.03), and perfusion index of 2.7 or 28% (𝑃=0.05). Average ICU and hospital stay were 7.4 days (range 2–27 days) and 21.3 days (range 6–60 days), respectively. Intent to treat survival was 90% at 6, 12, and 18 months. Conclusion. Rheolytic thrombectomy with or without adjunctive catheter-directed thrombolysis provides a safe and effective method for treatment of acute PE in patients who present with right heart strain and/or a PEA event.
Story Telling or Storied Telling? Media's Pedagogical Ability to Shape Narrative as a Form of “Knowing”

Abstract Storytellers know that stories are “formed” in their telling. Stories, whether oral or written, personal or mass communicated, ultimately express the boundaries of their medium (their “embodiment” through mediated forms). Religious Educators must always address the medium as well as the message in any theory of narrative accounting. Media often “bounds” the story according to time, space, and intensity. Certain technology blurs ideas of public and private storytelling with advent of Web-logs or Blogs as a peculiar medium popular with youth. Blogging illustrates the possibilities of narrative as a pedagogical practice through the embodiment or medium of the story.
Notch Signaling Drives Stemness and Tumorigenicity of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Esophageal adenocarcinoma ranks sixth in cancer mortality in the world and its incidence has risen dramatically in the Western population over the last decades. Data presented herein strongly suggest that Notch signaling is critical for esophageal adenocarcinoma and underlies resistance to chemotherapy. We present evidence that Notch signaling drives a cancer stem cell phenotype by regulating genes that establish stemness. Using patient-derived xenograft models, we demonstrate that inhibition of Notch by gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSI) is efficacious in downsizing tumor growth. Moreover, we demonstrate that Notch activity in a patient's ultrasound-assisted endoscopic-derived biopsy might predict outcome to chemotherapy. Therefore, this study provides a proof of concept that inhibition of Notch activity will have efficacy in treating esophageal adenocarcinoma, offering a rationale to lay the foundation for a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of GSI in esophageal adenocarcinoma treatment.