cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autonomous Sensors Collaboration for Moving Object Classification

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) perform collaborative distributed sensing of a moving object in an environment for the purpose of classification. This requires collecting measurements from as many sensors as possible to classify the object. However, there is a tradeoff between the value of information contained in a distributed set of measurements and the energy cost of acquiring these measurements, fusing them into a belief and transmitting the updated belief. To manage this tradeoff, sensor selection schemes are used. In this paper, the sensor selection scheme proceeds as a sequence of rounds as follows. The network chooses an active set of sensors at each round based on physical proximity to the object. From this set, one sensor is selected by bidding to take a measurement. This measurement is transmitted to the sensor selected at the next round. The main contribution is to dynamically optimize the classification performance for a given cost of sensing, communication and computation. The method is illustrated by an example.
The adenosine 2b receptor is recruited to the plasma membrane and associates with E3KARP and ezrin upon agonist stimulation

We have previously shown that adenosine is formed in the intestinal lumen during active inflammation from neutrophil-derived 5′-AMP. Acting through the adenosine A2b receptor (A2bR), the luminally derived adenosine induces vectorial chloride secretion and a polarized secretion of interleukin-6 to the intestinal lumen. Although some G protein-coupled receptors interact with anchoring or signaling molecules, not much is known in this critical area for the A2bR. We used the model intestinal epithelial cell line, T84, and Caco2-BBE cells stably transfected with GFP-A2b receptor to study the intestinal A2bR. The A2bR is present in both the apical and basolateral membranes of intestinal epithelia. Apical or basolateral stimulation of the A2bR induces recruitment of the receptor to the plasma membrane and caveolar fractions. The A2bR co-immunoprecipitates with E3KARP and ezrin upon agonist stimulation. Ezrin interacts with E3KARP and PKA and the interaction between ezrin and E3KARP is enhanced by agonist stimulation. Our data suggest that the A2bR is recruited to the plasma membrane upon apical or basolateral agonist stimulation and interacts with E3KARP and ezrin. We speculate that such an interaction may not only anchor the A2bR to the plasma membrane but may also function to stabilize the receptor in a signaling complex in the plasma membrane.
A discontinuous enrichment method for variable‐coefficient advection–diffusion at high Péclet number

A discontinuous Galerkin method with Lagrange multipliers is presented for the solution of variable-coefficient advection–diffusion problems at high Peclet number. In this method, the standard finite element polynomial approximation is enriched within each element with free-space solutions of a local, constant-coefficient, homogeneous counterpart of the governing partial differential equation. Hence in the two-dimensional case, the enrichment functions are exponentials, each exhibiting a sharp gradient in a carefully chosen flow direction. The continuity of the enriched approximation across the element interfaces is enforced weakly by the aforementioned Lagrange multipliers. Numerical results obtained for two benchmark problems demonstrate that elements based on the proposed discretization method are far more competitive for variable-coefficient advection–diffusion analysis in the high Peclet number regime than their standard Galerkin and stabilized finite element comparables. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systemic Inflammation and the Dynamics of HDL Cholesterol–Associated Residual Cardiovascular Risk

Introduction: Randomized clinical trials of statin therapy demonstrate reduction in cardiovascular events when used for both primary and secondary prevention. However, residual vascular risk persists in many participants assigned to active statin treatment [1]. The lipid residual vascular risk in statintreated participants has been most consistently attributed to the association between low on-trial levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and increased cardiovascular events [2]. In the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS), low HDL cholesterol levels were associated with increased cardiovascular event rates when the HDL concentration was 100 mg/dL) [4]. Consistent with WOSCOPS, there was a threshold level of HDL cholesterol where cardiovascular risk was increased in TNT. Aims: This analysis of the Justification for the Use of statins in Primary prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER) trial examined the relationships between baseline and on-trial levels of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 and the composite primary endpoint of first non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, arterial revascularization, or cardiovascular death in both in placebo-treated and rosuvastatin-treated groups [5].
Instruments of Music, Instruments of Science: Hermann von Helmholtz's Musical Practices, his Classicism, and his Beethoven Sonata

Summary The young Hermann Helmholtz, in an 1838 letter home, declared that he always appreciated music much more when he played it for himself. Though a frequent concert-goer, and celebrated for his highly influential 1863 work on the physiological basis of music theory, Die Lehre von den Tonempfindungen, it is likely that Helmholtz's enduring engagement with music began with his initial, personal experience of playing music for himself. I develop this idea, shifting the discussion of Helmholtz's work on sound sensation back to its origins, and examine the role of his material interaction with musical instruments and music itself. In his sound sensation studies, Helmholtz understood sound as an external, physical object. But Helmholtz also conceived of sound in musical terms. Further, Helmholtz's particular musical tastes as well as his deeply personal interaction with musical instruments allowed him to reconcile his conception of sound as physical object with his conception of sound as music. Helmholtz's...
Abstract 2591: Global gene expression regulated by phenethyl isothiocyanate in human colon cancer SW480 cells.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a promising chemopreventive compound originated from cruciferous vegetables, is known to inhibit proliferation of colon cancer cells through inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Although exact mechanisms are unclear, it seems that PEITC may have multiple molecular targets and play multiple roles in a variety of events. Some of our recent studies indicate that a key mechanism of apoptosis induction by PEITC may be through covalent modification of its target proteins, such as tubulin. Numerous studies also reported that PEITC may induce apoptotic signals through gene transcriptional regulation. However, systematic studies on PEITC-induced gene expression profile, particularly in colon cancer cells, are rare. In this study, we examined overall gene expression profile of SW480 cells at different time points after PEITC treatment using cDNA microarray. Results showed that PEITC induced significant changes in expression of several apoptosis-related genes, such as BIM, DEDD2, GADD45B, HSPB8, SYK, PIK3C2A, CTNNB1, LGALS8, and NOXA. Furthermore, these changes were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction at transcript level and immunoblot at protein level. Considering significant roles of these genes in signaling transduction leading to downstream events, such as apoptosis, the findings of this study may shed lights on the molecular mechanisms by which PEITC exert its anti-carcinogenic effects. (Supported by NCI grant CA100853) Citation Format: Lixin Mi, Xiantao Wang, Xin Li, Fung-Lung Chung. Global gene expression regulated by phenethyl isothiocyanate in human colon cancer SW480 cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2591. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2591
Treatment expenditure pattern of epileptic patients: a study from a tertiary care hospital, kolkata, India.

Introduction. Neurological diseases are very important causes of prolonged morbidity and disability leading to profound financial loss. Epilepsy is one of the most important neurological disorders. It being a cost intensive disorder poses a significant economic burden to the country. Aims and Objectives. The study was conducted among the persons with epilepsy (PWE) to assess their expenditure pattern for epilepsy treatment and its rural urban difference. Materials and Methods. 315 PWE selected by systematic random sampling and their caregivers were interviewed with the predesigned, pretested semistructured proforma. Subsequently data were compiled and analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results and Conclusion. Majority of the study population were in the age group of 16–30 years. Majority belonged to classes IV and V of Prasad socioeconomic status scale. Average total expenditure per month for treatment of epilepsy was 219 INR, mainly contributed by drugs, travel, investigations, and so forth. Rural population was having higher treatment expenditure for epilepsy specially for travel and food and lodging in order to get epilepsy treatment. Wage loss in the last three months was present in 42.86% study subjects which was both affected by seizure episodes and travel for visits. Better district care would have helped in this situation.
Microtubule sliding in reduced-amplitude bending waves of Ciona sperm flagella: resolution of metachronous and synchronous sliding components of stable bending waves

Microtubule sliding associated with the bending of reactivated flagella of demembranated spermatozoa of the tunicate, Ciona, has been analyzed using a descriptive model that permits quantitation of metachronous and synchronous components of sliding. Reduced-amplitude bending waves, obtained by addition of increased salt (K acetate), lithium, or vanadate to the reactivation solutions, have been examined. Increased K acetate can decrease bend angle by as much as 70% with little change in frequency. In all cases, a decrease in the amplitude, or bend angle, of propagated bends is measured as a decrease in the metachronous component of sliding and is associated with a reduction in the growth of new bends after they begin to propagate during the second half-cycle of bend development. At higher K acetate concentrations, bend growth during the second half-cycle of bend development is very strongly reduced and may even become negative. A disparity between the rates of bend growth in the first and second half-cycles of bend development corresponds to a large amount of synchronous sliding in the distal portion of the flagellum. When the synchronous sliding component is large, the sliding velocity in a propagating bend decreases to near-0 values and may even reverse its direction as the bend propagates through the mid-region of the flagellum. Since these large perturbations of sliding velocity do not interfere with regular propagation of bends with nearly constant bend angle, the bend propagation mechanism cannot operate by metachronous control of the velocity of sliding, and is unlikely to operate by local monitoring of either the amount or velocity of sliding. These observations therefore argue against models in which active sliding is regulated by shear or sliding velocity, and make curvature-controlled models relatively more attractive. In many cases, a reduction in sliding during bend initiation (the first half-cycle of development of new bends) also contributes to the decreased amplitude of propagated bends. These changes in bend initiation are similar in both full-length flagella and in flagella shortened by breakage. The amount of sliding that occurs during bend initiation is relatively independent of the distribution of sliding between metachronous and synchronous components in the distal part of the flagellum. These observations therefore provide additional evidence that bend initiation and bend propagation are independent and separable processes.
Trace element evaluation of a suite of rocks from Reunion Island, Indian Ocean

Abstract Reunion Island consists of an olivine-basalt shield capped by a series of flows and intrusives ranging from hawaiite through trachyte. Eleven rocks representing the total compositional sequence have been analyzed for U, Th and REE. Eight of the rocks (group 1) have positive-slope, parallel, chondrite-normalized REE fractionation patterns. Using a computer model, the major element compositions of group 1 whole rocks and observed phenocrysts were used to predict the crystallization histories of increasingly residual liquids, and allowed semi-quantitative verification of origin by fractional crystallization of the olivine-basalt parent magma. Results were combined with mineral-liquid distribution coefficient data to predict trace element abundances, and existing data on Cr, Ni, Sr and Ba were also successfully incorporated in the model. The remaining three rocks (group 2) have nonuniform positive-slope REE fractionation patterns not parallel to group 1 patterns. Rare earth fractionation in a syenite is explained by partial melting of a source rich in clinopyroxene and/or hornblende. The other two rocks of group 2 are explained as hybrids resulting from mixing of syenite and magmas of group 1.
Indicators of attitude shift from role playing

Male business students (N = 296) participated in three role-playing experiments. Experi- ment 2 demonstrated that cognitive change can result from role playing under conditions where the supervisor who is giving the assignment to a subordinate actually believes in the goals of the program (p <.05). Experiment 3 indicated a behavioral change. Participants had a sig- nificantly (p <.05) higher tendency than controls to evaluate a female job applicant as acceptable for employment in a supervisory position.
RCS reduction of dielectric cylinders using the simulated annealing approach

A technique is presented for reducing the bistatic scattering of dielectric struts for radomes, modeled herein as infinite dielectric cylinders, that are illuminated by TMz plane waves. The reduction is achieved by loading the cylinders with perfectly conducting narrow strips oriented parallel to the cylinder axis, and the strip configurations are obtained iteratively by using the technique of simulated annealing. The technique is useful for systematically deriving strip configurations that reduce the radar cross section (RCS) simultaneously for different observation angles and/or frequencies. >
Crystal structures of Lys-63-linked tri- and di-ubiquitin reveal a highly extended chain architecture.

The covalent attachment of different types of poly-ubiquitin chains signal different outcomes for the proteins so targeted. For example, a protein modified with Lys-48-linked poly-ubiquitin chains is targeted for proteasomal degradation, whereas Lys-63-linked chains encode nondegradative signals. The structural features that enable these different types of chains to encode different signals have not yet been fully elucidated. We report here the X-ray crystal structures of Lys-63-linked tri- and di-ubiquitin at resolutions of 2.3 and 1.9 {angstrom}, respectively. The tri- and di-ubiquitin species adopt essentially identical structures. In both instances, the ubiquitin chain assumes a highly extended conformation with a left-handed helical twist; the helical chain contains four ubiquitin monomers per turn and has a repeat length of {approx}110 {angstrom}. Interestingly, Lys-48 ubiquitin chains also adopt a left-handed helical structure with a similar repeat length. However, the Lys-63 architecture is much more open than that of Lys-48 chains and exposes much more of the ubiquitin surface for potential recognition events. These new crystal structures are consistent with the results of solution studies of Lys-63 chain conformation, and reveal the structural basis for differential recognition of Lys-63 versus Lys-48 chains.
Factors associated with delays to emergency care for bowel obstruction.

Abstract Background Our objective was to determine factors associated with delays to first treatment for emergency department (ED) patients diagnosed with small-bowel obstruction (SBO). Methods This was a retrospective study of ED patients with SBO. Data were collected from medical records, administrative databases, and staffing schedules at an urban, tertiary care medical center from June 1, 2001, to November 30, 2002. Patient-related characteristics and processes of ED and hospital care were evaluated. Outcomes studied were time to first treatment (nasogastric tube or surgery) and risk of surgical resection. Results A total of 193 patients were diagnosed with confirmed intestinal obstruction. Patients with longer times to first treatment arrived during ED clinician hand-offs (adjusted hazard ratio, .40; 95% confidence interval, .17–.98). Patients with longer times to surgery consult (ref. first quartile) had greater odds of surgical resection (second quartile adjusted odds ratio, 6.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.85–24.80). Conclusions Remediable ED and hospital factors were associated with longer times to treatment for patients with bowel obstruction.
Soil Ammonium Diffusion Constraints Contribute to Large Differences in Nitrogen Supply to Rice in the Southern United States

This study was to determine if diffusion of soil ammonium may explain why many sandy soils have greater nitrogen (N)–supplying capacity to rice than clay soils. A laboratory procedure using transient-state methods measured the linear movement of soil ammonium (NH4) in tubes packed with five field soils under aerobic conditions. Ammonium diffusion was measured by sectioning tubes after 48 h of equilibration and then measuring NH4 by steam distillation. Effective diffusion coefficients, De, and NH4 diffusion distance, d, per day ranged from De = 4.6 × 10−5 cm2 d−1 and 1.5 cm d−1 for Katy sandy loam to De = 2.9 × 10−7 cm2 d−1 and 0.11 cm d−1 for League clay. Ammonium diffusion distance d was strongly related to soil clay content and hence was predicted by d = Y × {[100/(% clay)] − 1}, where Y is set to 0.1. Predicted d and measured d were highly related (R2 = 0.99).
Planar laser-fluorescence imaging of combustion gases

An overview is provided of the planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) method, which currently allows simultaneous combustion measurements at more than 105 flowfield points. Important advantages of the method include its relatively high signal strength, ease of interpretation, and applicability for determining several flowfield variables (including concentration, temperature, velocity, pressure and density). Example results are shown for a turbulent non-premixed flame, a spray flame, a rod-stabilized premixed flame, and a diffusion flame from a fuel jet in cross-flow.
Global Stability ofxn + 1 = A/xpn + 1/x1/pn − 1

We obtain a general global attractivity result for a difference equation of the formxn + 1 = f(xn, xn − 1),n = 0, 1,…, wheref(x, y) is strictly decreasing in both arguments. The result applies to the difference equationxn + 1 = A/xpn + 1/x1/pn − 1,n = 0, 1,…, wherex − 1, x0, A ∈ (0, ∞) andp > 1.
Explicit time integration of finite element models on a vectorized, concurrent computer with shared memory

The implementation of a nonlinear explicit program on a vectorized, concurrent computer with shared memory is described and studied. The conflict between vectorization and concurrency is described and some guidelines are given for optimal block sizes. Several example problems are summarized to illustrate the types of speed-ups which can be achieved by reprogramming as compared to compiler optimization.
Differential DNA Amplification and Copy Number Control in the Hypotrichous Ciliate Euplotes crassus

. During macronuclear development in hypotrichous ciliated protozoans, several thousand macronuclear DNA molecules are amplified several-hundred fold. We investigated the regulation of this amplification by determining the copy numbers of three different macronuclear DNA molecules in the hypotrichous ciliate Euplotes crassus. Two of the macronuclear DNA molecules were present in approximately 1,000 copies per cell, while the third was present in approximately 6,500 copies per cell. These reiteration levels were achieved either during macronuclear development, or shortly thereafter, and were maintained during vegetative growth. The most abundant macronuclear DNA molecule is present as a single-copy sequence in the micronuclear genome. Thus, its high copy number results from differential amplification. These results indicate that DNA amplification during macronuclear development is regulated individually for each macronuclear DNA molecule.
β-Adrenergic axis and heart disease

Beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) belong to a large family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that form the interface between the sympathetic nervous system and the cardiovascular system. The beta-AR signal system is one of the most powerful regulators of cardiac function, mediated by the effects of the sympathetic transmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine. In a number of cardiac diseases, however, the biology of beta-AR signaling pathways is altered dramatically. Here we discuss the role of beta-AR signaling in the normal and abnormal heart and how the use of genetically engineered mouse models has helped in our understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiac disease.
Stability of discontinuous Cauchy problems in Banach space

Abstract We present Lyapunov stability results, including Converse Theorems, for a class of discontinuous dynamical systems (DDS) determined by differential equations in Banach space or Cauchy problems on abstract spaces. We demonstrate the applicability of our results in the analysis of several important classes of DDS, including systems determined by functional differential equations, Volterra integro-differential equations and partial differential equations.
Human cytomegalovirus decreases constitutive transcription of MHC class II genes in mature Langerhans cells by reducing CIITA transcript levels.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) productively infects CD34+ progenitor-derived, mature Langerhans-type dendritic cells (matLC) and reduces surface expression of MHC class II complexes (MHC II) by increasing intracellular retention of these molecules. To determine whether HCMV also inhibits MHC II expression by other mechanisms, we assessed mRNA levels of the class II transcriptional regulator, CIITA, and several of its target genes in infected matLC. Levels of CIITA, HLA-DRA (DRA) and DRB transcripts, and new DR protein synthesis were compared in mock-infected and HCMV-infected cells by quantitative PCR and pulse-chase immunoprecipitation analyses, respectively. CIITA mRNA levels were significantly lower in HCMV-infected matLC as compared to mock-infected cells. When assessed in the presence of Actinomycin D, the stability of CIITA transcripts was not diminished by HCMV. Analysis of promoter-specific CIITA isoforms revealed that types I, III and IV all were decreased by HCMV, a result that differs from changes after incubation of these cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Exposure to UV-inactivated virus failed to reduce CIITA mRNA levels, implicating de novo viral gene expression in this effect. HCMV-infected matLC also expressed lower levels of DR transcripts and reduced DR protein synthesis rates compared to mock-infected matLC. In summary, we demonstrate that HCMV infection of a human dendritic cell subset inhibits constitutive CIITA expression, most likely at the transcriptional level, resulting in reduced MHC II biosynthesis. We suggest this represents a new mechanism of modulation of mature LC by HCMV.
Improved synthesis of epothilone B employing alkylation of an alkyne for assembly of subunits.

A strategy for assembling the two principal modules of epothilone B was developed that merges an allylic bromide with a terminal acetylene to fabricate the C10−C11 bond of the macrocycle. The resul...
The behavior of the basement membrane of skin and oral lesions in patients with lichen planus, erythema multiforme, lupus erythematosus, pemphigus vulgaris, benign mucous membrane pemphigoid, and epidermolysis bullosa.

Abstract The behavior of the basement membrane in diseases of the skin and oral mucosa has been discussed. These diseases are lichen planus, erythema multiforme, lupus crythematosus, pemphigus vulgaris, benign mucous membrane pemphigoid, and epidermolysis bullosa simplex. The basement membrane has been evaluated by light microscopy using the PAS and silver stain techniques. While the number of lesions in four of the diseases is small, this study illustrates the value of silver stains for studying the basement membrane in patients with skin and mucous membrane diseases.
Accident animation: complexity of integrating accident scene data from multiple sources, and the value of these animations in promoting and improving transportation safety

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent agency charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents and promoting transportation safety. Improving the safety of the nation's transportation system requires prompt, thorough, and valid investigations of accidents, incidents, and other anomalies in order to identify issues and recommend improvements. A large volume of highly complex and diverse data frequently obscures the relationship between vehicle performance, human operator inputs, and the traffic system. Investigators must integrate these data to understand causes and contributing factors and then explain these facts to policy makers and the public to promote the actions needed to improve transportation safety. The NTSB often integrates accident data into three-dimensional animations to reconstruct and illustrate accident sequences to better explain accident events, the probable cause, and the safety issues. This paper examines the various types of accident data sources and how they are processed and integrated into animations using an aviation accident and a marine accident as examples.
Pretreatment with GABA and modulatory ligands enhances GABA receptor binding

GABA pretreatment at 37 ° C but not at 4 ° C enhanced subsequent [3H]GABA binding in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 440 nM) by increasing the number of high and low affinity sites. The effect mediated by GABAA receptors was attenuated by bicuculline methiodide and picrotoxinin and potentiated by pentobarbial, flurazepam and Triton X-100. These results can be interpreted by the facilitated removal of endogenous substances and/or by a temperature-restricted conversion of the GABA receptor populations.
Mortality trends observed in population-based surveillance of an urban slum settlement, Kibera, Kenya, 2007-2010.

Background We used population based infectious disease surveillance to characterize mortality rates in residents of an urban slum in Kenya. Methods We analyzed biweekly household visit data collected two weeks before death for 749 cases who died during January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010. We also selected controls matched by age, gender and having a biweekly household visit within two weeks before death of the corresponding case and compared the symptoms reported. Results The overall mortality rate was 6.3 per 1,000 person years of observation (PYO) (females: 5.7; males: 6.8). Infant mortality rate was 50.2 per 1000 PYOs, and it was 15.1 per 1,000 PYOs for children <5 years old. Poisson regression indicates a significant decrease over time in overall mortality from (6.0 in 2007 to 4.0 in 2010 per 1000 PYOs; p<0.05) in persons ≥5 years old. This decrease was predominant in females (7.8 to 5.7 per 1000 PYOs; p<0.05). Two weeks before death, significantly higher prevalence for cough (OR = 4.7 [95% CI: 3.7–5.9]), fever (OR = 8.1 [95% CI: 6.1–10.7]), and diarrhea (OR = 9.1 [95% CI: 6.4–13.2]) were reported among participants who died (cases) when compared to participants who did not die (controls). Diarrhea followed by fever were independently associated with deaths (OR = 14.4 [95% CI: 7.1–29.2]), and (OR = 11.4 [95% CI: 6.7–19.4]) respectively. Conclusions Despite accessible health care, mortality rates are high among people living in this urban slum; infectious disease syndromes appear to be linked to a substantial proportion of deaths. Rapid urbanization poses an increasing challenge in national efforts to improve health outcomes, including reducing childhood mortality rates. Targeting impoverished people in urban slums with effective interventions such as water and sanitation interventions are needed to achieve national objectives for health.
On the Reality and Causal Efficacy of Familiar Objects

What caused the event we report by saying “the window shattered”? Was it the baseball, which crashed into the window? Causal exclusionists say: many, many microparticles collectively caused that event—microparticles located where common sense supposes the baseball was. Unitary large objects such as baseballs cause nothing; indeed, by Alexander’s dictum, there are no such objects. This paper argues that the false claim about causal efficacy is instead the one that attributes it to the many microparticles. Causation obtains just where there is an “invariance”, a true generalization to the effect that had things been different with the putative cause, things would have been correspondingly different with the putative effect. But “correspondingly” here requires a rough metric. There must be a fact as to which alternative group events, involving many microparticles, would have departed less from the putative cause of the shattering, and which would have departed more. Surprisingly, there is no such fact.
Development of grasslands and savannas in East Africa during the Neogene

Abstract The development of savanna-type grasslands is a relatively recent phenomena in East Africa. The stable carbon isotopic composition of paleosol carbonates from fossil localities in East Africa show that C 4 vegetation was present by amout 8–9 Ma but made up only a relatively small proportion of the total biomass. Although the proportion of C 4 vegetation increased in the Pliocene and Pleistocene there is no evidence for the development of virtually pure C 4 grasslands, as is characterized by tropical grasslands today, until Middle Pleistocene times. This has important implications concerning the evolution of mammals in Africa, including hominids.
Natural history of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms.

Abstract Background . A review of 165 patients with chronic dissecting and degenerative aneurysms of the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta initially managed nonoperatively was carried out to ascertain factors associated with a high risk of rupture. Methods . Changes in the aneurysms were followed with three-dimensional reconstructions of computed tomograph scans. Risk factors were compared in patients with dissecting and nondissecting aneurysms who experienced rupture, in whom operation was recommended during the course of follow-up, and in those without rupture or operation. Results . Nondimensional variables associated with an enhanced risk of rupture include age, the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even uncharacteristic continued pain. Patients with rupture of dissections had significantly higher blood pressures than survivors, and significantly smaller maximal descending thoracic aortic diameters (median 5.4 cm) than patients with rupture of degenerative aneurysms (median 5.8 cm). The extent of the aneurysm, as reflected by the maximal abdominal aortic diameter, was a significant risk factor for rupture only in nondissecting aneurysms. Mortality from rupture was significantly higher in patients with chronic dissections than in patients with nondissecting aneurysms: 9/10 vs 26/34 ( p = 0.004). Conclusions . Almost 20% of patients followed nonoperatively succumbed to rupture, suggesting that a more aggressive surgical approach toward patients with chronic aneurysms of the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta is warranted. An individualized risk of rupture within 1 year can now be calculated, and patients whose operative risk is lower than their calculated risk should be offered elective surgery.
Characterization of the Frequency and Muscle Response in the Lumbar and Thoracic Spines During Sinusoidal Vertical Whole Body Vibration

Vibration exposure has been linked to chronic neck and lower back pain [1,2]. For example, American male workers operating vibrating vehicles, such as industrial trucks and tractors, have been reported to have a higher prevalence of low back pain than workers whose occupations do not involve vibration exposures [1]. Also, military helicopter aviators report increased pain during deployment compared to pre-deployment, with between 22–37% reporting neck and 39–70% reporting low back pain [2]. It has been suggested that the cyclic muscle response to whole body vibration (WBV) can lead to muscle fatigue, further contributing to the development of low back pain [3]. Although several studies have measured the transmissibility response of the human spine [4,5], studies defining the mechanical effects of whole body vibration in a seated human are limited [4,5] and none have investigated the relationship between the biomechanical and muscle activity responses during such whole body vibration exposures.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Developmental Changes in Hippocampal Associative Coding

Behavioral analyses of the ontogeny of memory have shown that hippocampus-dependent learning emerges relatively late in postnatal development compared with simple associative learning. Maturation of hippocampal mnemonic mechanisms has been hypothesized to underlie the development of the later emerging learning processes. However, the role of hippocampal maturation in learning has not been examined directly. The goal of the present study was to examine developmental changes in hippocampal neuronal coding during acquisition of a hippocampus-dependent learning task. We recorded activity from CA1 pyramidal cells in rat pups while they were trained on trace eyeblink conditioning. Trace eyeblink conditioning is a Pavlovian conditioning task that involves the association of a conditioned stimulus (CS) with an unconditioned stimulus over a stimulus-free trace interval. The inclusion of the trace interval is what makes the task hippocampus dependent. In the present study, rats were trained at 21–23, 24–26, and 31–33 d of age. Previous research from our laboratory and others shows that trace conditioning begins to emerge during the third postnatal week. The results indicate that hippocampal neurons show a substantial increase in responsiveness to task-relevant events during development. Moreover, there is an age-related increase in the proportion of neurons that respond to a combination of trial events (e.g., CS and trace). Our findings indicate that the developmental emergence of hippocampally mediated learning is related to increases in the strength and complexity of CA1 associative coding.
Theories with an additive gauge group

This paper investigates the structure of theories that obtain from variational statements that are invariant under the action of a gauge group. Partial differential equations are obtained for the gauge group and for the infinitesimal generators of the gauge group. These are used to derive partial differential equations whose solutions give Lagrangian functions that result in action functionals that are strongly invariant under the gauge group. Properties of the Euler equations for such theories are analyzed, where it is shown that it is always possible to add a gauge condition to such theories when the data is of Neumann type. The results are illustrated by theories for the interaction of a vector 4-potential with a finite number of matter fields. The current and the charge-current potentials are shown to be determined from knowledge of the Lagrangian function and of the infinitesimal generators of the gauge transformations of the matter fields.
Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Cyclohexane in a Single-Gauze Reactor

Cyclohexane oxidation in a single-gauze reactor can produce ∼85% selectivity to olefins and oxygenates at 25% cyclohexane conversion and 100% oxygen conversion, with cyclohexene and 5-hexenal as the dominant products. Experiments are performed with a 90% platinum–10% rhodium single gauze (∼90-μm wire diameter) at cyclohexane/oxygen (C6H12/O2) molar ratios of 0.4 to 5.0, flow rates of 1 to 3 standard liters per minute, preheat temperatures of 100 to 300°C, N2 dilution from 5% to the air composition, and pressures of 1.2 to 2 atm. The cyclohexane/oxygen ratio is the most important variable for operation of the single-gauze reactor because temperatures, reactant conversions, and product selectivities all change significantly as C6H12/O2 is varied. Low dilution favors olefin production while high dilution suppresses the homogeneous reactions necessary for oxygenate formation. Oxygenates are also favored by high flow rates and low inlet temperatures. Higher reactor pressures (up to 2 atm) increase the yield of cyclohexene and 5-hexenal and allow complete oxygen conversion. Cyclohexanone can be produced with 5% selectivity at C6H12/O2 ≈ 4. Reaction pathways for cyclohexane partial oxidation are hypothesized, and the products are consistent with the proposed surface-assisted gas-phase sequences.
Conditioned suppression on a fixed interval schedule of reinforcement

The key-pecking behavior of two pigeons was maintained on a 2-min fixed-interval schedule of reinforcement. The interval was divided into four 30-sec periods, and an Estes-Skinner conditioned-suppression procedure was superimposed on the second, third, and fourth 30-sec periods of the fixed interval. Suppression was obtained during the second 30-sec interval, but a complete loss of suppression was obtained when the CS was presented during the last 30-sec period prior to a reinforcement. The results serve to complete the generalization that the severity of conditioned suppression on fixed schedules of reinforcement is determined in part by the temporal relationship between the CS onset and the presentation of a reinforcement.
Free energy determinations by solid galvanic cell measurements for selected metal, metal-fluoride reactions

Abstract Free energies for displacement reactions involving metals and their fluorides have been measured at various temperatures by the solid electrolyte galvanic cell technique. The results are presented in the form of cell e.m.f. vs . temperature equations. By combining these results with data from the literature, standard free energies of formation data for the fluorides studied have also been calculated and tabulated for use in conventional thermodynamic calculations.
Recovery of the parameters of cancellous bone by inversion of effective velocities, and transmission and reflection coefficients

Estimating the parameters of an elastic or poroelastic medium from reflected or transmitted acoustic data is an important but difficult problem. Use of the Nelder–Mead simplex method to minimize an objective function measuring the discrepancy between some observable and its value calculated from a model for a trial set of parameters has been tried by several authors. In this paper, the difficulty with this direct approach, which is the existence of numerous local minima of the objective function, is documented for the in vitro experiment in which a specimen in a water tank is subject to an ultrasonic pulse. An indirect approach, based on the numerical solution of the equations for a set of ‘effective’ velocities and transmission coefficients, is then observed empirically to ameliorate the difficulties posed by the direct approach.
Words, Deeds and Lies: Strategic Behaviour in Games with Multiple Signals

We report the results of an experiment in which subjects play games against changing opponents. In one treatment, “senders” send “receivers” messages indicating intended actions in that round, and receivers observe senders’ previous-round actions (when matched with another receiver). In another treatment, the receiver additionally observes the sender’s previous-round message to the previous opponent, enabling him to determine whether the sender had lied. We find that allowing multiple signals leads to better outcomes when signals are aligned (all pointing to the same action), but worse outcomes when signals are crossed. Also, senders’ signals tend to be truthful, though the degree of truthfulness depends on the game and treatment, and receivers’ behaviour combines elements of pay-off maximization and reciprocity.
Dissociation of morphine-induced potentiation of turning and striatal dopamine release by amphetamine in the nigrally-lesioned rat

Morphine has been reported to increase extracellular levels of dopamine in the brain of intact rats and to potentiate turning induced by amphetamine in nigrally-lesioned rats. The present study tested the hypothesis that there is a causal relationship between these two effects of morphine. We tested morphine alone, amphetamine alone, and the combination in separate groups of nigrally-lesioned rats for effects on turning and, by microdialysis, on extracellular dopamine levels. Morphine (3.0 or 10 mg/kg) did not produce significant turning but amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) did. The lower dose, but not the higher dose, of morphine potentiated amphetamine-induced turning. Amphetamine, but not morphine, produced increases in extracellular dopamine levels. In contrast to what occurred with turning, 10 mg/kg but not 3.0 mg/kg morphine potentiated amphetamine-induced increases in extracellular dopamine levels. These results show that the potentiation of amphetamine-induced turning by morphine in nigrally-lesioned rats is not due to the potentiation of dopamine release in the intact striatum.
Articulation problems and ability to store and process stimuli.

Twelve children with nonorganic articulation problems were matched in age, sex, and intelligence with 12 normal-speaking control children. Each subject’s recall of Single-, Sequential-, and Simulta...
A hand speed-duty cycle equation for estimating the ACGIH hand activity level rating.

An equation was developed for estimating hand activity level (HAL) directly from tracked root mean square (RMS) hand speed (S) and duty cycle (D). Table lookup, equation or marker-less video tracking can estimate HAL from motion/exertion frequency (F) and D. Since automatically estimating F is sometimes complex, HAL may be more readily assessed using S. Hands from 33 videos originally used for the HAL rating were tracked to estimate S, scaled relative to hand breadth (HB), and single-frame analysis was used to measure D. Since HBs were unknown, a Monte Carlo method was employed for iteratively estimating the regression coefficients from US Army anthropometry survey data. The equation: , R2 = 0.97, had a residual range ± 0.5 HAL. The S equation superiorly fits the Latko et al. (1997) data and predicted independently observed HAL values (Harris 2011) better (MSE = 0.16) than the F equation (MSE = 1.28).
Lineage Commitments: Emphasis On Embryonic-Extraembryonic Interfaces.

The EMBO Workshop on ‘Lineage Commitments: Emphasis on Embryonic–Extraembryonic Interfaces', held in May 2011, demonstrated that embryonic and extraembryonic tissues play early and significant interacting roles that mutually promote each other's further and correct deployment within the mammalian conceptus.
Proteolytic Processing of Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein Mediates Regulated Release of Its Intracellular Domain *

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein (LRP) is a multifunctional cell surface receptor that interacts through its cytoplasmic tail with adaptor and scaffold proteins that participate in cellular signaling. Its extracellular domain, like that of the signaling receptor Notch and of amyloid precursor protein (APP), is proteolytically processed at multiple positions. This similarity led us to investigate whether LRP, like APP and Notch, might also be cleaved at a third, intramembranous or cytoplasmic site, resulting in the release of its intracellular domain. Using independent experimental approaches we demonstrate that the cytoplasmic domain is released by a γ-secretase-like activity and that this event is modulated by protein kinase C. Furthermore, cytoplasmic adaptor proteins that bind to the LRP tail affect the subcellular localization of the free intracellular domain and may regulate putative signaling functions. Finally, we show that the degradation of the free tail fragment is mediated by the proteasome. These findings suggest a novel role for the intracellular domain of LRP that may involve the subcellular translocation of preassembled signaling complexes from the plasma membrane.
Preliminary Experience with Nonthoracotomy Implantahle Cardioverter Defihrillators in Young Patients

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators represent an important treatment option for patients with life-threatening tachyarrhythmias. However, the requirement for surgical access to the thorax contributes to significant procedural morbidity with ICD implantation. This study was performed to assess an initial experience with a nonthoracotomy approach to ICD lead implantation in young patients. An international survey identified 17 patients, ranging in age from 12-20 years (mean = 16.7 +/- 2.4) and weighing from 33-89 kg (mean = 60.6 +/- 13.3), who had undergone placement of the Medtronic Transvene defibrillator lead system. Implant indications were aborted sudden cardiac death in 15 patients and recurrent ventricular tachycardia or familial sudden death in 2 patients. At a median follow-up of 7.9 months, 9 of 17 patients had received at least one ICD therapy. There have been no deaths. Complications included patch or generator erosion (3 patients), lead dislodgement (1 patient), and ICD system infection requiring explanation (1 patient). The initial experience with nonthoracotomy ICDs in young patients appears promising. This approach may be particularly advantageous for patients who have undergone prior thoracotomy. Prospective clinical trials will be required to establish the applicability of these lead systems to select patient populations.
Differential effect of inhibitors of oligosaccharide processing on the secretion of thyrotropin from dispersed rodent pituitary cells.

Summary We examined the effect of various inhibitors of oligosaccharide processing on the content and secretion of newly synthesized thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from dispersed hypothyroid rodent pituitary cells. 1-deoxynojirimycin and N-methyl-1-deoxynojirimycin, both inhibitors of glucosidases I and II, decreased intracellular TSH (to 60–76% of control) and secreted TSH (to 60–63 % of control) after a 1-hour incubation (pulse) with [35S]methionine and an 8-hour incubation (chase) in isotope-free media. In contrast, deoxymannojirimycin and swainsonine, inhibitors of mannosidase I and II, respectively, increased both intracellular TSH (to 267–309% of control) and secreted TSH (to 192% of control) at 8 hours. TSH oligosaccharides synthesized in the presence of these glucosidase and mannosidase inhibitors were largely sensitive to endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (endo H), confirming inhibition of processing. Despite differences in oligosaccharide structure, the in vitro bioactivities of these secreted TSH isoforms were nearly identical. These data confirm and extend previous work performed with 1-deoxynojirimycin suggesting that glucosylated high mannose forms of TSH are more susceptible to intracellular degradation. The novel finding that deoxymannojirimycin and swainsonine increase secreted and total TSH above control levels suggests that non-glucosylated high mannose forms as well as hybrid-type oligosaccharides may facilitate secretion and direct TSH away from a natural degradation pathway.