cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Minimum French Idiom List

the same samplings-which provided the material for the Haygood study (Les Oberle, La Mare au diable, Mon cher Tommy, Choix de contes [Daudet], Tour du monde en 80 jours), and added three others: Loti, Pecheur d'Islande (Holt, 1930); Labiche and Martin, Le Voyage de Monsieur Perrichon (Holt, 1930); and M rimee, Colomba (Holt, 1930). The samplings amounted to a total of about 35,921 running words out of a grand total of some 283,528 running words. Lewis first divided "List A" of French Idiom List3"Idioms and Locutions"-into groups of fifty expressions each, making nineteen groups. He then entered on cards each occurrence in the samplings of each item of List A, thus securing a record of the recurrent expressions which is similar in nature to the record made for the recurrent words in
T-Wave Alternans During Ambulatory Ischemia in Patients with Stable Coronary Disease

Background: T-wave alternans is a marker of vulnerability to ventricular tachyarrhythmias and has been documented during myocardial ischemia associated with angioplasty, bypass graft occlusion, and episodes of Prinzmetal's variant angina. We examined whether this phenomenon was present during ambulatory ischemia in ten patients randomly selected from the placebo phase of the Angina and Silent Ischemia Study [ASIS]. Methods: The eligibility criteria for participation in the ASIS study were stable coronary disease, a positive exercise stress test, and verified ischemic episodes during ambulatory ECG (AECG) monitoring. For each patient, one ischemic episode was analyzed which met the criteria of > 2-mm ST segment depression for > 3 minutes with a relatively stable ST segment baseline of > 1 hour preceding the index episode. T-wave alternans was measured using the spectral analytical technique of complex demodulation. Results: In the stable coronary patients of the ASIS trial, we found that T-wave alternans magnitude nearly tripled from 0.27 ± 0.02 mV × ms before ischemia onset to 0.77 ± 0.08 mV × ms (P 2 mm and the ischemia-induced increase in T-wave alternans. Conclusions: We conclude that T-wave alternans often occurs in association with ambulatory ischemia. Thus, risk assessment in stable coronary patients may be enhanced by monitoring both ST segment deviation and T-wave alternans as they measure relevant but fundamentally different electrophysiological properties.
GABAA receptors containing alpha 1 and beta 2 subunits are mainly localized on neurons in the ventral pallidum.

The y-aminobutyric acid (GABA) projection from the nucleus accumbens to the ventral pallidum (VP) is important in the regulation of locomotion. Thus, stimula- tion and inhibition of GABAA receptors in the VP can alter locomotor activity. To determine whether the GABAA receptors are located presynaptically on accumbens efferents to the VP or postsynaptically on neurons intrinsic to the VP two experiments were performed. In the first, quinolinic acid lesions of the nucleus accumbens did not alter (3H)muscimol binding in the VP, while lesions in the VP significantly reduced (60430%) binding as measured by light microscopic receptor autoradiography. In the second experiment, in situ hybridization with oligonucleotide probes for mRNAs of the a1 and p2 subunits of the GABAA receptor was examined in the nucleus accumbens and VP. No mRNA for either subunit was observed in the nucleus accumbens, although many positively labeled neurons were present within the VP. By contrast, a moderate to high density of cells in both the nucleus accumbens and VP contained mRNA for glutamic acid decarboxylase. These data argue that the majority of GABAA receptors in the VP are not located presynaptically on axonal terminals originating from neurons in the nucleus accumbens.
Character Education in Preservice Education: One Institution's Response

Present society places many demands upon classroom teachers. They are expected to deliver all areas of curriculum with mastery and ease. They are forever being called upon to incorporate one more essential piece needed for full student development. Character Education has become one of those new essential pieces. All teachers, no matter what their grade level, discipline, or years of experience, need information and guidance on how to demonstrate and implement positive character traits in the classroom. Experts agree that the best way to train teachers in character education is to reach them before they ever get into the classroom. Therefore, departments of education need to begin incorporating Character Education into their teacher education curriculums.
Computed chaining—A hybrid of direct chaining and open addressing

Abstract Several popular methods for resolving hashing collisions currently exist: direct chaining, open addressing and pseudochaining. This paper presents a new method for resolving collisions called computed chaining which incorporates features from each of the above methods and in certain situations has advantages over each of them. The computed chaining method is described and a detailed example is provided to assist in its understanding. Included also are experimental results plus a comparison of it with other collision resolution methods.
Quantum chaology: The photoeffect and beyond

I will show how aspects of quantum chaology are relevant even in a seemingly well understood quantum phenomenon like the photoelectric effect. This example together with recent experiments in atom optics are used to define and discuss the larger questions, recent progress made by us in resolving some of these issues and future directions.
Observations on the upper shelf crack tip blunting behavior of ultra high strength steels

Etude du mecanisme d'emoussement de fissures dans un acier Co-Ni. Correlation entre ce mecanisme et la microstructure
The scaling of skeletal microanatomy in non‐human primates

The study of scale-correlated changes in the external dimensions and cross-sectional geometry of primate long bones is fundamental to our understanding of primate limb bone structural adaptation. To date, however, there have been no studies of the effects of mechanical loading on patterns of skeletal scaling at the microstructural level. To remedy this, we analysed patterns of microanatomical scaling in the humeri and femora of 107 adult primates belonging to the families Galagonidae and Cercopithecidae. Seven species were included in our analysis. Proximal, midshaft, and distal sections of humeri and femora of each individual were examined and secondary osteonal and cortical area were measured. Secondary osteonal area scales positively allometrically with cortical cross-sectional area and with body mass. This pattern holds generally for humeri and femora—both within and across families. However, there are striking dissimilarities in the relative strengths of the allometric coefficients for humeri and femora measured for different families. These distinctions appear to be related to differences in the ways in which fore- and hindlimbs are loaded. Such differences highlight the promise of microstructural data and the importance of examining the confounding effects of locomotory behaviour in studies of skeletal scaling.
An Integrative Review of Adolescent Hope

The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize the published research on adolescent hope using Cooper's (Cooper, H. M. (1989). Integrating research: A guide for literature reviews (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage) five stages. Computerized databases were used to search for relevant studies published between the years 1990 to 2010. Thirty-six studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Variables studied in relation to hope were categorized as antecedent, coincident, and consequent concepts. Two antecedent, ten coincident, and ten consequent concepts of hope were included in the review. The number of statistically significant and non-significant correlations of these variables to hope is presented. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations for future studies are offered.
On the representation of integers as sums of triangular numbers

In this survey article we discuss the problem of determining the number of representations of an integer as sums of triangular numbers. This study yields several interesting results. If n ≥0 is a non-negative integer, then the nth triangular number is T n = n(n + 1)/2. Let k be a positive integer. We denote by δ k (n) the number of representations of n as a sum of k triangular numbers. Here we use the theory of modular forms to calculate δ k (n). The case where k = 24 is particularly interesting. It turns out that, if n ≥3 is odd, then the number of points on the 24 dimensional Leech lattice of norm 2n is 212(212 − 1)δ 24(n − 3). Furthermore the formula for δ 24(n) involves the Ramanujan τ(n)-function. As a consequence, we get elementary congruences for τ(n). In a similar vein, when p is a prime, we demonstrate δ 24 (p k − 3) as a Dirichlet convolution of σ 11(n) and τ (n). It is also of interest to know that this study produces formulas for the number of lattice points inside k-dimensional spheres.
The multivariate hazard gradient and moments of the truncated multinormal distribution

It is well known that the expectation and variance of a truncated normal distribution can be simply expressed in terms of the hazard rate function. This paper shows that it is possible to express the expectation and covariance matrices of a truncated multinormal distribution with similarly simple expressions in which the hazard rate function is generalized to thevector multivariate hazard rate(also: hazard gradient) of Johnson and Kotz. This provides a concise computational form for the mutivariate moments and lends support to the contention that the hazard gradient is the appropriate generalization of the univariate hazard rate.
Numerical characterization of thermo-mechanical performance of breeder pebble beds

Abstract A numerical approach using the discrete element method (DEM) has been applied to study the thermo-mechanical properties of ceramic breeder pebble beds. This numerical scheme is able to predict the inelastic behavior observed in a loading and unloading operation. In addition, it demonstrates that the average value of contact force increases linearly with overall pressure, but at a much faster rate, about 3.4 times the overall pressure increase rate. In this paper, the thermal creep properties of two different ceramic breeder pebble materials, Li 4 SiO 4 and Li 2 O, are also examined by the current numerical code. The difference found in the properties of candidate materials is reflected numerically in the overall strain in the pebble bed when the stress magnitude becomes smaller.
Effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors on lipoprotein metabolism and glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are central regulators of lipoprotein metabolism and glucose homeostasis that are considered particularly useful for improving glycemic control and comorbidities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials of PPAR-α agonists have demonstrated efficacy in reducing cardiovascular events; however, these benefits have been confined to subgroups of patients with low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides. While activators of PPAR-γ reduce early atherosclerotic lesions and reduce cardiovascular events, these agents have the effect of increasing fluid retention in patients, which results in more hospitalizations for congestive heart failure. Future studies of PPAR-γ agonists or dual PPAR-α/γ agonists will require further delineation of the risk profile to avoid adverse outcomes in susceptible patients.
A climatological analysis of heatbursts in Oklahoma (1994–2009)

Heatbursts are characterized by a sudden and highly localized increase in air temperature, a simultaneous decrease in relative humidity and dewpoint temperature, and strong gusty winds, typically associated with decaying thunderstorms. The small spatial extent and short duration of most heatbursts makes detailed study of these events difficult using the standard federal observation network (e.g. hourly observations) established in most countries. Thus, many discussions of heatbursts note that they are ‘rare’ phenomena. However, observations from the Oklahoma Mesonet indicate that although heatbursts are meso-alpha scale phenomena, they are not rare. Using multi-criteria analysis, 207 heatburst events of various magnitudes, areal coverage and duration were identified between 1994 and 2009 across Oklahoma. Significantly more heatbursts were detected in the western two-thirds of the state as compared to the eastern third. Heatbursts were primarily nocturnal events, with 70% of heatburst events initiated between 0000 and 0800 UTC (i.e. between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. Central Standard Time). With 62 of the 207 events, June was the most active month for heatbursts. At the other extreme, no heatbursts were detected during February and November, and only one was observed during January and December. Almost all of the heatbursts occurred underneath or adjacent to weak radar echoes at the time of the event. Four basic radar patterns were associated with the events: (1) radar echoes associated with rapidly weakening convection, (2) weak reflectivity not produced by or associated with deep moist convection, (3) weak radar echoes to the rear of a dissipating mesoscale convective system (MCS) and (4) weak reflectivity along the periphery of intense convection that did not appear to be weakening. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Steatotic liver transplantation in the mouse: a model of primary nonfunction

Abstract Background The number of potential donor organs deemed suboptimal for transplantation because of hepatic steatosis is rising as the obesity rate increases. However, no mouse transplant model has been described within the framework of hepatic steatosis. We describe the development of and our initial experience with a steatotic mouse orthotopic liver transplant model using the ob/ob mouse. This model is technically achievable and functionally mimics primary nonfunction. Materials and methods Adapting techniques of a nonarterialized murine transplant model, C57BL6 ob/ob mice aged 5–7 weeks (26–35 g) and lean controls served as liver donors and recipients. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was performed using a two-cuff technique at the infrahepatic cava and portal vein. The suprahepatic cava was anastomosed end to end, and the bile duct was stented. The hepatic artery was not reconstructed. Results Lean-to-lean OLT was performed with 70% (n = 10) long-term survival. ob/ob-to-age-matched lean recipients had 0% (n = 10) survival because of size discrepancy. ob/ob livers were transplanted to size-matched lean recipients (>3 months old) with short-term survival of 30% (n = 10). These mice survived the operation, awakened, but expired within 24 h. Serum transaminases revealed a significantly higher injury profile in the recipients of the steatotic livers, and histology showed massive centrilobular coagulative necrosis with hemorrhage, the overall picture being that of primary nonfunction. Conclusions This novel use of the ob/ob mouse for OLT provides us with a model for steatotic transplantation with primary nonfunction as the end point and may help to better understand the response of the steatotic liver to the insult of transplantation.
Negative Regulation of the Nuclear Factor κB-inducing Kinase by a cis-Acting Domain

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-inducing kinase (NIK) participates in the activation of NF-κB, a family of eukaryotic transcription factors that mediate cell growth and transformation. NIK activates the IκB kinase both in vivo and in vitro, although how the activity of NIK is regulated has remained unclear. Here we show that the N-terminal region of NIK contains a negative-regulatory domain (NRD), which is composed of a basic motif and a proline-rich repeat motif. Deletion of these motifs leads to a marked enhancement of NIK function. We further demonstrate that the N-terminal NRD interacts with the C-terminal region of NIK, thereby inhibiting the binding of NIK to its substrate IκB kinase. Consistently, when expressed alone, the NRD potently inhibits NIK-mediated NF-κB signaling. These results provide a new insight into the mechanism of NIK regulation.
Human sperm head ultrastructure: a freeze-etching study.

The fine structure of human spermatozoa has been explored using freeze-etching, surface-replica, and thin-sectioning methods. The post nuclear sheath region is seen to be a modestly developed structure having few of the elaborate specializations of bull or rabbit spermatozoa. As with other mammalian sperm studied thus far by the freeze-etching or surface-replica methods, the basal portion of the postnuclear sheath terminates in a posterior ring which completely encircles the base of the sperm head. When the low temperature fracturing process exposes acrosomal membrane faces, they are often seen to consist of densely packed arrays of 200 A particles. This is in distinct contrast with plasmalemma faces which possess relatively few, randomly scattered particulates and may be related to enzymatic activities involving the acrosome. Although showing occasional regions of lamellar or linear ordering, human sperm nuclei exposed by cross fracturing appear to be more heterogeneously packed than those of highly flattened bull or rabbit sperm heads. This suggestion is supported by the lack of birefringence exhibited by human spermatozoa.
Analysis and design optimization of enhanced swing CMOS LC oscillators based on a phasor based approach

Analysis and design optimization of enhanced swing, low power CMOS LC oscillators is presented. A phasor analysis based approach for determining the amplitude and phase noise of these oscillators is used. MOSFET operation in cut-off, linear and saturation regions is included. The calculated steady state output amplitude and phase noise from this analysis are in good agreement with Cadence Spectre simulations for different bias conditions. Application of this analysis to the design optimization of LC oscillators is demonstrated.
The kiss of death: interrupted by NK-cell close encounters of another kind

An intimate but deadly encounter between natural killer (NK) cells and transformed cells results in the delivery of cytotoxic molecules into tumor cells. New evidence reveals another intimate association, this time between NK cells and regulatory T cells, but this encounter opposes NK-cell tumoricidal activity. Through a contact-dependent mechanism involving transforming growth factor-β, regulatory T cells provide an escape mechanism from NK-cell-mediated tumor surveillance.
System analysis skills hierarchy

It is generally recognized that the bottle-neck to greater computer utilization is not caused by deficiencies of equipment performance but primarily by the shortage of properly trained professionals who can better define, design, develop and implement computer applications. Business organizations attempt to respond to this shortage by introducing company training programs (Guide International, 1976), (Goldstein, 1974), while educational institutions introduce courses requiring computer proficiency. A survey of schools accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (Cougar, 1977), indicates that 94 percent of the responding institutions now require at least one computer course of undergraduates, signifying a widely recognized need for training in this area.
Targeting intestinal inflammation with CD98 siRNA/PEI-loaded nanoparticles.

Intestinal CD98 expression plays a crucial role in controlling homeostatic and innate immune responses in the gut. Modulation of CD98 expression in intestinal cells therefore represents a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Here, the advantages of nanoparticles (NPs) are used, including their ability to easily pass through physiological barriers and evade phagocytosis, high loading concentration, rapid kinetics of mixing and resistance to degradation. Using physical chemistry characterizations techniques, CD98 siRNA/polyethyleneimine (PEI)–loaded NPs was characterized (diameter of ~480 nm and a zeta potential of −5.26 mV). Interestingly, CD98 siRNA can be electrostatically complexed by PEI and thus protected from RNase. In addition, CD98 siRNA/PEI–loaded NPs are nontoxic and biocompatible with intestinal cells. Oral administration of CD98/PEI-loaded NPs encapsulated in a hydrogel reduced CD98 expression in mouse colonic tissues and decreased dextran sodium sulfate–induced colitis in a mouse model. Finally, flow cytometry showed that CD98 was effectively downregulated in the intestinal epithelial cells and intestinal macrophages of treated mice. Finally, the results collectively demonstrated the therapeutic effect of “hierarchical nano-micro particles” with colon-homing capabilities and the ability to directly release “molecularly specific” CD98 siRNA in colonic cells, thereby decreasing colitis.
Optical bistability in ceramic ferroelectrics due to thermal focusing

At modest laser powers (∼1 kW/cm2) ceramic Pb(Mg0.3Nb0.6Ti0.09)O3 exhibits optical bistability. The mechanism is shown to be thermal focusing. At power densities ∼1 kW/cm2 the oscillations between metastable states become nearly periodic (∼8 Hz), in analogy with the behavior exhibited in thermotropic liquid films [M. V. Vasnetsov, JETP Lett. 50, 480 (1990)]. At lower power levels (0.5 kW/cm2) aperiodic switching events are observed with one event per 45 mW (35 W/cm2) of increased laser power, with the Nth switching event occurring at time tN=AN(P−PN)−1, where P is the incident laser power and AN and PN are constants independent of P. The switching events depend also strongly on specimen temperature and its surrounding air pressure.
Orientation and Stereodynamic Paths of Planar Monodentate Ligands in Square Planar Nickel N2S Complexes

The well-established presence of histidine donors in binding sites of Ni-containing biomolecules prompts the study of orientational preference and stereodynamic nature of flat monodentate ligands (L = imidazoles, pyridine and an N-heterocyclic carbene) bound to planar N(2)SNi moieties. Square planar [N(2)SNiL](n+) complexes are accessed through bridge-splitting reactions of dimeric, thiolate-S bridged [N(2)SNi](2) complexes. The solid state molecular structures of three mononuclear products, and three monothiolate bridged dinickel complexes, reveal that the plane of the added monodentate ligand orients largely orthogonal to the N(2)SNiL square plane. Variable temperature (1)H NMR characterization of dynamic processes and ground state isomer ratios of imidazole complexes in their stopped exchange limiting spectra, readily correlate with density functional theory (DFT)-guided interpretation of Ni-L rotational activation barriers. Full DFT characterization finds Ni-L bond lengthening as well as a tetrahedral twist distortion in the transition state, reaching a maximum in the NHC complex, and relating mainly to the steric hindrance derived both from the ligand and the binding pocket. In the case of the imidazole ligands a minor electronic contribution derives from intramolecular electrostatic interactions (imidazole C-2 C-H(delta+)- - S(delta-) interaction). Computational studies find this donor-acceptor interaction is magnified in O-analogues, predicting coplanar arrangements in the ground state of N(2)ON(imid)Ni complexes.
The effect of Ag(I) ion on product composition in hydrolysis

Abstract The product olefin stereochemistry from the hydrolysis of some cyclopropyl bromides is dependent on [Ag + ].
Effects of prenatal marijuana exposure on child behavior problems at age 10

This is a prospective study of the effects of prenatal marijuana exposure on child behavior problems at age 10. The sample consisted of low-income women attending a prenatal clinic. Half of the women were African-American and half were Caucasian. The majority of the women decreased their use of marijuana during pregnancy. The assessments of child behavior problems included the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Teacher's Report Form (TRF), and the Swanson, Noland, and Pelham (SNAP) checklist. Multiple and logistic regressions were employed to analyze the relations between marijuana use and behavior problems of the children, while controlling for the effects of other extraneous variables. Prenatal marijuana use was significantly related to increased hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention symptoms as measured by the SNAP, increased delinquency as measured by the CBCL, and increased delinquency and externalizing problems as measured by the TRF. The pathway between prenatal marijuana exposure and delinquency was mediated by the effects of marijuana exposure on inattention symptoms. These findings indicate that prenatal marijuana exposure has an effect on child behavior problems at age 10.
Back Pain Caused by a Solitary Plasmacytoma of Bone

This article presents initial diagnostic workup and criteria for diagnosing solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) versus multiple myeloma. The authors discuss the incorporation of current imaging technologies into the diagnosis and staging of SPB and multiple myeloma. In addition, the article addresses treatment modalities and discusses the importance of oncology nurses' awareness of this rare condition.
Covert sonar tracking

Applying covert sonar tracking using low probability of intercept (LPI) sonar systems to the torpedo attack problem where a torpedo tracks and intercepts a target has the potential to improve attack success. Using realistic simulations of the ocean environment and acoustic interactions, we show that the maximum likelihood-probabilistic data association (ML-PDA) algorithm is well suited to this problem. Previous ML-PDA implementations used a multi-pass grid search to find the maximum of the log likelihood ratio. Use of either a genetic algorithm or a newly developed "intelligent search" algorithm is shown to be significantly more efficient making possible real-time implementation. Reliable tracking down to 5dB (postprocessing SNR: in a resolution cell) using a 10-frame sliding window is demonstrated, this being 3.5 dB better than the multi-pass grid search. The ML-PDA algorithm is also shown to be effective in tracking the target through realistic maneuvers
Purification and characterization of a mitochondrial endonuclease from Drosophila melanogaster embryos

A mitochondrial endonuclease from Drosophila melanogaster embryos was purified to near homogeneity by successive fractionation with DEAE-cellulose and heparin - avidgel-F, followed by FPLC chromatography on mono S, Superose 12 and a second mono S column. This enzyme digests double-stranded DNA more efficiently than heat-denatured DNA. The endonuclease activity has a molecular mass of 44 kDa, as determined under native conditions using a gel-filtration Superose 12 column. The prominent peptide detected by SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis likewise has a molecular mass of 44 kDa, suggesting a monomeric protein. The enzyme has an absolute requirement for divalent cations, preferring Mg2+ over Mn2+. No activity could be detected when these cations were replaced by Ca2+ or Zn2+. The pH optimum for this enzyme activity is 6.5 - 7.4 and its isoelectric point is 4.9. Both single-strand and double-strand breaks are introduced simultaneously into a supercoiled substrate in the presence of MgCl2 or MnCl2. Endonuclease-treated DNA serves as a substrate for DNA polymerase I from Escherichia coli, suggesting that 3'-OH termini are generated during cleavage. The enzyme is free from any detectable DNA exonuclease activity but not from RNase activity. Partial inhibition by antibodies raised against mitochondrial endonucleases derived from bovine heart and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have revealed a potential structural homology between these nucleases.
On the uniform continuity of the rate-distortion function

It is well known that the rate-distortion function for a finite alphabet IID source with distribution p, denoted R(p,D), is uniformly continuous in its arguments. We prove an explicit bound on |R(p,D) - R(q,D)| for distributions p, q in terms of the variational distance parp-qpar1. A simple and elementary proof shows that |R(p,D) - R(q,D)| = O(-parp - qpar1 log parp - qpar1), with constants depending on the distortion measure. The uniform continuity of the rate-distortion function has the same behavior as the uniform continuity of entropy in the order sense. The bounds are used for several applications. First, a simple sampling algorithm is presented to compute the rate-distortion function for an arbitrarily varying source to within a given accuracy. The uniform continuity bound is used here to roughly quantify the tradeoff between complexity and accuracy. Second, we comment on the problem of approximating the rate-distortion function for an unknown IID source to within a desired precision.
Inactivation of VHL by Tumorigenic Mutations That Disrupt Dynamic Coupling of the pVHL·Hypoxia-inducible Transcription Factor-1α Complex

The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene product, pVHL, targets the alpha subunit of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF-alpha) for ubiquitin-dependent degradation. This tumor suppressor function is mediated by the alpha- and beta-domains responsible for assembling the pVHL E3 ubiquitin ligase complex and for recognizing the prolyl-hydroxylated HIF-alpha, respectively. The molecular basis for a large number of tumor-derived mutations can be attributed to alterations that directly compromise the ability of pVHL to assemble the E3 or to contact the substrate. Here we describe a new mechanism of oncogenic inactivation by VHL missense mutations that lie in the L1 and L7 linker regions distal to the HIF-alpha-binding pocket. Employing molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the tumorigenic L1 loop mutation of Ser(65) to Leu, deficient in promoting the degradation of HIF-alpha, disrupts the coordination of internal motions of the pVHL.HIF-1alpha complex. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in addition to S65L, five other tumor-derived VHL mutations located within the L1 loop are each defective in mediating proteolysis of HIF-2alpha. Moreover, dynamic organization of pVHL.HIF-1alpha recognition is focally centered on Gln(145) within the L7 loop, and its tumorigenic mutant Q145H abolishes almost all of the correlated dynamic motions. Intriguingly, Q145H, whereas defective in targeting cellular HIF-alpha for degradation, had an attenuated hydroxylation dependence in binding to HIF-1alpha in vitro. Taken together, our results suggest that specific association between pVHL and the hydroxylated HIF-alpha requires both the L1 and L7 loops to coordinate dynamic coupling among distant pVHL regions, whose mutational disruption inactivates VHL and is hence responsible for tumorigenesis.
Exploring wireless device driver vulnerabilities

IEEE 802.11 set of standards grew from a highly obscured and unsecured technology to a robust and reliable solution for many of us. Broad acceptance and relatively simple implementation also made 802.11 a perfect target for possible exploitation. Recently discovered wireless driver vulnerabilities exposed a new critical threat that legitimate users community is facing. What makes this vulnerability so dangerous to many of us is the fact that the actual exploitation cannot be prevented by commonly used tools such as firewalls, antivirus, and intrusion detection system's programs. Access to the victims machine is gained through a flawed third-party wireless driver, giving full kernel level access rights to the attacker. While kernel-level exploitation domain covers everything running beneath the operating systems, this paper describes wireless device drivers vulnerability and proposes methods for vulnerability mitigations. This paper would assist IT professionals in evaluating, creating, and assessing security requirements associated with wireless networks connectivity.
Exploring the Impact and Implications of Residential Mobility: From the Neighborhood to the School

This cross-sectional study examines residential relocation among a cohort of 495 fifth graders in one urban community in the Southeastern U.S. The impact of residential mobility is discussed in relation to student/family outcomes as well as the stressors placed upon schools. Results support previous findings which suggest residential relocation is correlated with academic problems. In addition, highly mobile students are twice as likely to be referred by teachers for disciplinary intervention and families are five times more likely than their residentially stable counterparts to be involved with child protective services. Implications from this study address the need for school systems, including school social workers, to look beyond the classroom to understand and respond to the needs of highly mobile families.
Determination of initial Sr isotopic compositions of dolostones from the Burlington-Keokuk Formation (Mississippian); constraints from cathodoluminescence, glauconite paragenesis and analytical methods

ABSTRACT Regionally extensive, fine-grained dolostones from the Mississippian Burlington-Keokuk Fm. comprise two major generations of dolomite that can be distinguished by their cathodoluminescence, chemical compositions, and times of formation. The petrography and geochemistry of glauconite, the predominant clay mineral in the dolostones, indicates that it is an authigenic phase, some of which formed episodically during various stages of postmarine diagenesis. This study evaluates techniques for the determination of the Sr isotopic compositions of the dolomite generations through the analysis of nearly pure whole-rock samples ( 95% soluble) and mineral separates, each composed predominantly of one cathodoluminescent type of dolomite. Sr isotopic compositions and Rb and Sr concentrations were measured on samples prepared by three separate methods: 1) leaching with 1.25N HCl, 2) leaching with 1.25N HCl and concentrated HF, and 3) complete dissolution with concentrated HF and HNO3, and 6N HCl. Leaching with HCl removes 24-60 percent of the Rb in the samples. Compared to acid leaching, complete sample dissolution yields higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios and Rb concentrations and more reproducible results. This indicates that most of the Rb and radiogenic 87Sr is associated with minor clay fractions in the samples and that HCl leaches Rb and Sr from clays to a variable extent. The relatively high Rb/Sr ratios of the dolostones necessitate an age correction of each sample's 87Sr/86Sr ratio. The determination of such initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios requires contemporaneous formation of carbonate and clay, closure of the Rb-Sr system after diagenesis, and constraints on the timing of diagenesis. Calculated initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios for the dolostones by method 3 differ considerably from the uncorrected measured 87Sr/86Sr ratios by any of the dissolution methods. These results demonstrate that even minor clay components can make significant contributions to the analyses, and that analysis for Rb and Sr, and constraints on the timing and diagenetic history of both the clay and carbon te phases can be critical for the determination of the Sr isotopic compositions of even nearly pure dolostones. An evaluation of the uncertainties associated with the timing and type of diagenesis indicates that the initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the dolostones are representative of the isotopic composition of the dolomite generations at the time of their formation. Two major cathodoluminescent types of Burlington-Keokuk dolomites preserve a record of two isotopically distinct diagenetic environments. Samples composed of the earliest dolomite (dolomite I) have initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranging from 0.70757 to 0.70808, while samples composed of dolomites II and II range from 0.70885 to 0.70942.
Active plasma phospholipid transfer protein is associated with apoA-I- but not apoE-containing lipoproteins.

Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is a multifaceted protein with diverse biological functions. It has been shown to exist in both active and inactive forms. To determine the nature of lipoproteins associated with active PLTP, plasma samples were adsorbed with anti-A-I, anti- A-II, or anti-E immunoadsorbent, and PLTP activity was measured in the resulting plasma devoid of apolipoprotein A-I(apoA-I),apoA-II,orapoE.Anti-A-Iandanti-A-IIimmuno- adsorbents removed 98 6 1% (n 5 8) and 38 6 25% (n 5 7) of plasma PLTP activity, respectively. In contrast, only 1 6 5% of plasma PLTP activity was removed by anti-E immuno- adsorbent (n 5 7). Dextran sulfate (DS) cellulose did not bind apoA-I, but it removed 83 6 5% (n 5 4) of the PLTP activity in plasma. In size-exclusion chromatography, PLTP activity removed by anti-A-I or anti-A-II immunoadsorbent was associated primarily with particles of a size correspond- ing to HDL, whereas a substantial portion of the PLTP ac- tivity dissociated from DS cellulose was found in particles larger or smaller than HDL. These data show the fol- lowing: 1) active plasma PLTP is associated primarily with apoA-I-butnotapoE-containing lipoproteins;2)activePLTP is present in HDL particles with and without apoA-II, and its distribution between these two HDL subpopulations varies widely among individuals; and 3) DS cellulose can remove active PLTP from apoA-I-containing lipoproteins, and this process creates new active PLTP-containing particles in vitro.— Cheung, M. C., and J. J. Albers.Active plasma phos- pholipid transfer protein is associated with apoA-I- but not apoE-containinglipoproteins.J.LipidRes.2006. 47:1315-1321.
Optimal Location Updates in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks: A Separable Cost Case

We consider the location service in a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), where each node needs to maintain its location information in the network by (i) frequently updating its location information within its neighboring region, which is called neighborhood update (NU), and (ii) occasionally updating its location information to a certain (fixed) distributed location server in the network, which is called location server update (LU). A trade-off exists between the costs in location update operations, on one hand, and the additional incurred costs in (position-based) routing due to location errors, on the other hand. In this paper, we develop a stochastic sequential decision framework to analyze this trade-off and provide design guidelines on selecting good location update strategies in practice. Under a Markovian mobility model, the location update decision problem is modeled as a Markovian decision process (MDP). Based on the separable cost structure of the proposed MDP model, we first show that the location update decisions on NU and LU can be independently carried out without loss of optimality. Then we investigate the optimality of simple threshold-based updating rules in NU and LU operations. We finally introduce a model-free learning approach which is practically useful to find a near-optimal solution for the problem.
Chemical shift–based water/fat separation: A comparison of signal models

Quantitative water/fat separation in MRI requires careful modeling of the acquired signal. Multiple signal models have been proposed in recent years, but their relative performance has not yet been established. This article presents a comparative study of 12 signal models for quantitative water/fat separation. These models were selected according to three main criteria: magnitude or complex fitting, use of single-peak or multipeak fat spectrum, and modeling of T * 2 decay. The models were compared based on an analysis of the bias and standard deviation of their resulting estimates. Results from theoretical analysis, simulation, phantom experiments, and in vivo data were in good agreement. These results show that (a) complex fitting is uniformly superior to magnitude fitting, (b) multipeak fat modeling is able to remove the bias present in single-peak fat modeling, and (c) a single-T * 2 model performs best over a range of clinically relevant signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and water/fat ratios. Magn Reson Med 64:811–822, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Animal-Assisted Activity: Effects of a Complementary Intervention Program on Psychological and Physiological Variables

Animal-assisted activity is the use of trained animals for the therapeutic, motivational, or educational benefit of patients. Subjects of this study were 218 patients hospitalized on the mental health unit of a community hospital with an existing, complementary animal-assisted activity program. Half of the patients participated in a 1-hour session of animal-assisted activity. The other half, who served as a comparison group, participated in a 1-hour stress management program. It was hypothesized that an animal-assisted activity program would improve ratings of depression, anxiety, and pain and the associated physiological measures of stress and discomfort. Self-report ratings of depression, anxiety, and pain were collected before and after treatment sessions, and blood pressure, pulse, and salivary cortisol were measured. There were significant decreases in depression (P < .0001), anxiety (P < .0001), pain (P < .0001), and pulse (P < .04) after animal-assisted activity program, comparable to those in the more traditional stress management group.
The putative invasion protein chaperone SicA acts together with InvF to activate the expression of Salmonella typhimurium virulence genes.

Summary SigD and SigE (Salmonella invasion gene) are proteins needed for optimal invasion of Salmonella typhimurium into eukaryotic cells in vitro. SigD is a secreted protein and SigE is a putative chaperone required for SigD stability and/or secretion. SigD is secreted by a type III secretion apparatus encoded within a pathogenicity island on the Salmonella chromosome known as Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1). The expression of sigDE, which is not linked to SPI1, is co-ordinately regulated with the SPI1 genes and is dependent on the transcriptional regulators SirA, HilA and InvF. These three proteins alone are unable to activate transcription from the sigD promoter in Escherichia coli, therefore it is likely that other factors are needed for expression. A screen for genes required for the expression of a sigD‐ lacZYA reporter fusion found a mutant with a transposon insertion in spaS, an SPI1 gene which encodes a putative inner-membrane component of the type III secretion system. The expression of a SPI1 operon encoding a putative chaperone (SicA) and several secreted proteins (Sips B, C, D and A) was also reduced in this mutant. The regulation defect of the spaS mutant was complemented by sicA and not by spaS. Because sicA is encoded immediately downstream of spaS, the mutation in spaS was likely to be polar on the expression of sicA. In addition, a sicA disruption mutant was as defective as an invF deletion mutant for the expression of sigD, sicA and sipC reporter fusions. The introduction of plasmids encoding invF and sicA into a non-pathogenic E. coli K-12 strain stimulated the transcription of both a sicA ‐a nd asigD‐lacZYA promoter fusion. This result suggests that InvF and SicA are sufficient for the expression of these genes. This is the first demonstration of a positive regulatory role for a putative type III secretion system chaperone in the expression of virulence genes.
New criteria for boundedness and compactness of weighted composition operators mapping into the Bloch space

Let ψ and φ be analytic functions on the open unit disk $\mathbb{D}$ with φ( $\mathbb{D}$ ) ⊆ $\mathbb{D}$ . We give new characterizations of the bounded and compact weighted composition operators W ψ,ϕ from the Hardy spaces H p , 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞, the Bloch space B, the weighted Bergman spaces A , α > − 1,1 ≤ p < ∞, and the Dirichlet space $\mathcal{D}$ to the Bloch space in terms of boundedness (respectively, convergence to 0) of the Bloch norms of W ψ,ϕ f for suitable collections of functions f in the respective spaces. We also obtain characterizations of boundedness for H 1 as well as of compactness for H p , 1 ≤ p < ∞, and $\mathcal{D}$ purely in terms of the symbols ψ and φ.
Tracking for maneuvering target trajectories via the 3D circular filter

A circular prediction algorithm is proposed, which integrates the measured data into the filter and constrains the prediction to lie on a smooth curve modeled by an arc of a circle. The circular prediction is entirely defined in relation to three measurements in three-dimensional space. It is therefore not necessary to calculate the center and the radius of the circle. To obtain the statistics of the circular prediction, the unscented transformation has been utilized. The proposed hybrid filter combines the circular prediction and a constant velocity prediction by utilizing the covariance intersection (CI). This combined prediction can be updated with the subsequent measurement using a linear estimator. The proposed technique is compared with standard filters and the interacting multiple model (IMM) approach on a benchmark trajectory which includes coordinated turns and straight line maneuvers.
Review: disruption of the postsynaptic density in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative dementias.

The most common causes of neurodegenerative dementia include Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We believe that, in all 3, aggregates of pathogenic proteins are pathological substrates which are associated with a loss of synaptic function/plasticity. The synaptic plasticity relies on the normal integration of glutamate receptors at the postsynaptic density (PSD). The PSD organizes synaptic proteins to mediate the functional and structural plasticity of the excitatory synapse and to maintain synaptic homeostasis. Here, we will discuss the relevant disruption of the protein network at the PSD in these dementias and the accumulation of the pathological changes at the PSD years before clinical symptoms. We suggest that the functional and structural plasticity changes of the PSD may contribute to the loss of molecular homeostasis within the synapse (and contribute to early symptoms) in these dementias.
Transactions: from local atomicity to atomicity in the cloud

Atomicity is a fundamental concept in computer science. Initially it was defined as an abstraction to be used in a local context. But over time, its use has expanded or scaled as application programmers have come to rely on it. This reliance is based on atomicity's ability to make concurrent systems understandable and applications much simpler to program. Atomicity has multiple origins, but it can be fairly said that Brian Randell's Reliability Project at the University of Newcastle in the 1970's played a significant early role in defining the atomicity abstraction and building an early prototype to realize it. This paper starts by sketching the Newcastle contribution and goes on to explore how atomicity has been stretched to deal with clusters of processors. The challenge today is to deal well with systems of vast scale, as exemplified by the enormous data centers of current cloud services providers. We sketch a new and promising approach to this challenge.