cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Configurable workload generators for multicore architectures

Proposed multicore architectures are usually evaluated using two types of benchmarks: application and synthetic. Application benchmarks use well understood computations to generate well defined workloads. In contrast, synthetic benchmarks are tunable to generate a range of custom workloads. Both classes are currently limited. Existing application benchmarks are inflexible. And the options offered by synthetic benchmarks are too limited to generate a large variety of workload patterns. In this paper we propose novel workload generation methodologies that allow system developers to generate custom benchmarks for desired workload conditions for a variety of existing and multicore architectures. Specifically we describe two configurable workload generators, which we name ConWork and CompWork. ConWork is a configurable synthetic workload generator using which artificial traffic among the processors and memories can be generated. CompWork is a configurable computational workload generator, which can be used to specify vector and matrix applications so as to elicit the desired computational workloads among the processors. Together the two generators provide a number of options to generate workloads to evaluate a variety of performance metrics of existing and emerging multicore architectures including bus based SoCs, packet switching NoCs and hybrids.
Effects of a Carrot Juice Intervention on Plasma Carotenoids, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Overweight Breast Cancer Survivors

Evidence suggests that higher plasma carotenoid concentrations are protective in relation to breast cancer recurrence. This simple randomized carrot juice intervention study was designed to test the hypothesis that daily intake of 8 ounces of fresh BetaSweet (anthocyanin-rich) or Balero orange carrot juice would increase plasma total carotenoid concentrations to levels previously shown to be associated with reduced breast cancer recurrence. It was hypothesized that regular carrot juice intake would be associated with reductions in oxidative stress (8-iso-PGF2α) and inflammation (thromboxane B2, prostaglandin E2 metabolites, and hsC-reactive protein). Sixty-nine overweight breast cancer survivors consumed fresh carrot juice made from study-provided carrots for 3 wk. Total plasma carotenoids increased by 1.65 and 1.38 umol/L for the BetaSweet and Balero carrot juice, respectively. Rise in total plasma carotenoids for the overall sample was inversely associated with 8-iso-PGFα (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.75; no differences were shown by carrot variety. These results suggest daily intake of fresh carrot juice is a simple and effective approach to increasing plasma total carotenoids and in turn reducing oxidative stress, but not inflammatory markers, in women previously treated for breast cancer.
Quantitative imaging and statistical analysis of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) ofAureobasidium pullulans

Abstract Image and multifactorial statistical analyses were used to evaluate the intensity of fluorescence signal from cells of three strains of A. pullulans and one strain of Rhodosporidium toruloides , as an outgroup, hybridized with either a universal or an A. pullulans 18S rRNA oligonucleotide probe in direct or indirect FISH reactions. In general, type of fixation (paraformaldehyde or methanol-acetic acid) had no apparent effect on cell integrity and minimal impact on fluorescence. Permeabilization by enzyme treatment for various times, though needed to admit high M w detection reagents (avidin-FITC) in indirect FISH, tended to nonspecifically degrade cells and lower the signal. Digestion was unnecessary and undesirable for the directly labelled probes. Multilabelled (five fluorescein molecules) probes enhanced fluorescence about fourfold over unilabelled probes. Overall, direct FISH was preferable to indirect FISH and is recommended especially for studies of microbes on natural substrata.
The Corporate Income Tax, Entrepreneurship, and the Noncorporate Sector

Harberger's analysis of the corporate income tax depends on his assumption that the corporate and noncorporate sectors produce different goods. This article modifies that assumption while arguing that the distinguishing feature of corporations lies in their ability to raise capital in a large and well organized market. Once this modification is made, the imposition of the corporate income tax has effects markedly different from those described by Harberger. In particular, it induces firms to postpone the decision to incorporate and reduces the cost of capital schedule faced by some unincorporated businesses. The corporate income tax is, in effect, a tax on size. As such, the effect of the tax on the mix of goods produced in the economy is very uncextain.
Conversion of Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation with Intravenous Amiodarone: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Study Objective. To evaluate efficacy and safety of intravenous amiodarone for conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Data Sources. MEDLINE search of published, randomized, controlled trials assessing the efficacy and safety of intravenous amiodarone in recent-onset (< 7 days) atrial fibrillation, supplemented with searches of reference lists of identified articles and bibliographies of secondary and tertiary review articles. Study Selection. The identified trials were eligible for meta-analysis if they met the following criteria: patients had recent-onset atrial fibrillation; patients were randomized to intravenous amiodarone, placebo, or another antiarrhythmic agent; no other antiarrhythmic agent except digoxin was administered simultaneously with intravenous amiodarone or other active treatments; the number and percentage of conversions to sinus rhythm after treatment began were reported; and the number and type of adverse drug reactions occurring after treatment began were reported. Results. Eighteen randomized controlled trials, including active control cohorts and placebo cohorts, met inclusion criteria. Atrial fibrillation was spontaneous in 13 trials, postoperative in 4, and combined spontaneous and postoperative in 1. A total of 550 patients received intravenous amiodarone, 451 received other antiarrhythmic therapy, and 202 received placebo. Unadjusted averages for cardioversion were as follows: intravenous amiodarone, 417 (76%) of 550 patients; other antiarrhythmics, 324 (72%) of 451 patients; and placebo, 121 (60%) of 202 patients. Pooled estimates of cardioversion for active cohort studies were 72.1% for intravenous amiodarone and 71.9% for other antiarrhythmics (p=0.84). Pooled estimates of cardioversion for placebo cohort studies were 82.4% for intravenous amiodarone and 59.7% for placebo (p=0.03). Unadjusted averages for adverse event rates were intravenous amiodarone, 94 (17%) of 550 patients; other antiarrhythmics, 63 (14%) of 451 patients; and placebo, 23 (11%) of 202 patients. Pooled estimates of adverse event rates for active cohort studies were 12.2% for intravenous amiodarone and 14.0% for other antiarrhythmics (p=0.64). Pooled estimates of adverse event rates for placebo cohort studies were 26.8% for intravenous amiodarone and 10.8% for placebo (p=0.02). The most common adverse drug reactions reported with intravenous amiodarone were infusion phlebitis, bradycardia, and hypotension. Conclusion. The efficacy and safety profile of intravenous amiodarone is similar to that of other antiarrhythmics for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation. Intravenous amiodarone is significantly more effective than placebo but is associated with significantly higher frequency of adverse events, although most were not considered to be dose limiting.
Impulse corona detection and measurement

CORONA AS DEFINED HERE is an ionization in any insulating media and in any form of discharges that result in a partial breakdown of the insulation accompanied by a loss of some electric energy in the system. In particular, impulse corona is defined as corona that is caused by an impulse voltage such as a 1.5×40-microsecond wave.
Elevated cytokine levels in children with autism spectrum disorder

This study compared production of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-13, IL-5 and IL-10 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 20 children with autism spectrum disorder to those from matched controls. Levels of all Th2 cytokines were significantly higher in cases after incubation in media alone, but the IFN-γ/IL-13 ratio was not significantly different between cases and controls. Cases had significantly higher IL-13/IL-10 and IFN-γ/IL-10 than controls. Conclusion: Children with ASD had increased activation of both Th2 and Th1 arms of the adaptive immune response, with a Th2 predominance, and without the compensatory increase in the regulatory cytokine IL-10.
Regulation of Hepatic Nitric Oxide Synthase by Reactive Oxygen Intermediates and Glutathione

Regulation of induced nitric oxide synthase in rat hepatocyte primary cultures was explored. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) induction by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) is synergized by interferon-gamma, and both NOS activity and gene expression are maximal by 10 h and maintained through 24 h. Glutathione depletion by diethylmaleate, which conjugates reduced glutathione, 1,3-bis(chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), a glutathione reductase inhibitor, or buthionine sulfoxamine, a glutathione synthesis inhibitor, abolishes or reduces NOS induction in TNF alpha-treated hepatocytes, whereas N-acetylcysteine has little effect. Thus, reduced glutathione is critical to NOS mRNA induction and activity in TNF alpha-treated hepatocytes. NOS induction in TNF alpha-treated cells is reduced by rotenone, a mitochondrial complex 1 inhibitor. Concurrent treatment with TNF alpha and the antioxidant, Trolox, or the iron-chelating agent, desferrioxamine, also reduces NOS activity. Dithiothreitol, a thiol antioxidant, reduced TNF alpha induction of NOS. Trolox and BCNU, combined, blocked TNF alpha stimulation of NOS greater than either agent alone. These results suggest that TNF alpha increases mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), which contributes to NOS induction. Hepatocytes exposed to extracellular ROI generation through a xanthine/xanthine oxidase superoxide-generating system expressed increased NOS activity and mRNA levels. NOS induction by superoxide also requires reduced glutathione since diethylmaleate blocks induction by xanthine/xanthine oxidase while N-acetylcysteine elevates NOS expression. Thus, the generation of ROI by cytokines or other physiological processes stimulates the induction of NOS and this process is regulated by cellular levels of reduced glutathione.
Studies of the cultivable flora of normal human feces.

Highly diluted feces, obtained from healthy adult individuals, was plated on blood-agar plates which were incubated both aerobically and anaerobically. From the anaerobic plates containing 30 to 60 colonies, every colony was subcultured. Nearly all isolates were obtained in pure culture and partially characterized. It was found thatBacteroides species were the most predominant organisms, being present in numbers approximating 1010 per gram wet weight. Selected bacteria present in lower numbers were determined by plating appropriate dilutions of feces on selective media. It was found that coliforms, streptococci and lactobacilli were regularly present in concentrations of 106 − 108 organisms per gram wet weight material, whileVeillonella, Streptococcus salivarius, Bacteroides melaninogenicus and staphylococci were present in lower numbers. Fusobacteria were only found in one sample, whileNeisseria were not detected in any of the samples. Wet mounts of fecal material, inspected by darkfield microscopy, did not reveal the presence of spirochetes. Anaerobes outnumbered facultative bacteria by a factor of 40, indicating that the human adult fecal flora is predominantly anaerobic. Total microscopic counts indicate that bacteria comprise approximately 30% of the mass of human feces.
A general theory of elastic beams

Abstract The nonlinear basic equations which govern the motion of beams are developed on the basis of three-dimensional theory of thermo-elastodynamics in terms of a reference state. A general method of expansion together with a variational procedure is used for the formulation. Thus, a hierarchy of one-dimensional approximate theories is consistently established. The geometrical as well as physical nonlinearity are explicitly considered in the analysis. The classical theories of stress and strain in beams are directly deduced from the general results. The theory accommodates the higher order stretching, bending and torsion of non-polar elastic beams of uniform cross section.
Spatial and temporal variations in extracellular matrix of periocular and corneal regions during corneal stromal development

The development of the avian corneal stroma occurs in discrete developmental stages. During this sequence of events, the neural crest-derived corneal fibroblast precursor cells are surrounded by distinct extracellular matrices which change both spatially and temporally. To elucidate the role of these matrices, extracellular matrix components in the periocular mesenchyme and cornea were analysed prior to and during migration and differentiation of corneal fibroblasts using antibodies against collagens, proteoglycans and glycoproteins. Previous work has concentrated on the matrix of the corneal stroma rather than the matrix of the periocular mesenchyme. Since the precursors of the corneal fibroblasts are present within the must migrate through the periocular mesenchyme prior to entry into the cornea proper, this environment was fully evaluated. The present study documents the matrix composition of both the cornea and periocular mesenchyme at developmental stages that are prior to and after initiation of corneal invasion by the corneal fibroblast precursors. Variations in matrix molecules comprising both the periocular mesenchyme and cornea were demonstrated. These include changes in the distribution of collagen types I, II, III, IV and VI; the proteoglycans decorin and lumican; as well as the adhesive glycoproteins tenascin, fibronectin and laminin. It is hypothesized that the variations in matrix localization are important in the regulation of cell migration and differentiation during normal corneal development. Any regulation is likely to involve a combination of components found in the extracellular matrices and therefore, a consideration of the matrix rather than isolated components is required.
Evidence for life on Earth more than 3850 million years ago.

When did life first appear on Earth? Previous efforts to answer this fundamental question have found early life as far back as 3450 million years ago, in rock formations in Australia. In his Perspective, Holland discusses data recently published by Mojzsis et al. in the journal Nature that pushes the earliest life back to more than 3850 million years ago.
Effect of synthesis conditions on properties of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) gels

Properties of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gels—equilibrium degree of swelling, shear modulus, effective crosslink density and clarity—depend significantly upon the conditions of synthesis. While it is well known that monomer and crosslinker concentrations affect gel properties, other variables are shown here to have significant effects on the properties of the resulting gels. Initiator type and concentration, synthesis temperature, mold geometry and polymerization time all significantly affect the properties, including the swelling degree. Evidence suggests that the microstructure of these gels is particularly sensitive to these variables.
The effects of memantine on prepulse inhibition

Reduced prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle provides evidence of deficient sensorimotor gating in several disorders, including schizophrenia. The role of NMDA neurotransmission in the regulation of PPI is unclear, due to cross-species differences in the effects of NMDA antagonists on PPI. Recent reports suggest that drug effects on PPI differ in subgroups of normal humans that differ in the levels of baseline PPI or specific personality domains; here, we tested the effects of these variables on the sensitivity of PPI to the NMDA antagonist, memantine. PPI was measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats, after treatment with memantine (0, 10 or 20 mg/kg, s.c.). Baseline PPI was then measured in 37 healthy adult men. Next, subjects were tested twice, in a double-blind crossover design, comparing either (1) placebo vs 20 mg of the NMDA antagonist memantine (n=19) or (2) placebo vs 30 mg memantine (n=18). Tests included measures of acoustic startle amplitude, PPI, autonomic indices and subjective self-rating scales. Memantine had dose- and interval-dependent effects on PPI in rats. Compared with vehicle, 10 mg/kg increased short-interval (10-20 ms) PPI, and 20 mg/kg decreased long-interval (120 ms) PPI. In humans, memantine caused dose-dependent effects on psychological and somatic measures: 20 mg was associated with increased ratings of happiness, and 30 mg was associated with increased ratings of dizziness. PPI at the 120 ms prepulse interval was increased by 20 mg, but not 30 mg of memantine. Subgroups most sensitive to the PPI-enhancing effects of memantine were those with low baseline PPI, or with personality scale scores suggestive of high novelty seeking, high sensation seeking, or high disinhibition. NMDA blockade with memantine appears to have dose- and interval-dependent effects on sensorimotor gating in rats and humans, particularly among specific subgroups of normal human subjects. These findings are discussed as they relate to consistencies across other studies in humans, as well as apparent inconsistencies in the NMDA regulation of PPI across species.
Energy capture improvement of a solar PV system using a multilevel inverter

The challenges with solar energy extraction are addressed in the proposed approach through development and demonstration of a multilevel inverter architecture and the associated control algorithms. The proposed system suggests how to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) from individual panels rather than from a centralized structure. A nine-level cascaded multilevel inverter with a total capacity of 800 watts was successfully implemented and tested. The simulation and the experimental results show that the currents drawn from the individual solar PV arrays using the developed algorithm are very close to the commanded inputs so that the arrays can operate at their individual maximum power points. The overall system minimizes the shading effect and improve the per panel energy capture as well as increase the overall energy harvest.
Amyloidosis-associated neurotrophic keratopathy precipitated by overcorrected blepharoptosis.

Purpose To describe amyloidosis-associated neurotrophic keratopathy. Methods In this interventional case report, we describe the clinical findings of a patient with amyloidosis-associated neurotrophic keratopathy, precipitated by exposure from overcorrected blepharoptosis. Results A 70-year-old woman with a history of amyloidosis was referred with bilateral eyelid retraction 1 month after levator aponeurosis advancement surgery. Examination demonstrated visual acuities of count-fingers OD and 20/400 OS and severe corneal epithelial irregularity with diffuse fluorescein staining. She had marked eyelid retraction with 5-mm right and 3-mm left superior scleral show and incomplete closure. Corneas were anesthetic, and neurologic examination was notable for peripheral sensory loss. Despite eyelid position normalization, the corneal abnormalities progressed to large epithelial defects refractory to aggressive lubrication, punctal occlusion, bandage contact lenses, extended patching, and ultimately tarsorrhaphy consistent with neurotrophic keratopathy. One year postoperatively, the epithelial disease persists. Conclusion Neurotrophic keratopathy can occur in association with amyloidosis and may be precipitated by exposure related to blepharoptosis repair.
Photoresponse of chlorophyll-containing bileaflet membranes and the effect of phycocyanin as extrinsic membrane protein

Artificial bileaflet membranes were formed from extracts of chloroplasts. Gradients of a redox potential were created across the membranes by adding various concentrations of ceric-cerous ions, ferric-ferrous ions, and ascorbic acid to the aqueous solutions on either side of the membrane. When a membrane interposed between solutions of different redox potential was irradiated with light, a potential difference of up to 50 mV was recorded. Analysis of the photoresponse allowed its separation into two components: a photoelectromotive driving force dependent upon the redox potential gradient, and a photoconductive pathway dependent upon the amount of light absorbed by the membranes. There appeared to be a limit to the photocurrent that could be drawn from a membrane at a particular intensity of irradiation; i.e., it did not increase indefinitely with increase of the redox potential gradient. Conductance of the photoconductive pathway was independent of temperature. Phycocyanin added to the aqueous solution participated in the photoresponse in a unidirectional manner that suggested facilitation of electron transport from membrane to acceptors in the aqueous solution.
Terson's syndrome.

Background Terson’s syndrome is intraocular hemorrhage (IOH) subsequent to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Its presence is associated with higher mortality in SAH. We report a case of Terson’s syndrome and review the literature.
Cost utility analysis of maintenance treatment for recurrent depression

This paper presents a cost-utility analysis of three maintenance treatments for recurrent depression: interpersonal therapy (IPT-M), imipramine drug therapy (Drug), and a combination of the two. We base our analysis on the results of the University of Pittsburgh's Controlled Clinical Trial of Maintenance Therapies for Recurrent Depression. We construct a Markovian state-transition model to incorporate clinical effectiveness into cost and quality-of-life impacts; we assign empirical values to the parameters of this model; and we then use Monte Carlo analysis to compare the relative cost effectiveness of the different maintenance treatments. For the patients who met the eligibility standards for the study, Drug maintenance treatment is cost-effective in the strongest sense of the term compared to either a placebo group or IPT-M: it both improves expected lifetime health (measured in quality-adjusted life years, or QALYs) and reduces direct medical costs. This is true even when relatively severe side effects of the drug are considered. Compared to the placebo group, IPT-M and the combination of IPT-M and Drug each improve expected lifetime health, although in neither case are expected direct medical costs reduced. Still, the cost of the resulting health improvements, under $5000/QALY, are very reasonable. A similar conclusion holds comparing Drug and IPT-M to IPT-M alone. All of the above conclusions are quite robust to sensitivity analyses.
Use of A Microtome-Cryostat for Precision Cutting of Serial Sections of Paraffin-Embedded Tissues

(1973). Use of A Microtome-Cryostat for Precision Cutting of Serial Sections of Paraffin-Embedded Tissues. Stain Technology: Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 97-98.
Induction of sister chromatid exchange in spleen and bone marrow cells of rats exposed by inhalation to different dose rates of ethylene oxide

We investigated the effects of dose rate on the frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in bone marrow and spleen cells of rats exposed to ethylene oxide (EtO). Four groups (18/group) of male Fischer 344 rats were exposed to EtO by inhalation. The exposures consisted of 100 ppm for 6 hr/day, 300 ppm for 2 hr/day, 600 ppm for 1 hr/day, and clean air control. All EtO treated rats were given a total exposure dose of 600 ppm-hr daily, 5 days/week for 3, 6, or 9 months. Six rats per group were sacrificed at each time point, and SCEs were measured in cultured spleen and bone marrow cells. A statistically significant increase was found in SCEs in both bone marrow and spleen cells for all treated groups and at each time point when compared to the control, except at the 3-month exposure for the middle and high dose-rate groups in bone marrow cells. In the spleen, the increases in SCEs were similar among the three experimental groups. In bone marrow, the lowest dose rate (100 ppm) resulted in higher SCE frequencies than the medium and high dose-rate group after 3 and 6 month exposures. The overall frequencies of SCEs in the spleen cells were higher than in the bone marrow cells. The increase in SCE frequencies and decrease in the replicative index in spleen cells were also dependent on the duration of exposure. These results indicate that (1) EtO, by inhalation, can cause SCEs both in spleen and bone marrow cells of Fischer 344 rats, (2) spleen cells are more sensitive to EtO than bone marrow cells, and (3) in bone marrow cells the lowest dose-rate (longest) exposure causes more SCEs than the highest dose-rate (shortest) exposures. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effect of DIGM and irradiation-induced grain growth on interdiffusion in bilayer ion-beam mixing experiments

Experiments were performed demonstrating that ion irradiation enhances diffusion-induced grain boundary migration (DIGM) in polycrystalline Au/Cu bilayers. Here, a model is presented relating film-averaged Cu composition in Au with treatment time, grain size and film thickness. Application of this model to the experimental results indicates that irradiation enhances DIGM by increasing the grain boundary velocity. Effects of DIGM and irradiation-induced grain growth on the temperature dependence of ion mixing in bilayers are discussed.
Balanced-growth-consistent recursive utility

Abstract Koopmans's ‘recursive utility’ has proven useful in a number of dynamic modelling contexts. Nonetheless, recursive utility has not made significant inroads into what one would expect to be a natural haven — models of balanced growth, whether ‘exogenous’ or ‘endogenous’. Mainly, this is due to the dearth of interesting recursive utilities which are consistent with balanced growth. In this paper I provide conditions on the aggregator which guarantee the existence of a recursive utility function which is consistent with balanced growth. The result in turn shows how a family of such utility functions may be constructed. I also provide a generalization of Jones and Manuelli's theorem on the existence of optimal endogenous growth.
Stress bounds for the torsion of tubes of uniform wall thickness

Upper and lower bounds are derived for the torsional rigidity and the maximum shear-stress magnitude. The values provided by Bredt's formulas are characterized as asymptotic approximations. Explicit results on error bounds are included.
A modified Galerkin approximation method for volterra equations with smooth kernels

A Galerkin approximation method previously described by the author is shownto be at least as accurate as and more efficient than several step-by-step methods. The error produced additionally appears to have the capability of reproducing the ''ripple'' property normally associated with ultraspherical polynomial approximations. Detailed comparative examples are given.
Turnover of the Copper and Protein Moieties of Ceruloplasmin

APPROXIMATELY 95 per cent of the plasma copper in both mouse and man is normally present as a moiety of ceruloplasmin1. Ceruloplasmin, an α-globulin containing 0.34 per cent copper, exhibits oxidase activity in vitro with a variety of substrates2 and reversibly releases at least half its copper upon reduction3. Whether ceruloplasmin plays a part in the transport of copper or acts as an oxidase in vivo, however, is not known. In the work reported here, the function of ceruloplasmin in mice was investigated by determining the rate of exchange of its copper moiety.
Propositional reasoning by dimensional reduction: a preliminary report

Divide-and-conquer is an effective general problem solving strategy, and has been applied to improve to the performance of search procedures. The challenge in applying the strategy is to find an appropriate decomposition of the problem into subproblems. In this paper, a decomposition is presented for n-dimensional propositional satisfiability problems. Experiments with timetable scheduling show the potential for the technique.
Towards a Molecular Classification of Hematolymphoid Neoplasms: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Going?

SUMMARY Beginning with the discovery of the Philadelphia chromosome in 1960, our descriptions and definitions of hematological malignancies have been successively refined and revised to include morphological, immunophenotypic, and molecular genetic features. As hematopathologists, we now see beyond architectural and cytologic alterations and have, to some degree, become molecular morphologists. Indeed, our “view” of diseases now includes a rudimentary understanding of the molecular genetic abnormalities present in the cells we study under the microscope. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:1323‐1324, 2001)
Soil and maize response to plow and no-tillage after alfalfa-to-maize conversion on a clay loam soil in New York

No-tillage in association with row crop production is generally believed to be poorly adapted to fine-textured soils, especially in temperate humid climates. The relative success of conservation tillage may be impacted by changes in soil structure. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of reduced tillage systems after rotation from a perennial sod crop. An experiment involving spring and fall moldboard plow till (PT), no-till (NT)/zone till (ZT), and ridge till (RT) under maize (Zea mays L.) production following alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was conducted on a Kingsbury clay loam soil (Gleyic Luvisol) in Northern New York. Soil water content, strength and temperature, plant height, leaf area and number, leaf, stem and root biomass, and root distribution were measured during the 1992 and 1993 growing seasons for spring PT and NT, while from 1994 to 1999 only yield measurements were made. Tillage in 1992 occurred under adequately dry conditions, but in 1993 under partially plastic consistency state, resulting in an underconsolidated plow layer. Soil water contents were generally higher for NT than PT in 1992, but equal in 1993. Root proliferation was good in the subsoil although soil strengths were generally above the 2 MPa level, suggesting that penetrometer measurements are not a good indicator of rooting potential in a well-structured soil. Soil strength was higher in both years under NT, and under both tillage treatments was negatively related to soil water content, except in the surface layer where soil penetrability appears mostly affected by aggregate arrangement. NT recorded higher plant heights, leaf area index and leaf numbers in 1993, while PT recorded higher per plant leaf area, stem and root biomass. Roots were generally more abundant under PT than NT at all depths, and were reduced in trafficked inter-row areas. Maize yield was significantly higher under PT in 1992, but similar to NT in 1993. Further yield data from 1994 to 1999 indicate that reduced tillage systems can perform equally or better compared to fall PT on this soil type. Spring PT generally yields lower than fall PT, NT/ZT, and RT. In general, long-term use of reduced tillage systems is economical on well-structured clay loam soils if adequate consideration is given to maintaining soil structure. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Kinematic synthesis with configuration spaces

This paper introduces a new approach to the conceptual design of mechanical systems from qualitative specifications of behavior. The power of the approach stems from the integration of techniques in qualitative physics and constraint programming. We illustrate the approach with an effective kinematic synthesis method that reasons with qualitative representations of configuration spaces using constraint programming.
Chronic zinc deficiency and listeriosis in rats: acquired cellular resistance and response to vaccination.

The functional significance of zinc deficiency on primary and secondary host responses to infection with a facultative intracellular pathogen was studied in specific pathogen free rats. Groups of female rats fed either a low zinc or normal diet for 8 or 10 weeks were infected withListeria monocytogenes five days prior to sacrifice. Zinc-deficient rats demostrated thymic atrophy, reduced delayed hypersensitivity responses to listeria antigen, and impaired lymphocyte response of spleen cells to phytohemagglutinin, but not to Concanavalin A. Separate groups of zinc-deficient or control rats were vaccinated with viableL. monocytogenes 10 days prior to respiratory challenge. Vaccination resulted in successful control of bacteria in both dietary groups.
Simultaneous separation of common mono- and divalent cations on a zirconium-modified silica gel column by ion chromatography with non-suppressed conductimetric detection and tartaric acid-15-crown-5 as eluent.

The application of laboratory-made zirconium-modified silica gels (Zr-silicas) as cation-exchange stationary phases to ion chromatography with conductimetric detection (IC-CD) for common mono- and divalent cations (Li+, Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) was carried out. Zr-silicas were prepared by the reaction of the silanol group on the surface of silica gel with zirconium tetrabutoxide (Zr(OCH2CH2CH2CH3)4) in ethanol. Zr-silica adsorbed on 10 mg zirconium g(-1) silica gel was a suitable cation-exchange stationary phase in IC-CD for the separation of these mono- and divalent cations. Excellent simultaneous separation and highly sensitive detection for these cations were achieved in 10 min by IC-CD using a Zr-silica column (150x4.6 mm I.D.) and 10 mM tartaric acid containing 10 mM 15-crown-5 (1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadecane) as the eluent. The proposed IC-CD method was successfully applied to the determination of major mono- and divalent cations in natural water samples.
Residential location and mobility of registered sex offenders

Identifying the residential locations of registered sex offenders is a major concern for contemporary policy makers and communities. The present study seeks to identify whether registered sex offenders’ residential locations at time of arrest differ from their current addresses, if registrants move whether they tend to move to more or less socially disorganized neighborhoods, as well as what factors are associated with moving to more or less socially disorganized areas. Data are analyzed for 271 registrants on 11 measures of community social disorganization variables. Findings indicate that registrants already residing in socially disorganized areas were less likely to have a downward movement to more socially disorganized areas. Also, those who resided in less socially disorganized areas initially were more likely to have downward movement to socially disorganized areas.
Osseous metaplasia in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the kidney

A 57-year-old female with a history of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) presented with a renal mass. Microscopic analysis of the nephrectomy specimen revealed DLBCL, confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis (CD45, CD20, CD3, pan-keratin) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Multiple spicules of metaplastic bone were identified within the tumor mass, but not within the uninvolved kidney parenchyma. No evidence of bone or dystrophic calcification was detected on the pre-nephrectomy computerized tomography (CT) scan. To our knowledge, this is the first incidence of osseous metaplasia occurring within DLBCL. The pathogenesis of osseous metaplasia is briefly discussed.
Activation of the Raf-1 kinase cascade by coumermycin-induced dimerization.

THE Raf-1 serine/threonine kinase is a key component of the MAP kinase cascade1–3, regulating both proliferation and commitment to cell fate4,5. Raf activation is stimulated following its transloca-tion to the plasma membrane, a process that ordinarily requires interaction with the membrane-localized GTPase, Ras-GXP6–10. To investigate the mechanisms underlying Raf activation, we have developed a coumermycin-induced chemical dimerization method. We find that dimerization is by itself sufficient, in the absence of any membrane components, both to activate a modified Raf protein and to stimulate the MAP kinase cascade appropriately. As Ras–GTP-induced membrane localization increases the effective intracellular Raf concentration, our results indicate that homotypic oligomerization may ordinarily act to promote Raf activation in vivo.
Acute phosphorus poisoning

Summary 1. A case of acute phosphorus poisoning due to the ingestion of arat paste is reported. 2. The child made an uneventful recovery. 3. A plea is offered to educate parents regarding the potential danger of rat and roach pastes to their children.
Fabrication of semipermeable hollow fiber membranes with highly aligned texture for nerve guidance

In order to improve the guidance potential of a nerve entubulation bridging device, highly aligned textures were formed on the inner surface of semipermeable hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) during the wet phase inversion process. By precisely controlling the fabrication parameters, such as polymer solution flow rate, coagulant solution flow rate, and the air-gap distance, also called drop height, different-sized aligned grooves can be fabricated on the inner surface of HFMs. Preliminary studies using in vitro dorsal root ganglion (DRG) regeneration assay showed that both the alignment and outgrowth rate of regenerating axons increased significantly on HFMs with aligned textures compared to those on HFMs with a smooth inner surface. Studies in progress are evaluating axonal outgrowth and regeneration using in vivo sciatic-nerve and spinal-cord-injury models.
Intradiscal thermal annuloplasty for discogenic pain: an outcome study.

: Objectives: Published studies of intradiscal thermal annuloplasty (IDTA) have shown at most 50% pain relief as an improved outcome with little focus on functional improvement in the treatment of discogenic pain. Previous studies have used a number of criteria for patient selection including low back pain unresponsive to conservative care, no compressive radiculopathy, positive provocative discography and absence of previous surgery at the same symptomatic level. The purpose of present study is to examine the hypothesis that additional inclusion criteria for patient selection such as disc height, absence of degenerative disc disease (DDD) in untreated discs, absence of herniated nucleus pulposus or lumbar canal stenosis may improve the outcome of treatment. Methods: In this prospective case-series study additional criteria of patient selection were introduced, namely disc height of at least 50%, no lumbar canal stenosis, one or two levels of DDD, no evidence of nucleus pulposus herniation on magnetic resonance image. Thirty-four patients were enrolled in the study and 32 of them were followed over a period of 12 months. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and seven activities of daily living (ADLs) were followed and reported on a scale from 0 to 10. Results: Sustained decrease of the VAS pain scores was observed from 3 to 12 months following IDTA. ADLs improved in all patients between 3 and 12 months post-treatment. Patients in the Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) group had a higher VAS score but showed the same level of improvement in ADLs as compared to commercial insurance or self-pay patients. In the non-BWC patient group an average VAS pain score decrease of more than 6 points on a 10-point scale was reported at 6 to 12 months following IDTA. Conclusions: We found dramatic improvement of pain scores and ADLs following IDTA when strict patient selection was applied. We believe that IDTA is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for discogenic pain in properly selected patients.
A modified Time-Domain Reflectometry for the estimation of interior-wall parameters

This paper presents a method to account for the spherical spreading effects present when attempting to apply the Time-Domain Reflectometry (TDR) wall estimation technique to the case of a two wall scenario. The parameters of the front wall can be easily estimated using the standard TDR technique however, the parameters associated with the interior wall cannot be estimated directly using TDR. Thus, a compensation factor is presented which allows the TDR technique to be applied to the case of two unknown walls separated by a hallway using a hybrid estimation technique. Numerically simulated results are presented which demonstrate the usefulness of this compensation factor to the application of TDR to this two-wall scenario.
Music in Films: A Critical Review of Literature, 1980-1996

The purpose here is not to trace the history of music in film, but to survey the literature about music in film written between 1980 and 1996. Film music literature is a strange hybrid, much like its subject, existing in a limbo cut off from the main body of both its progenitors: neither film studies nor musicology have paid much attention to film music in the past, and like a squalling brat, film music studies have continued to protest loudly the neglect. While it is true that film studies and musicology have been largely uninterested in film music—or, to be fair, ill-equipped theoretically to approach the synthetic form—the vociferous plaints of complete neglect are gradually being exposed as hyperbole.
Time for the Changing of the Guard: A Farewell to Short Forms of Intelligence Tests

The development of short forms of intelligence tests, especially of Wechsler's scales, has been a pastime of researchers and clinicians for decades. These short forms have usually been of the two- or four-subtest variety, but other variants such as Satz-Mogel split-half short forms have also been common. The literature is replete with proposed short forms and with controversies over their proper use, the statistical problems associated with validity coefficients when the short-form data are obtained from a complete administration of the test battery, and the logic of choosing subtests that are long to administer and score in view of the goal to reduce time. This article argues that the time has come to abandon short forms of intelligence tests in favor of brief tests such as the K-BIT, WASI, and WRIT, which are reliable, valid, well normed, and easy both to give and score.
Broad-Spectrum Möbius Syndrome Associated with a 1;11 Chromosome Translocation

The authors report a case of Mobius syndrome with Poland syndrome, cleft palate, dextrocardia, mandibular hypoplasia, and multiple areas of diffuse brain volume loss. Karyotype demonstrated a t(1;11)(p22;p13) translocation in the patient and his phenotypically normal father and brother. This case extends the spectrum of congenital disorders that are associated with Mobius syndrome and raises the possibility of genetic heterogeneity for the Mobius disorder.
Schreiner organs: A new craniate chemosensory modality in hagfishes

An extensive system of sensory organs resembling taste buds was previously known in the skin of hagfishes. These sensory organs, called here Schreiner organs, are found throughout the epidermis of both Eptatretus stoutii and Myxine glutinosa. They are found also at high densities in the prenasal sinus, nasopharyngeal duct, and pharynx, and at lower densities in the oral and velar chambers. Schreiner organs are multicellular aggregates composed of acetylated tubulin-immunoreactive receptor cells and nonimmunoreactive cells. A considerable range of variation was found in Schreiner organ morphology, but discrete classes of organs could not be recognized. Schreiner organs are innervated by all sensory trigeminal rami, the glossopharyngeal/vagal nerve, and cutaneous rami of spinal nerves, but not by the facial nerve. The central projections of these rami form a continuous tract in the trigeminal sensory zone and the dorsolateral funiculus of the spinal cord. Some Schreiner organs may be represented in the nucleus of the solitary tract, but this structure is certainly not the primary recipient zone of Schreiner organ afferents. In light of these systemic differences between vertebrate taste systems and the Schreiner organ system of hagfishes, it is concluded that Schreiner organs are not homologous to taste buds. This sensory modality of hagfishes has no direct homolog in vertebrates and appears to be a specialization of hagfishes, perhaps derived from the primitive somatosensory system of the earliest craniates.
Dielectrophoresis-based sample handling in general-purpose programmable diagnostic instruments

As the molecular origins of disease are better understood, the need for affordable, rapid, and automated technologies that enable microscale molecular diagnostics has become apparent. Widespread use of microsystems that perform sample preparation and molecular analysis could ensure that the benefits of new biomedical discoveries are realized by a maximum number of people, even those in environments lacking any infrastructure. While progress has been made in developing miniaturized diagnostic systems, samples are generally processed off-device using labor-intensive and time-consuming traditional sample preparation methods. We present the concept of an integrated programmable general-purpose sample analysis processor (GSAP) architecture where raw samples are routed to separation and analysis functional blocks contained within a single device. Several dielectrophoresis-based methods that could serve as the foundation for building GSAP functional blocks are reviewed including methods for cell and particle sorting, cell focusing, cell ac impedance analysis, cell lysis, and the manipulation of molecules and reagent droplets.
Culture-independent microbial community analysis with terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based technique that has been used to effectively interrogate microbial communities to determine the diversity of both phylogenetic and functional markers. It requires the isolation of community DNA and knowledge of the target sequence. PCR amplification, performed with fluorescently labeled primers, is followed with restriction digestion and size selection on automated sequencing systems. The fluorescent tag identifies the terminal fragment, and the length polymorphism of the terminal fragments reveals a fraction of the phylogenetic diversity within the target sequence. Because the technique has high‐throughput capabilities, it performs well in surveys where a large number of samples must be interrogated to ascertain spatial or temporal changes in community structure.
Nonlinear Control of FACTS Controllers for Damping Interarea Oscillations in Power Systems

This paper introduces a new nonlinear control of flexible ac transmission systems (FACTS) controllers for the purpose of damping interarea oscillations in power systems. FACTS controllers consist of series, shunt, or a combination of series-shunt devices which are interfaced with the bulk power system through injection buses. Controlling the angle of these buses can effectively damp low frequency interarea oscillations in the system. The proposed control method is based on finding an equivalent reduced affine nonlinear system for the network from which the dominant machines are extracted based on dynamic coherency. It is shown that if properly selected, measurements obtained from this subsystem of machines are sufficient inputs to the FACTS controllers to stabilize the power system. The effectiveness of the proposed method on damping interarea oscillations is validated on the 68 bus, 16 generator system of the New England/New York network.