cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the group of symplectic homeomorphisms

Abstract Let ( M , ω ) be a closed symplectic manifold. We define a Hofer-like metric d on the identity component Sym ( M , ω ) 0 in the group Symp ( M , ω ) of all symplectic diffeomorphisms of ( M , ω ) . Unlike the Hofer metric on the group Ham ( M , ω ) of Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms, the metric d is not bi-invariant. We show that the metric topology τ defined by d is natural (i.e. independent of the choice involved in its definition). We define the symplectic topology as a blend of the Hofer-like topology τ and the C 0 -topology. We use it to construct a subgroup SSympeo ( M , ω ) of the group Sympeo ( M , ω ) of all symplectic homeomorphisms, containing the group Hameo ( M , ω ) of Hamiltonian homeomorphisms (introduced by Oh and Muller). If M is simply connected SSympeo ( M , ω ) coincides with Hameo ( M , ω ) . Moreover its commutator subgroup [ SSympeo ( M , ω ) , SSympeo ( M , ω ) ] is contained in Hameo ( M , ω ) . To cite this article: A. Banyaga, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 346 (2008).
Explicit optimality conditions for fixed-order dynamic compensation

We consider steady-state, linear-quadratic fixed-order dynamic compensation in the presence of disturbance and observation noise. First-order necessary conditions for the optimization problem are derived in a new and highly simplified form. These necessary conditions constitute a system of two modified Riccati equations and two modified Lyapunov equations coupled by a projection which plays an essential role in defining the geometric structure of the compensator. When the order of the compensator is equal to the dimension of the plant, the classical linear-quadratic-Gaussian results are immediately obtained.
Actin assembly activity of cytochalasins and cytochalasin analogs assayed using fluorescence photobleaching recovery

The effects on actin self-assembly of 9 common cytochalasins and 9 synthetic analogs have been assayed using fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR). The specific assembly activities of cytochalasins determined by this assay are (i) reduction of the fraction of actin molecules incorporated into filaments; (ii) increase of the steady-state diffusion coefficients of filaments, from which filaments shortening may be inferred; and (iii) acceleration of the initial rate of assembly. Of the compounds studied, only cytochalasin D shows strong activity of all three types. The range of activities shown by other compounds indicates clearly that these three activity types are distinct and independent. Inspection of the molecular structures of these 18 compounds for correlation of structure and activity reveals that the three different activities depend on distinct structural features. The Mg2+ dependence of filament-shortening activity by certain cytochalasins may be explained by the Mg2+ chelating ability of two suitably positioned oxygen atoms on the convex face of the bicyclic isoindolone system. Inhibition of filament elongation may involve very specific, high-affinity cytochalasin interactions at a binding site on terminal actin molecules, while accelerating activity may occur by weaker, less specific binding interactions of cytochalasins with monomeric actin.
The mechanosensory protein MEC-6 is a subunit of the C. elegans touch-cell degenerin channel

Mechanosensory transduction in touch receptor neurons is believed to be mediated by DEG/ENaC (degenerin/epithelial Na+ channel) proteins in nematodes and mammals. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, gain-of-function mutations in the degenerin genes mec-4 and mec-10 (denoted mec-4(d) and mec-10(d), respectively) cause degeneration of the touch cells. This phenotype is completely suppressed by mutation in a third gene, mec-6 (refs 3, 4), that is needed for touch sensitivity. This last gene is also required for the function of other degenerins. Here we show that mec-6 encodes a single-pass membrane-spanning protein with limited similarity to paraoxonases, which are implicated in human coronary heart disease. This gene is expressed in muscle cells and in many neurons, including the six touch receptor neurons. MEC-6 increases amiloride-sensitive Na+ currents produced by MEC-4(d)/MEC-10(d) by approximately 30-fold, and functions synergistically with MEC-2 (a stomatin-like protein that regulates MEC-4(d)/MEC-10(d) channel activity) to increase the currents by 200-fold. MEC-6 physically interacts with all three channel proteins. In vivo, MEC-6 co-localizes with MEC-4, and is required for punctate MEC-4 expression along touch-neuron processes. We propose that MEC-6 is a part of the degenerin channel complex that may mediate mechanotransduction in touch cells.
Improved Experimental Test of Time-Reversal Symmetry in Ne 19 β Decay

We report on a new measurement of the time-reversal-violating triple angular correlation between the nuclear spin and the positron and neutrino directions $D\stackrel{^}{J}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}({\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{v}}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\stackrel{^}{q}}_{\ensuremath{\nu}})$. Our result for the decay process $^{19}\mathrm{Ne}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{19}\mathrm{Fe}^{\ensuremath{-}}+{e}^{+}+\ensuremath{\nu}$ is $D=\ensuremath{-}0.0005\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.0010$, consistent with time-reversal symmetry.
Do the Drugs, Do the Time? The Effect of Drug Abuse on Sentences Imposed on Drug Offenders in Three U.S. District Courts

The purpose of this study is to determine whether offenders’ history of hard drug use and hard drug use at the time of the crime affect case outcomes for offenders in three federal district courts....
IL-2 and IL-4 Mediate through Two Distinct Kinase Pathways for the Activation of αCD3-Induced Activated Killer Cells

Abstract The present study has examined the role of IL-2 and IL-4 in the regulation of different kinase pathways for the generation of αCD3-induced activated killer cells, CD3-AK. It has previously been shown that the IL-2 promoted CD3-AK cell response is mediated through a PKC (protein kinase C)-dependent pathway, which is susceptible to PKC inhibitors and resistant to inhibitors of PTK (protein tyrosine kinase), and that IL-4 synergized with IL-2 to induce CD3-AK cells. However, the IL-4-promoted CD3-AK cell response was PKC-independent as assessed by its resistance to PKC inhibitors. These findings suggest a dichotomy in the pathways leading to CD3-AK cell generation. To further determine whether IL-4 mediated a different kinase pathway to activate the T cells, we studied its effect on protein tyrosine phosphorylation. IL-4 up-regulated protein tyrosine phosphorylation in CD3-AK cells in a dose-dependent fashion, and resulted in increased levels of a number of phosphorylated proteins. Of particular note was the increase of tyrosine phosphorylated p56 lck and p59 fyn in CD3-AK cells. The changes in global protein tyrosine phosphorylation were correlated with the up-regulation by IL-4 of CD3-AK cell cytolytic activity, and the production of granzyme A. αIL-4 specifically blocked all the effects which were induced by IL-4. The PTK inhibitor genistein inhibited the IL-4-augmented cytolytic activity of CD3-AK cells as well as the IL-4-induced augmentation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation to the basal level of CD3-AK cells cultured in IL-2 alone. Consistent with a dichotomy in pathways for IL-2- and IL-4-mediated CD3-AK generation, genistein had no effect on the generation of CD3-AK cells cultured in IL-2 alone. Thus while PKC is primarily involved in the generation of IL-2-promoted CD3-AK cells, PTK appears to be required for the regulation of IL-4-promoted CD3-AK response.
Estimating pareto quantiles using two order statistics

Asymptotically best linear unbiased estimators of the population quantiles for the location-scale Pareto distribution with fixed shape parameter are obtained using two suitably chosen order statistics. Formulae for the appropriate order statistics, coefficients, variances, and asymptotic relative efficiencies (relative to the usual non-parametric estimator for quantiles) are given
A new approach to causal inference in mortality studies with a sustained exposure period—application to control of the healthy worker survivor effect

Abstract In observational cohort mortality studies with prolonged periods of exposure to the agent under study, it is not uncommon for risk factors for death to be determinants of subsequent exposure. For instance, in occupational mortality studies date of termination of employment is both a determinant of future exposure (since terminated individuals receive no further exposure) and an independent risk factor for death (since disabled individuals tend to leave employment). When current risk factor status determines subsequent exposure and is determined by previous exposure, standard analyses that estimate age-specific mortality rates as a function of cumulative exposure may underestimate the true effect of exposure on mortality whether or not one adjusts for the risk factor in the analysis. This observation raises the question, which if any population parameters can be given a causal interpretation in observational mortality studies? In answer, we offer a graphical approach to the identification and computation of causal parameters in mortality studies with sustained exposure periods. This approach is shown to be equivalent to an approach in which the observational study is identified with a hypothetical double-blind randomized trial in which data on each subject's assigned treatment protocol has been erased from the data file. Causal inferences can then be made by comparing mortality as a function of treatment protocol, since, in a double-blind randomized trial missing data on treatment protocol, the association of mortality with treatment protocol can still be estimated. We reanalyze the mortality experience of a cohort of arsenic-exposed copper smelter workers with our method and compare our results with those obtained using standard methods. We find an adverse effect of arsenic exposure on all-cause and lung cancer mortality which standard methods fail to detect.
Amikacin (BB-K8) Treatment of Multiple-Drug-Resistant Proteus Infections

The new aminoglycoside antibiotic, amikacin (formerly called BB-K8), was used to treat 12 episodes of urinary tract infection caused by hospital-acquired Proteus rettgeri strains. These bacteria were resistant in vitro to kanamycin and gentamicin, and infection persisted in most of the patients in spite of therapy with one of these agents. In all cases, the urinary tract infection was controlled or eradicated by therapy, although relapse or reinfection was frequently encountered in these patients with complicated urological problems. No toxicities attributable to the drug were encountered in the small group of patients.
SURGICAL REPAIR OF BLADDER EXSTROPHY IN THE MODERN ERA: CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE PATTERNS AND THE ROLE OF HOSPITAL CASE VOLUME

ABSTRACTPurpose: Bladder exstrophy is a rare condition, and data are lacking regarding practice patterns in its surgical management. We used a large nationwide database to investigate practice patterns of bladder exstrophy repair.Materials and Methods: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1988 to 2000) to identify patients who underwent surgical repair of bladder exstrophy (International Classification of Disease-9 code 578.6). We analyzed factors affecting practice patterns and outcomes. Hospital volume was based on caseload during the highest volume year of study participation (high volume 5 or more, mid volume 3 to 4 and low volume less than 3 cases).Results: We identified 407 cases. Approximately half of the patients (53.2%) were hospitalized within 24 hours of birth, although 28% of patients were older than 1 year. Of the patients 54% were male. Exstrophy repair is extremely resource intensive. In this series mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was 24.6 ± 22.8 days, and mean inflation adjusted hos...
Irritability: the forgotten dimension of female-specific mood disorders

Human proneness to anger, or irritability, has – from the earliest writings on physical health – represented a disturbance in physiological function and manifested itself as a disturbance of mood. Since antiquity, irritability has been associated with a range and variety of irascible verbal and physical behaviours. Yet, for the most part, the literature on irritability lies buried and forgotten. Our current conceptualization of irritability, a symptom present in a variety of mental and physical conditions, might be traced to the "disease model" of mental illness prevalent in medicine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Finite size scaling for the atomic Shannon-information entropy.

We have developed the finite size scaling method to treat the criticality of Shannon-information entropy for any given quantum Hamiltonian. This approach gives very accurate results for the critical parameters by using a systematic expansion in a finite basis set. To illustrate this approach we present a study to estimate the critical exponents of the Shannon-information entropy S∼(λ−λc)αS, the electronic energy E∼(λ−λc)αE, and the correlation length ξ∼|λ−λc|−ν for atoms with the variable λ=1/Z, which is the inverse of the nuclear charge Z. This was realized by approximating the multielectron atomic Hamiltonian with a one-electron model Hamiltonian. This model is very accurate for describing the electronic structure of the atoms near their critical points. For several atoms in their ground electronic states, we have found that the critical exponents (αE,ν,αS) for He (Z=2), C (Z=6), N (Z=7), F (Z=9), and Ne (Z=10), respectively, are (1, 0, 0). At the critical points λc=1/Zc, the bound state energies become absorbed or degenerate with continuum states and the entropies reach their maximum values, indicating a maximal delocalization of the electronic wave function.
Transcoronary intravascular transport functions obtained via a stable deconvolution technique

Following left atrial injection of indocyanine green in closed-chest, anesthetized dogs, 60 simultaneous input-output pairs of dilution curves were sampled via identical catheter sampling systems from the aortic root,C in(t), and the coronary sinus,C out(t). Assuming thatC out(t) was the convolution of a transport function,h(t), andC in(t), a new deconvolution technique was used to solve for theh(t)'s which was not sensitive to noise, recirculation, or the form ofh(t). The 60 transcoronaryh(t)'s were observed to be unimodal, right-skewed frequency distribution functions with mean transit times, $$\bar t$$ , ranging from 3 to 7 sec. The relative dispersions (standard deviation σ, divided by $$\bar t$$ ) averaged 0.38±0.05, the skewness averaged 1.40±0.37 and the kurtosis averaged 6.1±1.8; this means that theh(t)'s are more sharply peaked than Gaussian distributions. The fact that parameters were statistically independent of the mean transit time implied the constancy of the shape of the varioush(t)'s and this was verified by the coincidence of theh(t)'s plotted as a function oft/ $$\bar t$$ . This “similarity” of theh(t)'s strongly suggests that changes in the transit time through any particular vascular pathway of the coronary bed are in proportion to the changes in other parallel pathways.
Phylogenetic analysis of the Wnt gene family and discovery of an arthropod wnt-10 orthologue.

Wnt genes encode a conserved family of secreted signaling proteins that play many roles in arthropod and vertebrate development. We have investigated both the phylogenetic his- tory and molecular evolution of this gene family. We have identified a novel Wnt gene in a diver- sity of arthropods that it is likely an orthologue of the vertebrate Wnt-10 group. Wnt-10 is one of only two cases in which orthology between protostome and deuterostome genes could be consis- tently assigned based on our analyses. Despite difficulties in assessing orthologies, all of our trees suggest that the most recent common ancestor of protostomes and deuterostomes possessed more than the five Wnt genes known from either arthropods or nematodes. This suggests that Wnt gene loss has occurred during protostome evolution. In addition, we examined the rate of amino acid evolution in the two arthropod/deuterostome orthology groups we identified. We found little rate variation across taxa, with the exception that Drosophila Wnt-1 is evolving more rapidly than all vertebrate and most arthropod orthologues. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 288:105-119, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A simple feed model that reduces time steps needed for FDTD antenna and microstrip calculations

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is being widely applied to antenna and microstrip calculations. One aspect of this application is accurately and efficiently modeling antenna and microstrip feeds within the constraints of the FDTD approximations. Several relatively straightforward approaches have been suggested, including gap and frill feeds. More complicated approaches, which involve including the coaxial feed cable in the FDTD calculation space, have also been suggested. A related aspect is the desirability of reducing the number of time steps required for the FDTD calculations to converge, especially for transient excitation. We illustrate that for many geometries a simple gap model with an internal source resistance provides accurate results while greatly reducing the number of time steps required for convergence.
An Interactive Computer Vision System DyPERS: Dynamic Personal Enhanced Reality System

DyPERS, 'Dynamic Personal Enhanced Reality System', uses augmented reality and computer vision to autonomously retrieve 'media memories' based on associations with real objects the user encounters. These are evoked as audio and video clips relevant for the user and overlayed on top of real objects the user encounters. The system utilizes an adaptive, audio-visual learning system on a tetherless wearable computer. The user's visual and auditory scene is stored in real-time by the system (upon request) and is then associated (by user input) with a snap shot of a visual object. The object acts as a key such that when the real-time vision system detects its presence in the scene again, DyPERS plays back the appropriate audio-visual sequence. The vision system is a probabilistic algorithm which is capable of discriminating between hundreds of everyday objects under varying viewing conditions (view changes, lighting, etc.). Once an audio-visual clip is stored, the vision system automatically recalls it and plays it back when it detects the object that the user wished to use to remind him of the sequence. The DyPERS interface augments the user without encumbering him and effectively mimics a form of audio-visual memory. First results on performance and usability are shown.
The State of LGBT/ Sexuality Studies in Political Science

On July 2, 2010, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal signed into law a bill that reduced the act of soliciting a “crime against nature” for compensation from a felony to a misdemeanor. A felony conviction had meant a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment for up to five years (“with or without hard labor”), or both. Because of the change in the crime's classification to a misdemeanor, those convicted of a first offense now face lesser penalties: a fine of up to $500, six months in jail, or both. Thus, the penalty for a first conviction for solicitation of “unnatural carnal copulation by a human being with another of the same sex or opposite sex or with an animal” for pay is the same as the penalty for a first conviction for prostitution not deemed “unnatural.” (Regular prostitution is defined in the Louisiana criminal code as “indiscriminate sexual intercourse with others for compensation.”) Another reform: Before this bill was enacted, anyone convicted of soliciting “unnatural carnal copulation” for compensation was required to register as a sex offender. Now, one is not deemed a sex offender until a second conviction.
Discharge characteristics of motor units during long-duration contractions

New Findings What is the central question of this study? How long can humans sustain motor unit discharge during a voluntary contraction? What is the main finding and its importance? Human motor units can discharge action potentials for a longer time during a voluntary contraction than can be achieved by intracellular or extracellular current injection of motor neurons with in vivo and in vitro animal preparations. These recordings comprise a previously unexplored range of durations for human motor unit recordings during a continuously sustained isometric recording. The purpose of the study was to determine how long humans could sustain the discharge of single motor units during a voluntary contraction. The discharge of motor units in first dorsal interosseus of subjects (27.8 ± 8.1 years old) was recorded for as long as possible. The task was terminated when the isolated motor unit stopped discharging action potentials, despite the ability of the individual to sustain the abduction force. Twenty-three single motor units were recorded. Task duration was 21.4 ± 17.8 min. When analysed across discharge duration, mean discharge rate (10.6 ± 1.8 pulses s−1) and mean abduction force (5.5 ± 2.8% maximum) did not change significantly (discharge rate, P = 0.119; and abduction force, P = 0.235). In contrast, the coefficient of variation for interspike interval during the initial 30 s of the task was 22.2 ± 6.0% and increased to 31.9 ± 7.0% during the final 30 s (P < 0.001). All motor units were recruited again after 60 s of rest. Although subjects were able to sustain a relatively constant discharge rate, the cessation of discharge was preceded by a gradual increase in discharge variability. The findings also showed that the maximal duration of human motor unit discharge exceeds that previously reported for the discharge elicited in motor neurons by intracellular current injection in vitro.
Estimation of the Antitrypsin Activity of Serum

A method for the estimation of serum trypsin inhibitory capacity (TIC) was developed to permit consistent results with various trypsin sources without further standardization. Very small volumes of serum are used and the results are expressed in international enzyme units. Normal women show a slightly higher mean value for TIC than normal men. Sixty-seven patients with pulmonary emphysema were surveyed: one patient homozygous for α 1 -antitrypsin deficiency was found.
Autodesk Sustainability Workshop: Advancing the practice of sustainable engineering through education

Today's engineering students have the responsibility and opportunity to continue improving our quality of life while also curbing or reversing the negative impacts that our industrial society is having on the biosphere. Current engineering curricula is ill-equipping them to deal with these challenges due to a lack of project-based learning, design fundamentals, and integration of sustainable design strategies. The Autodesk® Sustainability Workshop is a learning resource, using videos, tutorials and case studies to teach basic principles of sustainable design and engineering. Our goal is to bring sustainability into the mainstream by giving students and educators tools to incorporate sustainability into the design process.
High-Radix Design of a Scalable Modular Multiplier

This paper describes an algorithm and architecture based on an extension of a scalable radix-2 architecture proposed in a previous work. The algorithm is proven to be correct and the hardware design is discussed in detail. Experimental results are shown to compare a radix-8 implementation witha radix-2 design. The scalable Montgomery multiplier is adjustable to constrained areas yet being able to work on any given precision of the operands. Similar to some systolic implementations, this design avoid the high load on signals that broadcast to several components, making the delay independent of operand's precision.
Tumor treatment with nanosecond pulsed electric fields

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields have demonstrated remarkable potential as tumor therapy. The application of 300-ns pulses with amplitudes of 40–50 kV/cm to melanomas grown in mice caused complete remission of the tumors. It is believed that the primary process that kills the tumor cells is the induction of apoptosis. Electrical models predict that for the application of shorter pulses, higher field strengths are required to trigger this process. By increasing field strength, the field eventually exceeds the dielectric strength of the tissue, especially in the vicinity of the small-diameter needle electrodes used for the exposure. Consequently, discharge phenomena, such as coronas can occur in the tissue. Such non-thermal plasmas, i.e. streamers, could likely assist a tumor therapy by generating reactive oxidative species. We have investigated the regression of tumors that were treated with a coaxial electrode configuration comprised of a 0.4 mm needle electrode in the center of a solid ring electrode of 4 mm radius. A 30-ns/24-kV high voltage pulse of either positive or negative polarity can be applied to the center electrode with respect to the grounded ring-electrode. With positive bias, strong corona discharges can be observed along the needle, while for the opposite polarity, these are either negligible or do not occur. Tumor regression was compared for both conditions and also with results for a 5-needle array of similar dimensions. Preliminary data could not determine any significant immediate advantages of either configuration.
Molecular Mechanisms of Melatonin Anticancer Effects

The authors have shown that, via activation of its MT1 receptor, melatonin modulates the transcriptional activity of various nuclear receptors and the proliferation of both ER alpha+ and ER alpha- human breast cancer cells. Employing dominant-negative (DN) and dominant-positive (DP) G proteins, it was demonstrated that G alpha i2 proteins mediate the suppression of estrogen-induced ER alpha transcriptional activity by melatonin, whereas the G alpha q proteins mediate the enhancement of retinoid-induced RAR alpha transcriptional activity by melatonin. In primary human breast tumors, the authors' studies demonstrate an inverse correlation between ER alpha and MT1 receptor expression, and confocal microscopic studies demonstrate that the MT1 receptor is localized to the caveoli and that its expression can be repressed by estrogen and melatonin. Melatonin, via activation of its MT1 receptor, suppresses the development and growth of breast cancer by regulation of growth factors, regulation of gene expression, regulation of clock genes, inhibition of tumor cell invasion and metastasis, and even regulation of mammary gland development. The authors have previously reported that the clock gene, Period 2 (Per2), is not expressed in human breast cancer cells but that its reexpression in breast cancer cells results in increased expression of p53 and induction of apoptosis. The authors demonstrate that melatonin, via repression of ROR alpha transcriptional activity, blocks the expression of the clock gene BMAL1. Melatonin's blockade of BMAL1 expression is associated with the decreased expression of SIRT1, a member of the Silencing Information Regulator family and a histone and protein deacetylase that inhibits the expression of DNA repair enzymes (p53, BRCA1 & 2, and Ku70) and the expression of apoptosis-associated genes. Finally, the authors developed an MMTV-MT1-flag mammary knock-in transgenic mouse that displays reduced ductal branching, ductal epithelium proliferation, and reduced terminal end bud formation during puberty and pregnancy. Lactating female MT1 transgenic mice show a dramatic reduction in the expression of beta-casein and whey acidic milk proteins. Further analyses showed significantly reduced ER alpha expression in mammary glands of MT1 transgenic mice. These results demonstrate that the MT1 receptor is a major transducer of melatonin's actions in the breast, suppressing mammary gland development and mediating the anticancer actions of melatonin through multiple pathways.
Ideas, Institutions, and Policy Patterns: Hardrock Mining, Forestry, and Grazing Policy on United States Public Lands, 1870–1985

From the mid–1800s through the mid–1980s, the federal government initiated programs to manage three types of resources on the lands that it controlled. The discovery of gold in California and elsewhere in the West prompted the first government policy in the 1860s. Debate over the nation's forests began in the 1870s, and a system of national forests to be managed by a federal Forest Service was created in the late 1800s and early 1900s. And in the 1930s, the government finally began to manage the lands no one wanted, its grazing lands. The federal government continues to be an active manager of national resources. Indeed, with control of nearly 30 percent of the nation's land, it is the largest land manager in the country.
Biophysical Challenges to Axonal Transport: Motor-Cargo Deficiencies and Neurodegeneration

Axonal transport is indispensable for the distribution of vesicles, organelles, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and signaling molecules along the axon. This process is mediated by kinesins and dyneins, molecular motors that bind to cargoes and translocate on microtubule tracks. Tight modulation of motor protein activity is necessary, but little is known about the molecules and mechanisms that regulate transport. Moreover, evidence suggests that transport impairments contribute to the initiation or progression of neurodegenerative diseases, or both, but the mechanisms by which motor activity is affected in disease are unclear. In this review, we discuss some of the physical and biophysical properties that influence motor regulation in healthy neurons. We further discuss the evidence for the role of transport in neurodegeneration, highlighting two pathways that may contribute to transport impairment-dependent disease: genetic mutations or variation, and protein aggregation. Understanding how and when transport parameters change in disease will help delineate molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
Sorption Behavior of Selected Aldehyde-scavenging Agents in Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Blends

: Poly(m-xylylene adipamide) (nylon MXD6), D-sorbitol, and a-cyclodextrin aldehyde-scavenging agents were blended with poly(ethylene terephthalate) and thermally pressed into films. Films were stored in an acidified aqueous model solution (pH 3.6) containing a 25 μM mixture of acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, valeraldehyde, and caproaldehyde for 1, 3, 7, and 14 d. The total amount of aldehydes sorbed by films was 2 to 10 times higher for films containing aldehyde-scavenging agents than nonblended films. Aldehyde-scavenging films demonstrated selective scalping, preferring smaller molecular weight aldehydes to larger aldehydes. Partition coefficients for smaller aldehydes were 3 to 6 times greater for aldehyde-scavenging films than control film.
An efficient road-based directional broadcast protocol for urban VANETs

Directional broadcast was proposed in VANETs in order to disseminate data to other vehicles efficiently. However, traditional directional broadcast protocols cannot provide good enough efficiency for VANETs, especially in the urban area. In this paper, we propose an efficient road-based directional broadcast protocol for VANETs in urban environment. We avoid misclassification problem that traditional directional broadcast protocols have by selecting relay nodes based on which roads they are on. In addition, due to obstacles in urban area, the inter-vehicle communication at an intersection is unreliable. To increase the chance of propagating data toward all directions at an intersection, our protocol classifies vehicles into groups based on road, and selects a relay node with the best line-of-sight for each group. Simulations show that our approach has better efficiency and reliability than existing broadcast protocols.
Biologic Markers of Angiogenesis : Circulating Endothelial Cells in Patients with Advanced Malignancies Treated on Phase I Protocol with Metronomic Chemotherapy and Celecoxib

Preclinical studies demonstrate anti-angiogenic activity of low doses of chemotherapy; selective cox-2 inhibitors are also inhibitors of angiogenesis. Animal data indicates the presence of circulating endothelial cells (CEC), tumor-derived activated endothelial cells (AEC) and endothelial cell progenitors (ECP). Bone marrow-derived ECP have been shown to be incorporated into tumor vasculature. We conducted two combination Phase I studies of celecoxib with either cyclophosphamide or etoposide. Exploratory correlative studies were performed to evaluate the detectability of CEC, AEC and ECP in patients treated with these anti-angiogenic combinations. Patients were treated with oral cyclophosphamide at 50 mg daily or etoposide at 50 mg daily. Celecoxib was given at 400 mg twice daily. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 28 and monthly until disease progression. Blood from healthy volunteers was collected on days 0 and 28. Peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNC) were isolated and stained with fluorescent an...
A Test of the Cytosolic Apolipoprotein E Hypothesis Fails to Detect the Escape of Apolipoprotein E from the Endocytic Pathway into the Cytosol and Shows that Direct Expression of Apolipoprotein E in the Cytosol is Cytotoxic

Genetic evidence indicates that apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) is a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease. A controversial hypothesis proposes that apoE, a typical secretory protein, accesses the neuronal cytosol in which apoE3, but not apoE4, protects tau from hyperphosphorylation. However, no conclusive evidence for the presence of apoE in the cytosolic compartment has been presented. We designed a novel assay to test whether apoE can access the cytosol via escape from the endocytic pathway by incorporating a nuclear localization signal (NLS) into apoE. Control experiments demonstrated that apoE plus NLS (apoE+NLS) is chaperoned to the nucleus if it reaches the cytosolic compartment. When exogenous apoE+NLS was endocytosed by neuronal cells, no nuclear apoE was detected, indicating that apoE remains within the endocytic pathway and does not escape into the cytosol. Furthermore, we show that direct cytosolic expression of apoE is cytotoxic. These data argue that effects of apoE on the neuronal cytoskeleton and on neurite outgrowth are not mediated via cytosolic interactions but rather by actions originating at the cell surface.
FAMILIES OF THE LESBIAN BABY BOOM: Children's Contact With Grandparents and Other Adults

In an exploratory study of 37 lesbian-mother families, the frequency of children's contact with adults in their extended family and friendship networks was found to counter stereotypes of such children as isolated from parents' families of origin. Children were more likely to have regular contact with relatives of the biological than nonbiological mother. Mothers rated those in regular contact with grandparents as having fewer behavior problems, and those in more regular contact with unrelated adults rated themselves more positively on general well-being.
Cultural Values and Potential Nonresponse Bias A Multilevel Examination of Cross-National Differences in Mail Survey Response Rates

Using data from a prior survey of managers in 20 European countries, the authors conducted multilevel analyses to illustrate the value of examining relationships of both individual characteristics and country characteristics to likelihood of responding. Consistent with inferences about likely salience of the survey topic, they found that likelihood of responding was higher for women than for men and was also higher in countries with more gender equality than in countries with less gender equality. These findings underscore the need to examine national cultural values that might be related to both survey topic salience and country response rates as potential sources of nonresponse (and nonresponse bias) in international survey-based research.
The Self-Directed Search: A Family of Self-Guided Career Interventions

The Self-Directed Search (SDS; Holland, 1994) is a pair of booklets that simulate career counseling, accompanied by a set of derivative tools for use with the SDS. It is theoretically based, can be...
A Lexicalized Tree Adjoining Grammar for Thai

This paper describes an alternative formalism for Thai syntax parsing based on a lexicalized tree adjoining grammar (LTAG). We first briefly present some formal background concerning LTAG, which is necessary for an understanding of LTAG and its application to Thai. Specifically, we address several issues regarding difficulties in parsing Thai sentences and how to resolve these issues using LTAG. Such difficulties arise for several reasons as follows. For one thing, Thai sentences do not contain delimiters or blanks between words while Thai words lack inflectional and derivational affixes. Moreover, inconsistent ordering relations within and across phrasal categories characterize Thai sentences as well as the fact that they sometimes contain discontinuous sentence constituents in their construction. Finally, we discuss future research on a novel almostparsing approach based on LTAG for handling compound multi-word extraction in automatic Thai word segmentation.
Hyaluronan-CD44 interaction with neural wiskott-aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) promotes actin polymerization and ErbB2 activation leading to β-catenin nuclear translocation, transcriptional upregulation and cell migration in ovarian tumor cells

2527 In this study we have investigated the interaction of hyaluronan (HA) and CD44 with the Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (N-WASP) in regulating actin polymerization and ErbB2/β-catenin signaling in human ovarian tumor cells (SK-OV-3.ipl cells). Biochemical and immunological analyses indicate that N-WASP is expressed in SK-OV-3.ipl cells and that the binding of HA stimulates N-WASP association with CD44 and Arp2/Arp3 leading to filamentous actin (F-actin) formation and ovarian tumor cell migration. In addition, HA binding promotes CD44-N-WASP association with ErbB2 and activates ErbB2 kinase activity which, in turn, increases phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal protein, β-catenin. Subsequently, phosphorylated β-catenin is transported into the nucleus leading to β-catenin-mediated TCF/LEF-transcriptional co-activation. Since HA-induced β-catenin phosphorylation, nuclear translocation and TCF/LEF transcriptional activation is effectively blocked by the ErbB2 inhibitor, AG825, we conclude that HA/CD44-N-WASP-associated ErbB2 activation is required for β-catenin-mediated signaling events. In assessing the regulatory role of N-WASP in HA-CD44 signaling and ErbB2 activation, we have determined that overexpression of a dominant-negative N-WASP mutant protein [by transfecting cells with N-WASP’s VCA (verpolin homology, cofilin homology, and acidic domain) fragment cDNA] not only blocks HA/CD44-induced N-WASP-Arp2/3 complex formation, but also inhibits actin polymerization/F-actin formation and tumor cell migration. Transfection of SK-OV-3.ipl cells with N-WASP-VCAcDNA also significantly reduces HA-induced ErbB2 recruitment to CD44, diminishes β-catenin phosphorylation/nuclear translocation and abrogates TCF/LEF-specific transcriptional co-activation by β-catenin. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that N-WASP plays a pivotal role in regulating HA-mediated CD44-ErbB2 interaction, β-catenin signaling and actin cytoskeleton functions that are required for tumor-specific behaviors (e.g. transcriptional upregulation and tumor cell migration) and ovarian cancer progression.
Altered Expression of NFkB in Ex Vivo Differentiated Dendritic Cells from the Aged Subjects: Implications in Immunotherapy

Dendritic cells are the key initiators and organizers of the immune response. They are specialized antigen-presenting cells whose immunogenicity leads to the induction of antigen-specific immune responses. They are therefore ideal vehicles to deliver strong immunogenic signals to eliminate tumors. Dendritic cells can dictate the polarization of T cell responses by virtue of the nature of their cytokine secretion. They are also critical for maintenance of peripheral self-tolerance. Because of their key role in these central processes, dendritic cells are increasingly being used for immunotherapy of various diseases. This has been greatly aided by the development of methods to derive dendritic cells ex vivo from human adult stem cells and other progenitors. Here we describe methods to assay the activity of transcription factor NFkappaB in the ex vivo derived dendritic cells and discuss the probable effects of the altered expression of NFkappaB on the functions of these dendritic cells.
Predicting v(d)j recombination using conditional random fields

V(D)J gene segments undergo combinatorial recombination in the T-cells and B-cells to provide humans and other vertebrates with a large number of antibodies required for immunity. Each such recombination further undergoes mutations in their DNA sequences so that they can recognize diverse antigens. Predicting the combination of gene segments which formed a particular antibody is an essential task for studying disease propagation and analysis. We propose a model based on conditional random fields (CRFs) for predicting the boundary positions between V-D-J gene segments. We train the CRFs by generating synthetic gene recombinations using all of the alleles of the V, D and J gene segments. The alleles corresponding to a read can be determined by mapping the segmented reads to the DNA sequences of the gene segments using softwares like BLAST and usearch. We test our method on simulated dataset as well as real data of Stanford_S22 individual.
The first ACM SIGSPATIAL PhD symposium 2014

The ACM SIGSPATIAL Ph.D. Symposium is a forum where Ph.D. students present, discuss, and receive feedback on their research in a constructive atmosphere. The symposium will be attended by professors, researchers and practitioners in the ACM SIGSPATIAL community, who will participate actively and contribute to the discussions. The workshop is co-located with ACM SIGSPATIAL GIS 2014 The ACM SIGSPATIAL 2014 PhD Symposium provides an opportunity for doctoral students to explore and develop their research interests in the broad areas addressed by the ACM SIGSPATIAL community. We invite PhD students to submit a summary of their dissertation work to share their work with students in a similar situation as well as senior researchers in the field. We have two tracks for submission. The Junior PhD Track is for students who are in early stages of their doctoral studies. The submission should provide a clear problem definition, explain why it is important, survey related work, and summarize the new solutions that are pursued. The Senior PhD Track is for students who are close to completion (expected to graduate by 2014/2015). The submissions focused on describing the contribution they made in their doctoral dissertation. The strongest candidates are those who have a clear topic and research approach, and have made some progress, but who are not so far along that they can no longer make changes.
Initiation of Embryo Implantation and Maintenance of Early Pregnancy in the Rat by Chlordecone (Kepone)

The effect of chlordecone (Kepone), an insecticide/fungicide with reproductive toxicity, on the early stages of pregnancy in the rat was studied. Intraperitoneal injection of chlordecone into adult virgin female Holtzman strain rats before mating, in doses as high as 80 mg/kg, did not prevent fertilization, early development of the embryo to the blastocyst stage, transport of the embryo through the oviduct, or its implantation into the uterus. However, a single dose of 60 or 80 mg/kg, but not 20 or 40 mg/kg, before mating significantly reduced the concentration of progesterone in the serum of rats undergoing normal embryo implantation 5 days later. A dose of 80 mg/kg of chlordecone reduced progesterone levels in the serum by more than 50% within 48 hr in ovariectomized rats with Silastic tubing implants containing crystalline progesterone. This dose of chlordecone induced deciduomata formation in progesterone-primed ovariectomized rats to the same extent as 1 microgram of estradiol benzoate. The minimal effective single dose of chlordecone to initiate implantation of blastocysts in the uteri of hypophysectomized progesterone-primed rats, and to maintain embryo development for at least 5 days, was 50 mg/kg. Daily doses of 20 mg/kg for 3 or 5 days were effective at initiating implantation but did not maintain pregnancy. The latter treatment, however, did not prevent initiation of implantation or embryo development induced by subsequent administration of estrone. The results are consistent with the view that chlordecone is a weak estrogen that has both nongenomic and genomic estrogenic actions.
Architectural Design Principles for Direction-Controlled Artificial Gravity in Space Colonization

The architectural design of space habitation, in space colonization, under directioncontrolled artificial gravity becomes far more challenging than under a unidirectional gravity axis. Control of the direction of the gravity axis for every person, object or activity, leads to the use of multiple surfaces for the reactive forces, thereby utilizing the entire internal volume of the space habitation, for a compact and more economical design. The design principles become radically altered for the design of such space habitation because ‘nesting’ permits activities to take place in a compact volume rather than on a single reactive surface. The needs of the client, ergonomic space volume allocation for each activity, the restrictions that may be placed on the behavior of astronauts, whether ‘form’ rigorously follows ‘function’ and dispensing with ‘delight’, are all considered in this paper. The architectural design principles that apply to the use of direction-controlled artificial gravity in space applications are illustrated by application to the design of space habitation in ‘0g’ microgravity environments, with appropriate comparisons being made to the design of similar habitation on Earth.
Opportunistic DNA Recombination With Epstein-Barr Virus at Sites of Control Region Rearrangements Mediating JC Virus Neurovirulence

We document a unique DNA recombination between polyomavirus JC (JC virus [JCV]) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) at sequences of JCV found infecting the brain. Archetype JCV is present in bone marrow and uroepithelial cells of most adults. During immunosuppression, JCV can infect the brain, causing a demyelinating disease, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Rearrangements in the archetype noncoding control region are necessary for neurovirulence. Two NCCR deletions and a duplication occur at sequences of homology with EBV, present latently in B cells, which may be coinfected with both viruses. Recombination between JCV and EBV occurs in B lymphoblasts at a sequence essential for JCV neurovirulence and in cerebrospinal fluid of immunosuppressed patients with multiple sclerosis, those susceptible to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Interviral recombination is a model for conferring advantages on JCV in the brain. It can alter a critical noncoding control region sequence and potentially facilitate use of EBV DNA abilities to transfer among different cell types.
Myogenous origin of a granular cell tumor of the urinary bladder.

Electron microscopic study of a granular cell tumor of the urinary bladder revealed myofilaments in the tumor cells, documenting the myogenous derivation of this neoplasm. This is in contrast to the ultrastructural features of the common variety of granular cell tumors, currently interpreted as being indicative of a schwannian histogenesis. The granules of these tumors are similar in ultrastructural appearance regardless of the location of the neoplasms, and are reminiscent of lysosomes and cytosegresomes. It is suggested that granular cell tumors may derive from different cell types.