cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reversible physiological alterations in sympathetic neurons deprived of NGF but protected from apoptosis by caspase inhibition or Bax deletion.

Abstract Cell death in nervous system development and in many neurodegenerative diseases appears to be apoptotic or programmed. Withdrawal of nerve growth factor (NGF) from cultures of superior cervical ganglia neurons (SCG) is an excellent model of programmed cell death (PCD), producing apoptosis within 24–48 h. This death can be prevented by treatment with caspase inhibitors or deletion of the proapoptotic Bax gene. Since inhibition of apoptosis is an attractive strategy for the therapy of many neurological diseases and little is known about the function of neurons when apoptosis has been aborted, we examined the electrophysiological properties of NGF-deprived SCG neurons from rats and mice, saved by the caspase inhibitor boc-aspartyl(OMe)fluoromethyl ketone (BAF) or by Bax deletion. Compared to NGF-maintained controls, the resting membrane potentials of BAF-saved neurons were depolarized by 9 mV and the action potentials were prolonged by over 50%. Nicotinic cholinergic current density was depressed by about 50%. Electrophysiological parameters returned to normal within 4 days after NGF restoration. Neurons from Bax-deficient mice were altered differently by NGF withdrawal. There were no detectable changes in resting or action potentials. However, nicotinic current density was reduced just as in BAF-saved rat neurons. There were no observable changes in the processes of individual neurons after 6 days of NGF deprivation in the presence of BAF. Our results indicate that neurons are physiologically altered during pharmacological inhibition of PCD, but fully recover after trophic support is returned.
Dual Action of TGF‐β1 on Nasal‐Polyp Derived Fibroblasts

OBJECTIVES Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) is a known fibrogenic factor with immunosuppressive properties. We wanted to determine the effect of stimulation with TGF-beta1 on nasal polyp-derived fibroblasts and assess the role this molecule would have in polyp formation and growth. STUDY DESIGN Nasal-polyp derived fibroblasts were cultured with or without TGF-beta1, and proliferation and cytokine secretion were measured. METHODS Fibroblasts were isolated from nasal polyps following endoscopic surgery. Cells were plated and grown until confluent, after which they were split and used in assays. Cells were stimulated with TGF- beta1 and mRNA collected after 16 hours, supernatants after 72 hours, and proliferation measured after 96 hours of culture. RESULTS TGF-beta1 significantly (P < .02) increased proliferation of nasal-polyp derived fibroblasts. We examined the expression of inflammatory cytokines and found that TGF-beta1 decreased expression of CCL2 (MCP-1), CCL5 (RANTES), CCL11 (eotaxin), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and GM-CSF (P < .05). In contrast, incubation with TGF-beta1 increased fibronectin, procollagen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and TGF-beta2 protein production (P < .05). For select samples, we confirmed that the increased protein production was due to increased mRNA expression. CONCLUSION These studies suggest that TGF-beta1 expression in polyp tissue can have dual effects. One role is to act as an anti-inflammatory agent shown by the ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory mRNA and protein production. At the same time, TGF-beta1 expression leads to increases in factors involved in fibrosis and angiogenesis, promoting remodeling and cell growth.
Performance Optimizations and Bounds for Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiply

We consider performance tuning, by code and data structure reorganization, of sparse matrix-vector multiply (SpM × V), one of the most important computational kernels in scientific applications. This paper addresses the fundamental questions of what limits exist on such performance tuning, and how closely tuned code approaches these limits.Specifically, we develop upper and lower bounds on the performance (Mflop/s) of SpM × V when tuned using our previously proposed register blocking optimization. These bounds are based on the non-zero pattern in the matrix and the cost of basic memory operations, such as cache hits and misses. We evaluate our tuned implementations with respect to these bounds using hardware counter data on 4 different platforms and on a test set of 44 sparse matrices. We find that we can often get within 20% of the upper bound, particularly on a class of matrices from finite element modeling (FEM) problems; on non-FEM matrices, performance improvements of 2× are still possible. Lastly, we present a new heuristic that selects optimal or near-optimal register block sizes (the key tuning parameters) more accurately than our previous heuristic. Using the new heuristic, we show improvements in SpM × V performance (Mflop/s) by as much as 2.5× over an untuned implementation.Collectively, our results suggest that future performance improvements, beyond those that we have already demonstrated for SpM × V, will come from two sources: (1) consideration of higher-level matrix structures (e.g., exploiting symmetry, matrix reordering, multiple register block sizes), and (2) optimizing kernels with more opportunity for data reuse (e.g., sparse matrix-multiple vector multiply, multiplication of ATA by a vector).
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Amish and Non-Amish Residents of Ohio Appalachia

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among many rural residents but little is known about its use among the Amish. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CAM therapy use among an Amish community and compare it to a rural non-Amish population. Data were taken from a cancer-related lifestyle cross-sectional individual interview survey conducted among Amish and non-Amish residents of Ohio Appalachia. Amish adults (62 males, 72 females) were compared to non-Amish adults (64 males, 90 females) in terms of CAM therapy use and utilization of mainstream healthcare services. Prior use of any CAM therapy was highly prevalent among both Amish (males: 98%, female: 100%) and non-Amish (males: 89%, females: 98%) participants. CAM therapies for which the prevalence was significantly higher among Amish participants for both genders included chiropractic therapy (males: 84% vs. 61%, p=0.005; females: 90% vs. 57%, p<0.001) and reflexology (males: 35% vs. 5%, p<0.001; females: 53% vs. 13%, p<0.001). Few differences in the use of mainstream healthcare services were found between Amish and non-Amish participants. While CAM therapy use was widespread among both Amish and non-Amish participants, the Amish generally reported higher levels of prior use. These findings underscore the importance of physicians and nurses collecting information on CAM therapies when treating patients in this region, particularly Amish patients.
Acetylcholine Receptor Gating at Extracellular Transmembrane Domain Interface: the Cys-Loop and M2–M3 Linker

Acetylcholine receptor channel gating is a propagated conformational cascade that links changes in structure and function at the transmitter binding sites in the extracellular domain (ECD) with those at a “gate” in the transmembrane domain (TMD). We used Φ-value analysis to probe the relative timing of the gating motions of α-subunit residues located near the ECD–TMD interface. Mutation of four of the seven amino acids in the M2–M3 linker (which connects the pore-lining M2 helix with the M3 helix), including three of the four residues in the core of the linker, changed the diliganded gating equilibrium constant (Keq) by up to 10,000-fold (P272 > I274 > A270 > G275). The average Φ-value for the whole linker was ∼0.64. One interpretation of this result is that the gating motions of the M2–M3 linker are approximately synchronous with those of much of M2 (∼0.64), but occur after those of the transmitter binding site region (∼0.93) and loops 2 and 7 (∼0.77). We also examined mutants of six cys-loop residues (V132, T133, H134, F135, P136, and F137). Mutation of V132, H134, and F135 changed Keq by 2800-, 10-, and 18-fold, respectively, and with an average Φ-value of 0.74, similar to those of other cys-loop residues. Even though V132 and I274 are close, the energetic coupling between I and V mutants of these positions was small (≤0.51 kcal mol−1). The M2–M3 linker appears to be the key moving part that couples gating motions at the base of the ECD with those in TMD. These interactions are distributed along an ∼16-A border and involve about a dozen residues.
HOMEWORK FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES: THE CHALLENGE OF HOMESCHOOL COMMUNICATION

In this article, we discuss efforts leading to changes in homework policies and practices, the problems experienced by students with disabilities, and how schools have attempted to address these issues. We then focus on homeschool communication patterns as a key variable in improving the homework performance of students with disabilities. The findings of several studies that establish the importance of investigating the perspectives of parents of children with and without disabilities are reviewed.
What Introductory Psychology Students Attend to on a Course Syllabus

Before receiving their introductory psychology syllabus, and again at the end of the semester, 863 students rated how much they would attend to 29 syllabus items. Dates of exams and assignments received the highest initial ratings; course information, withdrawal dates, and titles and authors of readings received the lowest. First-semester students attended more than continuing students to prerequisites, location of materials, holidays, support services, and late assignment and academic dishonesty policies and less to types of tests and assignments. Nontraditional students attended more to course goals, titles and authors of readings, and type of assignments than did traditional students and less to holidays and late assignment and academic dishonesty policies. Across all students, ratings of 18 items changed significantly over time (15 getting less attention). Instructors need to adopt strategies to focus attention on information to which students pay relatively little attention but that is critical for s...
Hot gas in clusters of galaxies.

The idea that gas may be present in clusters of galaxies originated with the missing mass problem--the observation that galaxies in clusters were moving so fast that the inferred galaxy masses (using conventional mass to light ratios for the galaxies) were not enough to hold them together caused astronomers to speculate that the “missing mass” was in the form of gas. Subsequent observations in the 21 cm and La lines as well as radio, optical and x-ray continuum observations have effectively ruled out this possibility in a large number of clusters. However, there is evidence for the presence of gas in smaller quantities in many clusters.
Assimilating QuikSCAT Ocean Surface Winds with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model for Surface Wind-Field Simulation over the Chukchi/Beaufort Seas

To achieve a high-quality simulation of the surface wind field in the Chukchi/Beaufort Sea region, quick scatterometer (QuikSCAT) ocean surface winds were assimilated into the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting model by using its three-dimensional variational data assimilation system. The SeaWinds instrument on board the polar-orbiting QuikSCAT satellite is a specialized radar that measures ice-free ocean surface wind speed and direction at a horizontal resolution of 12.5 km. A total of eight assimilation case studies over two five-day periods, 1–5 October 2002 and 20–24 September 2004, were performed. The simulation results with and without the assimilation of QuikSCAT winds were then compared with QuikSCAT data available during the subsequent free-forecast period, coastal station observations, and North American Regional Reanalysis data. It was found that QuikSCAT winds are a potentially valuable resource for improving the simulation of ocean near-surface winds in the Chukchi/Beaufort Seas region. Specifically, the assimilation of QuikSCAT winds improved, (1) offshore surface winds as compared to unassimilated QuikSCAT winds, (2) sea-level pressure, planetary boundary-layer height, as well as surface heat fluxes, and (3) low-level wind fields and geopotential height. Verification against QuikSCAT data also demonstrated the temporal consistency and good quality of QuikSCAT observations.
Infrared-Transmitting Glasses in the System K2O-Sb2O3-Sb2S3

Glasses were discovered in the system K2O-Sb2O3b3 Raw materials used in the preparation of these glasses were potassium pyroantimonate, potassium hydroxide, potassium nitrate, antimony oxide, and antimony trisulfide. Details of the methods of preparing the glasses and the compositions investigated are given. A glass, prepared by melting a mixture of potassium pyroantimonate and antimony trisulfide in air, was investigated in some detail. It was found to have an average infrared transmission of 42% in the range 2 to 7 μ. The glass annealed at about 150°C. and softened at about 230°C. Its coefficient of linear thermal expansion, in the range 240° to 200°C., was 20 × 10−6 per °C. The glass had a specific gravity of 3.94, a modulus of elasticity of about 5 × 106lb. per sq. in., a Knoop hardness of about 135, and was highly resistant to attack by atmospheric moisture.
Liquid—vapor equilibrium in the system H2Ar at temperatures from 83 to 141 K and pressures to 52 MPa

Abstract Calado, J.C.G. and Streett, W.B., 1979. Liquid—vapor equilibrium in the system H 2 Ar at temperatures from 83 to 141 K and pressures to 52 MPa. Fluid Phase Equilibria , 2: 275–282. Experimental measurements of liquid—vapor phase equilibria in the system H 2 Ar are reported for thirteen temperatures in the range 83.09 to 141.42 K, and pressures to 52 MPa. The mixture critical line and the pressure—temperature trace of the three-phase line solid—liquid—gas have been located. These lines intersect at T = 84.0 K and P = 52.5 MPa to form an upper critical end point. The pressure—temperature trace of the three-phase line has a temperature minimum at T ⋍ 82.5 K, P ⋍ 20 MPa.
Comparative antimicrobial activities of the penem WY-49605 (SUN5555) against recent clinical isolates from five U.S. medical centers.

The in vitro activity of WY-49605 (SUN5555) (WY) was compared with those of cefaclor, cefixime, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid against 2,958 consecutive clinical isolates from five medical centers and 402 respiratory pathogens from 18 other facilities. Most members of the family Enterobacteriaceae were inhibited by WY (MIC at which 50% of the isolates are inhibited [MIC50], or = 8.0 micrograms/ml were observed for Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia spp., and Proteus mirabilis. WY was the most active drug against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90, 0.12 microgram/ml) and other coagulase-negative staphylococci (MIC90, 4.0 micrograms/ml). The four drugs were not active against nonenteric gram-negative bacilli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. At 2.0 micrograms/ml, WY inhibited 82% of Enterococcus faecalis strains and was equal to or superior to the other drugs against streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.
Reflective essays in software engineering

Software engineering education has evolved over the past ten years as understanding of the issues related to the practice of developing software systems has increased. A part of that evolution is an increased appreciation that learning software development requires more than participating in a design project. The design project provides a context in which the social and technical aspects of software engineering can become visible, but students often fail to learn the intended lessons. The authors, like other academics, believe that active reflection on experiences during these activities promotes the acquisition of more meaningful and persistent learning. They further believe that writing can and should play a critical role in promoting that reflective learning when the writing assignments require students to explore connections that arise during project activity. This will occur, however, only if the learning environment supports students in the construction and management of the writing activity, and supports faculty in providing the necessary feedback to students regarding their ideas. In this paper, the authors describe how their incorporation of writing activities in software project courses has evolved over the past five years, and a formative evaluation of their current efforts in software engineering.
DEMONSTRATION OF MICROTUBULE-LIKE STRUCTURES FORMED WITH (−)-RHAZINILAM FROM PURIFIED TUBULIN OUTSIDE OF CELLS AND A SIMPLE TUBULIN-BASED ASSAY FOR EVALUATION OF ANALOG ACTIVITY

Abstract (−)-Rhazinilam was spontaneously generated from a natural product during isolation. In cultured cells, it causes microtubule bundle formation, like those caused by paclitaxel. With tubulin, (−)-rhazinilam causes formation of an aberrant spiral polymer. Using glutamate and GTP, we developed an assay for spiral formation and applied it to 17 new (±)-rhazinilam analogs with either a modified side chain or a different size D ring. There was reasonable correlation between spiral formation and inhibition of human MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell growth. Only one side chain analog was as active as (±)-rhazinilam. During these studies, we observed that omitting GTP from the reaction mixture caused a major change in the morphology of the (−)-rhazinilam-induced polymer, with half the observed polymer being microtubule-like and half being spirals. This mixed polymer slowly disassembled at 0 °C, but there was no apparent difference in the lability of the microtubules versus the spirals.
Effect of Art Production on Negative Mood: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Art therapists have long held that art production causes reductions in stress and elevations in mood (Rubin, 1999). The authors examined this claim in a randomized, controlled trial. Fifty adults between the ages of 18 and 30 were randomly assigned to either create an art work or to view and sort a series of art prints. Three measures of overall negative mood and of anxiety were collected before and after each intervention. Two-way ANOVAs (Group by Time) demonstrated significantly greater reductions in negative mood and anxiety in the art production group compared with the art viewing control group on all three measures (all p-values <.005). These results demonstrate that the simple act of creating a work of art can produce dramatic reductions in negative mood and that these reductions can be attributed specifically to the production of art rather than to its viewing.
Association of Masseter Muscle Activities during Awake and Sleep Periods with Self-Reported Anxiety, Depression, and Somatic Symptoms.

Aim and background: The objective of this study was to determine if duty factors (DF) of low-magnitude MMA during awake and sleep periods were associated with self-reports of anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms, and if so, whether or not any associations were modified by gender or the presence of pain. Limited information is currently available in the literature regarding the association of low-magnitude masseter muscle activities (MMA) in habitual environmental settings and the presence of psychological symptoms. Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight consenting participants were classified using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders examination and validated self-reporting psychological symptom evaluation questionnaires. Each subject also had masseter electromyography recordings during standardized biting tasks in 2 laboratory sessions to calibrate the in-field MMA collected during 3 awake and 3 sleep periods. Results: During awake periods, subjects with self-reported depression and somatic symptoms had statistically high odds of having higher DF of low- magnitude MMA (defined by ≥ 75th percentile of sample). The association between high DF of low-magnitude MMA and self-reported depression symptoms was significantly augmented among male participants, whereas, the association between high DF of low-magnitude MMA and self-reported somatic symptoms was significantly increased among female participants without pain.
Neural network design for optimization of the partial area under the receiver operating characteristic curve

A new backpropagation training algorithm was developed for the maximization of the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve between two user-specified true-positive fraction thresholds. The algorithm was used to design a neural network classifier with high specificity at the high-sensitivity region of the ROC curve, which is of particular interest for computer-aided diagnosis applications. The effectiveness of the algorithm was demonstrated with a simulation study.
Rethinking migration, ancient to future

Immigration as a framework in which to analyse the vast movements and interactions of people in the contemporary world tends to highlight recent movers and the legal apparatuses and ideologies of citizenship pertaining to them. Nation states, however, contain other, non-immigrant groups whose circumstances of arrival in many cases preceded nation states or a fully embordered globe, and who also need foregrounding if ethnocultural political sentiments and the deeper meanings of postmodern ‘intermingling’ are to be understood. Surveying a wide-ranging body of anthropological and historical studies of human migration and interaction over the past 150,000 years, a new synthetic framework is proposed. Contemporary nations all encompass diverse origins and arrivals that may be interpreted in terms of seven historically emergent and still ongoing processes: expansion, refuge-seeking, colonization, enforced transportation, trade diaspora, labour diaspora and emigration. Together they define the complex terrains upon which contemporary immigrants arrive.
Modulation of excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ercc-1) mrna expression by pharmacological agents in human ovarian carcinoma cells

Excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ERCC-1) is a DNA repair gene that is essential for life, and it appears to be a marker gene for nucleotide excision repair activity. Overexpression of ERCC-1 during cisplatin-based chemotherapy is associated with clinical and cellular drug resistance. We therefore began to assess the influence of various pharmacological agents on the induction of ERCC-1 mRNA in A2780/CP70 human ovarian carcinoma cells. Cisplatin exposure in culture resulted in a 4- to 6-fold induction for the steady-state level of ERCC-1 mRNA in A2780/CP70 cells. ERCC-1 mRNA induction was concentration and time dependent. Cyclosporin A and herbimycin A, which suppress c-fos and c-jun gene expressions, respectively, blocked the cisplatin-induced increase in ERCC-1 mRNA. This effect of cyclosporin A or herbimycin A on the down-regulation of ERCC-1 correlates with enhanced cytotoxicity of cisplatin in this system. The products of c-fos and c-jun are components of the transcription factor AP-1 (activator protein 1). 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), a known AP-1 agonist, induced ERCC-1 mRNA to the same extent as cisplatin, but did not synergize with cisplatin in this regard. The TPA effect was biphasic, with an initial increase during the first 1–6 hr, followed by decreasing mRNA levels at 24–72 hr. These data suggest that the effects of these pharmacological agents on ERCC-1 gene expression may be mediated through the modulation of AP-1 activities.
Fostering Learning through Collaboration: Knowledge Acquisition and Belief Change in Marine Aquaculture Partnerships

One of the challenges of collaborative governance is fostering learning among diverse stakeholders who have very different views on disputed topics of science and policy. Collaborative partnerships are often touted as a type of decision-making forum that generates more learning than typically occurs in more adversarial forums. This study develops and tests hypotheses from the collaborative learning literature, using survey data from 121 participants in 10 partnerships that focus on marine aquaculture in the United States. As one of the fastest growing natural resource-based industries, aquaculture is also one of the most controversial. We find that two types of learning—belief change and knowledge acquisition—are fairly common in the studied partnerships, occurring for 56%–87% of participants. Regression models indicate that new knowledge is correlated with traits of the partnership, including procedural fairness, trustworthiness of other participants, level of scientific certainty, and diverse participation as well as with traits of the individual learner, including norms of consensus and scientific or technical competence. Contrary to expectations, knowledge acquisition is greater when the available science is uncertain and when stakeholders have lower technical competence. Our findings also challenge the idea that new information mainly reinforces existing beliefs. Instead we find that new knowledge acquired through the collaborative process primes participants to change their opinions on scientific or policy issues.
A location-based services and Google maps-based information master system for tour guiding

A location-based services and Google maps-based Dr.What-Info multi-agent system is proposed.An archeologic site in New Taipei City, Taiwan, for testing purposes, produces results regarding the completeness and feasibility of the proposed architecture.The deep and complete system developments, displays, and corresponding experiments and comparisons show that the research results demonstrate performance superiority over a number of previous studies. This paper aims to develop a location-based services supported Dr.What-Info system, i.e. a master multi-agent system on what the information is, using Google maps and an image recognition technology as a tourism information provider and as a route planner for tourists. Users can have great fun during vacation travels through an easy-to-use interface, integrating smartphone GPS function, a QR/Bar code reader and easy access to a cloud database, to find all of the required web services. In particular, given an archeological site in New Taipei City, Taiwan, for testing purposes, the presented system is demonstrated not only as a provider of information on popular tourist attractions, but also as a high performance GPS navigation device to guide users toward their desired destinations. The complete system developments, displays, and corresponding experiments and comparisons show that the research results demonstrate performance superiority over a number of previous studies. Display Omitted
The stages of team venture formation: a decision-making model

This model of multi-founder organizational formation assumes that organizations emerge In stages, following an a priori sequence of transitions. The idea stage comes first. In it, individuals or gr...
The effects of imagery and positive self-review on the performance of intercollegiate basketball players

Coaches frequently seek new methods to improve performance. The mental skills training of imagery combined with positive self-review has emerged as a possible device to improve athletic performance. This study was designed to examine the effectiveness of imagery and positive self-review on basketball game performance. Four male intercollegiate basketball players were chosen to participate in a single-subject, multiple baseline across subjects design. Baseline percentages of correct performance were compared to post-intervention percentages. Evidence indicated that the intervention was effective across all four participants. Results indicated a mean Win Score (Berri, Schmidt, & Brooks, 2006) increase of .74 across the four athletes. Social validation was also evaluated through exit questionnaires. All of the participants indicated that they enjoyed the intervention and felt that it improved their overall performance.
Directly Controlling the Sparsity of an Interpolation Matrix Formed by Compactly Supported RBFNs

When applying radial basis function networks (RBFNs) for interpolating a function with a large number of nodes in near real-time, one must consider three potential limitations imposed by a computer system: 1) storage limitations, 2) computation time limitations, and 3) solution stability limitations. By using compactly supported radial basis functions (CSRBFs), one can alleviate these limitations. Using CSRBFs leads to a sparse interpolation matrix, which allows special techniques to be used to reduce the memory required to store the interpolation matrix and to reduce the computational complexity required to solve the interpolation problem. They also lead to better conditioned interpolation matrices due to their localness. However, it has been shown in the literature that although highly local radial basis functions lead to better conditioned interpolation matrices, they typically produce poor interpolation results. In this paper, we introduce an algorithm for directly controlling the degree of sparsity of an interpolation matrix formed by CSRBFs with data nodes on a uniform grid. Given a desired degree of sparsity, the algorithm determines the support radius required for CSRBFs to produce an interpolation matrix with the desired degree of sparsity. By being able to directly specify the degree of sparsity of the interpolation matrix, a practitioner can more intuitively balance memory requirements, computation time requirements, and the stability and accuracy of the interpolation results.
The Lag in Mathematics Behind Literature and art in The Early Centuries

Among the various characteristics which distinguish man from the lower animals, there are two which stand out in bold relief; namely, the language concept and the number concept. These will be made the basis of study and contrast in the present discussion. It will be found that these two concepts did not develop in the human mind with equal ease or with equal speed, and it will be of more than passing interest to examine some of the reasons for such great disparity and possibly to suggest and support an explanation which has not been dwelt upon by the historians. In a word we shall try to find out some of the reasons why mathematics lagged so far behind literature and art in the early centuries. The case for language is comparatively simple to state, though its interpretation and full understanding may often-times be obscure and difficult. The fact is that every nation or tribe of men, ancient or modern, pagan or civilized, has a language which may be crude or well developed but, at any rate, is adequate for their needs of intercommunication. Witness the North American Indian tribes among whom there were some sixty different language stocks; or the inhabitants of Asiatic India who are said to have developed more than one hundred dialects; or the great group of Indo-European languages of which there are eight main divisions and fifty or more subdivisions spread over a large part of Europe and of Asia. In complete bewilderment one exclaims: truly man is a language producing animal. As a leading example of language development of the highest type, let us look more closely into the case of the Greek language which is one of the eight main divisions of the Indo-European family. The first essential in the development of a written language is an adequate alphabet. Perhaps the earliest attempt at alphabetic structure is to be found in the hieratic writings of the Egyptian priests three to five thousand years ago, as for instance in the Ahmes Papyrus of about 1700 B.C. However, such writings were in the nature of a mystery to the common people and little used except by the priests. But it may be that these early attempts at alphabet making inspired the Phoenicians to strive for mastery along this line. At any rate, by the end of the ninth century B.C. they were in possession of a fairly complete alphabet which was in common use, and from this source the Greeks undoubtedly imported the first draft of their own alphabet. Then began a long period, perhaps two or three hundred years, during which the Greeks gradually modified and perfected their alphabet. For instance, the Phoenicians had too many consonants and not enough vowels, they had too many aspirates but no symbols for a number of sounds used by the Greeks. As a result of this long and careful development, the Greeks
A new thrust stand for testing multi-stream and heat simulated supersonic nozzles

The design, fabrication and calibration of a new thrust stand for conducting thrust and aeroacoustic measurements concurrently in a fully anechoic chamber is discussed. The new thrust stand employs the scale-force measurement technique and is designed to accommodate multi-stream nozzles (core and bypass flow streams). Each stream has a dedicated helium air mixture system thereby permitting a multitude of test conditions. The methodology for designing the thrust stand is described and uses a notch type flexure which demonstrates high repeatability over extended thrust ranges. Calibration is performed with elevated pressure inside the plenum to characterize the effect of increased pressure on the flexure performance. A further qualification of the thrust measurement accuracy is conducted using a small arsenal of nozzles comprising method of characteristics contours. Surveys of the far-field pressure are then conducted during various operating points along the startup curve of a Mach 1.71 rectangular supersonic nozzle.
Effect of Dihuang Yinzi on Hypertension Development in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats:Role of Improving Endothelial Function

Objective:To investigate the action mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi on hypertension progress of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR),and understand the role of endothelial function recovery by Dihuang Yinzi.Method:Fifty-four male SHR were divided into three groups:the control;Dihuang Yinzi treatment;and captoril treatment.Dihuang Yinzi(crude drug 15.9 g.kg-1.d-1) and captoril(3.375 g.kg-1.d-1) were treated from wk 7 to wk 24(wk = week) through gavage.The drug effect was observed at wk 18 and wk 24 during the treatments and 8 wk(wk32) after treatment.Experiments including the blood pressure by arterial carotis cannula;the concentration of NO 2-by Griess;the Ach-dependent relaxation of mesenteric rings by isometric tension change;and the mRNA expressions of IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α and iNOS of aorta tissue by real time PCR.Result:Dihuang Yinzisignificantly reduced blood pressure at wk18,and increased Ach-dependent relaxation of mesenteric rings and the NO 2-concentration in serum at wk18 and wk24.The mRNA expression of IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α and iNOS was markedly inhibited by the herb formula.Although captopril showed stronger anti-hypertensive effect,which could not extended after drug withdraw.In addition,the beta blocker did not enhance Ach-dependent vasodilation.NO 2-levels in serum and IL-1,IL-6 expression of aorta tissue were increased by captopril,while iNOS and TNF-α were inhibited at wk 24.Conclusion:Dihuang Yinzi showed anti-hypertensive effect with enhanced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in mesenteric artery and increased NO 2-concentration in serum.Furthermore,the herb formula also exerted anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α and iNOS expression.
Bioinformatic tools for studying post-transcriptional gene regulation : The UAlbany TUTR collection and other informatic resources.

Summary The untranslated regions (UTRs) of many mRNAs contain sequence and structural motifs that are used to regulate the stability, localization, and translatability of the mRNA. It should be possible to discover previously unidentified RNA regulatory motifs by examining many related nucleotide sequences, which are assumed to contain a common motif. This is a general practice for discovery of DNA-based sequence-based patterns, in which alignment tools are heavily exploited. However, because of the complexity of sequential and structural components of RNAbased motifs, simple-alignment tools are frequently inadequate. The consensus sequences they find frequently have the potential for significant variability at any given position and are only loosely characterized. The development of RNA-motif discovery tools that infer and integrate structural information into motif discovery is both necessary and expedient. Here, we provide a selected list of existing web-accessible algorithms for the discovery of RNA motifs, which, although not exhaustive, represents the current state of the art. To facilitate the development, evaluation, and training of new software programs that identify RNA motifs, we created the UAlbany training UTR (TUTR) database, which is a collection of validated sets of sequences containing experimentally defined regulatory motifs. Presently, eleven training sets have been generated with associated indexes and “answer sets” provided that identify where the previously characterized RNA motif [the iron responsive element (IRE), AU-rich class-2 element (ARE),
Nanodistricts in the United States: Metropolitan Trajectories and Clustering (December 2007)

There are a number of theories that suggest emerging technologies will not be distributed equally across a region, rather they will be concentrated in certain locations. If this is the case, this distribution has implications for where future economic opportunities as well as future risks will be concentrated. In this paper, we probe nanotechnology (hereafter nano) research and commercialization at a regional level. The aim of this research is to examine the top 30 "nanodistricts" or metropolitan areas in the US with more than 1000 nanopublications in the 1990-2006 timeframe. We explore the factors underlying the emergence of these metropolitan areas into this top class through exploratory cluster analysis. We find that while most of the leading nanodistricts are similar to top cities in previous rounds of emerging technologies, there is also the surfacing of new geographic concentrations of nanotechnology research. Some of the latter types of nanodistricts are found in nontraditional places for new technology development that have large concentrations of research at a single government facility or university research institution. This finding suggests that concentrated investments in nanotechnology R&D into a single institution can elevate the profile of a region that has lacked previous technological prominence. However, questions are raised as to whether nanotechnology-related knowledge will be able to be exploited and commercialized in these new research locations.
Genomic Profiling of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Identifies Novel Genetic Subtypes.

Abstract CLL is the most common leukemia in the Western world and displays considerable clinical heterogeneity. Genetic approaches to elucidate defects in CLL genomes have resulted in the identification of recurrent chromosomal abnormalities with prognostic importance. A genome-wide high-density unbiased view of chromosomal copy number changes or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) may allow for further refinements of genomics-based risk prognostication. We have conducted a genomic profiling study using 50KSNP-oligonucleotide arrays (Affymetrix) on FACS-sorted CD19+ cells and paired buccal DNA from 120 patients with typical CLL (CD5+/CD23+) at various stages of presentation enrolled in a clinical translational protocol. We have found novel genetic subtypes, including novel regions of recurrent LOH and chromosomal copy loss on chromosomes 3p, 14q and 18p at frequencies of 3–6%. Fine mapping of the clinically important regions del(6q), del(11q), del(13q14) and del(17p) suggests molecular heterogeneity of these lesions. Anatomic criteria suggest existence of multiple distinct subtypes of del13q14. Furthermore, the clinically important del(17p) is associated with almost uniform deletion of most of 17p, occasionally displays copy-neutral LOH (undetectable by FISH) with p53 mutations and occurs without p53 mutations in a subset of patients as previously reported. Finally, using a genome-wide composite genomic instability score of copy gains and losses we found a subset of CLL cases (18%) with high genomic instability values (greater than 2 lesions per genome). These findings may have implications for CLL risk-adapted therapies.
Acute GVHD May Play a Role in Preventing Relapse Following Reduced Intensity Allografts for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The role of reduced intensity allografting in the treatment of patients (pts) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the role that graft versus host disease (GVHD) plays in preventing relapse in this setting is unclear. While more pts may survive the initial period following allografting in comparison to those receiving full intensity transplants, the risk of relapse may be greater, particularly in those not in remission at the time of transplantation. Here we report the results of allogeneic transplants following a reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen given to 158 consecutive pts with AML. All were all conditioned with an identical regimen containing Cyclophosphamide at 120mg/kg iv over 2 days (days −3 and −2) followed by a single dose of total body irradiation at 550cGy on day −1. HLA-identical (HLA-ID) siblings donated cytokine mobilized peripheral blood (PB) to 68 recipients and unrelated donor (UD) bone marrow (BM) was used for 90 patients. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of single agent cyclosporine (CSP) for recipients of HLA-ID allografts and CSP, methotrexate, and methylprednisolone in recipients of UD BM. The median age of recipients was 44 years (range 6–70), with 74 males and 84 females. 43 pts were in CR1, 47 in CR2 or 3, and 68 had relapsed or refractory disease. The majority of UD BM recipients were serologically identical with their donors at 6/6 antigens. There were no graft failures in either group.The median follow-up in survivors was long at 1903 days (range 938–2757). Overall survival (OS) was evaluated in relation to the development of any grade of acute GVHD. There were no significant differences in the incidence of grade 2–4 (30+/− 6%) or grade 3–4 (7+/−3%) acute GVHD in the HLA-ID PB or UD BM groups. Since OS was not significantly different between CR1 and CR2 pts, the results were pooled. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimate of 3 year OS in UD BM pts in CR was 45+/−9% in those with no acute GVHD compared to only 25+/−10% with any grade of acute GVHD (p=0.24). In recipients of HLA-ID PB who were in CR, 3 yr OS was 39+/−12% without acute GVHD and interestingly, 54+/−10% with acute GVHD. UD BM recipients not in remission at the time of transplant had dismal outcomes with or without acute GVHD, with less than 5% OS. No recipients of HLA-ID PB with active disease at the time of transplant remained alive if they did not develop acute GVHD versus 19+/−10% if they did (p=0.17).These data obtained in a large group of homogeneously treated pts suggest that acute GVHD may play an important role in preventing relapse after RIC and HLA-ID sibling PB transplantation. Following UD BM, acute GVHD appears to adversely affect OS. RIC should not be proposed in the unrelated donor setting if pts with AML are not in remission. Future efforts aimed at harnessing graft versus leukemia effects in the HLA-ID setting following RIC may lead to improvements in OS and are clearly warranted.
Filter-based stochastic abstractions for constrained planning with limited sensing

As the complexity of the specifications that must be met by a system increases, hierarchical control protocols that merge control and planning decisions at multiple levels of abstraction become necessary. For such hierarchical reasoning, a suitable finite-state abstraction for dynamical systems evolving over continuous state spaces may be needed. The implementation of existing controllers derived using a finite-state abstraction often require that the current continuous state be known exactly, in order to guarantee that the required transitions in the finite-state abstraction occur. When the measurements are partial or noisy, the true state is unknown, and these controllers cannot be implemented. We propose an abstraction that can be used to overcome the uncertainty in the state resulting from imperfect measurement, at the cost of providing only probabilistic guarantees. The abstraction is based on the filter used to maintain an estimate of the true state. We show how the abstraction can be used to create a time-varying policy which maximizes the minimum probability that a target discrete state is reached in finite time from any initial state.
Synthesis and Characterization of 5- and 6- Coordinated Alkali Pertechnetates

The local chemistry of technetium-99 (99Tc) in oxide glasses is important for understanding the incorporation and long-term release of Tc from nuclear waste glasses, both those for legacy defense wastes and fuel reprocessing wastes. Tc preferably forms Tc(VII), Tc(IV), or Tc(0) in glass, depending on the level of reduction of the melt. Tc(VII) in oxide glasses is normally assumed to be isolated pertechnetate TcO4− anions surrounded by alkali, but can occasionally precipitate as alkali pertechnetate salts such as KTcO4 and NaTcO4 when Tc concentration is high. In these cases, Tc(VII) is 4-coordinated by oxygen. A reinvestigation of the chemistry of alkali-technetium-oxides formed under oxidizing conditions and at temperatures used to prepare nuclear waste glasses showed that higher coordinated alkali Tc(VII) oxide species had been reported, including those with the TcO5− and TcO6− anions. The chemistry of alkali Tc(VII) and other alkali-Tc-oxides is reviewed, along with relevant synthesis conditions. Additionally, we report attempts to make 5- and 6-coordinate pertechnetate compounds of K, Na, and Li, i.e. TcO5− and TcO6−. It was found that higher coordinated species are very sensitive to water, and easily decompose into their respective pertechnetates. It was difficult to obtain pure compounds, but mixtures of the pertechnetate and other phase(s) were frequently found, as evidenced by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), neutron diffraction (ND), and Raman spectroscopy. Low temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements showed the possibility of Tc(IV) and Tc(VI) in Na3TcO5 and Na5TcO6 compounds. It was hypothesized that the smaller counter cation would result in more stable pertechnetates. To confirm the synthesis method, LiReO4 and Li5ReO6 were prepared, and their Raman spectra match those in the literature. Subsequently, the Tc versions LiTcO4 and Li5TcO6 were synthesized and characterized by ND, Raman spectroscopy, XANES, and EXAFS. The Li5TcO6 was a marginally stable compound that appears to have the same structure as that known for Li5ReO6. Implications of the experimental work on stability of alkali technetate compounds and possible role in the volatilization of Tc are discussed.
Analysis and Optimization of Variable-Frequency Soft-Switching Peak Current Mode Control Techniques for Microinverters

This paper presents a detailed power loss model for a microinverter with three different zero voltage switching boundary conduction mode (BCM) current modulation methods. The model is used to calculate the optimum peak current boundaries for each modulation method. Based on the power loss model, a dual-zone modulation method is proposed to further improve the microinverter efficiency. The proposed modulation method provides two main benefits: the addition of one more soft switching transition and low inductor peak current. The additional soft switching transition reduces switching losses by means of zero current switching. The lower peak current boundary reduces inductor rms current and conduction losses as well as allowing the output filter inductor to be smaller and more efficient. An improved BCM peak current control method was proposed and implemented on a microinverter prototype. The control circuit provides a highly accurate representation of the filter inductor current waveform and also provides galvanic isolation that simplifies control circuit design. The experimental results on a 400-W three-phase half-bridge microinverter validate the theoretical analysis of the power loss distribution and demonstrate that further improvement in efficiency can be achieved by using the proposed dual-zone modulation method.