cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in cylindrical geometry

Ideal magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is treated using more realistic boundary conditions than rectangular periodic boundary conditions. The dynamical equations of incompressible magnetohydrodynamics and the associated fields are expanded in a set of vector eigenfunctions of the curl. The individual eigenfunctions represent force‐free fields, but superpositions of them do not. Three integral invariants have simple quadratic expressions in the expansion coefficients: the total energy, the magnetic helicity, and the cross helicity. The invariants remain temporally constant in the face of a truncation at a large but finite number of coefficients. Boundary conditions imposed are those for a rigid, perfectly‐conducting cylindrical boundary, with an arbitrary periodicity length parallel to the axis. Canonical distributions are constructed from the invariants. Mean‐square turbulent velocity fields 〈v2〉 have finite values for virtually all initial conditions, including quiescient ones. The stability problem can be reformulated as a search for values of the integral invariants which will minimize 〈v2〉. This leads to a principle of extremal helicity, which requires a magnetic configuration which will minimize 〈v2〉 for a given total energy. The development of helical macroscopic structures in the cylinder as a function of increasing ratio of axial current to axial magnetic flux is predicted.
Demonstration of Plasma Start-up in HIT-II and NSTX Using Transient Coaxial Helicity Injection

The method of transient coaxial helicity injection (CHI) first developed on the innovative confinement concepts exploration device HIT-II at the University of Washington has now been successfully applied to the, thirty times larger in plasma volume, NSTX device at PPPL. CHI-started discharges have attained start-up currents in excess of 200 kA and have been successfully coupled to induction. These results from NSTX in combination with the results from HIT-II demonstrate favorable scaling with machine size and the high current capability of this method for solenoid-free plasma startup in future spherical torii and in tokamaks.
Thurston High School: the effects of both distal and emotional proximity in an acute instance of school violence

Abstract On May 21, 1998 Kipland Kinkel entered Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, gunned down two students and injured scores more, after murdering his parents the night before. There is a dearth of research focused on the effects of such violence in school settings where the perpetrator is a peer of his victims. We do not know if, how, or under what circumstances adolescents exposed to this violence are psychologically changed, or if the changes are temporary or long-lasting. This study explores the incidence of post-traumatic effects of such an incident. These effects are hypothesized to be influenced by both distal (physical) (Pynoos & Nader, 1986) and emotional proximity (Terr, 1990). Emotional proximity is, in this study, measured by connectedness to the school. Effects of peritrauma dissociative responses in the immediate aftermath of the incident on longitudinal effects are also explored. Participants include 80 respondents who completed a lengthy survey at two to three years post incide...
Cultivar Composition and Spatial Patterns in Kentucky Bluegrass Blends

Turfgrass managers make informed decisions when choosing cultivars, but they do not know the cultivar composition or spatial patterns of a blended Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) stand after establishment. This study was conducted to determine the cultivar composition of blends and determine whether cultivars form distinct clumps or a random distribution. Percentages of ‘Blacksburg’, ‘Midnight’, and ‘Unique’ in blends were determined using random amplified polymorphic DNA markers. The two different locations were a fairway (Aspen Ridge Golf Course, Bourbonnais, IL) and a rough (Alpine Hills Golf Course, Rockford, IL). Indices of dispersion were used to determine spatial patterns. Even though the two stands had different management strategies and were 157 km apart, the two blends had similar cultivar compositions in October 2000. The fairway was comprised of 14% Blacksburg, 46% Midnight, and 40% (w/w) Unique 37 mo after seeding, while the rough composition was 14% Blacksburg, 47% Midnight, and 39% (w/w) Unique 15 mo after seeding. Chi-square analyses indicated with more than 99% confidence that the cultivar compositions were different than the intended planting. Comparing expected (first sampling) with observed (second sampling) values at both sites, chi-square analyses determined that none of the mean percentages for the three cultivars had changed from the first sampling date to the second at either location. Since the two stands were not the same age, they may have achieved an equilibrated composition dictated by the competitve advantages of the component cultivars. Indices of dispersion determined the cultivars were distributed randomly rather than clumped. This study suggests management and location do not dictate the composition of a blend. Rather, the competitive advantages of the cultivars in the blend will determine composition.
COMPARISON OF MAX-MIN APPROACH AND NN METHOD FOR RELIABILITY OPTIMIZATION OF SERIES-PARALLEL SYSTEM

Two heuristics, the max-min approach and the Nakagawa and Nakashima method, are considered for the redundancy allocation problem with series-parallel structure. The max-min approach can formulate the problem as an integer linear programming problem instead of an integer nonlinear problem. This paper presents a comparison between those methods from the standpoint of solution quality and computational complexity. The experimental results show that the max-min approach is superior to the Nakagawa and Nakashima method in terms of solution quality in small-scale problems, but analysis of computational complexity shows that the max-min approach is inferior to other greedy heuristics.
A Dynamical Model for Heat Shock Protein (HSP) Transcription and its Correlation with HSP70 in vitro Experiments

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are well know for their protective mechanism when cells undergo stress conditions such as heat by enhancing protein folding and mitigating apoptosis Heat-shock causes the denaturing of proteins to increase, which leads to the aggregation of denatured and functional proteins. On the other hand, cells develop thermotolerance to protect themselves from later exposure to heat shock or other stresses. Once a cell has been exposed to the heat-shock, the fate of the cell depends on the amount of protein denaturation and aggregation. The cell's ability to become tolerant of heat after the heat-shock is one of the most widely studied activating responses experimentally. In the paper, we develop three mechanistic models in a hierarchical fashion that follow a biological pathway from the initial heat-shock to the HSP70:HSF complex that dissociates to HSP70 and HSF, and aim to predict the HSP concentration in a cell. These models allow investigators to simulate the major/important mechanisms in the upregulation of HSP70. This study was performed to create a depiction of the cellular and nuclear events of the HSP70 response to the heat-shock. The data generated from the model were correlated to favorably experimental data under the assumption of time delay.
Hyperfine structure of the 53P1 state of 115Cdm

Abstract The magnetic fields at which Zeeman sublevels cross in the excited 5 3 P 1 state of the 43-day isomer 115 Cd m have been determined for three pairs of levels. The crossing fields are used to determine the magnetic dipole hyperfine structure constant A( 3 P 1 ) = −656.491 (4) MHz and the quadrupole constant B( 3 P 1 ) = 129.39 (6) MHz .
Comprehensive Study of the Impact of Steam on Polyethyleneimine on Silica for CO2 Capture

An amine sorbent, prepared by impregnation of polyethyleneimine on silica, was tested for steam stability. The stability of the sorbent was investigated in a fixed bed reactor using multiple steam cycles of 90 vol % H2O/He at 105 °C, and the gas effluent was monitored with a mass spectrometer. CO2 uptake of sorbent was found to decrease with repeated exposure to steam. Characterization of the spent sorbent using N2 physisorption, SEM, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the decrease in CO2 loading can possibly be attributed to a reagglomeration of the amine in the pores of the silica. No support effect was found in this study. The commercial SiO2 used, Cariact G10, was found to be stable under the conditions used. While it was found that subjecting the sorbent to several steam cycles decreased its CO2 uptake, a continuous exposure of the sorbent to steam did not have a significant performance impact. A silanated sorbent, consisting of a mixture of PEI and aminopropyl-triethoxysilane on SiO2 s...
OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS IN THE PRODUCTION OF MULLITE FIBERS VIA INVISCID MELT-SPINNING (IMS)

Abstract Process parameters for the formation of mullite fibers by the Inviscid Melt Spinning process were determined using a factorial design analysis. Mullite fibers were produced from a 3:2 mullite melt (M.P. = I830°C) via Inviscid Melt-Spinning (IMS) in a BN crucible, under an argon atmosphere, at a melt temperature of 2000°C and spinning pressure of 40psi. A heating rate-holding time program of 80°/min and 8 minutes, respectively, was used for the fiber-making experiment.
END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS IN CANCER CARE

The development of new treatment modalities for many types of cancer has resulted in increased patient survival. These same therapies, however, often result in serious complications to the patient. The decision to admit patients with cancer to the ICU is based on specific criteria including hemodynamic instability, respiratory compromise, and general prognosis. Prognostic scoring systems used for general ICU patients such as the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and the Mortality Probability Model (MPM) II have been shown to underestimate hospital mortality in patients with cancer. 6, 8 Groeger and colleagues developed a multivariate logistic regression model to estimate the probability of hospital mortality in critically ill patients with cancer admitted to the ICU. 6 These models cannot predict with 100% certainty how any individual patient will fare but rather serve as tools to help physicians identify which types of patients may benefit from ICU care and which may not. Groeger et al reported an overall 41% mortality rate for patients with cancer admitted to the ICUs of four academic medical centers. 6 Thus, intensivists and oncologists are faced with many ethical and moral issues when patients with cancer become critically ill. In 1990, a group of physicians from the American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine published Ethical and Moral Guidelines for the Intubation, Continuation, and Withdrawal of Intensive Care. 2 Among the issues addressed were ethical, medical, economic, and legal factors that influence the practice of critical care. This article focuses on each of these issues as it pertains to the treatment of critically ill patients with cancer. It ends with a discussion of issues that will become challenges in the future as cancer care becomes more sophisticated.
Adsorption and electrochemistry of SCN- : comparative studies at Ag(111) and Pt(111) electrodes by means of AES, CV, HREELS and LEED

Abstract Surface electrochemical studies are reported of SCN − at Ag(111) and Pt(111) electrode surfaces in aqueous solutions. Adsorbate packing density and stoichiometry were investigated by use of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Adsorbate molecular constitution and surface chemical bonding were characterized by means of high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS), which yielded vibrational spectra spanning the entire IR frequency range. Surface electrochemical behavior was explored by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Packing densities of SCN − at Pt and Ag are essentially the saturation values at all practical concentrations, and at all electrode potentials for which the metal surface is stable. The SCN − ion remains intact during adsorption at Pt and Ag surfaces unless the potential is strongly oxidizing. When adsorbed onto Pt(111) at pH 3, SCN − is protonated (SCNH), while at pH 10 it is not protonated (SCN − K + ). Protonation of Pt/SCN − leads to CH and NH vibrational modes in HREELS, suggesting that the adsorbed layer consists of at least two species (PtSCNH and PtNCHS). However, when adsorbed at Ag(111), SCN − is not protonated, even at pH 3. The C:S stoichiometric ratio (evaluated from AES) was essentially 1:1 under all conditions studied; the packing densities were about 0.5 SCN per surface Pt atom, or 0.25 SCN per surface Ag atom. The HREELS spectra suggest that the axis of the SCN moiety is approximately perpendicular to the Pt or Ag surface. Low energy electron diffraction (LEED) studies revealed a Pt(111)(1 × 2)-SCN structure (θ SCN -2~ 0.5), which was converted by heating (700°C) to Pt(111)(2 × 2)-S (θ s -2~ 0.25), and an Ag(111)(2 × 3√3, rectangular)-SCN structure (θ SCN -2 0.25). Adsorption of SCN − at Pt(111) or Ag(111) as a function of electrode potential revealed noticeable changes in the HREELS spectra, including a blue-shift of the CN stretch with increasing potential. Packing densities were virtually independent of potential, except at extremely positive potentials where a separate AgSCN phase is formed or where the Pt/SCN system undergoes extensive oxidation, and the surface becomes disordered as indicated by LEED.
The function of the CD4 coreceptor in the development of T cells.

T cells with helper activity can be found in mice that lack expression of the CD4 glycoprotein. The CD4 promoter is active in these cells; they respond to antigens presented by MHC class II molecules; they do not express CD8 and they do not depend on MHC class I for their development. By such criteria, these CD8 T cells resemble normal CD4+ helper T cells. The development of the helper lineage in CD4-null mice can be potentiated by expression of transgenes that encode either wild type CD4, or a deletion mutant of CD4 that lacks the cytoplasmic tail and therefore cannot interact with the tyrosine kinase p56Ick. These observations suggest that CD4 is not absolutely required for the specification of the helper cell lineage. The role of the CD4 molecule in the development of T cells and possible mechanisms by which it achieves its functions are discussed.
Chronic cough from the patient's perspective.

OBJECTIVE To identify the factors that patients consider most concerning about their cough. PATIENTS AND METHODS All consecutive patients who presented with a complaint of chronic cough between November 1, 2000, and February 28, 2001, were prospectively surveyed for cough-related complaints using an 18-item symptom-complaint questionnaire. We analyzed frequencies of responses and response patterns to specific items on the questionnaire. We also examined whether the responses to individual items related to the patient's age, sex, and duration of cough. RESULTS Of the 146 consecutive patients referred for evaluation of chronic cough, 136 were eligible for inclusion in the study. These patients cited feelings of frustration, irritability, or anger (43%), frequent physician visits and testing (41%), and sleep disturbances (38%) as the most prevalent major problems. The responses to individual items on the questionnaire were not related to patients' age, sex, and cough duration. Anxiety about underlying serious illness continued to be a concern for most patients. CONCLUSIONS Frustration, anger, or anxiety was the most frequent major problem cited by patients. Frequent physician visits and testing was the unexpected second most frequent major problem. These findings are important because most chronic cough guidelines are based on clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness considerations rather than on patient satisfaction. Future studies regarding chronic cough evaluation should take into account patient satisfaction and perceived burden of disease as outcome variables.
Effect of alumina and titania on the oxidation of CO over Au nanoparticles evaluated by 13C isotopic transient analysis

Titania- and alumina-supported Au nanoparticles were synthesized by a deposition-precipitation method and subsequent thermal treatment in He. X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Au-L{sub III} edge revealed that the as-prepared Au/TiO{sub 2} sample contained cationic Au that was reduced to a predominately metallic state after treatment in He at 623 K. Scanning transmission electron microscopy showed the Au to be highly dispersed over both the metal oxides, with an average particle size of 3.3 nm for Au/TiO{sub 2} and 2.5 nm for Au/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The global rate, apparent activation energy, and orders of reaction with respect to CO and O{sub 2} of CO oxidation were different for the two metal oxide-supported samples. Steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis was used to explore the intrinsic turnover frequency (TOF{sub intr}) and coverage of active carbon-containing intermediates ({theta}{sub COx}) that led to carbon dioxide during CO oxidation. After correcting for CO{sub 2} readsorption, the TOF{sub intr} was found to be independent of temperature, approximately 3.4 s{sup -1} for Au/TiO{sub 2} (261-303 K) and 2.1 s{sup -1} for Au/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (272-343 K). At 293 K, the coverage of active carbon-containing intermediates was greater over Au/TiO{sub 2} than over Au/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The higher coveragemore » of species-forming product on Au/TiO{sub 2} is attributed to the greater availability of active surface oxygen on a titania catalyst compared with an alumina catalyst.« less
Effects of Pulse Shaping in Laser Spectroscopy

We have shown theoretically and experimentally that specially shaped laser pulses can give enhanced excitation selectivity, compensate for experimental complications such as inhomogeneities and pulse amplitude jitter, and cleanly pump forbidden transitions. A new approach to generating picosecond pulses, which does not require modelocking, permits software controlled, arbitrarily shaped (phase and amplitude modulated) pulses with roughly 1 ps resolution.
Options listings and individual equity volatility

This article examines the effect of options introduction on the conditional volatility of 1,576 individual firms over the 1973–1996 time period. With the use of a GJR-GARCH specification for daily volatility, it is found, for the majority of firms, that option listing does not impact the underlying equity security. Listing effects are identified for a small subset of firms, specifically smaller firms with high trading volume and/or volatility. For these firms there is evidence of a change in the conditional volatility process after option listing, and it is concluded that options continue to provide additional information about the underlying equity for these companies. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 27: 1–27, 2007
The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of particulate and soluble hexavalent chromium in human lung cells.

Abstract Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a human lung carcinogen. Cr(VI) is a particularly important and dangerous carcinogen, because there is widespread exposure to it both occupationally and to the general public. However, despite the potential for widespread exposure and the fact that the lung is its target organ, there are few reports of the genotoxicity of Cr(VI) in human lung cells. Clearly, in order to better understand this carcinogen, its effects in its target cells need to be evaluated. Accordingly, we determined the cytotoxicity and clastogenicity of both particulate (water-insoluble) and soluble Cr(VI) in primary human bronchial fibroblasts (PHBFs). We used lead chromate (PbCrO 4 ) and sodium chromate (Na 2 CrO 4 ) as prototypical particulate and soluble Cr(VI) salts, respectively. Both compounds induced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity after a 24 h exposure in PHBFs. The relative survival was 87, 46, 26 and 2% after exposure to 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 5 μg/cm 2 PbCrO 4 , respectively, and 74, 57, 13 and 0% after exposure to 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 μM Na 2 CrO 4 , respectively. Similarly, the amount of chromosome damage increased with concentration after 24 h exposure to both compounds. Specifically, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 μg/cm 2 PbCrO 4 damaged 15, 34 and 42% of metaphase cells with the total amount of damage reaching 18, 40 and 66 aberrations per 100 metaphases, respectively. PbCrO 4 (5 μg/cm 2 ) induced such profound cell cycle delay that no metaphases were found. Na 2 CrO 4 (1 and 2.5 μM) damaged 18 and 33% of metaphase cells with the total amount of damage reaching 19 and 43 aberrations per 100 metaphases, respectively. Na 2 CrO 4 (5 and 10 μM) induced such profound cell cycle delay that no metaphases were found. Overall the data clearly indicate that Cr(VI) compounds are cytotoxic and genotoxic to human lung cells.
Data mining in the online services industry

The online services industry is a rapidly growing industry with a worldwide online ad market projected to grow from $48 billion in 2011 to $67 billion in 2013, of which 47% will come from display advertising and 53% from search advertising. Online Services Division (OSD) within Microsoft is a leader in the consumer cloud space today with a strong portfolio of a set of 3 mutually reinforcing businesses: Search, Portal, Advertising. They are supported by a shared foundational asset of Intent & Knowledge Stores and a shared technology platform supporting large scale data and high performance systems. MSN (Portal) and Bing (Search) generate the content, traffic and data, that make for an exciting fertile environment for large scale data mining practice and system development. Our advertisers are thus given more valuable targeting opportunities and better ROI, which in turn, provide better economics, usability data, and allows for a higher quality services for our advertisers and experience for our users. The ability to transform data into meaningful, actionable insight is an important source of competitive advantage for OSD. The data mining initiatives within the division continue to strive for excellence around the following goals: actionable insights through deep data analysis, data mining and data modeling at scale and with speed, increased productivity from deployed large scale data systems and tools, improved product and service development and decision making gained from effective measurement and experimentation, and a mature data culture in product teams that made the above possible. With many technical and data challenges ahead of us, we are committed to utilizing our huge data asset well to understand the need, intent, and behavior of our users for the purpose of serving them better.
Citizen viewpoints on energy policy

This exploration of citizen viewpoints on energy policy uses a clustering technique to analyze 101 Q-sorts obtained from a diverse national sample in April 1979.
Imagining Crawling Home: A Case Study in Cognitive Science and Aesthetics

Philosophical accounts of narrative fiction can be loosely divided into two types. Participant accounts argue that some sort of simulation, or 1st person perspective taking plays a critical role in our engagement with narratives. Observer accounts argue to the contrary that we primarily engage narrative fictions from a 3rd person point of view, as either side participants or outside observers. Recent psychological research suggests a means to evaluate this debate. The perception of distance and slope is influenced by the energetic (e.g., task difficulty) and emotional (e.g., anxiety) costs of actions. These effects are limited to increases in the costs of actions agents intend to perform themselves, generalize to cases where participants imagine acting, and demonstrate a role for tacit motor simulation in action planning. If participant accounts are sound, one should, therefore, find similar effects across changes in the interpretation of the costs of actions depicted in static images. We asked people to copy the rough spatial layout of two paintings across different interpretations of the costs of the actions they depicted. We predicted that increasing costs would cause participants to draw distances as longer and hills as steeper. Our results confirm this prediction for the energetic, but not the emotional, costs of actions.
Age dependence of heat stress mediated cardioprotection

Abstract Background . To study the influence of age on heat stress cardioprotection, functional recovery, nucleotide concentrations, and heat stress protein 70 (Hsp70) levels were compared in the heat stressed (HS) and control (C) hearts at different ages, in a protocol mimicking donor heart preservation for transplantation. Methods . Control and heat stressed (24 hours before experiment) rat hearts were divided into three age groups: (I) 1 month, (Y) 4 months, and (M) 16 months (n = 6). Left ventricle balloon catheter was used to determine systolic and end-diastolic pressure/volume relations before and after 4 hours of cardioplegic arrest at 4°C. Another identical set of isolated hearts underwent 5 minutes of normoxic perfusion to obtain preischemic Hsp70 content and metabolite concentrations. Results . The postischemic recovery was highest in group HS-Y as compared to C-Y, HS-I, C-I, HS-M, and C-M. There were no differences in preischemic adenine nucleotides or creatine metabolite concentrations between the three age groups. In contrast, the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized form) (NAD + ) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (oxidized form) (NADP + ) concentrations were significantly raised in group HS-Y. Hsp70 content was increased in all HS groups with no difference between the age groups. Conclusions . Improved postischemic functional recovery after cardioplegic arrest was observed in the young adult HS hearts. This was associated with highest NAD + and NADP + concentrations and did not correlate with increased Hsp70 content.
Actin Cytoskeleton: Formins Lead the Way

Formins are eukaryotic proteins that potently influence actin polymerization dynamics. Recent evidence strongly suggests that these proteins move processively with the elongating barbed ends of actin filaments.
Thrombin weakens the amnion extracellular matrix (ECM) directly rather than through protease activated receptors.

Abstract Introduction Preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (pPROM) is a major cause of preterm birth. Abruption associated thrombin production, and infection-inflammation associated cytokine production reportedly play major roles in pPROM. Utilizing an in vitro model-system we have confirmed that both thrombin and inflammatory cytokines remodel and biomechanically weaken amnion, the load-bearing component of FM. Also, we have shown thrombin directly weakens isolated amnion but cytokines weaken amnion only indirectly by initially interacting with choriodecidua and releasing unidentified soluble activator(s). This study's purpose was to determine whether thrombin weakens the isolated amnion through thrombin receptor-protease activated receptors (PARs 1,2,3,4), activation of previously secreted extracellular matrix (ECM) enzymes, or by direct action on the ECM. Methods Primary amnion cells and isolated amnion were tested for PARs by immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and rtPCR. Cell-free amnion ECM was produced by devitalizing isolated amnion by exposure to UV light and subsequent freeze–thaw cycles. Devitalized amnion membrane explants were incubated with thrombin and biomechanically tested. Results PARs were not found in amnion or amnion cells. Thrombin induced dose-dependent weakening of devitalized amnion explants. Preincubation with the thrombin inhibitor hirudin prevented thrombin-induced weakening. Thrombin converted pro-MMP2 embedded in the devitalized amnion ECM to multiple active forms. Thrombin also directly digested gelatin gels in zymograms suggesting the possibility of direct degradation of amnion ECM components. Discussion Thrombin appears to directly weaken the amnion ECM and additionally activates stored pro-MMP2 to active forms that may further enhance amnion ECM degradation. Conclusion Thrombin weakens amnion directly rather than through PARs.
Measures of Success in American Sociology

number of books written, graduate institutions, and year of doctoral degree. The productivity of authors is found to be consistent with the pattern first suggested by Lotka. Publication in top journals is a relatively open process with a large number of different authors publishing over a 20-year period and considerable circulation of top publishing authors in adjacent decades. Top publishers and ASA presidents appear to follow different career paths. ASA presidents tend to receive their doctorates from more elite institutions, publish substantially more books, and place fewer articles in the major journals than do cohorts of top publishing authors.
Geodesic spaces tangent to metric spaces

We investigate the geometry of spaces tangent and pretangent to general metric spaces with marked point. We find a sufficient condition under which every separable tangent space is geodesic. This condition is almost exact in the sense that it is necessarily satisfied if all spaces pretangent to a given metric space are geodesic.
Lower bounds on testing membership to a polyhedron by algebraic decision trees

We describe a new method of proving lower bounds on the depth of algebraic decision trees and apply it to prove a lower bound $\Omega (\log N)$ for testing membership to a convex polyhedron having $N$ facets of all dimensions. This bound apparently does not follow from the methods developed by M.\ Ben-Or,\ A.\ Bj\"orner,\ L.\ Lovasz,\ A.\ Yao (\cite{B 83}, \cite{BLY 92}) because the topological invariants used in these methods become trivial for the convex polyhedra.
Trans‐Pacific transport of mercury

[1] We examine the trans-Pacific transport of mercury with a global chemical transport model. Using existing anthropogenic inventories, the model underestimates the observed Hg/CO ratio in Asian long-range transport events observed at ground-based sites in Okinawa, Japan and Mount Bachelor, Oregon, by 18–26%. This is in contrast with previous studies that inferred a factor of two underestimate in Asian anthropogenic emissions. We find that mercury from land emissions and re-emissions, which are largely colocated with anthropogenic emissions, account for a significant fraction of the observed Hg/CO ratio. Increasing Asian anthropogenic Hg0 emissions by 50% while holding land emissions constant, or further increasing anthropogenic emissions while decreasing land emissions, corrects the remaining model bias in the Hg/CO ratio. We thus find that a total Asian source of 1260–1470 Mg/a Hg0 is consistent with observations. Hg0 emissions from Asia are transported northeastward across the Pacific, similar to CO. Asian anthropogenic emissions of mercury contribute 18% to springtime Hg0 concentrations at Mount Bachelor. Asian RGM is not directly transported to North America in the lower troposphere but contributes to a well-mixed pool at high altitude. Asian and North American sources each contribute approximately 25% to deposition to the United States, with Asian anthropogenic sources contributing 14% and North American anthropogenic sources contributing 16%.
Differential action of hormones on induced resistance to 2-deoxy-D-glucose in mammalian cell cultures.

Abstract Cultivation of certain human epithelial cell lines in the presence of prednisolone or dexamethasone induces resistance to the toxic effect of 2-deoxyglucose concomitant with induced alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) activity. Paradoxically, growth of some constitutive alkaline phosphatase cell lines in the hormone represses alkaline phosphatase activity and resistance to 2-deoxyglucose. The alkaline phosphatase of prednisolone-induced resistant cell lines was found to be thermostable. In contrast, alkaline phosphatase constitutive cell lines, prednisolone-repressed, possessed thermolabile enzymes. Evidence for molecular heterogeneity of the alkaline phosphatases of hormone inducible and constitutive cell lines is presented. The relationship of induced alkaline phosphatase to the mechanism of resistance to 2-deoxyglucose is discussed.
Outcomes of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database analysis

Background Sarcomatoid lung carcinomas are unusual, and reports from small single institution case series suggest poor survival rates. We sought to study the clinical characteristics of this form of non–small cell lung cancer using the Surveillance Epidemiology, End Results database. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was queried for respiratory tract malignancies of sarcomatoid histology. The demographic information and oncologic characteristics of this population were examined. A propensity score–matched analysis of patients was performed to test the hypothesis that patients with sarcomatoid cancers undergoing lobectomies perform worse that those with other non–small cell lung cancers. Results Of 878,810 patients with lung cancer, only 3,647 patients had a diagnosis of sarcomatoid cancer (0.4%). For the additional analyses of outcomes, only patients with lifetime incidence of a single cancer, known Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results historic stage and inpatient reporting were selected (n = 1,921). Demographics, tumor characteristics, and outcomes of these patients were described. Non–small cell lung cancer cohorts (with and without sarcomatoid cancer propensity-matched on age, gender, race, year of diagnosis, grade, and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results historic stage) that underwent lobectomies or pneumonectomies were selected (n = 758). Univariate (hazard ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–1.97) and multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.36–2.05) revealed a significantly worse overall survival for patients with sarcomatoid cancer compared to matched nonsarcomatoid lung cancer controls. Conclusion Sarcomatoid cancer is a rare form of lung malignancy with outcomes significantly worse than other forms of non–small cell lung cancer. Novel multimodality treatment strategies are necessary to improve outcomes of this disease.
Location of the sex pheromone in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.).

Das Vorkommen von Sexualpheromon wurde an dem Werbeverhalten von selektierten einzelnen Mannchen getestet. Das Pheromon kommt in larvalen und adulten Insekten beiderlei Geschlechts vor, wird aber von geschlechtsreifen Weibchen in grosseren Mengen produziert. Es kommt hauptsachlich im Kopf vor und wird wahrscheinlich an Orten modifizierter Korperdecke abgesondert.
Cw Submillimeter Wave Laser Pumped By An rf-Excited CO 2 Waveguide Laser

Optical pumping of a submillimeter wave (SNI4W) laser with a relatively compact CTS CO2 waveguide laser is reported. The increased frequency tunability of the waveguide pump laser has resulted in new low threshold SMMW emissions by pumping into absorption lines which are beyond the tuning range of a conventional CO2 laser.
Brand architecture strategy and firm value: how leveraging, separating, and distancing the corporate brand affects risk and returns

Despite evidence suggesting a growing incidence of brand architecture strategies beyond the branded house (e.g., Boeing and IBM) and house-of-brands (e.g., P&G with Tide and Cheer), and recognition that in practice these strategies are very different, there is still a need for research on how financial markets value the full range of brand architecture strategies pursued by firms. We replicate and extend Rao et al.’s (Journal of Marketing, 68(4), 126-141, 2004) investigation of brand portfolio strategy and firm performance by (1) adding sub-branding and endorsed branding architectures, (2) clarifying the “mixed” architecture to constitute a BH-HOB hybrid and remove sub- and endorsed branding variants, and (3) quantifying the impact of a company’s brand architecture strategy on stock risk in addition to returns. To explore the risk profiles of these five different strategies, we offer a brand-relevant conceptualization of the sources of idiosyncratic risk that may be exacerbated or controlled through brand architecture strategy: brand reputation risk, brand dilution risk, brand cannibalization risk, and brand stretch risk. We demonstrate superior results in terms of model performance using the expanded five-part architecture categorization and conclude with implications for practice. Our results show that risk/return tradeoffs for sub-branding, endorsed branding, and the BH-HOB hybrid differ significantly from what common wisdom suggests.
Solar Eclipses Observed from Antarctica

Aspects of the solar corona are still best observed during totality of solar eclipses, and other high-resolution observations of coronal active regions can be observed with radio telescopes by differentiation of occultation observations, as we did with the Jansky Very Large Array for the annular solar eclipse of 2012 May 20 in the US. Totality crossing Antarctica included the eclipse of 2003 November 23, and will next occur on 2021 December 4; annularity crossing Antarctica included the eclipse of 2008 February 7, and will next occur on 2014 April 29. Partial phases as high as 87% coverage were visible and were imaged in Antarctica on 2011 November 25, and in addition to partial phases of the total and annular eclipses listed above, partial phases were visible in Antarctica on 2001 July 2011, 2002 December 4, 2004 April 19, 2006 September 22, 2007 September 11, and 2009 January 26, and will be visible on 2015 September 13, 2016 September 1, 2017 February 26, 2018 February 15, and 2020 December 14. On behalf of the Working Group on Solar Eclipses of the IAU, the poster showed the solar eclipses visible from Antarctica and this article shows a subset (see www.eclipses.info for the full set). A variety of investigations of the Sun and of the response of the terrestrial atmosphere and ionosphere to the abrupt solar cutoff can be carried out at the future eclipses, making the Antarctic observations scientifically useful.
Molecular characterization of adiY, a regulatory gene which affects expression of the biodegradative acid-induced arginine decarboxylase gene (adiA) of Escherichia coli

A transcriptional regulator gene, designated adiY, was found downstream of the biodegradative arginine decarboxylase (adiA) gene (previously known as adi) of Escherichia coli. The arginine decarboxylase system is maximally induced under conditions of acidic pH, anaerobiosis and rich medium, and AdiY was found to increase the expression of adiA. The DNA sequence of adiY encodes a protein of 253 amino acids. Primer extension analysis defined the promoter. The amino acid sequence of AdiY showed homology to the XyIS/AraC family of transcriptional regulators, which includes EnvY and AppY. Studies suggested that sequences required for acid induction were also necessary to observe the stimulation by AdiY. An examination of the substitution of AdiY, AppY and EnvY showed that these three proteins can, to some extent, stimulate the other systems.
NORTH CAROLINA AFL–CIO: HOW A SMALL STATE FEDERATION BUILDS POLITICAL AND LEGISLATIVE POWER WITHOUT MONEY OR NUMBERS

North Carolina connects with the two main themes laid in the other case studies explored in this Working USA issue. Like New York, the labor movement went through the New Alliance process facilitated by the national American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO). As with Atlanta, labor leaders have wrestled with how to build power in the hostile climate of the American South. This case adds a new dimension in that the focus for coalition building and an expanding political program has been through the state federation. Unlike New York or Georgia, low union density and geographical dispersion make resourcing local and regional AFL–CIO bodies difficult—establishing the state as the natural level to develop strategies for building power.
Effects of atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition on ocean biogeochemistry

We perform a sensitivity study with the Biogeochemical Elemental Cycling (BEC) ocean model to understand the impact of atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition on marine biogeochemistry and air-sea CO2 exchange. Simulations involved examining the response to three different atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition scenarios namely, Pre-industrial (22 Tg N/year), 1990s (39 Tg N/year), and an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) prediction for 2100, IPCC-A1FI (69 Tg N/year). Globally, the increasing N deposition had widespread, but modest effects on export production and air-sea CO2 exchange. The maximum increase in N deposition was 47 Tg N/year since Pre-industrial control for the IPCC-A1FI case, which had an increase in primary production (0.98 Gt C/year or 2%), export production (0.16 Gt C/year or 3%) and a decrease in atmospheric pCO2 of 1.66 ppm (0.6%) relative to the Pre-industrial control. In some regions, atmospheric N inputs supported >20% of the export production in the current era and >50% of the export production in the IPCC-A1FI case. As nitrogen deposition increased, N fixation decreased because the diazotrophs were outcompeted by diatoms and small phytoplankton under more N-replete conditions. This decrease in N fixation could partially counteract the ongoing increase in new nitrogen inputs via atmospheric N deposition.
Effects of wood species on durability and chemical changes of fungal decayed wood plastic composites

Moisture sorption and decay resistance of HDPE based wood plastic composites (WPC) made from poplar, Douglas-fir, black locust, white oak, and ponderosa pine were investigated. Dimensional stability of WPC made from poplar was poor while black locust performed extremely well. There were no significant gravimetric differences in composites produced using Douglas-fir, poplar, or pine exposed to Gloeophyllumtrabeum (brown rot). However, Trametesversicolor (white rot) produced significantly higher weight losses on HDPE/poplar composites, while Douglas-fir based WPC were less susceptible to this fungus. FTIR spectroscopy showed that white rot selectively decomposed lignin while brown rot degraded both polysaccharides and lignin. Cellulose and hemicelluloses content decreased in WPC exposed to brown rot. Chitin in the fungi cell walls increase polysaccharide content of decayed WPC. The results suggest that poplar and pine would be the preferred wood species for WPC production for applications where conditions would not be suitable for white rot.
Total Synthesis of Celogentin C

The bicyclic octapeptide celogentin C (1, Figure 1) was isolated by Kobayashi and co-workers from the seeds of Celosia argentea.[1] Other structurally similar natural products include the bicyclic peptides moroidin,[2] celogentins A–H,[3] and celogentin J,[3] as well as the monocyclic peptides celogentin K[4] and stephanotic acid.[5] Some of these compounds inhibit tubulin polymerization,[6] with 1 ranking as the most potent antimitotic agent of this natural product family. The unusual structure of 1 is derived from two cross-links between amino acid side chains. A bond between the leucine β-carbon atom and the indole C6 of tryptophan forms the left-hand ring of 1, whereas the right-hand macrocycle contains a C–N linkage between the indole C2 and the imidazole N1. The resultant heterobiaryl axis introduces the potential of atropisomer stereochemistry. The combination of useful biological activity and intriguing architecture has prompted numerous synthetic efforts targeting 1 and related compounds.[7–10] However, a total synthesis of one of the bicyclic members of the celogentin family has not yet been reported.[11] Herein, we describe our efforts which have culminated in the synthesis of celogentin C.
Stably paused genes revealed through inhibition of transcription initiation by the TFIIH inhibitor triptolide

Transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in metazoans is regulated in several steps, including preinitiation complex (PIC) formation, initiation, Pol II escape, productive elongation, cotranscriptional RNA processing, and termination. Genome-wide studies have demonstrated that the phenomenon of promoter-bound Pol II pausing is widespread, especially for genes involved in developmental and stimulus-responsive pathways. However, a mechanistic understanding of the paused Pol II state at promoters is limited. For example, at a global level, it is unclear to what extent the engaged paused Pol II is stably tethered to the promoter or undergoes rapid cycles of initiation and termination. Here we used the small molecule triptolide (TPL), an XPB/TFIIH inhibitor, to block transcriptional initiation and then measured Pol II occupancy by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) followed by next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq). This inhibition of initiation enabled us to investigate different states of paused Pol II. Specifically, our global analysis revealed that most genes with paused Pol II, as defined by a pausing index, show significant clearance of Pol II during the period of TPL treatment. Our study further identified a group of genes with unexpectedly stably paused Pol II, with unchanged Pol II occupancy even after 1 h of inhibition of initiation. This group of genes constitutes a small portion of all paused genes defined by the conventional criterion of pausing index. These findings could pave the way for evaluating the contribution of different elongation/pausing factors on different states of Pol II pausing in developmental and other stimulus-responsive pathways.
Absolute Quantitation of Myocardial Blood Flow in Human Subjects With or Without Myocardial Ischemia Using Dynamic Flurpiridaz F 18 PET

Absolute quantitation of myocardial blood flow (MBF) by PET is an established method of analyzing coronary artery disease (CAD) but subject to the various shortcomings of available radiotracers. Flurpiridaz F 18 is a novel PET radiotracer that exhibits properties of an ideal tracer. Methods: A new absolute perfusion quantitation method with flurpiridaz was developed, taking advantage of the early kinetics and high first-pass extraction by the myocardium of this radiotracer, and the first-in-human measurements of MBF performed in 7 healthy subjects and 8 patients with documented CAD. PET images with time–activity curves were acquired at rest and during adenosine stress. Results: In healthy subjects, regional MBF between coronary artery territories did not differ significantly, leading to a mean global MBF of 0.73 mL/min/g at rest and 2.53 mL/min/g during stress, with a mean global myocardial flow reserve (MFR) of 3.70. CAD vascular territories with ,50% stenosis demonstrated a mean MBF of 0.73 at rest and 2.02 during stress, leading to a mean MFR of 2.97. CAD vascular territories with $50% stenosis exhibited a mean MBF of 0.86 at rest and 1.43 during stress, leading to a mean MFR of 1.86. Differences in stress MBF and MFR between normal and CAD territories, as well as between ,50% and $50% stenosis vascular territories, were significant (P , 0.01). Conclusion: Absolute quantitation of MBF in humans with the novel PET radiotracer flurpiridaz is feasible over a wide range of cardiac flow in the presence or absence of stressinducible myocardial ischemia. The significant decrease in stress MBF and ensuing MFR in CAD territories allows a clear distinction between vascular territories exhibiting stress-inducible myocardial ischemia and those with normal perfusion.