cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A remark about algebraicity in complete partial orders

Abstract A characterization theorem for algebraic bounded complete cpos is proved similar to that for algebraic lattices.
What is Curriculum Studies

(2008). What is Curriculum Studies? Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy: Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 39-42.
Weight loss and postmenopausal breast cancer in a prospective cohort of overweight and obese US women.

Overweight and obesity are associated with increased postmenopausal breast cancer risk; however, it is unclear whether losing excess weight will lower risk. Therefore, we examined the relationship between weight loss and postmenopausal breast cancer among 13,055 overweight and obese, cancer-free women who enrolled in the Cancer Prevention Study-II (CPS-II) Nutrition Cohort in 1992. During the 15 year follow-up, 816 postmenopausal breast cancer cases were diagnosed. Self-reported weight was collected before diagnosis at baseline and 10 years prior to baseline. The median weight loss was 11 lbs, but only 58% of the women maintained this weight loss through the first 5 year follow-up interval (1992–1997). Using both restricted cubic splines and multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling, we observed no association between weight loss and postmenopausal breast cancer. The hazard ratio for 30+ pounds of weight loss compared to stable weight was 0.95 (95%: CI 0.47–1.95). An inverse association was, however, suggested among women who maintained ten or more pounds of weight loss through the next interval. There was no evidence of effect modification by postmenopausal hormone use, initial BMI, or other factors examined. In summary, weight loss was not associated with postmenopausal breast cancer in this study. Future studies should focus on sustained weight loss and whether the timing of weight loss is important.
Regulating functional cell fates in CD8 T cells

The attributes of specificity and memory enable CD8+ T cells to provide long-lasting protection against a variety of challenges. Although, the importance of CD8+ T cells for protection against intracellular infections and transformation is well-established, the functional type; effector phenotypes (Tc1, Tc2, Tc17 and/or Tcreg) and/or memory (effector or central), of CD8+ T cells most desirable for tumor immunity is not established. To determine the tumor efficacy of various effector types and/or memory CD8 T cells, it is imperative to better understand intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate CD8+ T cell differentiation and use this information to generate and test distinct functional cell types in tumor models. The focus of our laboratory investigations is to identify the extrinsic factors such as antigen strength, co-stimulatory molecules, cytokines, and small molecule modifiers that regulate intrinsic programs for various effector and/or memory cell fate in antigen specific CD8 T cells. The use of this information to generate immunity in murine tumor models has facilitated development of new adoptive cell transfer (ACT) as well as immunization strategies for cancer treatment.
A nuclear structure study of 23Na by means of the 22Ne(3He, d) 23Na reaction

Abstract Energy levels between 2 and 9 MeV in 23Na have been investigated by means of magnetic analysis of the deuterons from the 22Ne(3He, d)23Na reaction at 10 and 12 MeV bombarding energies. Angular distributions were measured and from optical-model analysis using DWBA, the angular momentum transfered by the stripped protons was determined. Spectroscopic factors were also obtained and compared with predictions of the Nilssons model. It was possible to fit all observed levels up to 5.5 MeV excitation energy into rotational bands when band mixiing due to the rotational and particle motions was included for the levels with positive parity. A search for the lowest T = 3 2 levels was also performed. Furthermore, it is proposed that the 5.992∓0.015 MeV level in 23Mg is the 3 2 − hole state base on Nilsson orbit 2.
HISTOCOMPATIBILITY-LINKED GENETIC CONTROL OF DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY: MURINE LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS VIRUS INJECTION

Acute necrotizing inflammatory disease after intracerebral injection of LCM virus is largely dependent on the host immune response to the virus and is controlled, in part, by a dominant gene which is closely linked to the H-2 locus. The F 1 hybrid ( H-2 q/k ) from mating a susceptible SWR/J mouse ( H-2 q/q ) to a resistant C3H/HeJ mouse ( H-2 k/k ) is susceptible to LCM virus disease. When such hybrids ( H-2 q/k ) are backcrossed to susceptible parents ( H-2 q/q ), all F 2 offspring ( H-2 q/q , H-2 q/k ) are highly susceptible. In contrast, hybrid ( H-2 q/k ) backcross to resistant parents ( H-2 k/k ) results in half of the F 2 offspring being susceptible ( H-2 q/k ) while the other half are resistant ( H-2 k/k ). Similarly, in congenic H-2 q/q and H-2 k/k mice, H-2 q/q mice are relatively susceptible to acute LCM disease, whereas H-2 k/k are resistant.
Characterization of IL-2-induced murine cells which exhibit ADCC activity.

Abstract The incubation of murine splenocytes in recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) gives rise to both lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells capable of lysing fresh tumor cells and cells capable of mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in the presence of anti-H2 allosera. A similarity between these two IL-2-induced cell populations was found. The precursors of the cells mediating these activities were shown to be ASGM1 positive, Thy 1 negative, and radiosensitive. Cells taken from the spleen, thymus, and bone marrow were able to mediate ADCC after culture in IL-2. The effector cell was either Thy 1 positive or negative and was less affected by anti-Thy 1 plus C′ treatment than cells which mediated LAK activity. In addition ADCC was exhibited in IL-2-cultured splenocytes from various murine strains and correlated with their LAK activity with one exception. While IL-2-cultured C57BL/6 splenocytes exhibited LAK activity similar to that of C3H LAK cells, no ADCC activity could be demonstrated in C57BL/ 6 cells. Study of the difference in the ability of these two strains to mediate ADCC revealed that IL-2 induced FcR+ cells in C3H thymocytes, but not in C57BL/6 thymocytes. Based on FACS analysis and on the radiosensitivity of the induction of both FcR+ cells and ADCC, it was suggested that IL-2 was expanding a small FcR+ cell population rather than inducing an increase in FcR density on the cell surface. The relationship between the IL-2-induced ADCC mediator and other IL-2-induced cells, as well as ADCC effector cells, and the possible implications of the results for the in vivo therapy of cancer based on ADCC are discussed.
Robust Optimization and Analysis of NURBs-Based Metamodels Using Graph Theory

NURBs-based metamodels have been shown to accurately reproduce the behavior of computationally expensive models. These models in turn represent engineering problems of great complexity and importance. While the structure of NURBs-based metamodels has facilitated the development of discrete optimization algorithms, other analysis areas such as robust and multiobjective optimization have proven to be more difficult. We present here a new method for the analysis and optimization of these metamodels which is based on graph theory principles. The adoption of these principles allows the use of powerful existing algorithms for graph analysis. We have focused on the problem of robust optimization in this work, as the robust optimization of NURBs-based metamodels has been previously examined using more conventional techniques. We demonstrate that the graph-based analysis technique provides the design engineer a more comprehensive understanding of design problems and their behavior. We also demonstrate the new technique on a range of test functions in order to establish its validity and usefulness in the context of product and process optimization. We conclude with a discussion of the use of this new approach in addressing other analysis challenges such as multiobjective or mixed-integer optimization.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Non-peptidic substrate-mimetic inhibitors of Akt as potential anti-cancer agents

Akt has emerged as a critical target for the development of anti-cancer therapies. It has been found to be amplified, overexpressed, or constitutively activated in numerous human malignancies with oncogenesis derived from the simultaneous promotion of cell survival and suppression of apoptosis. A valuable alternative to the more common ATP-mimetic based chemotherapies is a substrate-mimetic approach, which has the potential advantage of inherent specificity of the substrate-binding pocket. In this paper we present the development of high affinity non-peptidic, substrate-mimetic inhibitors based on the minimum GSK3beta substrate sequence. Optimization of initial peptidic leads resulted in the development of several classes of small molecule inhibitors, which have comparable potency to the initial peptidomimetics, while eliminating the remaining amino acid residues. We have identified the first non-peptidic substrate-mimetic lead inhibitors of Akt 29a-b, which have affinities of 17 and 12 microM, respectively. This strategy has potential to provide a useful set of molecular probes to assist in the validation of Akt as a potential target for anti-cancer drug design.
Differential effects of hyperventillation on the excitability of intact and isolated cortex

Abstract The differential effects of hyperventilation on the excitability of intact and isolated cortex has been studied in unanesthetised adult cats. Three parameters of cortical excitability have been evaluated; viz. : chemically-induced cortical spike foci, cortical after-discharge, and the direct cortical response. Hyperventilation enhanced all three parameters in the intact, but none in the isolated cortex. A primary subcortical site of action of hypocapnia is postulated to explain this differential effect. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that a shift in the primary locus of cortical afference, from the ascending activating reticular formation to the non-specific thalamic system probably occurs during hyperventilation.
Infections in a pediatric patient cohort with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during the entire course of treatment

Goals To assess the type, frequency, severity, and outcome of all infectious episodes in a pediatric patient cohort with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from a single institution during the entire length of leukemia treatment.
Method for Determining Ground-State Spin Configurations

The method of Luttinger and Tisza for finding the rigorous minimum of a quadratic form subject to certain strong constraints is generalized. In the extended method, one still minimizes the quadratic form with respect to a single weak constraint, which however now contains adjustable parameters. In determining the ground state for the classical Heisenberg exchange energy, some cases involving crystallographically nonequivalent spins can now be handled. The following applications are made. The ground state for a linear chain with two different types of spins is obtained. We then prove that in the cubic spinel the N\'eel configuration is the ground state if it is locally stable---that is, it is never metastable. This result was assumed in a recent perturbation theory of spin configurations. Finally, a similar result concerning the Yafet-Kittel triangular configurations in noncubic spinels is discussed. In the course of the analysis it is shown that the ground state is always a spiral for any lattice in which the spins are equivalent.
Five Corner Tang Bifaces from the Silo Site, 41KA102, a Late Archaic Mortuary Site in South Texas

Five corner tang bi/aces were recovered as grave inclusions with two burials, a young adult male and a child, at the Silo site (41KA102), a Late-Transitional Archaic mortuary and habitation locale in the northern portion of south Texas. Analysis of these corner tangs suggests their specific manufacture as grave goods. The association of grave goods with individuals of varying age and sex categories has led to a general assumption of relatively egalitarian societies inhabiting south and southeast Texas during the period. However, a review of the comparative literature and of social and subsistence patterns during the Late Archaic suggests instead that peoples at the Silo site, as well as across the region, were not entirely egalitarian. In particular, the interment ofhigh quality and rare grave goods, like the corner tangs, were part of both status display and status competition during this period.
Sulfation of Eggshell Components by Pipe Defines Dorsal-Ventral Polarity in the Drosophila Embryo

Summary Drosophila embryonic dorsal-ventral (DV) polarity is controlled by a group of sequentially acting serine proteases located in the fluid-filled perivitelline space between the embryonic membrane and the eggshell, which generate the ligand for the Toll receptor on the ventral side of the embryo [1–3]. Spatial control of the protease cascade relies on the Pipe sulfotransferase, a fly homolog of vertebrate glycosaminoglycan-modifying enzymes [4–6], which is expressed in ventral cells of the follicular epithelium surrounding the developing oocyte. Here we show that the vitelline membrane-like (VML) protein [7] undergoes Pipe-dependent sulfation and, consistent with a role in conveying positional information from the egg chamber to the embryo, becomes incorporated into the eggshell at a position corresponding to the location of the follicle cells from which it was secreted. Although VML influences embryonic DV pattern in a sensitized genetic background, VML is not essential for DV axis formation, suggesting that there is redundancy in the composition of the Pipe enzymatic target. Correspondingly, we find that additional structural components of the vitelline membrane undergo Pipe-dependent sulfation. In identifying the elusive targets of Pipe, this work points to the vitelline membrane as the source of signals that generate the Drosophila DV axis.
Morse-smale complexes for piecewise linear 3-manifolds

We define the Morse-Smale complex of a Morse function over a 3-manifold as the overlay of the descending and ascending manifolds of all critical points. In the generic case, its 3-dimensional cells are shaped like crystals and are separated by quadrangular faces. In this paper, we give a combinatorial algorithm for constructing such complexes for piecewise linear data.
Mechanical vibration and 35S incorporation.

Abstract Occupational trauma in the form of vibration is implicated in the increased occurrence of osteoarthritis, systemic sclerosis, and Raynaud's phenomenon in certain industrial workers. Since only histochemical and histologic changes were delineated in previous studies, this investigation evaluated effects of controlled mechanical vibration on metabolic processes in cartilage and similar tissues using radiosulfur as a tracer. Normal rats subjected to periodic vibration increased the incorporation of 35S in nearly all tissues, including thymus, liver, aorta, lung, heart, and cartilage. No morphologic changes were found in these tissues. This stimulatory effect is influenced both by quantity and quality of the vibration, being dose-related, that is, greater changes occur with longer exposures; and type-related, that is, greater changes occur with lower frequencies. Possible connections are discussed between exposure to vibration and the increased occurrence of connective tissue disorders in certain industries, especially mining.
Stem cells and the skin

Stem cells live long lives, renew themselves, and differentiate into more mature, less potent, specialized cells, such as epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Stem cells can be embryonic, if derived from an embryo, or adult/somatic if derived from postembryonic tissue. By producing new skin cells, stem cell division and differentiation can potentially rejuvenate skin and restore hair. To reproduce, stem cells can undergo symmetric nondifferentiative or differentiative divisions, or asymmetric differentiative divisions. Asymmetric divisions reproduce the stem cell and provide a more differentiated, but less potent transient amplifying cell. Divisions and differentiation of transient amplifying cells regenerate tissues by producing cells of a specific lineage, for example, keratinocytes. Epidermal stem cells lie in niches in the interfollicular epidermis, sebaceous gland, and in the bulge regions of hair follicles. These epidermal stem cells renew the epidermis, the sebaceous glands, and hair follicles after mature cells die. Dermal stem cells lie in the hair papillae, around pericytes, and elsewhere among other dermal cells. These form pericytes, myoblasts, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and other specialized dermal cells. Along with other signaling pathways, the Wnt signaling pathway controls stem cell fate. Wnt signals enlist two functionally and chemically different gene coactivators to direct the time and type of replicative divisions. Stem cells may help to heal wounds, repair damaged tissues, regenerate aged skin, and reinvigorate growth of skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes.
THE INACTIVATION OF A NATURAL POPULATION OF COLIFORM BACTERIA BY SUNLIGHT

Abstract— The ‘natural purification’ of water, processes by which pathogenic organisms disappear from contaminated waters, is of great importance regarding water resources. The relative importance of the various processes which remove undesirable organisms is yet to be determined. Wastewater was exposed to sunlight by placing 120 m/samples in UV transparent or absorptive cylindrical vessels which were then placed in a 50/ container filled with water from a lagoon system, thus simulating actual exposure conditions in the lagoon system. Samples were exposed to natural sunlight for 3 days and received different wavelengths of sunlight, depending upon the presence of predetermined filters. The dynamics of the coliform population was observed. It was noted that coliform bacteria demonstrated a significant growth potential when held in darkness or during the night. An entire day of full unfiltered sunlight was a potent bacteriocidal agent, reducing coliform survival to less than 0.01% of the initial value. Removing the shorter wavelengths (Λ. < 325 nm) by optical filters or by the optical properties of the wastewater itself still left components of sunlight capable of killing coliforms. Our studies support the concept that solar UV radiation makes a substantial contribution to the natural purification of water.
Household's Valuation of Alternative Levels of Hazardous Waste Risk Reductions: an Application of the Referendum Format Contingent Valuation Method

Abstract Unlike past research on valuing risk reductions, this paper utilizes a mail questionnaire and referendum format contingent valuation question structure to estimate households' willingness to pay to reduce the risk of premature death from hazardous waste in the environment. This survey directly utilized a risk ladder both as a risk communication device and as an apparatus to elicit willingness to pay for three alternative risk-reduction levels. The valuation results from this research are similar to those that others have found in magnitude of dollar values using in-person interviews, as well as conforming to the principle of diminishing marginal value for additional reductions in risk of death. The policy implications for funding two California programs for source reduction of hazardous waste are also presented.
Electrospray ionization multiple-stage linear ion-trap mass spectrometry for structural elucidation of triacylglycerols: Assignment of fatty acyl groups on the glycerol backbone and location of double bonds

Linear ion-trap multiple-stage mass spectrometric approach (MS n ) towards nearly complete structural elucidation of triacylglycerol (TAG) including (1) assignment the fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone and (2) location of the double bond(s) on the unsaturated fatty acyl groups is reported. The characterization is established by the findings that MS2 on the [M+Li]+ ions of TAG yields more abundant ions reflecting losses of the outer fatty acid substituents either as free acids (i.e., [M+Li-R1CO2H]+ and [M+Li-R3CO2H]+ ions) or as lithium salts (i.e., [M+Li-R1CO2Li]+ and [M+Li-R3CO2Li]+ ions) than the ions reflecting the similar losses of the inner fatty acid substituent (i.e., [M+Li-R2CO2Li]+ and [M+Li-R2CO2Li]+ ions). Further dissociation (MS3) of [M+Li-R n CO2H]+ (n=1, 2, or 3) gives rise to the ion series locating the double bonds along the fatty acid chain. These ions arise from charge-remote fragmentations involving β-cleavage with γ-H shift, analogous to those seen for the unsaturated long-chain fatty acids characterized as initiated ions. Significant differences in abundances in the ion pairs reflecting the additional losses of the fatty acid moieties, respectively, were also seen in the MS3 spectra of the [M+Li-R n CO2H]+ and [M+Li-R n CO2Li]+ ions, leading to confirmation of the fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone. MS n on the [M+Na]+ and [M+NH4]+ adduct ions also affords location of fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone, but not the position of the double bond(s) along the fatty acid chain. Unique ions from internal losses of the glycerol residues were seen in the MS3 spectra of [M+Alk-R n CO2H]+ (n=1, 2, 3) and of [M+Alk-R n CO2Alk]+ (Alk=Li, Na, NH4; n=1, 3). They are signature ions for glycerides and the pathways leading to their formation may involve rearrangements.
To the Rescue: The Fanconi Anemia Genome Stability Pathway Salvages Replication Forks

DNA damage can arrest replication forks during S phase. Failure to stabilize and restart arrested forks results in fork collapse and genomic instability. In this issue of Cancer Cell , Schlacher et al. show that the Fanconi anemia and BRCA2 tumor suppressor pathways cooperate to protect stalled replication forks from degradation.
Low-energy electron diffraction from imperfect structures

Abstract For simple kinetic scattering, the problem of diffraction from imperfect structures reduces to finding the average autocorrelation function of the structure, modulating it with an appropriate instrumental transfer function, and taking the Fourier transform. Using this approach, the effect on the diffraction beam profiles of a statistical distribution of phase shift boundaries is treated for a one-dimensional analogue of the surface. Specific calculations are made for the case of continuous beam splitting observed during the transformation from a double-spaced to a triple-spaced structure. The results demonstrate the large degree of structural anarchy that can be concealed by the deficiencies of the experimental technique.
Matching the organization's structure and its cooperative market relations

The logic of linking an organization's cooperative market relations and its internal organization structure is developed.
Transforming Growth Factor–β Induces Extracellular Matrix Protein Cross-Linking Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) Genes in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible visual impairment and blindness in the world, with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) being the major form.1,2 Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma,3,4 and this ocular hypertension is due to increased aqueous humor outflow resistance in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and is associated with increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) material within the TM. The profibrotic cytokine TGFβ2 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of POAG.5 Levels of TGFβ2 are elevated in the aqueous humor6–8 and TM (Tovar-Vidalez T et al., manuscript submitted) of POAG patients. TM cells express TGFβ receptors, and TGFβ2 has direct effects on the TM.9 TGFβ2 has been shown to increase aqueous outflow resistance and to elevate IOP in perfusion cultured human and porcine eyes10–12 and in rodent eyes.13 TGFβ1 is elevated in the aqueous humor of patients with exfoliation glaucoma,14 suggesting that this TGFβ isoform is associated with the accumulation of exfoliation material, including ECM proteins, in the anterior segments of patients with this syndrome. TGFβ2 regulates ECM metabolism in TM cells and tissues. This cytokine increases expression of a variety of ECM proteins, including fibronectin, collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans, as well as PAI-1 and TIMP-1, inhibitors that suppress proteolytic degradation of the ECM.15 In addition, TGFβ2 increases expression of the ECM cross-linking enzyme transglutaminase (TGM)-2 in TM cells.16 The combination of increased ECM synthesis, increased cross-linking, and decreased degradation causes increased ECM deposition in the TM, which may be responsible for the TGFβ2-mediated increased resistance to aqueous humor outflow. Similar changes occur in the TM of POAG patients, with increased levels of fibronectin,17 collagen,18 PAI-1,19 and TGM2.20 In addition to TGM2, there is a second important class of ECM cross-linking enzymes. The lysyl oxidase (LOX) family contains five genes (LOX and LOXL1 to -4) encoding enzymes that covalently cross-link elastin and collagens via generation of aldehydes on lysine residues.21,22 This cross-linking reaction provides additional mechanical strength to the ECM and makes it more resistant to degradation. LOX enzymes play a role in a variety of fibrotic diseases.21–25 Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LOXL1 are associated with a significantly increased risk of exfoliation glaucoma,26,27 further suggesting potential roles for LOXs in glaucoma pathogenesis. The purpose of the present study was to determine (1) whether the LOX and LOXL genes and proteins are expressed in human TM cells, (2) whether TGFβ induces LOX gene expression and activity in the TM, and (3) which TGFβ signaling pathway(s) regulate LOX expression in the TM.
Locus of Control and its Relationship to Intelligence and Achievement

The present research examined further the relationship among measures of locus of control, intelligence, and academic achievement in adolescents. Intelligence test scores were significantly related...
Participation of nerve growth factor in the regulation of ovarian function

Nerve growth factor (NGF) belongs to a family of related target-derived proteins required for the survival and development of discrete neuronal populations in the central and peripheral nervous systems (Levi-Montalcini, 1987; Snider, 1994). Although initial observations led to the conclusion that the biological actions of neurotrophins are restricted to the nervous system (Thoenen, 1991; Raffioni et al. 1993), new evidence suggests that they, and in particular NGF, can also affect non-neuronal cells.
High throughput screens for the identification of compounds that alter the accumulation of the Alzheimer's amyloid β peptide (Aβ)

Evidence gathered over the last two decades suggests that β amyloid (Aβ), the predominant proteinaceous component of senile plaques, plays an early and critical role in the etiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, it is reasonable to hypothesize that compounds capable of reducing the accumulation of Aβ may be of value therapeutically. Additionally, compounds that influence Aβ accumulation may be useful as tools to further dissect the cellular pathways that regulate Aβ production and accumulation. To screen for compounds that affect Aβ levels, we have established high throughput, cell-based assays capable of the sensitive and selective detection of Aβ40 in parallel with the more amyloidogenic form of the peptide, Aβ42. To validate the approach, we examined the effects of several compounds previously identified to influence Aβ accumulation. Analysis of peptide accumulation following treatment with these compounds showed results similar to those previously published. Currently, we are using this assay to screen drugs that have already received FDA approval for the treatment of other diseases and over-the-counter natural product extracts. If compounds such as these can be identified that lower Aβ in the brain, they may represent one of the fastest and most cost effective methods to therapy.
1-BeV Electron Compton Scattering near 180°

Electrons and positron snear 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} lab have been measured using bremsstrahlung photon spectra of 950- and 500-MeV maximum energy. The results are interpreted in terms of pair production and electron Compton scattering, the latter contributing primarily for center-of-mass scattering angles near 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The results are in agreement with the Klein-Nishina formula to within the accuracy of this experiment, which is about 10%.
Information Fusion in the Redundant-Wavelet-Transform Domain for Noise-Robust Hyperspectral Classification

Hyperspectral imagery comprises high-dimensional reflectance vectors representing the spectral response over a wide range of wavelengths per pixel in the image. The resulting high-dimensional feature spaces often result in statistically ill-conditioned class-conditional distributions. Conventional methods for alleviating this problem typically employ dimensionality reduction such as linear discriminant analysis along with single-classifier systems, yet these methods are suboptimal and lack noise robustness. In contrast, a divide-and-conquer approach is proposed to address the high dimensionality of hyperspectral data for effective and noise-robust classification. Central to the proposed framework is a redundant wavelet transform for representing the data in a feature space amenable to noise-robust multiscale analysis as well as a multiclassifier and decision-fusion system for classification and target recognition in high-dimensional spaces under small-sample-size conditions. The proposed partitioning of this feature space assigns a collection of all coefficients across all scales at a particular spectral wavelength to a dedicated classifier. It is demonstrated that such a partitioning of the feature space for a multiclassifier system yields superior noise performance for classification tasks. Additionally, validation studies with experimental hyperspectral data show that the proposed system significantly outperforms conventional denoising and classification approaches.
microRNA-17~92 is a powerful cancer driver and a therapeutic target.

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs of ~22 nucleotides in length that bind to their target mRNAs (mRNAs) and regulate their expression by translation repression and mRNA degrada...
Body mass index is reduced early in Parkinson's Disease

Mean body mass index (BMI) in 100 cases of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) was found to be 9% reduced in comparison to that in patients with either essential tremor or no neurologic disease. A similar reduction in BMI was also discovered among the 24 cases of PD in whom retrospective BMI data were available from their presymptomatic years. These results suggest that alterations in nutrient intake or metabolism could reflect early changes in the central autonomic network preceding the emergence of classical extrapyramidal manifestations of PD.
Human Security with an Asian Face

The combination of Asia's growing material power and its longstanding commitment to principles of sovereignty and noninterference raises questions about the future of post-Cold War concepts of international law and global governance, especially the concept of "human security." This article analyzes what the emergence of an Eastphalian order might mean for efforts to improve human security. First, it briefly analyzes the concept of human security and its relevance to international law and global governance in the early twenty-first century. Second, I explore why the Asian region might constitute an interesting laboratory for the human security project despite the longstanding commitment of Asian countries to the principles of sovereignty and noninterference. Third, I examine the relevance of Confucian thinking in order to see whether this powerful philosophical heritage of many Asian societies contains insight that will help shape the evolution of Asian perspectives on human security. Fourth, the article briefly considers Japan's efforts to embrace the human security concept in its foreign policy, especially its development assistance. Finally, it considers whether the emergence of a more Asian-centric international system can develop a distinctive Asian contribution to the problems the concept of human security was developed to address. While some scholars have expressed worry that the rise of Asian countries in world politics may threaten the future of human security as a concept and policy objective, whether such a threat actually emerges depends on how Asian countries perceive human security in light of their philosophical heritage, political principles, and material interests. Predicting the trajectory of human security in an Eastphalian order proves a very complicated task.
The Story of my (Second) Life: Virtual Worlds and Narrative Identity

A small but significant number of residents of Second Life (SL) insist that SL is as real to them as Real Life (RL) and that their SL avatars are as much themselves as their offscreen selves. This paper investigates whether this claim can be literally true in any philosophically interesting way. Using a narrative account of personal identity I argue that there is a way of understanding these identity claims according to which the actions and experiences of the offscreen user and the online avatar are indeed actions and experiences of a single person. In the course of describing how this is so, the paper also uncovers new insights into how a narrative approach to personal identity should be structured and developed.
An experimental study of photon-initiated showers in lead between 150 and 450 MeV

Abstract We have studied the development of photon-initiated showers of primary energy between 150 and 450 MeV in a 10-radiation-length lead-plate spark chamber system. The charged particle detection probability as a function of depth in the radiator is presented and compared with published Monte Carlo calculations. A comparison with simultaneous scintillation counter measurements is also presented.
Detection of latent pseudorabies virus in swine using in situ hybridization.

Abstract We have examined methods for detection of pseudorabies virus (PRV) latency in three groups of swine; naturally infected animals obtained from a field case; animals which have been experimentally infected with Becker or Iowa strains of PRV; and single reactors (single seropositive animals within PRV-free herds). In situ hybridization was shown to be more sensitive than explanation/co-cultivation for the detection of latent virus. Nervous tissues, in particular the trigeminal ganglia, were found to be the most reliable source for detecting latent PRV. The presence of latent PRV was not detected in lymphoid tissues examined.
Effects of Self-Correction Strategy Training on Middle School Students' Self-Efficacy, Self-Evaluation, and Mathematics Division Learning:

Teachers need to monitor students' self-efficacy judgments, as well as their mathematics learning, to provide optimal instruction. First, inaccuracies in self-judgments appear to be a major liabili...
Reconstituting plant miRNA biogenesis

The genomes of higher eukaryotes encode not only proteins but also diverse noncoding RNAs, particularly small (20- to 30-nt) regulatory RNAs (1–3). The small RNAs include microRNAs (miRNAs), siRNAs, and piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) (4, 5). These small RNAs repress gene expression at the transcriptional or posttranscriptional levels and have critical functions in genome defense, growth, development, diseases, and stress responses (1, 3, 6–8). Small RNAs are classified largely on the basis of their biogenesis requirements. miRNAs arise from single-stranded primary miRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) that can form imperfect stem–loop structures (6) (Fig. 1). In animals, pri-miRNAs are processed in the nucleus into shorter hairpin RNAs of ≈65 nt (premiRNAs) by the microprocessor complex containing the RNaseIII enzyme Drosha and its cofactor DGCR8/Pasha, a dsRNA-binding protein (5, 9). The premiRNA is then exported to the cytoplasm, where it is further processed by another RNaseIII enzyme, Dicer, to release an ≈22-nt miRNA/miRNA* duplex (5, 9). Dicer function also requires a dsRNA-binding protein, TRBP, as a cofactor. The miRNA is loaded into the effector complex, known as RISC, to direct complementary or partially complementary mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression (5, 6). In plants, the two-step processing of pri-miRNAs into mature miRNAs occurs entirely in the nucleus and is carried out by a single RNaseIII enzyme, DCL1 (Dicer-like 1) (6). In addition to DCL1, genetic analysis revealed that HYL1, a dsRNA-binding protein, and SE, a C2H2-type zinc finger, are also required for processing pri-miRNAs and for accumulation of mature miRNAs (10–12) (Fig. 1). However, whether DCL1 alone is active in processing pri-miRNAs into miRNAs and how HYL1 and SE may function in the processing steps are not known. In this issue of PNAS, Dong et al. (13) reconstituted the processing of pri-miRNAs in vitro by using recombinant proteins and thereby provided much-needed biochemical data to explain the genetic roles of DCL1, HYL1, and SE in miRNA biogenesis in plants.
Analysis of the bilateral filter

Effective methods for image denoising are typically based on iterative and locally adaptive algorithms. Recently, an alternative algorithm called 'bilateral filter' was proposed for the same task. This filter was shown to give similar and possibly better results compared to the ones obtained by the best iterative approaches. In this paper we present a relation between the bilateral filter and the Bayesian methodology. Based on this observation, we show how the bilateral filter can be improved and extended to treat more general signal characteristics.
GaAs IC technology - Impact on the semiconductor industry

In the last five years, extraordinary R&D progress has been made in advancing the state-of-the-art of GaAs ICs. High speed digital circuits have been demonstrated with up to 100,000 components per chip. Microwave monolithic ICs have been successfully operated at frequencies as high as 60 GHz. In the Western World, about 4500 people are now working on GaAs-related development programs. Companies in Japan, Europe and the U.S. are starting to build manufacturing facilities in order to serve a world-wide GaAs IC market, which is expected to expand from $130 million to $1.3 billion by the end of this decade. This paper examines the potential of the three most important GaAs transistor structures, reviews the progress in microwave and digital GaAs ICs, and highlights future technical challenges. Furthermore, the paper lists major GaAs IC application areas, projects market growth until 1990, presents market perspectives, and identifies future business opportunities.
Bias correction for selecting the minimal-error classifier from many machine learning models

Motivation: Supervised machine learning is commonly applied in genomic research to construct a classifier from the training data that is generalizable to predict independent testing data. When test datasets are not available, cross-validation is commonly used to estimate the error rate. Many machine learning methods are available, and it is well known that no universally best method exists in general. It has been a common practice to apply many machine learning methods and report the method that produces the smallest cross-validation error rate. Theoretically, such a procedure produces a selection bias. Consequently, many clinical studies with moderate sample sizes (e.g. n = 30–60) risk reporting a falsely small cross-validation error rate that could not be validated later in independent cohorts. Results: In this article, we illustrated the probabilistic framework of the problem and explored the statistical and asymptotic properties. We proposed a new bias correction method based on learning curve fitting by inverse power law (IPL) and compared it with three existing methods: nested cross-validation, weighted mean correction and Tibshirani-Tibshirani procedure. All methods were compared in simulation datasets, five moderate size real datasets and two large breast cancer datasets. The result showed that IPL outperforms the other methods in bias correction with smaller variance, and it has an additional advantage to extrapolate error estimates for larger sample sizes, a practical feature to recommend whether more samples should be recruited to improve the classifier and accuracy. An R package ‘MLbias’ and all source files are publicly available. Availability and implementation: tsenglab.biostat.pitt.edu/software.htm. Contact: ude.ttip@gnestc Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dynamic Video Transcoding in Mobile Environments

A transcoder with dynamic feedback addresses interactivity, packet loss, and client power constraints in mobile communication systems.
Plasma progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and estriol levels during labor induction with a sustained-release prostaglandin E 2 vaginal insert

Objective : To measure plasma progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and estriol levels in women induced for labor with a sustained-release vaginal polymer prostaglandin E 2 insert, and to analyze the relationships between the changes in hormone levels and Bishop score. Methods : Twelve primipara and 12 multipara were treated with a sustained-release polymer vaginal prostaglandin E 2 insert (0.3 mg/h) for up to 24 h. The Bishop score was assessed at the start and end of therapy, and serum samples were collected at 4-h intervals. Plasma levels of progesterone, DHEAS and estriol were measured by specific radioimmunoassays. Results : Exposure averaged 13.5 &#45 7.2 h. Progesterone levels decreased in the majority of patients (79.2%) after the start of therapy. Higher baseline DHEAS and estriol levels were observed among women who achieved an improvement in Bishop score of at least 4 during prostaglandin E 2 treatment. Conclusions : Higher DHEAS and estriol levels prior to labor induction with p...
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of human auditory cortex

Magnetic resonance imaging methods recently demonstrated regional cerebral signal changes in response to limb movement and visual stimulation, attributed to blood flow enhancement. We studied 5 normal subjects scanned while listening to auditory stimuli including nonspeech noise, meaningless speech sounds, single words, and narrative text. Imaged regions included the lateral aspects of both hemispheres. Signal changes in the superior temporal gyrus and superior temporal sulcus were observed bilaterally in all subjects. Speech stimuli were associated with significantly more widespread signal changes than was the noise stimulus, while no consistent differences were observed between responses to different speech stimuli. Considerable intersubject variability in the topography of signal changes was observed. These observations confirm the utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the study of human brain structure-function relationships and emphasize the role of the superior temporal gyrus in perception of acoustic-phonetic features of speech, rather than processing of semantic features.
Immunocytochemical localization of glutamate immunoreactivity in the guinea pig cochlea

The localization of glutamate immunoreactivity was examined in the guinea pig cochlea using affinity purified polyclonal antibodies to glutamate and immunoperoxidase post-embedding staining techniques on one micron plastic sections. Glutamate immunoreactive staining was seen in both inner and outer hair cells and in spiral ganglion cells and auditory nerve fibers. These results support the hypothesis that glutamate may function as the hair cell transmitter or as a precursor to the transmitter and add further support for an excitatory amino acid as the transmitter of the auditory nerve.
Intermedia Agenda Setting in Television, Advertising, and Blogs During the 2004 Election

This study examined whether the candidate-controlled public relations tools of political ads and candidate blogs were successful in influencing the issue and news agenda of the major television news networks during the 2004 presidential election. Data showed strong correlations between blogs and the media agenda. Advertisements did not correlate with the media agenda. Cross-lag analyses showed that the media set the candidates' agenda. The authors suggest intermedia agenda setting occurred as the media transferred their agenda to campaign blogs.
Multiple solvent crystal structures of ribonuclease A: An assessment of the method

The multiple solvent crystal structures (MSCS) method uses organic solvents to map the surfaces of proteins. It identifies binding sites and allows for a more thorough examination of protein plasticity and hydration than could be achieved by a single structure. The crystal structures of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNAse A) soaked in the following organic solvents are presented: 50% dioxane, 50% dimethylformamide, 70% dimethylsulfoxide, 70% 1,6-hexanediol, 70% isopropanol, 50% R,S,R-bisfuran alcohol, 70% t-butanol, 50% trifluoroethanol, or 1.0M trimethylamine-N-oxide. This set of structures is compared with four sets of crystal structures of RNAse A from the protein data bank (PDB) and with the solution NMR structure to assess the validity of previously untested assumptions associated with MSCS analysis. Plasticity from MSCS is the same as from PDB structures obtained in the same crystal form and deviates only at crystal contacts when compared to structures from a diverse set of crystal environments. Furthermore, there is a good correlation between plasticity as observed by MSCS and the dynamic regions seen by NMR. Conserved water binding sites are identified by MSCS to be those that are conserved in the sets of structures taken from the PDB. Comparison of the MSCS structures with inhibitor-bound crystal structures of RNAse A reveals that the organic solvent molecules identify key interactions made by inhibitor molecules, highlighting ligand binding hot-spots in the active site. The present work firmly establishes the relevance of information obtained by MSCS.
RNA-Mediated Silencing in Algae: Biological Roles and Tools for Analysis of Gene Function

Algae are a large group of aquatic, typically photosynthetic, eukaryotes that include species from very diverse phylogenetic lineages, from those similar to land plants to those related to protist parasites. The recent sequencing of several algal genomes has provided insights into the great complexity of these organisms. Genomic information has also emphasized our lack of knowledge of the functions of many predicted genes, as well as the gene regulatory mechanisms in algae. Core components of the machinery for RNA-mediated silencing show widespread distribution among algal lineages, but they also seem to have been lost entirely from several species with relatively small nuclear genomes. Complex sets of endogenous small RNAs, including candidate microRNAs and small interfering RNAs, have now been identified by high-throughput sequencing in green, red, and brown algae. However, the natural roles of RNA-mediated silencing in algal biology remain poorly understood. Limited evidence suggests that small RNAs may function, in different algae, in defense mechanisms against transposon mobilization, in responses to nutrient deprivation and, possibly, in the regulation of recently evolved developmental processes. From a practical perspective, RNA interference (RNAi) is becoming a promising tool for assessing gene function by sequence-specific knockdown. Transient gene silencing, triggered with exogenously synthesized nucleic acids, and/or stable gene repression, involving genome-integrated transgenes, have been achieved in green algae, diatoms, yellow-green algae, and euglenoids. The development of RNAi technology in conjunction with system level "omics" approaches may provide the tools needed to advance our understanding of algal physiological and metabolic processes.