cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A very low-cost system for capturing 3D motion scans with color and texture data

This paper presents a technique for capturing 3D motion scans using hardware that can be constructed for approximately $5,000 in cost. This hardware-software solution, in addition to capturing the movement of the physical structures also captures color and texture data. The scanner configuration developed at the University of North Dakota is sufficient in size for capturing scans of a group of humans. Scanning starts with synchronization and then requires modeling of each frame. For some applications linking structural elements from frame-to-frame may also be required. The efficacy of this scanning approach is discussed and prospective applications for it are considered.
Abstract WP72: Early Experience on Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator Delivery in Mobile Stroke Unit Patients with Stroke Mimics

Background: A mobile stroke unit (MSU) allows for early delivery for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA). A proportion of IV-tPA treated patients may turn out to be stroke mimics. We ...
DNA Photocleavage in the Near-Infrared Wavelength Range by 2-Quinolinium Dicarbocyanine Dyes.

Here, we report the syntheses of two pentamethine cyanine dyes containing quinolinium rings and substituted with either hydrogen (3) or bromine (4) at the meso carbon. The electron withdrawing bromine atom stabilizes dye 4 in aqueous buffer, allowing complex formation to occur between the dye and double-helical DNA. UV–visible, CD, and fluorescence spectra recorded at low DNA concentrations suggest that dye 4 initially binds to the DNA as a high-order aggregate. As the ratio of DNA to dye is increased, the aggregate is converted to monomeric and other low-order dye forms that interact with DNA in a non-intercalative fashion. The brominated dye 4 is relatively unreactive in the dark, but, under 707–759 nm illumination, generates hydroxyl radicals that cleave DNA in high yield (pH 7.0, 22 °C). Dye 4 is also taken up by ES2 ovarian carcinoma cells, where it is non-toxic under dark conditions. Upon irradiation of the ES2 cells at 694 nm, the brominated cyanine reduces cell viability from 100 ± 10% to 14 ± 1%. Our results suggest that 2-quinolinium-based carbocyanine dyes equipped with stabilizing electron withdrawing groups may have the potential to serve as sensitizing agents in long-wavelength phototherapeutic applications.
Transcription Factors in Cancer Development and Therapy

Cancer is a multi-step process and requires constitutive expression/activation of transcription factors (TFs) for growth and survival. Many of the TFs reported so far are critical for carcinogenesis. These include pro-inflammatory TFs, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-controlling TFs, pluripotency TFs upregulated in cancer stem-like cells, and the nuclear receptors (NRs). Some of those, including HIFs, Myc, ETS-1, and β-catenin, are multifunctional and may regulate multiple other TFs involved in various pro-oncogenic events, including proliferation, survival, metabolism, invasion, and metastasis. High expression of some TFs is also correlated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance, constituting a significant challenge in cancer treatment. Considering the pivotal role of TFs in cancer, there is an urgent need to develop strategies targeting them. Targeting TFs, in combination with other chemotherapeutics, could emerge as a better strategy to target cancer. So far, targeting NRs have shown promising results in improving survival. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the TFs that play a central role in cancer progression, which could be potential therapeutic candidates for developing specific inhibitors. Here, we also discuss the efforts made to target some of those TFs, including NRs.
Detecting Job Promotion in Information Workers Using Mobile Sensing

Most people desire promotions in the workplace. Typically, rising through the ranks comes with increased demands, better salary and higher status among peers. However, promoted workers have to deal with new challenges, such as, adjusting to new roles and responsibilities, which can in turn impact their physical and mental wellbeing. In this year long study, we use mobile sensing to track physiological and behavioral patterns of N=141 information workers who are promoted. We show that the workers experience a change in their physiological and behavioral patterns after promotion captured by passive sensing from phones, wearables and Bluetooth beacons. Furthermore, we use a random convolutions based approach to extract patterns from multivariate time series signals and evaluate the performance of different models to classify a worker's mobile sensing data as belonging to a promoted or non-promoted period with an AUC of 0.72. As a result, we report for the first time that mobile sensing can detect job promotion events by modeling physiological and behavioral changes of information workers in an objective manner.
Decreased Incidence of Bacteriuria Associated with Periodic Instillations of Hydrogen Peroxide into the Urethral Catheter Drainage Bag

We determined the incidence and source of bacterial colonization of the bladder in 31 consecutive patients with acute spinal cord injury who required indwelling urethral catheterization. Patients were randomized to conventional drainage or to conventional drainage with a secondary sterile bag for periodic administration of saline or 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide group maintained sterile bladder urine significantly longer than the conventional drainage group (p less than 0.05). Cultures suggested that the reservoir for bladder colonization was the bag in 5 of 12 patients (42 per cent) on conventional drainage. Instillation of hydrogen peroxide prevented bacterial contamination of the drainage bag before bladder bacteriuria (p less than 0.01) and also reduced drainage bag bacteriuria in patients with urinary infections (p less than 0.0005). The data indicate that bacterial contamination of the drainage bag is a frequent source of bladder bacteriuria that can be eliminated effectively by periodic instillation of hydrogen peroxide.
The Columbo method—A rhetoric of inquiry practiced across professions

The increasing numbers of trade articles about the almost trademark “Columbo Method” evidences a growing phenomenon. As demonstrated by the fictional television detective of Columbo 1968-2003, the method is an approach to investigation characterized by rhetorical inquiry (system of questions and timing), an antipotent persona (nonauthoritative, unassuming Everyman), and tenacity in overcoming a responder’s resistance to collaboration or influence. The essay provides a theoretical analysis of Columbo’s informed but indirect questioning, pretense of ignorance, solicitation of help, folksy congeniality, and the false exit. A literature review presents applications of the Columbo Method by professionals to describe effective workplace interaction with resistant responders (conflicting values or allegiances, lifestyle and demographic differences, shyness, anxiety, fear of change, etc.). Third, the theory is applied in an in-depth rhetorical analysis of cases of communication in academia. Most importantly, the work strives to make an impact in ethical approaches to communication with implications for developing rhetorical pedagogy. ©Journal of Professional Communication, all rights reserved.
Therapeutic effects of turmeric or curcumin extract on pain and function for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review.

Purpose To determine whether supplementation with turmeric or curcumin extract effects pain and physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Second, we investigated the therapeutic response (pain and function) of turmeric compared with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Methods A search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Review. Inclusion criteria included randomised controlled trials reporting pain and physical function in humans with knee OA comparing turmeric therapy with NSAIDs or no therapy. Two reviewers screened 5273 abstracts. Risk of bias and quality were assessed via Cochrane Collaboration tool and CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) 2010, respectively. Results Ten studies were included in the final analysis. Eight had high methodological quality and two were categorised as good with a mean CONSORT quality score of 21.1. Nine studies had adequate sequence generation and six had adequate allocation concealment. Participants and outcome assessors were blinded in eight studies. Three of the studies compared turmeric therapy to NSAIDs. All 10 studies showed improvement in pain and function from baseline with turmeric therapy (p≤0.05). In three studies comparing turmeric to NSAIDs, there were no differences in outcome scores (p>0.05). In all studies there were no significant adverse events in the turmeric therapy group. Conclusion Compared with placebo, there appears to be a benefit of turmeric on knee OA pain and function. Based on a small number of studies the effects are similar to that of NSAIDs. Variables such as optimal dosing, frequency and formulation remain unclear at this time.
Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations and serum hormone levels in pre- and perimenopausal women from the Midlife Women's Health Study.

Abstract Background Phthalate exposure is associated with altered reproductive function, but little is known about associations between phthalate and hormone levels in midlife women. Methods This cross-sectional analysis includes 45–54-year-old pre- and perimenopausal women from Baltimore, MD and its surrounding counties enrolled in the Midlife Women’s Health Study (n = 718). Serum and urine samples were collected from participants once a week for four consecutive weeks to span the menstrual cycle. Serum samples were assayed for estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and geometric means were calculated for each hormone across all four weeks. Urine samples were analyzed for nine phthalate metabolites from pools of one-to-four urine samples. Phthalate metabolite concentrations were specific gravity-adjusted and assessed as individual metabolites or as molar sums of metabolites from common parents (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites, ∑DEHP), exposure sources (plastic, ∑Plastics; personal care products, ∑PCP), biological activity (anti-androgenic, ∑AA), and sum of all metabolites (∑Phthalates). We used linear regression models to assess overall associations of phthalate metabolites with hormones, controlling for important demographic, lifestyle, and health factors. We also explored whether associations differed by menopause status, body mass index (BMI), and race/ethnicity. Results Most participants were non-Hispanic white (67%) or black (29%), college-educated (65%), employed (80%), and had somewhat higher mean urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations than other U.S. women. Overall, the following positive associations were observed between phthalate metabolites and hormones: ∑DEHP (%Δ: 4.9; 95%CI: 0.5, 9.6), ∑Plastics (%Δ: 5.1; 95%CI: 0.3, 10.0), and ∑AA (%Δ: 7.8; 95%CI: 2.3, 13.6) with estradiol; MiBP (%Δ: 6.6; 95%CI: 1.5, 12.1) with testosterone; ∑DEHP (%Δ: 8.3; 95%CI: 1.5, 15.6), ∑Plastics (%Δ: 9.8; 95%CI: 2.4, 17.7), MEP (%Δ: 4.6; 95%CI: 0.1, 9.2), ∑PCP (%Δ: 6.0; 95%CI: 0.2, 12.2), ∑Phthalates (%Δ: 9.0; 95%CI: 2.1, 16.5), and ∑AA (%Δ: 12.9; 95%CI: 4.4, 22.1) with progesterone; and MBP (%Δ: 8.5; 95%CI: 1.2, 16.3) and ∑AA (%Δ: 9.0; 95%CI: 1.3, 17.4) with AMH. Associations of phthalate metabolites with hormones differed by menopause status (strongest in premenopausal women for estradiol, progesterone, and FSH), BMI (strongest in obese women for progesterone), and race/ethnicity (strongest in non-Hispanic white women for estradiol and AMH). Conclusions We found that phthalate metabolites were positively associated with several hormones in midlife women, and that some demographic and lifestyle characteristics modified these associations. Future longitudinal studies are needed to corroborate these findings in more diverse midlife populations.
A Strategy for Repair, Augmentation, and Reconstruction of Knee Extensor Mechanism Disruption: A Retrospective Review.

Background:The loss of extensor mechanism continuity that occurs with patellar and quadriceps tendon rupture has devastating consequences on patient function.Purpose:To describe a treatment strateg...
Comprehensive gene cluster analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma TCGA RNA-seq data defines B cell immunity-related genes as a robust survival predictor

BACKGROUND The authors aimed to define novel gene expression signatures that are associated with patients' survival with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS TCGA RNA-seq data were used for gene expression clusters extraction from 499 tumor samples by the "EPIG" method. Tumor samples were then partitioned into lower and higher than median level groups for survival relevant analysis by Kaplan-Meier estimator. RESULTS We found that two gene clusters (_1, _2) are favorably, while two (_3, _4) are unfavorably, associated with patients' survival with HNSCC. Notably, most genes on the top lists of cluster_2 are associated with B cells. A gene expression signature with combined genes from cluster_2 and _4 was further determined to be associated with HNSCC survival rate. CONCLUSION Our work strongly supported a favorable role of B cells in patients' survival with HNSCC and identified a novel coexpressed gene signature as prognostic biomarker for patients' survival with HNSCC estimation.
Principles of Supportive Care

The supportive care of patients who have brain tumors consists mainly of the treatment of seizures, peritumoral edema, venous thromboembolism, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Effective medical management results in decreased morbidity and mortality and improved quality of life for affected patients.
Elimination of Gossypol in Cottonseed will Improve its Utilization

Abstract Gossypol, a naturally occurring terpenoid found in pigment glands located throughout the cotton plant, is an effective insect deterrent, but is also a cumulative toxin in simple-stomached animals. Plant biotechnology utilizing RNAi was used to create a plant that has no gossypol in the seed while retaining gossypol in all other plant tissues to prevent predation. Since cotton is drought and heat tolerant, it is well suited to serve as a source of both food and fiber as climate change puts other crops in jeopardy. Agrobacterium transformation was used to insert into the cotton nuclear genome a construct containing a seed specific promoter driving an RNAi hairpin that suppresses delta-cadinene synthase. This enzyme plays a critical role early in building gossypol. This biotechnology-based proof of concept provides strong evidence that it is possible to produce a plant that retains its natural defense mechanism in the non-seed tissues while producing a drought and heat tolerant source of protein in the gossypol-free cottonseed. The presence of Gossypol in cotton seed means all the protein produced by the cotton plant is relegated to ruminant feed and (in miniscule amounts) aquacultre. Recent research demonstrates 100% replacement of fishmeal with Ultra-Low Gossypol Cottonseed (ULGCS) in the feeds of several aquaculture species without a decrease in performance. Each year about 10-11 million metric tons of cottonseed protein are produced worldwide. Without gossypol, this is enough protein to satisfy the daily, basic protein needs (50 grams/person) of more than 600 million people for one year. Food scientists have also created a wide range of food products from ULGCS, including hummus, plant-based dairy substitutes, a peanut butter alternative and protein fortified beverages. Elimination of gossypol in cottonseed could greatly improve utilization of this valuable protein resource for global food and fiber security as we move into an era of uncertain climate conditions.
A physically based analytical spatial air temperature and humidity model

[1] Spatial variation of urban surface air temperature and humidity influences human thermal comfort, the settling rate of atmospheric pollutants, and plant physiology and growth. Given the lack of observations, we developed a Physically based Analytical Spatial Air Temperature and Humidity (PASATH) model. The PASATH model calculates spatial solar radiation and heat storage based on semiempirical functions and generates spatially distributed estimates based on inputs of topography, land cover, and the weather data measured at a reference site. The model assumes that for all grids under the same mesoscale climate, grid air temperature and humidity are modified by local variation in absorbed solar radiation and the partitioning of sensible and latent heat. The model uses a reference grid site for time series meteorological data and the air temperature and humidity of any other grid can be obtained by solving the heat flux network equations. PASATH was coupled with the USDA iTree-Hydro water balance model to obtain evapotranspiration terms and run from 20 to 29 August 2010 at a 360 m by 360 m grid scale and hourly time step across a 285 km2 watershed including the urban area of Syracuse, NY. PASATH predictions were tested at nine urban weather stations representing variability in urban topography and land cover. The PASATH model predictive efficiency R2 ranged from 0.81 to 0.99 for air temperature and 0.77 to 0.97 for dew point temperature. PASATH is expected to have broad applications on environmental and ecological models.
Spontaneous magnetic alignment by yearling snapping turtles: rapid association of radio frequency dependent pattern of magnetic input with novel surroundings.

We investigated spontaneous magnetic alignment (SMA) by juvenile snapping turtles using exposure to low-level radio frequency (RF) fields at the Larmor frequency to help characterize the underlying sensory mechanism. Turtles, first introduced to the testing environment without the presence of RF aligned consistently towards magnetic north when subsequent magnetic testing conditions were also free of RF (‘RF off → RF off’), but were disoriented when subsequently exposed to RF (‘RF off → RF on’). In contrast, animals initially introduced to the testing environment with RF present were disoriented when tested without RF (‘RF on → RF off’), but aligned towards magnetic south when tested with RF (‘RF on → RF on’). Sensitivity of the SMA response of yearling turtles to RF is consistent with the involvement of a radical pair mechanism. Furthermore, the effect of RF appears to result from a change in the pattern of magnetic input, rather than elimination of magnetic input altogether, as proposed to explain similar effects in other systems/organisms. The findings show that turtles first exposed to a novel environment form a lasting association between the pattern of magnetic input and their surroundings. However, under natural conditions turtles would never experience a change in the pattern of magnetic input. Therefore, if turtles form a similar association of magnetic cues with the surroundings each time they encounter unfamiliar habitat, as seems likely, the same pattern of magnetic input would be associated with multiple sites/localities. This would be expected from a sensory input that functions as a global reference frame, helping to place multiple locales (i.e., multiple local landmark arrays) into register to form a global map of familiar space.
International Travel Patterns and Travel Risks of Patients Diagnosed With Cancer

Background Immunocompromised travelers living with cancer can be at increased risk of travel-related illnesses. Their international travel patterns and associated risks remain largely unknown. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients diagnosed with cancer who presented for pre-travel health advice between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2011. Demographics, travel patterns, and infectious diseases exposure risks of immunocompromised travelers were characterized and compared with those of immunocompetent travelers. Reported travel-related illnesses were assessed in both groups. Results A total of 149 travelers were included in this study. Fifty-one percent had solid tumors, 32% had hematological malignancies, and 17% underwent stem cell transplantation. Seventy travelers (47%) were immunocompromised. Immunocompromised travelers had similar demographics, trip itineraries, and infectious diseases exposure risks to hepatitis A, malaria, typhoid fever, and yellow fever as immunocompetent travelers. Most of the reported travel-related illnesses were of minor nature. Conclusion Travelers with cancer who have impaired immunity had similar infectious diseases exposure risks and travel patterns as travelers whose cancer is cured or in remission. Improved understanding of travel patterns and risks of patients with cancer may assist in providing more focused pre-travel health interventions to this complex subset of travelers.
Phases of Accuracy Diagnosis: (In)visibility of System Status in the Fitbit

This paper analyzes the Fitbit – an all-in-one step, floor, distance, calorie, and sleep tracker – in order to discover how users approach and deal with the question of accuracy in black-box systems. Due to learned expectations of system unreliability, users are skeptical of the authenticity of Fitbit-recorded data. However, due to the limited visibility of system status their efforts to test and calibrate their data are ultimately flawed. Users move through four main phases in which they perform a number of tests to diagnose and understand the Fitbit’s level of precision, while revising their mental model of the Fitbit itself and attempting to calibrate their personal use of the device. This paper examines the results of seven interviews with Fitbit users, hypothesizes and describes four phases of use many Fitbit users undergo, and critiques the usability problems that these interviews unearthed.
FLUORESCEIN AMINE MEDIA FOR RAPID DIFFERENTIATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCI

Kimler, Alexander (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.). Fluorescein amine media for rapid differentiation of staphylococci. J. Bacteriol. 82: 106–109. 1961.—By modifying conventional media to include blood, mannitol, and fluorescein amine, staphylococci may be isolated and identified directly. Staphylococcus aureus , mannitol positive, fluoresces, whereas Staphylococcus epidermidis , mannitol negative, does not.
Pharmacokinetics of dapsone and amino acid prodrugs of dapsone

Amino acid amides of dapsone (DDS), a primary aromatic amine, have been synthesized as water-soluble, chemically stable prodrugs that target peptidase enzymes for cleavage to the parent drug in vivo. The pharmacokinetics of DDS, monoacetyldapsone (MADDS; a known metabolite), and various L- and D-amino acid derivatives of DDS were investigated in New Zealand white rabbits after intravenous administration. DDS and MADDS exhibit reversible kinetics and establish a pseudoequilibrium in vivo. In this study, the analytical procedure assayed for both DDS and MADDS, with formation of MADDS accounting for approximately 25% of the clearance of DDS. The L-amino acid derivatives of DDS were rapidly (t1/2 < 2 min) and quantitatively converted to DDS after intravenous administration to rabbits. Data are consistent with conversion of the L-amino acid amides to DDS by the action of stereospecific aminopeptidase enzymes and suggest that they would be good prodrug candidates. The corresponding D-amino acid derivatives were also quantitatively converted to DDS, but the half-lives ranged from 30 to 60 min. The specific mechanism for conversion of the D-amino acid amides to DDS is unknown.
Alexithymia in Cocaine Abusers Response to Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy

Using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the authors evaluated prevalence and significance of alexithymia in 93 ambulatory cocaine abusers treated with psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention) and pharmacotherapy (desipramine), alone and in combination. Tbirty-nine percent of the sample scored in the alexitbymic range; alexi-tbymic and nonalexitbymic subjects did not differ significantly on demographic variables, severity or pattern of cocaine use, substance-related problems, or treatment history; alexitbymic subjects reported significantly more current distress, but did not differ from nonalexitbymic subjects in rates of Axis I disorders or clinician-rated evaluations; although there was no difference in overall treatment retention or cocaine outcomes, alexitbymic subjects had better outcomes when treated with clinical management over cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention, a finding consistent with tbe theory that suggests alexitbymic patients have difficulty in treatments requiring identifi...
Synthesis of anti-inflammatory furan fatty acids from biomass-derived 5-(chloromethyl)furfural

Abstract An efficient synthetic approach to furan fatty acids starting from the biomass-derived platform chemical 5-(chloromethyl)furfural (CMF) is described. The route involves seven steps and has a 60% overall yield. Furan fatty acids are dietary antioxidants that occur naturally in fish and are proposed to have anti-atherosclerotic properties. The free radical scavenging abilities of synthetic furan fatty acids were evaluated against butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.
Plantation accounting and management practices in the US and the British West Indies at the end of their slavery eras

This article examines comparatively the slavery systems of the US and the British West Indies before and after their respective emancipations. The primary focus is on how differential factors in the two plantation economies, such as racial control, labour structures, and governmental mandates, impacted the development of accounting and those performing accounting functions. Other factors, such as plantation size and ownership structure, not only influenced accounting practices but management issues as well. These factors resulted in the substantially greater development of accounting in the British Caribbean, both in terms of the number of practitioners and the volume and uniformity of accounting records.
Cascaded H-bridge control for PV application

In this paper, application of a cascaded H-bridge (CHB) converter to connect strings of solar panels to a single-phase medium voltage AC grid is discussed. With solar insolation levels differing from one string to another, it is challenging to control a CHB converter in order to minimize the variations in the dc link voltages of each of the converter modules and hence the device voltage stress levels. To minimize the device voltage stresses, in this paper, a new Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) method is proposed. The proposed method equalizes the power drawn from each of the solar strings connected to the CHB across a large geographical area (e.g. along a railway line) and avoids excess device stresses. The proposed MPPT method is verified using simulation results.
Treatment of leukemia antigen-loss relapses occurring after CD19-targeted immunotherapies by combination of anti-CD123 and anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells

Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CART19) and bi-specific anti-CD19/CD3 antibodies (blinatumomab) are generating unprecedented complete responses in relapsing/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r B-ALL). However, a subset of patients still relapse and about 30-50% of these relapses are characterized by the loss of detectable CD19 [1-3]. The interleukin-3 receptor alpha, or CD123, was shown to be expressed in several hematologic neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia and more recently also B-ALL. The goal of this study was to pre-clinically evaluate the impact of targeting both CD19 and CD123 with chimeric antigen receptor T cells for the treatment and prevention of CD19-negative relapses occurring after CD19-directed therapies [4,5].
Endothelial cell activation of the smooth muscle cell phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway promotes differentiation

Objective Interactions between endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are fundamental in diverse cardiovascular processes such as arteriogenesis, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. We aimed to determine the intracellular signaling mechanisms by which ECs promote a differentiated SMC phenotype. Methods Bovine thoracic aorta ECs and SMCs were isolated and cultured. For co-culture studies, ECs were grown to confluence on one side of a semi-permeable Cyclopore membrane. SMCs were then plated on the opposite side of the membrane and cultured for 24 to 48 hours. For adenovirus experiments, SMCs were infected prior to plating opposite ECs. For conditioned media studies, SMCs cultured alone on plastic were treated with media harvested from EC/SMC in co-culture. SMC phenotype was assayed by microscopy and measurement of two-dimensional area, or by western blotting for contractile protein markers of differentiation. Akt activation was measured by western blotting for phospho-Serine 473. Results Although SMCs cultured alone exhibit a dedifferentiated synthetic phenotype, we report that bilayer co-culture with ECs induced a differentiated SMC phenotype as measured by morphology and cell area and expression of protein markers of differentiation, including contractile proteins and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 kip . The EC/SMC bilayer co-culture resulted in activation of the SMC protein kinase Akt, with no effect on total Akt expression. Similarly, conditioned media from co-cultured EC/SMC promoted rapid Akt phosphorylation and subsequent expression of differentiation protein markers in SMCs cultured alone. Adenoviral overexpression of constitutively active Akt in SMCs cultured alone mimicked the ability of ECs to induce SMC differentiation. Notably, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3 (PI 3)-kinase activity with wortmannin or adenoviral overexpression of a dominant-negative Akt prevented the EC-mediated effect on SMC morphology and differentiation protein marker expression. Conclusions ECs direct SMCs towards a differentiated phenotype through activation of the SMC PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Clinical relevance Interactions between endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are fundamental in diverse cardiovascular processes such as arteriogenesis, collateral blood vessel development, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Alterations in SMC phenotype occur in each of these processes. Endothelial denudation has been suggested to contribute to the SMC proliferative response to vessel injury by angioplasty or other catheterization procedures. We have employed a co-culture approach to dissect the molecular signals that are dependent on the spatial relationship between ECs and SMCs, and have identified the importance of the PI3K/Akt pathway in EC-induced SMC differentiation. This pathway may suggest targets for therapeutic interventions for intimal hyperplasia and restenosis.
On rate-optimal nonparametric wavelet regression with long memory moving average errors

We consider the wavelet-based estimators of mean regression function with long memory moving average errors and investigate their asymptotic rates of convergence based on thresholding of empirical wavelet coefficients. We show that these estimators achieve nearly optimal minimax convergence rates within a logarithmic term over a large range of Besov function classes \(B^{s}_{p,q}\). Therefore, in the presence of long memory non-Gaussian moving average noise, wavelet estimators still achieve nearly optimal convergence rates and provide explicitly the extraordinary local adaptability. The theory is illustrated with some numerical examples.
A Large Aperture, High Energy Laser System for Optics and Optical Component Testing

A large aperture, kJ-class, multi-wavelength Nd-glass laser system has been constructed at Lawrence Livermore National Lab which has unique capabilities for studying a wide variety of optical phenomena. The master-oscillator, power-amplifier (MOPA) configuration of this "Optical Sciences Laser" (OSL) produces 1053 nm radiation with shaped pulse lengths which are variable from 0.1 - 100 ns. The output can be frequency doubled or tripled with high conversion efficiency with a resultant 100 cm2 high quality output beam. This facility can accommodate prototype hardware for large-scale inertial confinement fusion lasers allowing for investigation of integrated system issues such as optical lifetime at high fluence, optics contamination, compatibility of non-optical materials, and laser diagnostics.
Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of phosphorylated, membrane-localized ras p21 proteins.

Abstract The ras p21 oncogene product migrates as a heterogeneous series of polypeptides as resolved by both one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). We have prepared polyclonal rat serum antibody to ras p21 and used this as well as monoclonal antibodies to immunoprecipitate forms of p21 synthesized in vivo in transformed NIH3T3 cells. Two-dimensional PAGE of p21 resolved two distinct groups of polypeptides, one acidic (pI 4.8–5.3) which we call the “A” forms, and one less acidic or more basic (pI 6.5–7.0) which we call the “B” forms. It is the membrane-localized, B forms of v-ras-Ha p21 that are predominantly phosphorylated in vivo.
Efficient Numerical Integration on the Surface of a Sphere

Several new numerical integration formulas on the surface of a sphere in three dimensions are derived. These formulas are superior to the existing ones in that for the same degree of approximation they require fewer integration points for functions with central or planar symmetry. Furthermore, a general method of deriving the integration formulas, which achieves conceptual simplicity at the expense of extensive numerical work left for a computer, is demonstrated. In this method, the coefficients of the integration formula are determined from a system of linear algebraic equations directly representing the conditions for a certain number of terms of the three-dimensional Taylor series expansion of the integrated function about the center of the sphere to vanish, while the unknown locations of the integration points are determined from a condition for the next term (or terms) of the expansion to vanish, and if it cannot be made to vanish, then from a condition for minimizing the magnitude of this term (or these terms). Finally, we formulate a new condition of optimality of the integration formulas which is important for the integration error in certain applications. Es werden verschiedene neue numerische Integrationsformeln auf der Oberflache einer dreidimensionalen Kugel abgeleitet. Diese Formeln sind gegenuber den bereits existierenden insofern besser, als sie fur den gleichen Approximationsgrad fur Funktionen mit zentraler oder ebener Symmetrie weniger Integrationspunkte erfordern. Ferner wird eine allgemeine Methode zur Ableitung der Integrationsformeln bewiesen, die auf Kosten eines einem Computer zu uberlassenden extensiven numerischen Aufwandes begriffliche Einfachheit erreicht. Bei dieser Methode werden die Koeffizienten der Integrationsformel aus einem System linearer algebraischer Gleichungen bestimmt, das direkt die Bedingungen dafur darstellt, das eine gewisse Anzahl von Termen der dreidimensionalen Taylor-Reihenentwicklung der integrierten Funktion um den Kugelmittelpunkt verschwindet. Dagegen werden die unbekannten Lagen der Integrationspunkte aus einer Bedingung dafur bestimmt, das der nachste Term (die nachsten Terme) der Entwicklung verschwindet, und wenn dieser nicht zum Verschwinden gebracht werden kann, aus einer Bedingung zur Minimierung der Grose dieses Terms (dieser Terme). Schlieslich wird eine neue Optimalitatsbedingung der Integrationsformeln formuliert, die fur den Integrationsfehler in gewissen Anwendungen von Bedeutung ist.
The Amino Terminus of Smads Permits Transcriptional Specificity

Abstract Smad proteins transduce transforming growth factor-β signals from the cell surface to the nucleus, regulating a variety of physiologic processes. In the nucleus, Smads control gene expression by binding to both DNA and transcription factors. Individual Smads regulate distinct subsets of target genes. The key residues important for this specificity are thought to reside in the carboxyl-terminal MH2 domain. To further examine Smad specificity in vivo, we undertook structure-function studies in Xenopus laevis embryos and found that truncated Smads containing the MH2 domain activate gene transcription. A striking finding revealed by the in vivo analyses was that the functional truncated Smads all behaved identically and had lost wild-type specificity. For most Smads, wild-type activity required the presence of an MH1 domain, either in cis or in trans. Of note, even heterologous MH1 domains could restore wild-type signaling specificity to effector MH2 domains. We found a possible mechanism to account for these observations, as Smad MH1 domains altered the binding of pathway-specific transcription factors to the MH2 domain. Thus, Smad MH1 domains are important to the regulation of transcriptional specificity.
Time-Frequency Mean and Variance Sequences of Orthonormal Bases

We show that there exists an orthonormal basis $\{b_n\}_{n=1}^{\infty}$ for $L^2 (\mathbb{R})$ such that $\{ \Delta^2 (b_n)\}_{n=1}^{\infty}, \{ \mu( b_n ) \}_{n=1}^{\infty}$ and $\{ \mu(\widehat{b_n})\}_{n=1}^{\infty}$ are bounded sequences. We also show that there does not exist any orthonormal basis for $L^2 (\mathbb{R})$ with $\{ \Delta^2 (b_n)\}_{n=1}^{\infty}$ , $\{ \Delta^2(\widehat{b_n})\}_{n=1}^{\infty}$ and $\{ \mu( b_n ) \}_{n=1}^{\infty}$ being bounded sequences. This is motivated by a question posed by H.S. Shapiro on the mean and variance sequences associated to orthonormal bases.
Organizing Access Privileges: Maximizing the Availability and Mitigating the Threat of Insiders' Knowledgebase

This paper demonstrates how to mitigate insider threat in relational databases. Basically, it shows how the execution of the same operations in different orders poses different levels of threat. The model presented in this paper organizes accesses to data items in some sequence so that the expected threat is minimized to the lowest level. In addition, it increases the availability of data items. That is, instead of preventing insiders from getting access to some data items because of possible threat, the proposed approach reorganizes insiders’ independent requests so that they can access those data when it is determined that there is little or no threat .
Analysis of postoperative pain in robotic versus traditional laparoscopic hysterectomy

The aim of this study was to assess postoperative pain and narcotic use in the first 23 h following robotic versus traditional laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign pathology. The study design was that of a retrospective case–control study of robotic (first 100 consecutive) versus traditional (last 100 consecutive) total laparoscopic hysterectomy cases at an obstetrics and gynecology multi-institutional community practice. Patient characteristics were equivalent in both groups (age, p = 0.364; body mass index, p = 0.326; uterine weight, p = 0.565), except for a higher number of Caucasians in the traditional laparoscopic group (p = 0.017). Compared to patients who underwent robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy, those who underwent the traditional procedure had higher visual analog scale pain scores (3.1 ± 1.5 vs. 4.6 ± 2.4, respectively; p < 0.001) and used more narcotics (27.5 vs. 35.4 mg hydrocodone, respectively; p < 0.05). Factors that could potentially increase pain (more procedures, more ports, total incision size, and longer operative time) were significantly higher in the robotic group, but only surgical approach, amount of narcotic, and age correlated with pain levels when evaluated with regression analysis. Complication rates were equivalent between groups. In conclusion, patients who underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy had statistically decreased postoperative pain scores and narcotic use than those who underwent the traditional laparoscopic approach, even when the robotic cases involved more procedures and ports and were associated with longer operative time.
III–V MOS technology: From planar to 3D and 4D

Recently, III-V MOSFETs with high drain currents (Ids>1mA/μm) and high transconductances (gm>1mS/μm) have been achieved at sub-micron channel lengths (Lch), thanks to the better understanding and significant improvement in high-k/III-V interfaces. However, to realize a III-V FET at beyond 14nm technology node, one major challenge is how to effectively control the short channel effects (SCE). Due to the higher permittivity and lower bandgap of the channel materials, III-V MOSFETs are more susceptible to SCE than its Si counterpart. Therefore, the introduction of 3-dimensonal (3D) structures to the fabrication of deep sub-100nm III-V FETs is necessary. In this talk, we will review the materials and device aspects of III-V MOS technology developed very recently. We will also report some of new progress by demonstration of 20-80 nm channel length III-V gate-all-around nanowire MOSFETs with EOT=1.2nm and lowest SS=63 mV/dec. The total drain current per pitch can be further enhanced by introducing 4D structures.
Damage Prediction for Existing Buildings

The intent of the text is to provide an overview of the factors that affect building damage potential, an overview of methods and data currently available for predicting building damage, and an overview of a recent study by the Applied Technology Council (ATC) which resulted in the development of comprehensive data and methodology for predicting expected earthquake damage in California
Midinfrared luminescence from InAs quantum dots in unipolar devices

Midinfrared light has been obtained from InAs quantum dots (QDs) in unipolar semiconductor devices with moderate current densities at low temperatures (77 K). The luminescence signals are broad, extending from the 70 meV cutoff of the HgCdTe detector to 200 meV, however they exhibit a peak at about 150 meV and are clearly distinct from thermal radiation. The QDs are contained within a resonant tunneling structure which includes a superlattice (AlGaAs/GaAs) electron energy filter and are grown with all n-type material by molecular-beam epitaxy. Electroluminescence and photoluminescence experiments have been used to examine the transitions responsible for the midinfrared emission.
PALEOMAGNETIC EVIDENCE FOR CRUSTAL AND THIN-SKINNED ROTATIONS IN THE EUROPEAN HERCYNIDES

Devonian and Carboniferous paleomagnetic data from the European Hercynides show a coherent pattern in inclination but significant dispersion in declination. The declination anomalies with respect to expected declinations for stable Europe indicate a strong correlation with the regional changes in the structural trend of the mountain belt. Detailed analysis of the paleomagnetic and structural data revealed the highest degree of correlation between changes in strike and declination anomalies for external parts of the orogen, where thin-skinned nappe emplacement has been most prevalent. The correlation between changes in strike and declination anomalies from interior parts of the Hercynides is less well defined and displays a greater degree of scatter. Nevertheless the partly secondary character of the arcuate shape can be demonstrated. Thus the internal Hercynides are at least in part a true orocline with secondary bending in the sense of S.W. Carey. We infer that the bending of the European Hercynides resulted from the combination of multiple deep-reaching deformations of the European lithosphere as well as the effects of thin-skinned rotations. The decreasing degree of rotations toward the crystalline interior of the belt appears to favor a geodynamic model involving indentations and/or buttressing effects. The indentation of Hercynian Europe by a microplate or an African promontory during the Hercynian orogeny might be one of the principal causes for the secondary bending and the associated nappe rotations.
Capsulectomy: A Cure for the Page Kidney

Hypertension is a known complication after renal trauma. The cause of posttraumatic hypertension can be renal scarring, infarction, hydonephrosis, infection, vascular injury, and parenchymal compression. The authors report on the case of a 16-year-old boy who experienced hypertension after blunt renal trauma. He had a dense fibrous pseudocapsule causing renal parenchymal compression, which lead to hypertension, a Page kidney. Evaluation with computed tomographic (CT) scan, radioisotope renal scan, renal Doppler, and angiogram confirmed the diagnosis. Removal of the renal capsule and the constricting fibrous pseudocapsule was curative.
Radiative heat transfer from a cylindrical cloud of particles.

In this work the Monte Carlo method is applied to investigate thermal radiation to the exterior base region of a finite cylindrical dispersion of absorbing, emitting, and anisotropically scattering particles. The analysis assumes a scattering function characteristic of aluminum oxide dispersions. Searchlight effect, chamber emitted radiation scattered by the particles to the surroundings, is introduced by permitting the radiation to originate from a black circular surface at the base of the cloud, as well as from within the cloud. The results obtained show that anisotropic scattering and searchlight effect play important roles in heat transfer in this geometry.
The Permeability of Territorial Space: Some Evidence from Military Warfare.

The presence of discomfort arising from territorial intrusion has been widely established, although the precise shape and strength of the intrusion-discomfort relation is unspecified. Investigating 58 military invasions of the territorial boundaries of nation-states, the present study attempted to document empirically the territorial space permeability function. The function relating intrusion to discomfort was found to be linear inform and medium in strength, conspicuously similar to the personal space permeability function described by Hayduk (1981).
Accelerating atomic operations on GPGPUs

General purpose computing on GPUs (GPGPU) has experienced rapid growth over the last several years as new application realms are explored and traditional highly parallel algorithms are adapted to this computational substrate. However, a large portion of the parallel workload space, both in emerging and traditional domains, remains ill-suited for GPGPU deployment due to high reliance on atomic operations, particularly as global synchronization mechanisms. Unlike the sophisticated synchronization primitives available on supercomputers, GPGPU applications must rely on slow atomic operations on shared data. Further, unlike general purpose processors which take advantage of coherent L1 caches to speed up atomic operations, the cost and complexity of coherency on the GPU, coupled with the fact that a GPU's primary revenue stream - graphics rendering - does not benefit, means that new approaches are needed to improve atomics on the GPU. In this paper, we present a mechanism for implementing low-cost coherence and speculative acquisition of atomic data on the GPU that allows applications that utilize atomics to greater extents than is generally accepted practice today, to perform much better than they do on current hardware. As our results show, these unconventional applications can realize non-trivial performance improvements approaching 20% with our proposed system. With this mechanism, the scope of applications that can be accelerated by these commodity, highly-parallel pieces of hardware can be greatly expanded.