cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of the Aerosol Indirect Effect by Large-Eddy Simulation of Marine Stratocumulus

A total of 98 three-dimensional large-eddy simulations (LESs) of marine stratocumulus clouds covering both nighttime and daytime conditions were performed to explore the response of cloud optical depth (τ) to various aerosol number concentrations (Na = 50–2500 cm−3) and the covarying meteorological conditions (large-scale divergence rate and SST). The idealized First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) Regional Experiment (FIRE) and the Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) Lagrangian 1 sounding profiles were used to represent the lightly and heavily drizzling cases, respectively. The first and second aerosol indirect effects are identified. Through statistical analysis, τ is found be to both positively correlated with Na and cloud liquid water path (LWP) with a higher correlation associated with LWP, which is predominantly regulated by large-scale subsidence and SST. Clouds with high LWP occur under low SST or weak large-scale subsidence. Introduction of a small amount of giant sea salt aerosol into the simulation lowers the number of cloud droplets activated, results in larger cloud droplets, and initiates precipitation for nondrizzling polluted clouds or precedes the precipitation process for drizzling clouds. However, giant sea salt aerosol is found to have a negligible effect on τ for lightly precipitating cases, while resulting in a relative reduction of τ of 3%–77% (increasing with Na, for Na = 1000–2500 cm−3) for heavily precipitating cases, suggesting that the impact of giant sea salt is only important for moist and potentially convective clouds. Finally, a regression analysis of the simulations shows that the second indirect effect is more evident in clear than polluted cases. The second indirect effect is found to enhance (reduce) the overall aerosol indirect effect for heavily (lightly) drizzling clouds; that is, τ is larger (smaller) for the same relative change in Na than considering the Twomey (first indirect) effect alone. The aerosol indirect effect (on τ) is lessened in the daytime afternoon conditions and is dominated by the Twomey effect; however, the effect in the early morning is close but slightly smaller than that in the nocturnal run. Diurnal variations of the aerosol indirect effect should be considered to accurately assess its magnitude.
Conformational preferences and internal rotation in alkyl- and phenyl-substituted thiourea derivatives.

Potential energy surfaces (PES) for rotation about the N−C(sp3) or N−C(aryl) bond and energies of stationary points on PES for rotation about the C(sp2)−N bond are reported for methylthiourea, ethylthiourea, isopropylthiourea, tert-butylthiourea, and phenylurea, using the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ method. Analysis of alkylthioureas shows that conformations, with alkyl groups cis to the sulfur atom, are more stable (by 0.4−1.5 kcal/mol) than the trans forms. All minima adopt anti configurations with respect to nitrogen pyramidalization, whereas syn configurations are not stationary points on the MP2 potential surface. In contrast, analysis of phenylthiourea reveals that a trans isomer in a syn geometry is the global minimum, whereas a cis isomer in an anti geometry is a local minimum with a relative energy of 2.7 kcal/mol. Rotation about the C(sp2)−N bond in alkyl and phenyl thioureas is slightly more hindered (9.1−10.2 kcal/mol) than the analogous motion in the unsubstituted molecule (8.6 kcal/mol). The maximum bar...
Pigeons May Not Remember the Stimuli that Reinforced Their Recent Behavior

In two experiments the conditioned reinforcing and delayed discriminative stimulus functions of stimuli that signal delays to reinforcement were studied. Pigeons' pecks to a center key produced delayed-matching-to-sample trials according to a variable-interval 60-s (or 30-s in 1 pigeon) schedule (Experiment 1) or a multiple variable-interval 20-s variable-interval 120-s schedule (Experiment 2). The trials consisted of a 2-s illumination of one of two sample key colors followed by delays ranging across phases from 0.1 to 27.0 s followed in turn by the presentation of matching and nonmatching comparison stimuli on the side keys. Pecks to the key color that matched the sample were reinforced with 4-s access to grain. Under some conditions of Experiment 1, pecks to nonmatching comparison stimuli produced a 4-s blackout and the start of the next interval. Under other conditions of Experiment 1 and each condition of Experiment 2, pecks to nonmatching stimuli had no effect and trials ended only when pigeons pecked the other, matching stimulus and received food. The functions relating pretrial response rates to delays differed markedly from those relating matching-to-sample accuracy to delays. Specifically, response rates remained relatively high until the longest delays (15.0 to 27.0 s) were arranged, at which point they fell to low levels. Matching accuracy was high at short delays, but fell to chance at delays between 3.0 and 9.0 s. In Experiment 2, both matching accuracy and response rates remained high over a wider range of delays in the variable-interval 120-s component relative to the variable-interval 20-s component. The difference in matching accuracy between the components was not due to an increased tendency in the variable-interval 20-s component toward proactive interference following short intervals. Thus, under these experimental conditions the conditioned reinforcing and the delayed discriminative functions of the sample stimulus depended on the same variables (delay and variable-interval value), but were nevertheless dissociated.
Early events in the infection of human B lymphocytes by Epstein-Barr virus: the internalization process

The early events in the infection of normal B lymphocytes and B lymphoblastoid cells by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were examined by electron and immunoelectron microscopy and by infectivity and inhibition studies. Purified EBV remained on the cell surface at 4 degrees and appeared as 250-nm ovoid particles in contact with the cell membrane through 50-nm envelope projections. Internalization of EBV in normal B lymphocytes into large (300-500 nm) uncoated vacuoles was initiated within 2 to 5 min at 37 degrees. At this stage approximately 1/3 of cell-associated virus was located in cellular invaginations while another 1/3 was in cell vacuoles. Direct fusion of EBV with the outer cell membrane was not observed. Instead, viral deenvelopment and nucleocapsid transit into the cytoplasm occurred from the large endocytic vesicles within 15 to 30 min at 37 degrees and did not involve lysosomal enzymes. During this time, the viral envelope became amorphous and its separation from the nucleocapsid was evident. After 60 to 90 min at 37 degrees, viral nucleocapsids were visualized in close proximity to the cell nucleus. Weak bases such as chloroquine, methylamine, and ammonium chloride retarded viral deenvelopment and fusion inside the endocytic vacuoles, resulting in abrogation of viral infectivity and accumulation of intact virions within cell vacuoles. These studies indicate that EBV enters normal B lymphocytes by a different endocytic pathway than the clathrin-receptosome-lysosome pathway utilized by many other ligands, including a number of viruses, to enter cells. In contrast to the pathway of entry into normal B lymphocytes, EBV entered B lymphoblastoid cells by direct fusion with the outer cell membrane within 2 to 5 min at 37 degrees.
Hypothalamic dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity: fluctuations with time of day and their modifications by intracranial surgery, adrenalectomy, and pinealectomy.

Hypothalamic and plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase [DBH, EC 1.14.2.1] activites were measured by a coupled radioenzymatic method. Animals representing five experimental groups [intact controls, adrenalectomized, pinealectomized, adrenalectomized pinealectomized, doubly sham-operated] were killed and sampled at 8 times through the 24-hr daily cycle, 15 days postoperation, and at 50-52 days of age. Hypothalamic DBH in intact control animals had statistically significant fluctuations in relation to time of day. These changes were lost or dampened in groups that had had intracranial surgery and were characteristically shifted by adrenalectomy, either alone or with pinealectomy. Plasma DBH fluctuations in the same animals resembled those in hypothalamus in some features (e.g., peak near mid-dark; shift in daily maxima and minima after adrenalectomy) and differed in others [e.g., no effect of intracranial surgery or of sham operation; adrenalectomized pinealectomized animals resembled the solely pinealectomized]. Although temporal patterns in hypothalamic DBH activity thus differed in the experimental animal groups, the daily means of hypothalamic DBH activity were similar.
Differential effects of monoaminergic agonists on alcohol intake in rats fed a tryptophan-enhanced diet.

The goal of the present study was to determine if enhancement of tryptophan levels in a nutritionally balanced liquid diet would affect alcohol intake in a two-bottle choice procedure. Furthermore, the monoaminergic agonists amphetamine, phentermine (dopaminergic- and noradrenergic-releasing drugs), and fenfluramine (a serotonin releaser) were administered to determine if these drugs reduced alcohol intake in animals fed the tryptophan-enhanced diet compared to those fed an alcohol-containing diet without added tryptophan. Amphetamine 0.5 and 2 mg/kg and phentermine 4 mg/kg selectively reduced alcohol intake in animals fed the tryptophan-enhanced diet; higher doses also reduced alcohol intake in animals fed the control alcohol diet. Three hours after drug administration, phentermine 2 and 4 mg/kg produced increases in consumption of the nonalcoholic diet in animals fed the control diet without affecting consumption in animals fed the tryptophan-enhanced diet. Finally, animals in the tryptophan-enhanced group gained less weight than those animals fed an identical diet without the added tryptophan. Neurochemical analysis revealed that the tryptophan-fed groups showed increased 5-HIAA concentrations and serotonin turnover in the striatum, hypothalamus, and frontal cortex compared to animals fed the control diet. The tryptophan-alcohol group also showed almost double the tryptophan levels in the hypothalamus compared to the tryptophan-isocaloric group. These results indicate that, whereas increasing tryptophan levels by itself was not sufficient to alter consumption of an alcohol-containing diet, the administration of monoaminergic agonists significantly interacted with tryptophan in a dose-dependent manner to reduce intake of an alcohol-containing diet without reducing intake of an isocaloric diet.
Case studies in public-sector leadership: residency training transformation: a view from the frontline.

Psychiatrists of the future will be called upon to lead teams of clinicians in increasingly complex medical care systems, but will they be prepared for those roles? The authors of this column asked alumni of the Columbia University Public Psychiatry Fellowship (PPF) to identify important skills and knowledge that were not stressed in general residency education. “Silos are rampant in our work,” complained one respondent, reflecting a common concern that not enough time was spent teaching residents to collaborate.
Neural Mechanisms in Primary Hypertension Efficacy of α-Blockade with Doxazosin during Stress

This single-blind study assessed the role of the sympathetic nervous system in primary hypertensives, at rest and during stress, and examined blood pressure responses to an α1-blocker, doxazosin. Twenty patients were selected who had a sitting diastolic blood pressure 95 to 115 mm Hg at the end of the placebo period. Doxazosin was given in doses of 1 mg per day initially, then increased weekly to 2, 4, 8, and 16 mg, until goal blood pressure or maximum dose was reached or side effects limited further increase. Their determined dose of doxazosin was held constant for 16 weeks of the maintenance period. Mental and isometric stress tests were performed at the end of placebo and at the first and last months of maintenance. Diastolic blood pressures were related to baseline plasma norepinephrine, r = 0.61, P < .01. The dose of doxazosin administered was 8.4 ± 4.1 mg. After 4 months of therapy, doxazosin lowered blood pressure from 147 ± 1699 ± 3 to 135 ± 587 ± 8 sitting, and from 146 ± 1499 ± 6 to 130 ± 1486 ± 7 standing, respectively. Heart rates were not changed. The reduction of standing systolic blood pressure was related to baseline norepinephrine in the 12 patients who reached goal blood pressure, r = 0.57, P < .05. During mental and isometric stress tests, the percentage changes of blood pressures were related to their baseline plasma norepinephrine. Doxazosin reduced the percentage increments of blood pressure during mental stress 12.2 ± 5.711.8 ± 4.3% versus 5.7 ± 1.08.1 ± 7.4%, P < .01.05. Doxazosin also blunted the diastolic blood pressure response to isometric exercise from 18.3 ± 12.2% to 9.3 ± 11.0%, P < .05. Neurogenic factors participate in the elevation of blood pressure in some patients with primary hypertension. The α-blocker doxazosin was effective in 60% of the hypertensive patients—it controlled blood pressure during laboratory stress, suggesting particular value in reduction of blood pressure during ambient stress of everyday living.
Genetics of food allergy.

Purpose of reviewFood allergy, a growing clinical and public health problem in the United States and worldwide, is likely determined by multiple environmental and genetic factors. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent advances in food allergy genetic research.Recent findingsThere is comp
Racial differences in cervical cytokine concentrations between pregnant women with and without bacterial vaginosis.

We have examined the association between cytokine, chemokine and growth factor concentrations with bacterial vaginosis (BV) in pregnant white and black women. A nested case-control analysis was performed to examine twenty-eight cervical cytokine, chemokine and growth factor concentrations in 83 white women (55 with normal flora and 28 with BV) and 81 black women (39 with normal flora and 42 with BV). White women with BV had significantly lower IP10 (P = 0.001) and MCP1 (P = 0.006) concentrations compared to women with normal flora. Black women with BV had higher IL-1α (P < 0.001) concentrations than those with normal flora. In women with normal flora, whites had significantly higher levels of IL-1α (P = 0.047), IL-6 (P = 0.010), IL-10 (P = 0.016) and PDGF-BB (P = 0.010) than blacks. There were no significant concentration differences between white and black women with BV. These results demonstrate significant differences in cytokine and chemokine concentrations between women with and without BV. Ethnic differences in cytokine concentrations were also observed in women with normal flora, indicating that white and black women with normal flora have different cytokine levels, but respond to BV in a similar manner.
3D finite element model of aqueous outflow to predict the effect of femtosecond laser created partial thickness drainage channels.

Background and Objectives: Partial thickness drainage channels can be created with femtosecond lasers in the translucent sclera for the potential treatment of glaucoma. We present a 3D finite element model (FEM) that can predict the effect of these channels on aqueous humor (AH) outflow and intraocular pressure (IOP). Study Design/Materials and Methods: A 3D model was developed based on a 2D model for the intact eye using COMSOL (Comsol, Inc., MA) finite element software. Different values of permeability were entered into the 3D model for the AH pathway and for the partial thickness channel. To obtain experimental data for model validation, one partial thickness channel was created in each of three enucleated rabbit eyes with a femtosecond laser tuned to 1.7 mm wavelength. Aqueous outflow rates were measured with the perfusion method before and after the laser treatments at different levels of IOP and then compared to IOP values predicted by the model. Results: The experiments indicated that the rate of the AH outflow was increased in each of three eyes after the laser treatment. Assuming a constant rate of AH production the 3D model predicted IOP reductions ranging from 67.2% to 80.6% as the effect of the laser created channels. These predictions were in reasonable agreement with experimentally adjusted IOP values during the perfusion measurements. Conclusions: The developed 3D FEM has the potential to predict IOP reduction caused by partial thickness drainage channels created with the femtosecond laser in the sclera. Such a model may also be used to determine optimal channel dimensions for a specified increase in outflow facility and reduction in IOP. Lasers Surg. Med. 40:188– 195, 2008. 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The influence of stimulation of the hypothalamus and of the dorsomedial nucleus upon experimental bradykinesia and akinesia

Abstract In an attempt to analyze mechanisms able to counteract bradykinesia and akinesia, alumina cream was injected into the caudate nucleus of cats, a procedure able to produce initially a marked slowing and eventually nearly complete cessation of spontaneous movements. In various stages following the alumina cream injection, the hypothalamus or the dorsomedial nucleus were stimulated through previously implanted electrodes. Such stimulations were able to increase the speed of the locomotor activity or to initiate locomotion in catatonic animals. Electrocoagulation around the foci of stimulation prevented such effects. Lesions of the dorsomedial nuclei, however, prevented the effect of hypothalamic stimulation only if relatively low voltages were used.
De novo enzyme design using Rosetta3.

The Rosetta de novo enzyme design protocol has been used to design enzyme catalysts for a variety of chemical reactions, and in principle can be applied to any arbitrary chemical reaction of interest, The process has four stages: 1) choice of a catalytic mechanism and corresponding minimal model active site, 2) identification of sites in a set of scaffold proteins where this minimal active site can be realized, 3) optimization of the identities of the surrounding residues for stabilizing interactions with the transition state and primary catalytic residues, and 4) evaluation and ranking the resulting designed sequences. Stages two through four of this process can be carried out with the Rosetta package, while stage one needs to be done externally. Here, we demonstrate how to carry out the Rosetta enzyme design protocol from start to end in detail using for illustration the triosephosphate isomerase reaction.
Minimally Invasive Valve Operations

Abstract Background . To reduce the morbidity from valvular heart operations, a right parasternal approach was introduced. We report our initial experience with the procedure. Methods . From January 1996 through July 1996, 115 patients underwent primary isolated valve procedures. One hundred (85%) patients underwent the operation through a right parasternal incision. Results . There was one hospital death secondary to a stroke on the fifth postoperative day. Three patients (two with aortic valve operations and one having a mitral valve procedure) required conversion to sternotomy. Mean aortic occlusion time was 71 minutes; mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 93 minutes. Mean stay in the intensive care unit was 27 hours and mean hospital postoperative stay was 5.7 days. Seventy-seven percent of the patients did not receive blood transfusions. Comparison with median sternotomy demonstrated a reduction in both postoperative length of stay and direct hospital costs. Conclusions . We conclude that this minimally invasive approach is safe for a variety of valve procedures and is effective in reducing surgical trauma and cost.
The effectiveness of attention and rejection as coping styles: A meta-analysis of temporal differences

The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis [16] of research comparing the effects on physical adaptation of two cognitive strategies for coping with stressors: attention and rejection. Attention refers to focusing attention on the stressor and/or on one's rejection to it; rejection refers to focusing attention away from the stressor and/or one's reaction to it. For studies examining the immediate effects of attention and rejection, rejection produced better physical adaptation (i.e. fewer symptoms, reduced physiological responses) than attention. For studies looking at the long term effects of attention and rejection, attention produced better physical adaptation than rejection. Mechanisms which could produce these effects, and their implications, are discussed.
Clinical Research: Analgesia and Morphine Disposition in Burn Patients

Following intravenous administration of morphine (MS) to eight burn patients, the plasma concentration of MS, along with the analgesic effect, was determined over time. The pharmacokinetic measurements revealed rapid and extensive distribution of the morphine as well as rapid elimination. The values did not differ significantly from those found in normal controls. A plot of the mean log MS vs. mean pain relief demonstrated a relationship between the plasma concentration and the analgesic effect. The findings show that burn patients can eliminate morphine normally and can receive effective pain relief when plasma concentration is sufficient.
Comparison of CINAHL® via EBSCOhost®, Ovid®, and ProQuest®

CINAHL® database characteristics were examined in three vendor products. A number of unanticipated variations concerning category terms, field tags and their definitions, and search results are noted and discussed. Interface highlights are also explored. Knowing the characteristics of the vendor interface being used allows the searcher to accommodate unique variations when helpful or necessary. Usefulness of interface characteristics and features, display settings, and content are framed by the user's experiences, needs, and preferences. This investigation will be of assistance to those who wish to compare characteristics of three major CINAHL versions, and will be of interest and value to any CINAHL user.
Structural biology: Snapshots of DNA repair

In recombinational DNA repair, nearly identical sequences in chromosomes are found and swapped. Structures of the RecA–DNA complexes involved provide insight into the mechanism and energetics of this universal process. One way of reversing DNA damage involves homologous pairing of an undamaged DNA with a damaged DNA, a process mediated by a class of proteins known as strand-exchange proteins. Chen et al. now present a 'holy grail' of the DNA repair field: the structure of the E. coli strand-exchange protein, RecA, bound to one and two DNA molecules. More than a dozen crystal structures of bacterial, archaebacterial and eukaryotic RecA-family members have been determined previously, but because RecA forms a filament on DNA, no crystal structures of RecA–DNA complexes were available. The new study avoids the problem of crystallizing a polymer by engineering RecA–DNA complexes that represent finite segments of the filament.
Dissipative dynamics of a two-state system coupled to a heat bath.

The dynamics of a two-state system coupled to the dissipative degrees of freedom of the environment appears in many different contexts. In this paper we have given a general formulation of the problem as well as a detailed comparison of two a priori very different heat baths: (a) a collection of harmonic oscillators coupled to the system, and (b) a collection of fermions coupled to the system. Consideration of such heat baths is motivated by the assertion that the weakly excited states of the environment can be modeled by a collection of elementary excitations following Landau. Our conclusion is that the case of Ohmic dissipation of harmonic-oscillator heat bath is very similar to the fermionic bath, although a crucially important dimensionless parameter \ensuremath{\alpha} assumes a different range of values in the two different cases.
An All-ferrous State of the Fe Protein of Nitrogenase INTERACTION WITH NUCLEOTIDES AND ELECTRON TRANSFER TO THE MoFe PROTEIN

The MoFe protein of nitrogenase catalyzes the six-electron reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. It has long been believed that this protein receives the multiple electrons it requires one at a time, from the [4Fe-4S]2+/+ couple of the Fe protein. Recently an all-ferrous [4Fe-4S]0 state of the Fe protein was demonstrated suggesting instead a series of two electron steps involving the [4Fe-4S]2+/0 couple. We have examined the interactions of the [4Fe-4S]0 Fe protein with nucleotides and its ability to transfer electrons to the MoFe protein. The [4Fe-4S]0 Fe protein binds both MgATP and MgADP and undergoes the MgATP induced conformational change and then binds properly to the MoFe protein, as evidenced by the fact that the behavior of the 0 and +1 oxidation states in the chelation and chelation protection assays are indistinguishable. Nucleotide binding does not effect the distinctive UV/Vis, CD, or Mossbauer spectra exhibited by the [4Fe-4S]0 Fe protein; however, because the intensity of the g = 16.4 EPR signal of the [4Fe-4S]0 Fe protein is extremely sensitive to minor variations of the rhombicity parameter E/D, the EPR signal is sensitive to the binding of nucleotides. A 50:50 mixture of [4Fe-4S]2+ and [4Fe-4S]0 Fe protein results in electron self-exchange and 100% production of [4Fe-4S]+ Fe protein, demonstrating that the +1/0 couple is fully reversible. MgATP is absolutely required for electron transfer from the [4Fe-4S]0 Fe protein to the reduced state of the MoFe protein. In that reaction both electrons are transferred and are used to reduce substrate.
Primers for a PCR-based approach to mitochondrial genome sequencing in birds and other vertebrates.

A PCR-based approach to sequencing complete mitochondrial genomes is described along with a set of 86 primers designed primarily for avian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This PCR-based approach allows an accurate determination of complete mtDNA sequences that is faster than sequencing cloned mtDNA. The primers are spaced at about 500-base intervals along both DNA strands. Many of the primers incorporate degenerate positions to accommodate variation in mtDNA sequence among avian taxa and to reduce the potential for preferential amplification of nuclear pseudogenes. Comparison with published vertebrate mtDNA sequences suggests that many of the primers will have broad taxonomic utility. In addition, these primers should make available a wider variety of mitochondrial genes for studies based on smaller data sets.
The Nutrition of the Newborn Dairy Calf III. The Response to a Photolyzed Milk Diet

Summary and Conclusion Approximately 96 per cent of the riboflavin in milk fed was destroyed by exposure to the radiations of a 400 W. mercury vapor lamp emitting light of wave lengths longer than 3,000 A. Appreciable quantities of vitamin A and carotene also were destroyed. Four male Guernsey calves were fed this treated milk supplemented with adequate vitamin A. One of these calves also received approximately 2.99 mg. of added riboflavin daily. Biboflavin deficiency symptoms consisted of erratic growth, intermittent diarrhea, a dry scaly dermatitis, alopecia, particularly about the head, periodic excessive salivation and lacrimation and in the acute stages, dysphagia and a peculiar collapse syndrome (one calf). Post mortem examinations showed evidence of catarrhal enteritis, mild edema of the lungs, (the collapse victim), pebbled cornea (one calf), mild edema of the cerebrum (one calf) and abnormalities of the kidney in two cases. These calves were extremely unthrifty. The addition of 2 mg. of riboflavin daily to the diet of one of these calves resulted in a prompt cessation of diarrhea, resumption of growth and a marked improvement in general appearance, including the growth of new hair. No other lesions of the lips or mouth or abnormalities of the eyes were noted. The performance of the calf receiving 2.99 mg. of added riboflavin from the start was uneventful and approached the Eagsdale standard of growth. Blood vitamin A and ascorbic acid levels were normal in all four calves. The urinary excretion of riboflavin varied from 0.01 to 0.06 mg. per day for calves receiving the treated milk with no added riboflavin and 0.38 to 0.64 mg. per day for the calf which received added riboflavin throughout the experiment. The limited data of this experiment indicate that the minimum daily riboflavin requirement of the very young calf is somewhat less than 75 y per kg. of body weight. The possibility of riboflavin deficiency during the milk feeding period is remote.
Center-of-Gravity Reduce Task Scheduling to Lower MapReduce Network Traffic

MapReduce is by far one of the most successful realizations of large-scale data-intensive cloud computing platforms. MapReduce automatically parallelizes computation by running multiple map and/or reduce tasks over distributed data across multiple machines. Hadoop is an open source implementation of MapReduce. When Hadoop schedules reduce tasks, it neither exploits data locality nor addresses partitioning skew present in some MapReduce applications. This might lead to increased cluster network traffic. In this paper we investigate the problems of data locality and partitioning skew in Hadoop. We propose Center-of-Gravity Reduce Scheduler (CoGRS), a locality-aware skew-aware reduce task scheduler for saving MapReduce network traffic. In an attempt to exploit data locality, CoGRS schedules each reduce task at its center-of-gravity node, which is computed after considering partitioning skew as well. We implemented CoGRS in Hadoop-0.20.2 and tested it on a private cloud as well as on Amazon EC2. As compared to native Hadoop, our results show that CoGRS minimizes off-rack network traffic by averages of 9.6% and 38.6% on our private cloud and on an Amazon EC2 cluster, respectively. This reflects on job execution times and provides an improvement of up to 23.8%.
THERMAL TO ELECTRIC ENERGY CONVERSION

As research in the area of excess power production moves forward, issues associated with thermal to electric conversionbecome increasingly important. This paper provides a brief tutorial on basic issues, including the Carnot limit, entropy, and thermoelectric conversion. Practical thermal to electric conversion is possible well below the Carnot limit, and this leads to a high threshold for self-sustaining operation in Pons-Fleischmann type experiments. Excess power production at elevated temperatures will become increasingly important as we move toward self-sustaining devices and energy production for applications. Excess power production in heatproducing systems that do not require electrical input have an enormous advantage over electrochemical systems. Such systems should be considered seriously within our community in the coming years.
Effect of flaws on the stress wave propagation in particulate aggregates: Near and far field observations

Abstract An experimental study is conducted using dynamic photoelasticity and strain gage techniques to investigate transient stress fields in aggregate assemblies of circular disks. In particular, attention is focused on the effect of damage and damage growth in the particles on the dynamic load transfer process. The experimental data are analyzed to obtain the wave velocity, contact load profiles, peak load attenuation, wave dispersion and other changes in the stress fields as the dynamic load transfer process takes place. Both near and far field effects due to the presence of a flaw on the load transfer process are studied. The results show that the size and the orientation of the flaw greatly influence the load transfer process locally. However, in the far field the flaw only affects the attenuation of the peak loads without changing the wavelength of the loading pulse.
Mechanical and morphological characterization of polymer–carbon nanocomposites from functionalized carbon nanotubes

Abstract Carbon nanotubes were functionalized with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The water-soluble PVA–functionalized carbon nanotubes were then embedded into PVA matrix via a wet-casting method, resulting in polymer–carbon nanocomposite films with homogeneous nanotube dispersion. Composites with pristine and functionalized nanotubes were tested in tension. It was found that the mechanical properties of these nanocomposite films were significantly improved compared to the neat polymer film. Functionalization allowed good distribution of the nanotubes in the matrix, leading to higher film strength. Scanning electron microscopy shows an apparent good wetting of the nanotubes by the PVA matrix. These results are supportive of good interfacial bonding between the functionalized carbon nanotubes and the hosting polymer matrix.
Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography for the Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist

Combined positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) imaging with fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) allows fusion of structural and attenuation information provided by CT with functional imaging derived from PET, improving the radiologic assessment of normal anatomic structures and pathologic lesions. PET/CT allows accurate location of hypermetabolic foci identified at PET with its morphologic structure on CT, reducing the incidence of falsepositive and false-negative imaging findings with PET alone. CT, because of its lack of metabolic information, is unable to distinguish fibrotic tissue; a common finding after chemoradiotherapy and/or surgery from residual neoplastic disease and thus may fail in posttreatment assessment. The ability and role of PET/CT in distinguishing active from inactive disease has revolutionized the assessment of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary malignancies.
Reticular pseudodrusen in early age-related macular degeneration are associated with choroidal thinning.

Purpose. To compare choroidal thickness (CT) measurements in early AMD between patients with and without reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
Rumination Moderates the Effects of Cognitive Bias Modification of Attention

Whereas research on cognitive bias modification of attention has produced promising results, it remains unclear how and for whom such techniques may be most effectively implemented. This study examined how trait rumination moderated the effects of two attention training tasks on biased attention, assessed via eye tracking, and subsequent stress reactivity. Using a modified dot-probe task, participants were trained to develop a negative attention bias, a positive attention bias, or no attention bias. Though neither the train-negative nor the train-positive conditions produced significant main effects on attention biases or emotional reactivity, rumination was found to moderate training efficacy, such that train-positive participants reporting high levels of rumination demonstrated greater early-stage positive attention biases at post-training, as compared to controls. Further, train-negative and train-positive participants who reported low levels of rumination demonstrated greater positive affect following an acute stressor as compared to controls. Theoretical and clinical implications of results are discussed.
Purification of isoamylases from the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), by high-performance liquid chromatography and their interaction with partially-purified amylase inhibitors from wheat

Abstract Amylase isozymes from the adult rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a Synchropak AX-300 analytical ion exchange column. The isozymes, designated RW-1 and RW-2, had similar pH optima between pH 4.5 and 5.0, molecular weights of about 56,000, similar amino acid profiles that included high concentrations of aspartic acid and low levels of cystine and methionine, and identical action patterns for hydrolysis of amylose that were typical of α-amylases. Kinetic constants of RW-1 and RW-2 for hydrolysis of soluble starch were significantly different. K m values for starch were 0.246% for RW-1 and 0.066% for RW-2. V max values for starch were 837 AU/mg protein for RW-1 and 308 AU/mg for RW-2. One amylase unit (AU) was the amount of enzyme that produced 1.0 mg maltose hydrate/min at 30°C. Naturally-occurring amylase inhibitors in ammonium sulfate precipitates of a saline extract of wheat flour were fractionated by HPLC on a Synchropak AX-300 preparative column. Significant differences were found in the sensitivity of RW-1 and RW-2 to several major inhibitor fractions. Inhibition patterns of the HPLC fractions toward RW-1 were similar to that against purified amylase of S. granarius (L.), whereas inhibitory activity against RW-2 paralleled that against amylase from Tenebrio molitor L. A zymogram technique for electrophoretic demonstration of amylase inhibitors is described.
Direct numerical solution of turbulent nonpremixed combustion with multistep hydrogen-oxygen kinetics

Results are reported from three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of nonpremixed hydrogen-oxygen combustion using a reduced kinetic mechanism in low Mach number, decaying, variable density, isotropic turbulence. The reduced chemical kinetics scheme is based on a seven-species, ten-reaction hydrogen-oxygen mechanism. Realistic kinetic parameters were used. The speed of the entire chemical process was scaled relative to the mixing process by varying an appropriately chosen Damkohler number. The simulation results were compared to predictions of the Conditional Moment Closure model. Next, predictions for the radical species concentrations based on steady-state and partial equilibrium assumptions were compared to simulation results. A model is proposed which gives the thermochemical state as a function of the mixture fraction and a reaction progress variable. The thermochemical states are derived and tabulated from homogeneous premixed calculations. The predictions of this model are compared to simulation data. An expression is derived for the evolution of the error in a manifold approximation.
A redescription of Siphlonisca aerodromia needham (Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae)

The species Siphlonisca aerodromia Needham is redescribed and illustrated from Maine, U. S. A. specimens. Scanning electron micrographs of the nymphal cuticle showing thoracic sternal projections, sternal setae, and eggs are presented. The similarity of primary diagnostic characters are discussed in relation to Heterocloeon berneri (Muller‐Liebenau).
Description and test results of a water basin to determine ground effect in hover using small models

A water basin test facility was established capable of measuring forces and moments of small models of VTOL aircraft, simulating hover in and out of ground effect. Because the models and the operation of the facility are inexpensive, the water basin is particularly suitable for testing the relative characteristics of a great number of model configurations for preliminary design development. Results from a variety of models are given. Lift, pitching moments, and rolling moments are given with and without engine failure simulation in ground effect, and with and without pitched and banked conditions.
Beta1 and beta2 receptor mechanisms in rat jugular veins: differences between norepinephrine and isoproterenol-induced relaxation.

Abstract The rat jugular vein possesses both beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptors based on the use of two beta1 antagonists, practolol and atenolol and two beta2 antagonists, butoxamine and N-isopropylmethoxamine. In this vessel, norepinephrine and nylidrin interact primarily with beta1 receptors whereas isoproterenol and salbutamol interact with both beta1 and beta2 receptors showing a slight preference for beta2 receptors. Isoxsuprine-induced relaxation was not blocked by either beta1 or beta2 antagonists. Selectivity of norepinephrine for beta1 receptors and of isoproterenol for beta2 receptors also occurred in circular preparations of the portal vein after alpha adrenergic blockade. However, after alpha adrenergic blockade in rat aorta, practolol and N-isopropylmethoxamine were equieffective as antagonists of relaxation to norepinephrine and isoproterenol although N-isopropylmethoxamine was somewhat more effective than practolol.
The Racial Politics of Place: Jim Crow, the New Deal, and Suburban Housing on the Virginia Peninsula

White civic leaders worked with the Federal Housing Administration and Resettlement Administration on the Virginia Peninsula in the mid-1930s to build two suburban subdivisions for poor and working-class African Americans. In an era of “managed” race relations, the developments reinforced paternalistic white rule by extending urban practices of segregation into racially undefined suburban areas. The homes provided opportunity, not equality. However, the houses also challenged spatial boundaries concerning race and class and fractured public conceptions of monolithic racial unity along class lines. The developments were among the first in the nation to use federal tax dollars to support black families’ aspirations for homeownership and middle-class living standards. Their occupancy, expense, and location angered working-class whites who lived nearby. The ensuing conflicts revealed the near impossibility of reconciling cautious federal experiments in racial betterment with expanding black demands for empowe...
Regulatory gene network circuits underlying T cell development from multipotent progenitors.

Regulatory gene circuits enable stem and progenitor cells to detect and process developmental signals and make irreversible fate commitment decisions. To gain insight into the gene circuits underlying T cell fate decision making in progenitor cells, we generated an updated T-lymphocyte developmental gene regulatory network from genes and connections found in the literature. This reconstruction allowed us to identify candidate regulatory gene circuit elements underlying T cell fate decision making. Here, we examine the roles of these circuits in facilitating different aspects of the decision making process, and discuss experiments to further probe their structure and function
Plasma homocysteine concentrations are positively associated with hostility and anger.

Abstract Homocysteine is a sulphur amino acid that is positively associated with risk of vascular disease. Very few behavioral or psychological factors have been studied in relationship to homocysteine levels, despite the fact that several psychological factors have also been linked with risk for cardiovascular disease. One psychological attribute showing a strong association with risk is hostility, which is prospectively predictive of future cardiovascular disease endpoints. Another related psychological factor is anger expression; coronary heart disease risk is associated with both heightened expression and inhibition of anger. The purpose of this study was to test the relationship of hostility and anger expression with homocysteine concentrations in a sample of healthy, middle-aged men and women. Participants completed the Cook-Medley hostility questionnaire, the Speilberger Anger Expression questionnaire and had blood taken for the assessment of plasma homocysteine concentrations. Results indicated positive and significant associations between hostility and homocysteine levels for all participants and positive and significant correlations between anger-in and homocysteine levels for men only. These data are among the first to test the relationship between homocysteine and psychological risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and suggest one potential mechanism for the increased cardiovascular risk associated with hostility and anger expression.
Two-Choice Discrimination Learning in Children as a Function of Punishment Modality and Reinforcement Combination.

Abstract In an effort to replicate and extend a previous finding that there are no differences between reinforcement and punishment in discrimination learning with children, 160 third grade boys were run on a two-choice discrimination learning task which compared the effects of punishment presented in the same and in different sensory modalities as the reinforcement. The training conditions were reinforcement (token) for correct choices, punishment (tone or response cost) for incorrect choices, and reinforcement-punishment combinations (token-tone or token-response cost) for correct and incorrect choices respectively. The major finding was that punishment presented in the same sensory modality as the reinforcement was superior to punishment presented in a different sensory modality from the reinforcement.
Electron detachment dissociation of dermatan sulfate oligosaccharides

The structural characterization of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) oligosaccharides has been a long-standing challenge in the field of mass spectrometry. In this work, we present the application of electron detachment dissociation (EDD) Fourier transform mass spectrometry to the analysis of dermatan sulfate (DS) oligosaccharides up to 10 residues long. The EDD mass spectra of DS oligosaccharides were compared with their infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) mass spectra. EDD produces more abundant fragmentation than IRMPD with far less loss of SO3 from labile sulfate modifications. EDD cleaves all glycosidic bonds, yielding both conventional glycosidic bond fragmentation as well as satellite peaks resulting from the additional loss of 1 or 2 hydrogen atoms. EDD also yields more cross-ring fragmentation than IRMPD. For EDD, abundant cross-ring fragmentation in the form of A- and X-ions is observed, with 1,5Xn cleavages occurring for all IdoA residues and many of the GalNAc4S residues, except at the reducing and nonreducing ends. In contrast, IRMPD produces only A-type cross-ring fragmentation for long oligosaccharides (dp6–dp10). As all the structurally informative fragment ions observed by IRMPD appear as a subset of the peaks found in the EDD mass spectrum, EDD shows great potential for the characterization of GAG oligosaccharides using a single tandem mass spectrometry experiment.
Augmenting neovascularization accelerates distraction osteogenesis.

Background Distraction osteogenesis has revolutionized the treatment of craniofacial deformities, but it is limited by lengthy consolidation periods and tenuous healing in certain clinical settings, such as irradiated tissue. In this study, the authors aim to investigate whether increasing neovascularization by progenitor cell mobilization accelerates bone formation during distraction. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 weeks (n = 36) were subjected to unilateral mandibular distraction with 3-day latency, 7-day activation (0.25 mm twice daily), and 21-day consolidation periods. From the beginning of the consolidation period, animals received daily injections of either AMD3100 (bone marrow progenitor cell mobilizing agent) or sterile saline. Animals were euthanized on postoperative day 31; mandibles were harvested; and bone regeneration was assessed using micro-computed tomography, immunohistochemistry, bone morphogenetic protein-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mechanical testing. Results Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that AMD3100 treatment increased vascular density and bone formation. Micro-computed tomography and dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry demonstrated that AMD3100-treated animals had improved bone generation compared with sham-treated controls. Greater force was required on three-point testing to break AMD3100-treated bone. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression was up-regulated with AMD3100. Interestingly, the nondistracted contralateral hemimandibles treated with AMD3100 were also stronger than sham-treated counterparts. Conclusions Progenitor cell mobilization improves bone regeneration in a rat distraction model. Furthermore, because this effect is seen in healthy bone and in ischemic bone healing during distraction, the mechanism is not merely related to oxygenation, but could be a phenomenon of fluid flow.