cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The tRNA‐binding moiety in GCN2 contains a dimerization domain that interacts with the kinase domain and is required for tRNA binding and kinase activation

GCN2 stimulates translation of GCN4 mRNA in amino acid-starved cells by phosphorylating translation initiation factor 2. GCN2 is activated by binding of uncharged tRNA to a domain related to histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HisRS). The HisRS-like region contains two dimerization domains (HisRS-N and HisRS-C) required for GCN2 function in vivo but dispensable for dimerization by full-length GCN2. Residues corresponding to amino acids at the dimer interface of Escherichia coli HisRS were required for dimerization of recombinant HisRS-N and for tRNA binding by full-length GCN2, suggesting that HisRS-N dimerization promotes tRNA binding and kinase activation. HisRS-N also interacted with the protein kinase (PK) domain, and a deletion impairing this interaction destroyed GCN2 function without reducing tRNA binding; thus, HisRS-N–PK interaction appears to stimulate PK function. The C-terminal domain of GCN2 (C-term) interacted with the PK domain in a manner disrupted by an activating PK mutation (E803V). These results suggest that the C-term is an autoinhibitory domain, counteracted by tRNA binding. We conclude that multiple domain interactions, positive and negative, mediate the activation of GCN2 by uncharged tRNA.
Unresectable Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung: An Outcomes Study

Purpose To report survival and control rates in patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods and Materials Two hundred seventy-five patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (Stages I–IIIB) who received radiotherapy alone or combined with chemotherapy given with curative intent at the University of Florida between 1963 and 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Overall survival (OS) at 5 years for Stages I, II, and III was 10%, 14%, and 7% ( p = 0.0034); local-regional control at 5 years was 51%, 38%, and 29% ( p = 0.0003); and freedom from metastases at 5 years was 81%, 60%, and 65% ( p = 0.0689), respectively. Patients who received doses ≥ 65 Gy had improved cause-specific survival (CSS), OS, and metastasis-free survival at 5 years compared with those who received doses p = 0.02). Chemotherapy significantly improved 5-year regional control (36% for patients who received chemotherapy vs. 13% for those who did not; p = 0.01). Conclusions Dose escalation, accelerated fractionation, and combined modality therapies improve outcomes in SCC of the lung. Our review of the literature highlights the different natural history for SCC vs. other non–small cell lung cancers and emphasizes the importance of tailoring treatment strategies to individual patients. At the University of Florida, we have begun treating unresectable Stage III patients with SCC of the lung using 69.6 Gy twice daily with concurrent chemotherapy.
Structural unit and faceting description of Σ3 asymmetric tilt grain boundaries

Atomistic simulations are employed to investigate the structure of Σ3 asymmetric tilt grain boundaries (ATGBs) with boundary planes rotated about the \(\langle 110 \rangle\) misorientation axis in Cu and Al. Results show that the structural units (SUs) and faceting of all 25 Σ3 ATGBs in Cu and Al intermediate to the coherent twin boundary and the symmetric incoherent twin boundary can be completely defined in terms of SUs for these two symmetric boundaries. A structural unit and faceting description for Σ3 asymmetric tilt grain boundaries is presented. Interestingly, this description is identical for both low stacking fault energy Cu and high stacking fault energy Al; only the dissociation width of the D structural unit on the incoherent twin facet differs in Cu and Al. A model based upon the coincidence plot and the structural units of the Σ3 coherent and incoherent twin boundaries is shown to accurately describe the structural units and faceting for all calculated Σ3 asymmetric tilt grain boundaries in this study. This model can also be extended to continuum descriptions of these boundaries to facilitate higher scale computational models.
The effect of temperature and ionic strength on the apparent Ca-affinity of EGTA and the analogous Ca-chelators BAPTA and dibromo-BAPTA.

The apparent calcium association constants (K'Ca) of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) and 1,2-bis 2-bis(o-amino-5-bromophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (dibromo-BAPTA) were measured using the method described by Bers (Am. J. Physiol. 242 (1982) C404-408). The purity of the three ligands determined from the chi-intercept of Scatchard plots were 96.3%, 79.0% and 97.3% for EGTA, BAPTA and dibromo-BAPTA, respectively. The impurity of BAPTA was found to be water by drying several samples to constant weight. Increasing temperature from 1 to 36 degrees C led to an increase in K'Ca which was of similar magnitude for the three ligands. Increasing ionic strength from 0.104 to 0.304 M led to a reduction of K'Ca in all cases, though EGTA was affected much less than BAPTA or dibromo-BAPTA. Experimental results were compared with values of K'Ca calculated from the individual association constants of the ligands for calcium and protons which were modified for the experimental conditions using the Debye-Huckel limiting law and the Van't Hoff Isochore to correct for ionic strength and temperature, respectively. The experimental values of K'Ca of EGTA agree well with those in the literature and with the calculated values. Good agreement was also found between the experimental and calculated values of K'Ca for the temperature and ionic strength dependence of BAPTA and dibromo-BAPTA.
Mathematical and computational approaches to some queuing processes arising in surgery

Abstract Queuing theory has been applied to study congestion problems arising in industrial and economic systems. The method can be profitably used to analyze similar problems in hospital systems. To apply queuing theory to the study and design of allocation processes arising in surgery, we resort to some mathematical artifice. Recursive equations are developed for the generation, via the digital computer, of transition probabilities of a service facility with n service channels. Cases considered include a system with no waiting tolerated (emergencies), a finite waiting line L , and a parallel input stream consisting of both emergencies and scheduled cases. The development is independent of the type of input and output distribution functions.
Silver(I) tetrafluoroborate as a potent promoter for chemical glycosylation.

Abstract We have identified silver tetrafluoroborate (AgBF4) as an excellent promoter for the activation of various glycosyl donors including glycosyl halides, trichloroacetimidates, and thioimidates. Easy handling and no requirement for azeotropic dehydration prior to application makes AgBF4 especially beneficial in comparison to the commonly used AgOTf. Selective activation of glycosyl halides or thioimidates over thioglycosides or n-pentenyl glycosides, including simple sequential one-pot syntheses, has also been demonstrated. Versatility of glycosyl thioimidates was further explored by converting these intermediates into a variety of other classes of glycosyl donors.
A linear programming method for ray-convex polyhedron intersection

Abstract Ray-tracing is recognized by most practitioners as a highly effective technique of producing images of the highest quality. It is also recognized as computationally intensive, and reducing this computational intensity has been a high priority for many researchers. This article presents a linear pivoting procedure allowing for exceptionally fast testing of ray intersection with convex polyhedra. Comparisons of this procedure with other methods for several examples are given.
Metal Cutting Theory Applied to Thermal Mapping of the Friction Stir Welding Process

Friction Stir Welding is a solid state “green” welding method developed by The Welding Institute (UK). An internal thermal mapping instrument has been developed which allows for symmetrical mapping of the thermal fields developed by a Friction Stir Welding tool as it passes through the material being welded. This symmetrical mapping conclusively documents statistically the asymmetrical nature of the heat sources within the friction stir welding process. The various models in the literature are compared against these results. A model developed by the authors using classic metal cutting theory predicts the observed thermal fields. A successful predictive model will facilitate tool optimization and welding schedules, while optimizing the mechanical properties of the weld.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Block of a Ca 2+ -activated Potassium Channel by Cocaine

The primary target for cocaine is believed to be monoamine transporters because of cocaine’s high-affinity binding that prevents re-uptake of released neurotransmitter. However, direct interaction with ion channels has been shown to be important for certain pharmacological/toxicological effects of cocaine. Here I show that cocaine selectively blocks a calcium-dependent K+ channel in hippocampal neurons grown in culture (IC50 = ∼30 μM). Single-channel recordings show that in the presence of cocaine, the channel openings are interrupted with brief closures (flicker block). As the concentration of cocaine is increased the open-time is reduced, whereas the duration of brief closures is independent of concentration. The association and dissociation rate constants of cocaine for the neuronal Ca2+-activated K+ channels are 261 ± 37 μM−1s−1 and 11451 ± 1467 s−1. The equilibrium dissociation constant (K B ) for cocaine, determined from single-channel parameters, is 43 μM. The lack of voltage dependence of block suggests that cocaine probably binds to a site at the mouth of the pore. Block of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels by cocaine may be involved in functions that include broadening of the action potential, which would facilitate transmitter release, enhancement of smooth muscle contraction particularly in blood vessels, and modulation of repetitive neuronal firing by altering the repolarization and afterhyperpolarization phases of the action potential.
Nine-year single-center experience with transcatheter arterial embolization for hemoptysis: medium-term outcomes.

Purpose: To determine the medium-term efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hemoptysis. Materials and Methods: A total of 128 TAE were performed from April 1999 to April 2008 in 58 patients (30:28 F:M) with mean age of 49 (range:16-89). Major causes of hemoptysis included cystic fibrosis/bronchiectasis (24 of 58); lung metastasis (8 of 58); lung cancer (7 of 58); fungal infection (4 of 58). Follow-up was available in 57 of 58 for a median of 1.28 years. Primary and secondary efficacy of TAE for hemoptysis was calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results: Technical and clinical successes were estimated at 58 (100%) of 58 and 57 (98%) of 58, respectively. Recurrent hemoptysis occurred in 40% (23 of 58). In all, 34% (20 of 58) died during follow-up. Kaplan-Meier estimates for primary and secondary efficacy of TAE at 2, 4, 6, and 8 years were 0.82, 0.46, 0.17, and 0.09 (benign disease) and 0.30, 0, 0, and 0 (malignant disease), respectively. Conclusion: TAE is an effective treatment fo...
Siblings of Adults With Developmental Disabilities: Psychosocial Outcomes, Relationships, and Future Planning

As siblings play an increasing role in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a result of the longer lifespan of this population and the aging of their parents, more investigative work in this area is warranted. To lay a foundation for this, the authors reviewed the English-language literature on siblings of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on three main questions: (1) what are the psychosocial outcomes of having a sibling with an intellectual and developmental disabilities on the sibling without a disability?; (2) what factors relate to the nature of the sibling relationship?; and (3) what factors relate to future planning, including expected and future relationships when parents can no longer provide care? This literature review looked at published work for the period 1970–2008 on adult siblings over 21 years of age that addressed relationships, psychosocial outcomes, and/or involvement in future planning. Twenty-three relevant studies were identified. Overall, these studies present a mixed, but generally positive picture of the psychosocial outcomes of having a sibling with a disability. They also indicate that siblings tend to have long-lasting close relationships with their siblings with a disability and anticipate taking on greater supportive roles as both grow older.
Designing a narrative-based audio only 3D game engine

Immersing players in believable and engaging virtual environments is a common goal for many interactive computer games. While PC-based audio only games set in virtual worlds have traditionally been developed for blind players, new technology will soon create a market for audio only games aimed at a mass audience. We propose a framework for authoring interactive narrative-based audio only adventure games set in 3D virtual environments. Our work builds on several years of research into audio only applications for sight impaired users, augmented reality systems and human-computer interaction studies. We argue that a simple user interface enhances both immersion and entertainment value, making audio only games practical for mobile computing. Novel features of our system include real-time gameplay and support for multiple players. We also describe a software architecture for creating audio only games, the current implementation of which uses low-cost existing PC-based hardware and software.
Microscopic analysis of sub-barrier fusion enhancement in 132 Sn+ 40 Ca versus 132 Sn+ 48 Ca

We provide a theoretical analysis of recently measured fusion cross sections which show a surprising enhancement at low $E_\mathrm{c.m.}$ energies for the system $^{132}$Sn+$^{40}$Ca as compared to the more neutron-rich system $^{132}$Sn+$^{48}$Ca. Dynamic microscopic calculations are carried out on a three-dimensional lattice with a time-dependent density-constrained density functional theory. There are no adjustable parameters, the only input is the Skyrme effective NN interaction. Heavy-ion potentials $V(R)$, coordinate-dependent mass parameters $M(R)$, and total fusion cross sections $\sigma(E_\mathrm{c.m.})$ are calculated for both systems. We are able to explain the measured fusion enhancement in terms of the {\it narrower width} of the ion-ion potential for $^{132}$Sn+$^{40}$Ca, while the barrier heights and positions are approximately the same in both systems.
Collaring the cybercrook: an investigator's view

In 1996 the U.S. Federal Computer Incident Response Capability (FedCIRC) reported more than 2500 incidents, defined as adverse events in a computer system or networks caused by a failure of a security mechanism, or an attempted or threatened breach of these mechanisms. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Computer Crimes Squad, Washington, D.C., estimates that less than 15 percent of all computer crimes are even detected, and only 10 percent of those are reported. Without solidly built investigative techniques, which would contribute to a public perception of safety, the very stability of today's military and commercial institutions, not to mention the cybermarkets that are envisioned for the Internet, is called into question. The paper discusses types of computer crime and security attacks. It also presents a classification of the types of security crackers.
Glorious Contentment: The Grand Army of the Republic, 1865-1900

The Grand Army of the Republic, the largest of all Union Army veterans' organizations, was the most powerful single-issue political lobby of the late nineteenth century, securing massive pensions for veterans and helping to elect five postwar presidents from its own membership. To its members, it was also a secret fraternal order, a source of local charity, a provider of entertainment in small municipalities, and a patriotic organization. Using GAR convention proceedings, newspapers, songs, rule books, and local post records, Stuart McConnell examines this influential veterans' association during the years of its greatest strength. Beginning with a close look at the men who joined the GAR in three localities -- Philadelphia; Brockton, Massachusetts; and Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin - McConnell goes on to examine the Union veterans' attitudes towards their former Confederate enemies and toward a whole range of noncombatants whom the verterans called "civilians": stay-at-home townsfolk, Mugwump penion reformers, freedmen, women, and their own sons and daughters. In the GAR, McConnell sees a group of veterans trying to cope with questions concerning the extent of society's obligation to the poor and injured, the place of war memories in peacetime, and the meaning of the "nation" and the individual's relation to it. McConnell aruges that, by the 1890s, the GAR was clinging to a preservationist version of American nationalism that many white, middle-class Northerners found congenial in the face of the social upheavals of that decade. In effect, he concludes, the nineteenth-century career of the GAR is a study in the microcosm of a nation trying to hold fast to an older image of itself in the face of massive social change.
Nova-1 Regulates Neuron-Specific Alternative Splicing and Is Essential for Neuronal Viability

We have combined genetic and biochemical approaches to analyze the function of the RNA-binding protein Nova-1, the paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia (POMA) antigen. Nova-1 null mice die postnatally from a motor deficit associated with apoptotic death of spinal and brainstem neurons. Nova-1 null mice show specific splicing defects in two inhibitory receptor pre-mRNAs, glycine alpha2 exon 3A (GlyRalpha2 E3A) and GABA(A) exon gamma2L. Nova protein in brain extracts specifically bound to a previously identified GlyRalpha2 intronic (UCAUY)3 Nova target sequence, and Nova-1 acted directly on this element to increase E3A splicing in cotransfection assays. We conclude that Nova-1 binds RNA in a sequence-specific manner to regulate neuronal pre-mRNA alternative splicing; the defect in splicing in Nova-1 null mice provides a model for understanding the motor dysfunction in POMA.
Modification of UV-VIS optical absorption properties caused by MgO incorporation in MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystals

MgO-doped LiNbO3 single crystals were investigated in the UV-VIS range to study the effect of MgO in the LiNbO3 host. Congruent LiNbO3 has an optical absorption edge of 3.75 eV. Analysis of the absorption edge gave an estimate of the indirect band gap for MgO-LiNbO3 solid solutions. The band gap shows an MgO threshold effect in the absorption coefficient. An additional indirect transition at 2.2–2.5 eV was revealed when MgO was incorporated into the lithium niobate structure. This indirect transition also has a MgO threshold effect around 5 mol% MgO.
Oral contraceptive use is associated with increased cardiovascular reactivity in nonsmokers

Women who smoke and take oral contraceptives (OCs) have significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but the exact mechanisms for the increased risk are not known. Cardiovascular reactivity to psychological stress may be one mechanism for the enhanced risk, but the small number of studies examining whether OC users who smoke have greater reactivity have produced mixed results. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of chronic cigarette smoking, acute nicotine administration, and OC use on cardiovascular and lipid reactivity. Sixty healthy women, half of whom had been using OCs for at least the previous 6 months, participated in the study. Approximately two thirds were smokers and were randomized to be tested after either a 12-hr nicotine deprivation or administration of nicotine gum. One third were nonsmokers. Heart rate, blood pressure, and lipid measures were taken at rest, during a videotaped speech task, and during recovery from the task. Results indicated that, among OC nonusers, there was no effect of smoking status or nicotine administration on cardiovascular reactivity. However, among OC users, nonsmokers had significantly greater heart rate and diastolic blood pressure reactivity to stress. These data show that acute nicotine administration, in the form of nicotine gum, has no effect on cardiovascular or lipid stress reactivity in women. However, OC use among nonsmoking women is associated with greater cardiovascular reactivity to stress.
Electron Emission near a Triple Point

Triple point, defined as the junction of metal, dielectric, and vacuum, is the location where electron emission is favored in the presence of a sufficiently strong electric field. In addition to being an electron source, the triple point is generally regarded as the location where flashover is initiated in high voltage insulation, and as the vulnerable spot from which rf breakdown is triggered. In this paper, we focus on the electric field distribution at a triple point of a general geometry, as well as the electron orbits in its immediate vicinity. We calculate the orbit of the first generation electrons, the seed electrons. We found that, despite the mathematically divergent electric field at the triple point, significant electron yield most likely results from secondary electron emission when the seed electrons strike the dielectric. The analysis gives the voltage scale in which this electron multiplication may occur. It also provides an explanation on why certain dielectric angles are more favorable to electron generation over others, as observed in previous experiments.
Comment on "Dice, entropy, and likelihood"

We suggest an alternative interpretation of Frieden's results which better explains the relationship between Maximum Entropy, Maximum A Posteriori, and Minimum Mean-Square Error estimation in his dice problem.
CO2 lidar For Measurements Of Trace Gases And Wind Velocities

CO2 lidar systems technology and signal processing requirements relevant to measurement needs and sensitivity are discussed. Doppler processing is similar to microwave radar, with signal reception controlled by a computer capable of both direct and heterodyne operations. Trace gas concentrations have been obtained with the NASA DIAL system, and trace gas transport has been determined with Doppler lidar measurements for wind velocity and turbulence. High vertical resolution measurement of trace gases, wind velocity, and turbulence are most important in the planetary boundary layer and in regions between the PBL and the lower stratosphere. Shear measurements are critical for airport operational safety. A sensitivity analysis for heterodyne detection with the DIAL system and for short pulses using a Doppler lidar system is presented. The development of transient injection locking techniques, as well as frequency stability by reducing chirp and catalytic control of closed cycle CO2 laser chemistry, is described.
A Note on the Efficient Estimation of the Linear Expenditure System

Abstract An efficient method of estimating the linear expenditure system (LES) by maximum likelihood is introduced. A test for insuring that parameter estimates obtained by numerical maximization satisfy the first-order conditions is given. In some experiments the new method of estimating the LES is compared to the more conventional method of estimation and is found to use significantly less computer time than the conventional method.
Generation and amplification of sub-picosecond pulses using a frequency-doubled neodymium YAG pumping source

Abstract Stable, tunable, sub-picosecond pulses have been obtained by synchronously pumping a Rhodamine 6G dye laser with a frequency-doubled CW modelocked neodymium YAG laser. Careful attention has been paid to minimize amplitude and timing instabilities, resulting in dye laser pulses shorter than 500 fs. The main advantage of this new pumping source over current synchronously pumped dye lasers is that it is particularly well suited to short pulse amplification. Using this technique amplification of 2 × 10 6 has been achieved.
Fitting Observed Demographic Rates with the Multiexponential Model Schedule: An Assessment of Two Estimation Programs

The process of finding the best fitting model can often be very time consuming and tedious. Most computer programs are very specialized, and many require initial parameter estimates to fit a particular curve. Those that are most useful are ones that are versatile in applications, and ones that allow inputs of “rough” parameter estimates for finding the optimal ones. This paper focuses on current approaches for fitting observed age-specific demographic data with the multiexponential model schedule and uses two curve-fitting computer programs: MODEL and TableCurve2D. These two programs are assessed according to how well, and how simply, they can be used to fit age-specific fertility, mortality, and migration rates.
Personal instrument (PI)--A PC-based signal processing system

The Personal Computer (PC) technology has seen an enormous growth in the last two years. Although increasingly viewed as a major productivity tool, the PC is likely to be limited for computation-intensive tasks such as telecommunications and improved human-factors I/O. At the same time, there has been another evolving technology--VLSI realization of general-purpose signal processor (SP) engines which are capable of boosting the performance levels of standard PCs by almost two orders of magnitude. With SPs in PCs, we now see tremendous opportunities for distributing computation-intensive tasks away from high-performance mainframe computers; previously formidable tasks such as speech coding and recognition, pattern and scene analysis, spectral analysis, high bit-rate communication, and the like are now all computable by utilizing a single VLSI module embedded in any standard personal computer. This combination of a general-purpose CPU and superfast real-time coprocessor is likely to be key to the future functions and success of advanced workstations, A signal processing subsystem with real-time data acquisition and control capabilities has been developed for the IBM PC at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Laboratory and is the topic of this paper.
A new method for measuring magnetic after-effect☆

Abstract A new method has been developed to measure the magnetic after-effect when the peak value of alternating current (a.c.) magnetization is constant. After demagnetization, an a.c. magnetic field is applied and recorded as a function of time while the peak value of magnetic induction is held constant by adjusting the amplitude of the field. The stabilization Hs and the increase of reluctivity Δr can be obtained from the recorded field. A cobalt-based amorphous sample has been measured using this method after longitudinal magnetic annealing. The maximum value of Hs is about 0.17 mA cm−1, and the change of Δr with field does not have a peak, unlike that found by traditional measurements.
Grocery Shopping Choices Individual Preferences Based on Store Attractiveness and Distance

A conjoint analysis of expressed preferences for experimental levels of supermarket attributes is carried out to forecast spatial behavior based on how stimulus information is processed by consumer...
Protein kinase B/Akt induces resumption of meiosis in Xenopus oocytes.

The activation of protein kinase B/Akt is thought to be a critical step in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway that regulates cell growth and differentiation. Because insulin-like growth factor 1 stimulates the resumption of meiosis in Xenopus laevis oocytes via phosphoinositide 3-kinase activation, we investigated the Akt involvement in this process. Injection of mRNA coding for a constitutively active Akt in Xenopus oocytes induced germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) to the same extent as progesterone or insulin treatment. Injection of mRNA coding for the wild type Akt kinase was less effective in stimulating GVBD, whereas Akt bearing a lysine mutation in the catalytic domain that abolishes the kinase activity had no effect. A mutant Akt lacking a membrane-targeting sequence did not induce GVBD, despite high levels of expression and activity. As previously reported for insulin, induction of GVBD by Akt was prevented by incubating the oocytes with cilostamide, an inhibitor specific for the type 3 phosphodiesterase (PDE3), suggesting that the activity of a PDE is required for Akt action. That an increase in PDE activity in the oocyte is sufficient to induce meiotic resumption was demonstrated by expression of an active PDE protein. In addition, the constitutively active Akt caused a 2-fold increase in the activity of the endogenous PDE. These data demonstrate that Akt is in the pathway controlling resumption of meiosis in theXenopus oocyte and that regulation of the activity of a PDE3 is a step distal to the kinase activation.
Treatment Considerations for MGMT-Unmethylated Glioblastoma

Prognosis for patients with glioblastoma continues to be limited, despite an aggressive, multimodal treatment including alkylating chemotherapy. Temozolomide, the most widely used alkylating agent in glioblastoma, is cytotoxic to cells by inducing DNA damage but can be rapidly repaired by the protein O (6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). In a subset of glioblastomas, the MGMT promoter is methylated, impairing the repair mechanism and conferring chemosensitivity. However, MGMT is overexpressed in 60 % of glioblastomas providing an inherent resistance to alkylating agents and challenging the role of temozolomide in this population. This article reviews the data establishing MGMT promoter methylation as a prognostic factor in glioblastoma and its potential role as a predictor of temozolomide response. It focuses on results from recent studies in newly diagnosed glioblastoma, and the role of temozolomide in MGMT-unmethylated patients. We then turn the discussion to alternatives to temozolomide for newly diagnosed patients as well as therapeutic options at the time of recurrence.
Abdominal vena caval injuries: outcomes remain dismal.

Abstract Background. The mortality rate for abdominal vena caval injuries remains high. We examined the experience of a level I trauma center to determine factors significant to the outcome in these injuries. Methods. Forty-seven patients were identified in a retrospective review (1989 to 1999) of patients were identified with abdominal vena caval injury. Data were analyzed by uni- and multivariate methods, including logistic regression. Results. Most of the individuals with abdominal vena caval injuries were young male patients who were injured by penetrating trauma and who were hypotensive on arrival. The severity of injury and the number of organs injured was high. The overall mortality rate was 55%. Nonsurvivors were more often hypotensive in the field with physiologic derangement consistent with hemorrhagic shock. Type and location of injury as well as method of repair were associated with death. Multiple regression analysis revealed that prehospital initial systolic blood pressure and intraoperative bicarbonate levels were independent predictors of survival. Conclusions. We identified factors related to poor outcome, including suprarenal and retrohepatic location of injury and variables that reflected the evolution of shock. Management should include appropriate resuscitation and ultimately may require novel operative techniques. (Surgery 2000;128:572-8.)
A grid-based clustering method for mining frequent trips from large-scale, event-based telematics datasets

Telematics systems that integrate wireless communications with sensor-based monitoring and location-aware applications have been widely deployed for mobile asset tracking and condition monitoring. In asset tracking field, exploring the data that relate to asset behaviors is critical to understand asset utilization, efficiency, distribution, operation, and many other important aspects in the supply chain. Prior work on analyzing GPS-based patterns has mainly been performed on time-based datasets. In this paper, we describe a scalable clustering algorithm to discover frequently repeated trips from large-scale, event-based telematics datasets collected via a satellite-based tracking system. We first transform GPS traces into a list of trips. Then we present a grid-based hierarchical clustering algorithm to discover frequent spatial patterns among all trips. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm against a large-scale, real-world dataset collected from tracking over a hundred of thousand assets and prove its feasibility. Through these experimental results, we show that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the computational time needed for clustering as opposed to the traditional hierarchical clustering based on pair-wise comparison.
Integrating Diffie-Hellman key exchange into the digital signature algorithm (DSA)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published a series of security standards under Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS). Standard for key agreement is still missing in the current standards. Arazi proposed integrating Diffie-Hellman (DH) key exchange into the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA). However, the protocol was attacked by Nyberg et al. We propose three different protocols that securely integrate DH key exchange into DSA for authenticated key distribution.
Adaptive Transmission Suppression

An adaptive antenna technique to reduce the transmitted power density in the direction of a victim antenna is described. The novelty of this approach is the adaptive operation of a transmitting antenna. The angular location of the victim antenna is assumed in the wide angle sidelobes of a high gain antenna. Effective cancellation over a bandwidth requires equalization in the collection of auxiliary antennas.
A molecular orbital study of the interactions of acrylic polymers with aluminum: Implications for adhesion

L'etude par la methode Hartree Fock des composes modeles du poly(methacrylate de methyle) montre que l'aluminium interagit exclusivement avec le groupe carbonyl, en affaiblissant la double liaison C=O qui perd son caractere de double liaison, pour aboutir a la formation de liaisons Al-O fortes. Les resultats sont compares a des donnees de la litterature
Probing dynamic myocardial microstructure with cardiac magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging

This article is an invited editorial comment on the paper entitled "In vivo cardiovascular magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging shows evidence of abnormal myocardial laminar orientations and mobility in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" by Ferreira et al., and published as Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2014; 16:87.
Distributional expectations and the induction of category structure.

Previous research on how categories are learned from observation of exemplars has largely ignored the possible role of prior expectations concerning how exemplars will be distributed. The experiments reported here explored this issue by presenting subjects with category-learning tasks in which the distributions of exemplars defining the categories were varied. In Experiments 1 and 2 the distributional form of a category was found to affect speed of learning. Learning was raster when a category's distribution was normal than when it was multi modal. Also, subjects in the early stages of learning a multimodal category responded as if it were unimodal. These results suggested that subjects enter category-learning tasks with expectations of unimodal, possibly normal, distributions of exemplars. Experiments 3 and 4 attempted to manipulate subjects' prior expectations by varying the distribution of exemplars in the first of two consecutive category-learning tasks. Learning a multimodal category was influenced by the shape of a previously learned distribution and was facilitated when the earlier distribution was either multimodal or skewed, rather than normal. These results are interpreted as support for a dual-process model of category learning that incorporates the effects of prior expectations concerning exemplar distributions. It is generally agreed that human acquisition of knowledge involves both processes based on analyses of stimulus information and processes based on a learner's prior assumptions and expectations. It is therefore surprising that research on the induction of categories—one of the most basic types of knowledge acquisition—has largely ignored the potential impact of a learner's expectations on what is learned. Numerous studies have documented that subjects presented with a series of exemplars of perceptual categories can acquire information sufficient to accurately classify further novel exemplars. Theorists have proposed several alternative conceptions of how such knowledge is represented, including prototypes (Posner & Keele, 1968; Reed, 1972), feature frequencies (Hayes-Roth & Hayes-Roth, 1977; Neumann, 1977; Reitman & Bower, 1973), and stored instances (Brooks, 1978; Medin & Schaffer, 1978). However, all of these proposals have assumed that what is learned is solely a function of the presented examples—none postulate any role of prior expectations.1 Yet in view of the pervasive influence of assumptions and expectations in many aspects of cognition, it would be a surprising exception if the inductive processes involved in learning categories were in fact limited to the passive encoding A preliminary report of results from the first three experiments was
Cloning, expression, purification, and analysis of mannitol dehydrogenase gene mtlK from Lactobacillus brevis.

The commercial production of mannitol involves high-pressure hydrogenation of fructose using a nickel catalyst, a costly process. Mannitol can be produced through fermentation by microorganisms. Currently, a few Lactobacillus strains are used to develop an efficient process for mannitol bio-production; most of the strains produce mannitol from fructose with other products. An approach toward improving this process would be to genetically engineer Lactobacillus strains to increase fructose-to-mannitol conversion with decreased production of other products. We cloned the gene mtlK encoding mannitol-2-dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.67) that catalyzes the conversion of fructose into mannitol from Lactobacillus brevis using genomic polymerase chain reaction. The mtlK clone contains 1328 bp of DNA sequence including a 1002-bp open reading frame that consisted of 333 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of about 36 kDa. The functional mannitol-2-dehydrogenase was produced by overexpressing mtlK via pRSETa vector in Escherichia coli BL21pLysS on isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside induction. The fusion protein is able to catalyze the reduction of fructose to mannitol at pH 5.35. Similar rates of catalytic reduction were observed using either the NADH or NADPH as cofactor under in vitro assay conditions. Genetically engineered Lactobacillus plantarum TF103 carrying the mtlK gene of L. brevis indicated increased mannitol production from glucose. The evaluation of mixed sugar fermentation and mannitol production by this strain is in progress.
Deuterium isotope effect on the kinetics of aquation of dichloro(β,β′,β″-triaminotriethylamine)cobalt(III) ion

Abstract The kinetics of acid hydrolysis of Co(tren)Cl2+ (tren = β,β′,β″-triaminotriethylamine) and Co(tren-d6)2+ have been studied in H2O and D2O at 25°. The solvent and β-deuterium isotope effects for these complexes are quite different from those observed for other CoIII-amine complexes. These data indicate that the solvent isotope effect is dependent on the nature of the complex, and provide further support for the proposed distortion of tren complexes.
Beyond Student Ratings: Peer Observation of Classroom and Clinical Teaching

Peer observation of classroom and clinical teaching has received increased attention over the past decade in schools of nursing to augment student ratings of teaching effectiveness. One essential ingredient is the scale used to evaluate performance. A five-step systematic procedure for adapting, writing, and building any peer observation scale is described. The differences between the development of a classroom observation scale and an appraisal scale to observe clinical instructors are examined. Psychometric issues peculiar to observation scales are discussed in terms of content validity, eight types of response bias, and interobserver reliability. The applications of the scales in one school of nursing as part of the triangulation of methods with student ratings and the teaching portfolio are illustrated. Copies of the scales are also provided.
Fluid Immiscibility in Volcanic Environments

Volatile components enter the atmosphere, oceans, and other surface waters through pre-, syn-, and post-eruptive volcanic processes that involve a variety of fluids. Aluminosilicate-poor fluids include aqueous or carbonic to sulfide-, sulfate-, chloride-, fluoride-, carbonate-, and phosphate-rich compositions in volcanic environments, but other more complex combinations of these constituents may be involved (Giggenbach 1977; Roedder 1984, 1992; Lowenstern 1995). Other, rare gases and dissolved constituents (e.g., H2, N2, He, Ar, H3BO3, Hg, CH4 and other hydrocarbon compounds, metals, and metalloids) are also present, but in general they are not sufficiently concentrated to form their own phases or control bulk-fluid composition and volcanic processes. As a result of their diverse compositions, volcanic fluids ranging from vapor to liquid exhibit widely different densities and show strong distinctions in heat capacity, dielectric behavior, viscosity, and other chemical and physical characteristics (Geiger et al. 2006a). The density of a saline liquid in the system NaCl-H2O at 50 MPa and 800 °C, for example, is more than 7 times that of the coexisting aqueous vapor (e.g., 0.2 gm/cm3) (Henley and McNabb 1978). Multiple fluids move, mix, and/or unmix in magma chambers and volcanic conduits, in the root zone of fumaroles, and in the convective hydrothermal systems that are ubiquitous to volcanic environments. Hydrothermal systems are typically centered on magmatic intrusions and may include crater lakes at the top of eruptive conduits. Hydrothermal processes involving two or more fluid phases operate through a variety of geologically relevant, shallow-crustal pressure-temperature-composition conditions. Volcanic fluids occur at supersolidus to subsolidus conditions, meaning that the dense aluminosilicate melt that is common to volcanism may or may not be present. This chapter addresses the evidence for and occurrence of two or more low-density, aluminosilicate-poor fluids …
Reliability growth planning for electronics design under distributed manufacturing paradigm

This paper proposes an integrated reliability management programme for faster time-to-market electronics products which are designed under the distributed manufacturing chain. Our objective is to resolve the reliability issue across the product life cycle from design, manufacturing, integration, and field deployment. The idea is to bridge the reliability information gap between the manufacturer and the customers through an effective failure tracking and corrective action system. Engineers can leverage the field information to carry out reliability analysis, implement corrective actions, and monitor the reliability growth rate. The system consists of four modules: 1) stochastic-based reliability prediction tools; 2) real-time failure mode rate charts; 3) corrective action effectiveness functions; 4) reliability monitoring mechanism. The proposed reliability management system will be illustrated through the design and deployment of automatic test equipment. The study shows that reliability growth for capital-intensive equipment can be approached from the entire life cycle. This is particularly important for new technologies or products developed in the faster time-to-market environment.
Breast imaging: from 1965 to the present.

The current state of the art for breast imaging is reviewed in comparison with the methods of practice commonly in use 25–35 years ago to demonstrate the most important advances that have taken place in imaging techniques, operational considerations, interpretive approaches, and interventional procedures. Since 1965, breast imaging has progressed from the simple assessment of breast disease in a selected small number of symptomatic women to the comprehensive evaluation of both breast health and disease in a substantial percentage of all women aged 40 years and older. In the process, breast imaging has become an established radiologic subspecialty that accounts for at least 10% of all examinations performed by radiologists. Indeed, mammography now is the most common imaging examination that directly results in the reduction of mortality from disease.
Design, implementation and evaluation of a brain-computer interface controlled mechanical arm for rehabilitation

Artificial limbs and exoskeletons have been widely used in a variety of applications, from military to medicine. DARPA primarily focuses on developing exoskeletons to aid ground soldiers in both physical performance skills and survivability. Robotic arms have been used to assist individuals who have lost the ability to perform everyday activities such as walking because of grievous medical injuries. In this paper we present design, implementation and evaluation of a mechanical arm controlled by commercially-off-the-shelf brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The work examines the viability of incorporating the BCI technology to the control system of an exoskeleton or an artificial limb that serves as a rehabilitative tool for individuals to retrain their muscles. The Emotiv Software suite is used to recognize thought patterns and convert them into digital commands that Matlab interface communicates to an Arduino Uno processor which activates a particular motor to move the mechanical arm. Exhaustive simulations were performed to ascertain the performance of the BCI based system.
How to scalably and accurately skip past streams

Data stream methods look at each new item of the stream, perform a small number of operations while keeping a small amount of memory, and still perform much-needed analyses. However, in many situations, the update speed per item is extremely critical and not every item can be extensively examined. In practice, this has been addressed by only examining every Nth item from the input; decreasing the input rate by a fraction 1/N. but resulting in loss of guarantees on the accuracy of the post-hoc analyses. In this paper, we present a technique of skipping past streams and looking at only a fraction of the input. Unlike traditional methods, our skipping is performed in a principled manner based on the "norm" of the stream seen. Using this technique on top of well-known sketches, we show several-fold improvement in the update time for processing streams with a given guaranteed accuracy, for a number of stream processing problems including data summarization, heavy hitters detection and self-join size estimation. We present experimental results of our methods over synthetic data and integrate our methods into Sprint's Continuous Monitoring (CMON) system for live network traffic analyses. Furthermore, aiming at future scalable stream processing systems and going beyond state-of-art packet header analyses, we show how the packet contents can be analyzed at streaming speeds, a more challenging task because each packet content can result in many updates.
The Relationship Between Phonological Awareness and Reading: Implications for the Assessment of Phonological Awareness

Purpose: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use phonological awareness assessments in many ways. This study examines the usefulness of these assessments in kindergarten and 2nd grade. Method: Meas...