cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust direct trajectory optimization using approximate invariant funnels

Many critical robotics applications require robustness to disturbances arising from unplanned forces, state uncertainty, and model errors. Motion planning algorithms that explicitly reason about robustness require a coupling of trajectory optimization and feedback design, where the system’s closed-loop response to disturbances is optimized. Due to the often-heavy computational demands of solving such problems, the practical application of robust trajectory optimization in robotics has so far been limited. Motivated by recent work on sums-of-squares verification methods for nonlinear systems, we derive a scalable robust trajectory optimization algorithm that optimizes approximate invariant funnels along the trajectory while planning. For the case of ellipsoidal disturbance sets and LQR feedback controllers, the state and input deviations along a nominal trajectory can be computed locally in closed form, permitting fast evaluation of robust cost and constraint functions and their derivatives. The resulting algorithm is a scalable extension of classical direct transcription that demonstrably improves tracking performance over non-robust formulations while incurring only a modest increase in computational cost. We evaluate the algorithm in several simulated robot control tasks.
Rapid progression of disease following ibrutinib discontinuation in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

7525Background: The clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients (pts) with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who develop rapid progression of disease following ibrutinib discont...
Targeted Phytochemical-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles in Cancer Treatment

Cancer is one of the most aggressive diseases whose prognosis remains bleak with current therapies. The tumor microenvironment plays a significant role in the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells. In the complex tumor microenvironment, there are several types of immune-suppressing infiltrating cells, which surround the tumor and promote tumor growth and metastasis. Prostate and pancreatic cancers display tumor-infiltrating immune cells, which differentiate into cells that promote each step of the metastatic cascade and therefore are considered as novel targets for therapy. Even though several chemotherapeutic drugs are in current use for treating these cancers, tumor microenvironment targeting immunotherapeutic drugs, with minimum systemic toxic effects, are needed to save human lives from various forms of cancers. We hypothesize a safe and effective nanoinitiated drug delivery system—‘Phytochemical-conjugated gold nanoparticles,’ which can inhibit the growth and proliferation of tumor cells without affecting normal cells and at the same time boost the capability of immune system to fight cancer. There are unprecedented opportunities to advance the treatment of cancer using nanotechnology. Among the vast majority of nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles show unique properties, such as large surface-to-volume ratio, small size in the nanorealm, tunable surface chemistry, and capable of drug encapsulation. The controlled and targeted drug delivery approach makes nanoparticles very selective and effective toward cancer growth inhibition. In this chapter, we discuss the synthesis and characterization of clove phytochemical-conjugated gold nanoparticles (CP-AuNPs) and their anticancer activity against prostate (PC-3) and pancreatic cancer (PANC-1) cell lines. The synthesis and full characterization of AuNPs were confirmed by various techniques including UV–Visible spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light-scattering (DLS) technique. We confirmed that AuNP treatment resulted in decreased cancer cell viability and enhancement in cellular internalization. These nanoparticles will navigate better to the complex tumor sites. This ‘Green Nanotechnology’ approach will be potentially effective compared to the current conventional cancer therapies.
See it; be it? The use of role models in campaign trainings for women

ABSTRACTCampaign training programs for women often spotlight women political leaders as role models for attendees, presumably with the intention that their achievements will help inspire other wome...
Lender Capital Management and Financial Covenant Strictness

Evidence of the effect of lender capital management incentives on debt contract design is sparse. We examine whether regulatory capital adequacy, a first-order concern for banks, is associated with the strictness of financial covenants included in loan contracts. We provide evidence that lenders with lower regulatory capital issue loans with lower financial covenant strictness. This is consistent with lenders viewing borrower covenant violations as costlier to lenders when their regulatory capital is relatively low. Consistent with lenders loosening covenants that are more likely to lead to frequent transfers of control, we find that this association is concentrated in performance covenants, as opposed to capital covenants. We also find that capital management incentives extend to participant banks in a syndicate, where participants with relatively low capital adequacy take smaller loan shares when the lead bank sets high covenant strictness.
Genes, Brains, and Human Potential: The Science and Ideology of Intelligence: by Ken Richardson, New York, Columbia University Press, 2017, xi + 387 pp., $34.92/£19.43 (cloth), $19.24 (Kindle)

Ken Richardson’s intention in Genes, Brains, and Human Potential is to bring “humans out of … ideological gloom … [by] suggest[ing] a far better, more hopeful, story … about human potential” (ix). ...
Sphingosine Kinase Blockade Leads to Increased Natural Killer T Cell Responses to Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Despite being responsive to combination chemotherapy, median survival remains around 5 years due to high rates of relapse. Sphingolipid metabolism regulates MCL survival and proliferation and we found that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is upregulated in MCL cells. Therapeutic targeting of the S1P1 receptor or knockdown of sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1), the enzyme responsible for generating S1P, in human MCL cells results in a significant increase in Natural Killer T (NKT) cell activation. NKT cells recognize glycolipid antigens presented on CD1d and can reduce MCL tumor burden in vivo. Lipidomic studies identified cardiolipin, which has been reported to bind to CD1d molecules, as being upregulated in SK1 knockdown cells. We found that the pretreatment of antigen presenting cells with cardiolipin leads to increased cytokine production by NKT cell hybridomas. Furthermore, the ability of cardiolipin to activate NKT cells was dependent on the structure of its acyl chains. Collectively, these studies delineate novel pathways important for immune recognition of malignant cells and could lead to the development of new treatments for lymphoma.
CurveBoards Demo: Integrating Breadboards into Physical Objects to Prototype Function in the Context of Form

CurveBoards are breadboards integrated into physical objects. In contrast to traditional breadboards, CurveBoards better preserve the object's look and feel while maintaining high circuit fluidity, which enables designers to exchange and reposition components during design iteration. Since CurveBoards are fully functional, i.e., the screens are displaying content and the buttons take user input, designers can test interactive scenarios and log interaction data on the physical prototype while still being able to make changes to the component layout and circuit design as needed. We present an interactive editor that enables users to convert 3D models into CurveBoards and discuss our fabrication technique for making CurveBoard prototypes. We also provide a technical evaluation of CurveBoard's conductivity and durability and summarize informal user feedback.
The Spo7 sequence LLI is required for Nem1-Spo7/Pah1 phosphatase cascade function in yeast lipid metabolism

The Nem1-Spo7 complex in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a protein phosphatase that catalyzes the dephosphory-lation of Pah1 phosphatidate phosphatase, required for its translocation to the nuclear/endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The Nem1–Spo7/Pah1 phosphatase cascade plays a major role in triacylglycerol synthesis and in the regulation of phospholipid synthesis. In this work, we examined Spo7, a regulatory subunit required for Nem1 catalytic function, to identify residues that govern formation of the Nem1-Spo7 complex. By deletion analysis of Spo7, we identified a hydrophobic Leu-Leu-Ile (LLI) sequence comprising residues 54–56 as being required for the protein to complement the temperature-sensitive phenotype of an spo7Δ mutant strain. Mutational analysis of the LLI sequence with alanine and arginine substitutions showed that its overall hydrophobicity is crucial for the formation of the Nem1-Spo7 complex as well as for the Nem1 catalytic function on its substrate, Pah1, in vivo. Consistent with the role of the Nem1–Spo7 complex in activating the function of Pah1, we found that the mutational effects of the Spo7 LLI sequence were on the Nem1–Spo7/Pah1 axis that controls lipid synthesis and related cellular processes (e.g. triacylglycerol/phospholipid synthesis, lipid droplet formation, nuclear/endoplasmic reticulum membrane morphology, vacuole fusion, and growth on glycerol medium). These findings advance the understanding of Nem1-Spo7 complex formation and its role in the phosphatase cascade that regulates the function of Pah1 phosphatidate phosphatase.
Quantifying Overfitting Potential in Drug Binding Datasets

In this paper, we investigate potential biases in datasets used to make drug binding predictions using machine learning. We investigate a recently published metric called the Asymmetric Validation Embedding (AVE) bias which is used to quantify this bias and detect overfitting. We compare it to a slightly revised version and introduce a new weighted metric. We find that the new metrics allow to quantify overfitting while not overly limiting training data and produce models with greater predictive value.
Stochastic modeling of corrosion growth

Abstract Corrosion is a major threat to the structural integrity and safe operation of infrastructures throughout the world. Corrosion growth modeling is important in structure maintenance planning. Existing models focus on the maximum corrosion pit depth growth which may lead to inaccurate life predictions since the corrosion volume growth may result in failures before the depth reaches its failure threshold. We develop a stochastic model that characterizes both corrosion volume and depth growth. The distribution of volume growth increments with time and the reliability estimate based on the corrosion depth, the corrosion volume growth and their combined effect are obtained. The influence of stresses, which include the relative humidity, pH level and temperature is incorporated into the model based on the physics of the corrosion reaction mechanisms. Field corrosion data are used for the model's validation. The proposed model results in more accurate predictions of the remaining lives compared with the existing models.
Community Health Worker Asthma Interventions for Children: Results From a Clinically Integrated Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial (2016‒2019).

Objectives. To compare asthma control for children receiving either community health worker (CHW) or certified asthma educator (AE-C) services. Methods. The Asthma Action at Erie Trial is a compara...
Almost Automorphy of the Function f(t, x)

A continuous function \(f:\mathbb R\times \mathbb X\to \mathbb X\) is said to be almost automorphic if f(t, x) is almost automorphic in \(t\in \mathbb R\) uniformly for all x ∈ K, where K is any bounded subset of \(\mathbb X\).
A Process Study of Addressing Grand Challenges

Climate change, income inequality, and land degradation are some of the large-scale concerns that humanity is facing today. While a growing body of work looks at the relationship of organizations w...
Parental aspirations, schools, and the limits of flexible citizenship: Examining elite return migrants’ schooling decisions:

This article investigates how return migrant parents navigate primary and secondary education options in Bangalore, a city in southwest India, by addressing the following question: What factors do ...
A New Scattering Property Database of Nonspherical Mineral Dust Aerosol Particles: Introduction and Applications

The single-scattering property database of mineral dust aerosol particles has been developed based on the state-of-the-art light scattering computational techniques and a realistic particle shape model for applications involving spectral radiative transfer simulations.
Trust and community: Continued engagement in Second Life

3D social virtual worlds (VWs), like Second Life (SL), have potential as alternative modes for information seeking and socialization. Yet, finding trustworthy social connections for expertise and social support can be challenging in Second Life (SL) where identities are fluid. We explored how long-time SL users established and diffused trust within their communities by vetting each other as trusted information sources. By drawing on the relationship among trust, being highly sought after, social status, and continued engagement in SL, we identify challenges that VWs like SL face, and provide recommendations for social navigation systems to support continued engagement in social virtual worlds.
Surface characterization of Pt electrodes using underpotential deposition of H and Cu: Part II. Pt(110) and Pt(111)

Abstract The surface characterization of Pt electrodes begun in Part I of this is extended to Pt(110) and Pt(111). Flame annealing and quenching in aqueous electrolyte yields the reconstructed Pt(110)-(1×2) surface, which gives two distinct hydrogen adsorption-desorption waves in dilute perchloric acid. The (1×2) structure is distinguished from other possible surface structures by comparison of the voltammetry with that of a vicinal (111) surface, namely Pt(331), and also by a detailed consideration of the effects of anions and cations on the hydrogen adsorption-desorption profile. The surface of a Pt(111) electrode pretreated by flame annealing and quenching in aqueous electrolyte is either highly defective or possesses a high degree of surface lattice strain, resulting in an unusually strong binding of adsorbed hydrogen. Our pretreatments also produce high binding energy hydrogen adsorption sites on (100), but not on (110) or any of the higher Miller index surfaces studied. The distinguishing feature is considered to be the low density of monoatomic steps at (111) and (100).
Prologue to a theory of non-treaty norms

This short contribution to a festschrift for Professor Michael Reisman addresses the problem of non-treaty norms. In lieu of the traditional categories of custom, general principles, and soft law, the essay proposes an alternative categorization of non-treaty norms, focusing on three variables: first, whether a non-treaty norm is accepted directly or because it satisfies a secondary rule of recognition; second, whether a non-treaty norm is the result of a conscious, purposive process, with identifiable authors, or arises in a more organic, non-purposive way; and third, whether a non-treaty norm reflects a behavioral or discursive regularity. The essay suggests that this categorization provides a more useful starting point to explore the normative and explanatory questions about the origin and influence of non-treaty norms.
HOWTO: asynchronous PFC-MRDAC: optimization in distributed constraint problems /spl plusmn/Adopt

Each agent has private problems. Private concerns can often be formulated in a general framework such as constraint satisfaction (where everything is modeled by either variables, values, or constraints). Often agents need to find agreement with others for the allocation of final resources. The constraint satisfaction (CSPs) is only a special case of optimization. In this paper it is shown how a very general technique for distributed CSPs, replica-based multiply asynchronous search (R-MAS) (comprising ABT, ABTR, AAS, DMAC, DMAC-ABT), can be extended and applied to optimization problems in distributed Weighted CSPs (WCSPs). Centralized WCSPs can be seen as MAX-CSPs where several constraints can link the same variables. PFC-MRDAC is a good approach to MAX-CSPs. How to asynchronize and adapt it to distributed WCSPs? This article describes how asynchronous consistency maintenance can be introduced in Adopt and in asynchronous branch&bound. The main new ideas proposed in this article are that: (a) a concept called weighted consistency nogood (WCN) allows to maintain consistency in DisWC-SPs, (b) leading to an asynchronous equivalent of PFC-MRDAC. (c) The feedback that B&B or Adopt needs about low bounds can be extracted from such WCNs.
Micronutrient Deficiencies Are Still Common among Chinese Children and Adolescents

Protein-energy malnutrition is rapidly decreasing in China, while few studies reported the status of micronutrient malnutrition. To explore the trends and associated factors of micronutrients intak...
Distribution of putative D4 dopamine receptors in postmortem striatum from patients with schizophrenia

The identification of five dopamine receptor subtypes has given the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia new life. The D4 receptor is particularly intriguing because it binds clozapine with high affinity. Putative D4 receptors were labeled in postmortem human brain by subtracting the binding of a saturating concentration of 3H-raclopride (6 nM, which labels D2 and D3 receptors) from that labeled by a saturating concentration of [3H]YM 0915–2 (1–1.3 nM, which labels D2, D3, and D4 receptors). In the control brain, putative D4 receptors show a homogenous distribution in striatum and nucleus accumbens. This is also true in schizophrenic brains, although the levels are significantly higher (twofold). These data are inconsistent with mRNA studies that have shown negligible amounts in striatum and accumbens, with modest amounts reported in most of cerebral cortex. These findings suggest that the putative D4 receptors are not synthesized in this region, but are presynaptically localized on striatal afferent terminals. Our findings confirm and extend the report of Seeman et al. (1993). Extension of these findings into the nucleus accumbens is important because of its extensive connections to the limbic system while the putamen is exclusively “motor” striatum.
Fan Performance from Duct Rake Instrumentation on a 1.294 Pressure Ratio, 725 FT/SEC Tip Speed Turbofan Simulator Using Vaned Passage Casing Treatment

A 1.294 pressure ratio, 725 ft/sec tip speed, variable pitch low noise fan was designed and tested in the NASA Glenn 9- by 15-foot Wind Tunnel. The design included a casing treatment that used recirculation to extend the fan stall line and provide an acceptable operating range. Overall aerodynamic experimental results are presented for this low tip speed, low noise fan without casing treatment as well as using several variants of the casing treatment that moved the air extraction and insertion axial locations. Measurements were made to assess effects on performance, operability, and noise. An unusual instability was discovered near the design operating line and is documented in the fan operating range. Measurements were made to compare stall margin improvements as well as measure the performance impact of the casing treatments. Experimental results in the presence of simulated inlet distortion, via screens, are presented for the baseline and recirculation casing treatment configurations. Estimates are made for the quantity of recirculation weight flow based on limited instrumentation in the recirculation system along with discussion of results and conclusions
The greenhouse debate: Time for action?

In recent years, debate has intensified over whether to act now or delay actions that would reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. In a recent contribution to this debate in Nature, Schlesinger and Jiang [1991] conclude that “the penalty is small for a 10-year delay in initiating the transition to a regime in which greenhouse-gas emissions are reduced.” This conclusion is premature, since these authors did not consider a number of pertinent factors. Schlesinger and Jiang used a simple energy- balance climate model with an upwelling- diffusion ocean to examine the surface temperature response to transitions between various Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [Houghton et al., 1990] trace gas scenarios. They found that “a delay of 10 years in initiating a 20-year transition from the IPCC [business as usual] scenario to any other IPCC scenario has only a small effect on the projected warming in 2100.” From this they concluded that “the penalty for a 10-year delay is small.” We offer several reasons why we think this is a non sequitur.
The Science.gov Trivia Challenge

This is a short paper on the “Trivia Challenge” which is a social media initiative to combine science and fun to raise awareness of the Science.gov information portal. Science.gov operated under the Science.gov Alliance and is sponsored by the federal interagency group CENDI.
Cystathionine Synthesis in Yeast: an Alternative Pathway for Homocysteine Biosynthesis

Cystathionine synthesis from O-acetylhomoserine and cysteine has been demonstrated in yeast extracts for the first time. The activity is less than that of O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase, but it is higher than that reported for homoserine O-transacetylase and therefore should not be growth limiting. Cystathionine synthase seems to share the regulatory properties of the sulfhydrylase, and both activities are missing from the methionine auxotroph Saccharomyces cerevisiae EY9, suggesting that both reactions are catalyzed by the same enzyme. However, cystathionine synthase activity was lost during purification of the sulfhydrylase, suggesting that the two reactions may be catalyzed by separate enzymes. Since previous studies have shown that yeast extracts can catalyze the cleavage of cystathionine to homocysteine, our results show the existence of two complete alternate pathways for homocysteine biosynthesis in yeast. Which of these is the major physiological pathway remains to be determined.
A fiberoptic bronchoscopy technique to obtain uncontaminated lower airway secretions for bacterial culture.

Seven types of brush catheter were studied in vitro to determine the optimal catheter design for obtaining specimens for bacterial culture using fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The various catheters were inserted through the inner channel, which was contaminated with fresh saliva. The specimen was then obtained by inserting the brush into a broth culture of a marker organism at the distal end of the bronchoscope. Relative merits were based on quantitative bacterial counts of salivary “contaminants” and the marker organism. The catheter that proved superior had telescoping cannulas with a distal occlusion. Twenty-six samplings using catheters with this design uniformly showed no contaminants and high counts of the marker organism. The catheter with telescoping cannulas and a distal occlusion composed of polyethylene glycol was then tested with bronchoscopy performed on 8 healthy volunteers and 6 patients with clinical evidence of a lower airway infection. The specimens yielded likely pulmonary pathogens in high c...
Short-term growth and substrate use in very-low-birth-weight infants fed formulas with different energy contents

Background: Currently available preterm formulas with energy contents of 3350 kJ (800 kcal)/L promote weight and length gain at rates at or above intrauterine growth rates but disproportionately increase total body fat. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether fat accretion in formula-fed, very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants could be decreased and net protein gain maintained by reducing energy intakes from 502 kJ (XO kcal).kg(-1).d(-1) [normal-energy (NE) formula] to 419 kJ (100 kcal).kg(-1).d(-1) [low-energy (LE) formula] while providing similar protein intakes (3.3 g.kg(-1).d(-1)). Design: The study was a randomized, controlled trial enrolling 20 oppropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) and 16 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) VLBW infants (mean birth weight: 1.1 kg; mean gestational age: 31 wk); energy expenditure and nutrient balance were measured at 4 wk of age and anthropometric measurements were made when infants weighed 2 kg. Results: The percentage of fat in newly formed tissue was significantly lower in AGA infants fed the LE formula (n = 9) than in those fed the NE formula (n = 10) (9% compared with 23%; analysis of variance, P = 0.001). Energy expenditure was higher in AGA infants fed the NE formula than in those fed the LE formula. Skinfold thickness was markedly lower in AGA infants fed the LE formula than in those fed the NE formula, resulting in a lower estimated percentage body fat (8.0 +/- 1.9% and 10.8 +/- 3.5%, respectively; P 419 kJ (100 kcal).kg(-1).d(-1).
Global Markets 2006 Forex Outlook

It is clear that if we are to gain an appreciation of the likely risks for the currency markets in 2006 then we need some understanding of what happened last year as well. In this paper we therefore ask why monetary policy has come to dominate activity in the foreign exchange markets in 2005 (looking at Japan and the US as examples of the dynamics currently at play in the FX markets) and why we believe that the USD is better placed to benefit than other currencies from likely shifts in monetary policy in 2006.
A magnetospheric magnetic field model with flexible current systems driven by independent physical parameters

A tilt-dependent magnetic field model of the Earth's magnetosphere with variable magnetopause standoff distance is presented. Flexible analytic representations for the ring and cross-tail currents, each composed of the elements derived from the Tsyganenko and Usmanov (1982) model, are combined with the fully shielded vacuum dipole configurations of Voigt (1981). Although the current sheet does not warp in the y-z plane, changes in the shape and position of the neutral sheet with dipole tilt are consistent with both MHD equilibrium theory and observations. In addition, there is good agreement with observed Delta B profiles and the average equatorial contours of magnetic field magnitude. While the dipole field is rigorously shielded within the defined magnetopause, the ring and cross-tails currents are not similarly confined, consequently, the model's region of validity is limited to the inner magnetosphere. The model depends on four independent external parameters. We present a simple but limited method of simulating several substorm related magnetic field changes associated with the disrupion of the near-Earth cross-tail current sheet and collapse of the midnight magnetotail field region. This feature further facilitates the generation of magnetic field configuration time sequences useful in plasma convection simulations of real magnetospheric events.
Dual pathways for manganese catalysis of olefin oxidation with alkyl hydroperoxides

Abstract The catalytic oxidation of various olefins with t-butyl hydroperoxide as the terminal oxidant is effectively carried out with cationic manganese(III) complexes of the salen ligand [N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneaminato)] in the presence of pyridine or imidazole as the cocatalyst. Two concurrent processes have been identified with cyclohexene as the olefinic substrate, which affords both cyclohexenyl t-butyl peroxide and cyclohexene oxide within 5 min at 25 °C in acetonitrile solutions. The pathway leading to cyclohexenyl t-butyl peroxide (allylic peroxidation) involves a free radical chain mechanism which is completely inhibited by the hindered phenol ionol. The presence of ionol allows various olefins to be cleanly epoxidized with t-butyl hydroperoxide-pyridine and catalytic amounts of salenMnIII. Olefin epoxidation occurs by an oxygen-rebound mechanism involving a reactive oxomanganese(V) species similar to that obtained with iodosylbenzene as the terminal oxidant. Both systems yield the same spectral transients with λmax ~ 550 nm and show the same reactivity patterns of various olefins. Homolysis and heterolysis of an alkylperoxomanganese(III) intermediate is considered to be the common precursor responsible for the radical chain initiation of allylic peroxidation and for the reactive oxomanganese(V) species in olefin epoxidation.
A national statistical survey assessment of mercury concentrations in fillets of fish collected in the U.S. EPA national rivers and streams assessment of the continental USA.

The U.S. EPA conducted a national statistical survey of fish fillet tissue with a sample size of 541 sites on boatable rivers =>5th order in 2008–2009. This is the first such study of mercury (Hg) in fish tissue from river sites focused on potential impacts to human health from fish consumption to also address wildlife impacts. Sample sites were identified as being urban or non-urban. All sample mercury concentrations were above the 3.33 ug kg � 1 (ppb) quantitation limit, and an estimated 25.4% (±4.4%) of the 51 663 river miles assessed exceeded the U.S. EPA 300 ug kg � 1 fish-tissue based water quality criterion for mercury, representing 13 144 ± 181.8 river miles. Estimates of river miles exceeding comparable aquatic life thresholds (translated from fillet concentrations to whole fish equivalents) in avian species were similar to the number of river miles exceeding the human health threshold, whereas some mammalian species were more at risk than human from lower mercury concentrations. A comparison of means from the non-urban and urban data and among three ecoregions did not indicate a statistically significant difference in fish tissue Hg concentrations at p < 0.05.
Sequences Prior to Conserved Catalytic Motifs of Polysialyltransferase ST8Sia IV Are Required for Substrate Recognition

Polysialic acid on the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) modulates cell-cell adhesion and signaling, is required for proper brain development, and plays roles in neuronal regeneration and the growth and invasiveness of tumor cells. Evidence indicates that NCAM polysialylation is highly protein-specific, requiring an initial polysialyltransferase-NCAM protein-protein interaction. Previous work suggested that a polybasic region located prior to the conserved polysialyltransferase catalytic motifs may be involved in NCAM recognition, but not overall enzyme activity (Foley, D. A., Swartzentruber, K. G., and Colley, K. J. (2009) J. Biol. Chem. 284, 15505–15516). Here, we employ a competition assay to evaluate the role of this region in substrate recognition. We find that truncated, catalytically inactive ST8SiaIV/PST proteins that include the polybasic region, but not those that lack this region, compete with endogenous ST8SiaIV/PST and reduce NCAM polysialylation in SW2 small cell lung carcinoma cells. Replacing two polybasic region residues, Arg82 and Arg93, eliminates the ability of a full-length, catalytically inactive enzyme (PST H331K) to compete with SW2 cell ST8SiaIV/PST and block NCAM polysialylation. Replacing these residues singly or together in ST8SiaIV/PST substantially reduces or eliminates NCAM polysialylation, respectively. In contrast, replacing Arg82, but not Arg93, substantially reduces the ability of ST8SiaIV/PST to polysialylate neuropilin-2 and SynCAM 1, suggesting that Arg82 plays a general role in substrate recognition, whereas Arg93 specifically functions in NCAM recognition. Taken together, our results indicate that the ST8SiaIV/PST polybasic region plays a critical role in substrate recognition and suggest that different combinations of basic residues may mediate the recognition of distinct substrates.
Midterm Follow-up of Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

Background: High tibial osteotomy is a valuable option for patients with varus gonarthrosis. To avoid difficulties with closing-wedge osteotomies, medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomies have been advocated.Hypothesis: Opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy is a good option in highly active patients with varus gonarthrosis who would like to delay or prevent progression to total knee arthroplasty without activity restrictions.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: Twenty consecutive patients with varus gonarthrosis were treated with a medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy using the Puddu plate and allograft bone graft for a prospective study (14 men and 6 women; average age, 49.4 years [range, 36-67 years]). Gait analysis was performed preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Preoperative radiographs, subjective ratings, and knee scores (Lysholm and Hospital for Special Surgery [HSS] scores) were obtained. At 2 years postoperatively and at the latest follow-up visit (average...
Analysis of facility location model using Bayesian Networks

In this study, we propose an integrated approach that combines Bayesian Networks and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to address complexities involved in selecting an international facility for a manufacturing plant. Our goal is to efficiently represent uncertain data and ambiguous information, and to unite them to improve the quality of the decisions. Bayesian Networks provide a framework to elicit information from experts, and provide a structure guide to efficient reasoning, even with incomplete knowledge. Our method is presented in a hierarchical structure so that it can be decomposed into the forms of more manageable units. We consider many tangible and intangible facility location criteria, then these criteria are grouped into few numbers of factors. These factors are then combined to form a cost perspective using the essentials of TCO.
Effects of desymmetrization on thiophene-based bent-rod mesogens

The synthesis and characterization of various thiophene-based bent-rod liquid crystals are reported, and the effects of varying lateral dipole and core desymmetrization upon mesophase behavior are described. Incorporation of desymmetrized core 7 into the molecular framework was found to have very different consequences depending upon whether n-alkoxy or tetracatenar-type end groups were used. Tetracatenar-type mesogens 8−11 were found to be significantly less mesogenic than the previously reported symmetric series 3. When symmetric straight-chain compounds 13−17 and unsymmetric straight-chain compounds 18−21 were investigated, however, the desymmetrized core was found to give rise to mesophases with much broader temperature ranges. Variable temperature X-ray diffraction of these compounds suggests the formation of antiparallel dimers of molecules within the liquid crystal phase, and this may explain the relatively stable mesophases formed by these compounds and their incompatibility with chiral induction....
Cross-linking and aging in rat tendon collagen

Abstract The solubility of native and borohydride-reduced tail tendons from rats of various ages was studied. Even in the youngest animals examined (one month old) almost all the collagen molecules are interlinked but many of the bonds between the chains are labile in strong salt solutions or in dilute acids. These bonds are stabilized by borohydride reduction. Under conditions that maintain the native configuration of the collagen molecules the reduced tendons are insoluble but denaturing reagents can dissolve a considerable fraction from the tendon collagen of young animals. It is deduced that in the young animals all molecules but not all polypeptide chains are inter-linked. In the older animals the level of cross-linking is increased with the result that most of the polypeptides are linked within and between the molecules as is demonstrated by the decreased solubility in denaturing reagents and the increase in polymeric chains present in the material that can be extracted. The cross-linking compounds in the collagen fibrils that can be discriminated by chromatography of an alkali-hydrolyzed, reduced (and 3 H-labeled) tendon were compared for animals of various ages. The proportions of the various reduced cross-link compounds varied with age but no marked increase in the level of incorporated tritium was noted in the old animals. It appears likely that the increased cross-linking indicated by the solubility studies reflects an accumulation of non-reducible cross-links or a more effective redistribution of pre-existing ones.
PART 3: BURST TESTS OF PIPELINE WITH EXTENSIVE LONGITUDINAL METAL LOSS

The first paper of the present series appearing in Experimental Techniques highlighted the increased need and opportunity for applying experimental techniques in the field of pipeline integrity.1 The series’ second paper 2 presented the analysis of strain data acquired by using postyield strain gages bonded inside the metal loss areas of different pipe specimens loaded with internal pressure. It was concluded that longitudinal strains undergo very little change in magnitude after the yielding of the material, whether the rosette is located on the surface of a nondefective specimen, or if placed in the nominal specimen area located some distance from the defect. Elastic and plastic results show that points located in the metal loss areas of specimens with extensive longitudinal defects are highly free to deform elastically and plastically in the circumferential and thickness directions. At those points, much resistance is offered to the longitudinal strains by the thick walls parallel to the metal loss strip, as can be noticed by the small longitudinal strain values.
Sustainability provisions in the bus-scheduling problem

Abstract The traditional vehicle scheduling problem attempts to minimize capital and operating costs. However, the carbon footprint and toxic air pollutants have become an increasingly important consideration. This paper studies the bus-scheduling problem and evaluates new types of buses that use alternative energy sources to reduce emissions, including some toxic air pollutants and carbon dioxide. A time-space network based approach is applied to formulate the problem to reduce the numbers of arcs in the underlying network; CPLEX is used to solve the problem. The results show that the bus-scheduling model can significantly reduce the bus emissions – hence reducing the carbon footprint of the transit operation – while only slightly increasing operating costs.
On the formation of ethynylbiphenyl (C14D5H5; C6D5C6H4CCH) isomers in the reaction of D5-phenyl radicals (C6D5; X2A1) with phenylacetylene (C6H5C2H; X1A1) under single collision conditions

Abstract Reaction dynamics of the D5-phenyl radical with phenylacetylene were investigated in crossed molecular beams at a collision energy of 120.7 kJ mol −1 supported by ab initio calculations. The reaction displays indirect, complex forming scattering dynamics, and adduct formation, with D5-phenyl attacking the phenyl ring of phenylacetylene at the ortho, meta and para positions over small entrance barriers. The adduct (C 6 D 5 C 8 H 6 ) undergoes hydrogen emission through tight exit transition states of 34–47 kJ mol −1 above the separated products. The phenyl addition–hydrogen elimination mechanism produces various ethynylbiphenyls exoergically by 25–38 kJ mol −1 . No phenanthrene was formed under our experimental conditions.
Defying Upward and Downward Separation

Upward and downward separation results link the collapse of small and large classes, and are a standard tool in complexity theory. We study the limitations of upward and downward separation. .pp We show that the exponential-time limited nondeterminism hierarchy does not robustly possess downward separation. We show that probabilistic classes do not robustly possess Hartmanis-Immerman-Sewelson upward separation. Though NP is known to robustly possess Hartmanis-Immerman-Sewelson upward separation, we show that NP does not robustly possess Hartmanis-Immerman-Sewelson upward separation with respect to strong (immunity) separation. On the other hand, we provide a structural sufficient condition for upward separation.
Photochromic and electrochromic properties of tungstate glasses

Abstract Electrochromic and photochromic behavior have been observed for the first time in the Li 2 O-B 2 O 3 -WO 3 glass system. Double injection of protons and electrons results in the formation of H x WO 3 in the glass matrix which exhibits a broad absorption band peaking in the vicinity of 1.45–1.65 eV due to electron hopping between W +5 and W +6 sites. An electron diffusion coefficient of D e ∽3×10 -6 cm 2 sec -1 has been measured near the percolation threshold when the volume filling fraction f > 0.3 for WO 3 in the glass matrix. The electrochemical potential of these tungstate glasses varies as a function of coloration.
Interactive sequences in the stress protein and molecular chaperone human αB crystallin recognize and modulate the assembly of filaments

Molecular chaperones including the small heat shock proteins, alphaB crystallin and sHSP27 participate in the assembly, disassembly, and reorganization of the cytoskeleton during cell development and differentiation. While alphaB crystallin and sHSP27 stabilize and modulate filament assembly and re-organization, the sequences and structural domains mediating interactions between these proteins and filaments are unknown. It is important to define these interactive domains in order to understand differential interactions between chaperones and stable or unfolding filaments and their function in the cellular stress response. Protein pin arrays identified sequences in human alphaB crystallin that selectively interacted with native or partially unfolded filament proteins desmin, glial-fibrillary acidic protein, and actin. Circular dichroism spectroscopy determined differences in the structure of these filaments at 23 and 45 degrees C. Seven alphaB crystallin sequences had stronger interactions with desmin and six sequences had stronger interactions with glial-fibrillary acidic protein at 23 degrees C than at 45 degrees C. The alphaB crystallin sequences (33)LESDLFPTSTSLSPFYLRPPSFLR(56) and (129)DPLTITSSLSSDGV(145) had the strongest interactions with actin at 23 degrees C, while (57)APSWFDTG(64), (111)HGFISREF(118), (145)VNGPRKQVSG(154), and (155)PERTIPITREEK(165) had the strongest interactions with actin at 45 degrees C. The actin interactive sequences of alphaB crystallin overlapped with previously identified alphaB crystallin chaperone sequences and were synthesized to evaluate their effect on the assembly and aggregation of actin. Full-length alphaB crystallin and the core domain chaperone sequence (131)LTITSSLSSDGV(143) promoted actin polymerization at 37 degrees C and inhibited depolymerization and aggregation at 50 degrees C. The results support the hypothesis that interactive domains in alphaB crystallin have multiple functions in stabilizing the cytoskeleton and protecting cytosolic proteins from unfolding.
Acoustical Scattering by Spherical Objects Containing Electrorheological Fluid Layers

In an effort to explore the mechanism to exert control over the band gap in phononic structures or acoustic metamaterials, a layer of electrorheological (ER) fluid is introduced into a spherical scatterer. The ER fluids have the capability of changing the mechanical properties from fluid-like into a solid-like material in a matter of milliseconds. It is expected that such significant changes in the material properties would afford a range of significant opportunities for tuning the band gap. In this study, numerical analysis of acoustical scattering characteristics of such scatterers in a underwater environment is explored. The ER fluid layer is encased between a solid steel core and a steel shell, which provide electrodes to electrify the ER fluid. The ER fluid, both before and after the electrification is modeled as viscoelastic solid in order to account for its capability for sustaining the shear wave. Effects of externally applied electric field on the scattering characteristics are observed.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Life stressors and coping: A longitudinal analysis among depressed and nondepressed adults

This article examines the interrelation between negative life events, ongoing life strains, and coping responses in a longitudinal study of clinically depressed and healthy adults. A two-wave, two-variable panel regression analysis revealed moderate stability of both life stressors and coping over a 1-year interval. The connections between life stressors and coping varied by group status and across specific types of stressors and modes of coping. For depressed persons, there was a relatively strong association between chronic strains and emotional discharge coping. Among the controls, negative events were associated with information and support seeking; however, an increase in chronic strains was associated with a decline in problem-solving coping. Overall, the results suggest that changes in stressful aspects of the psychosocial context are related to changes in the coping responses both clinically depressed and healthy adults use to manage specific stressful experiences.
Tests for randomness of directions against equatorial and bimodal alternatives

SUMMARY Tests of randomness of directions in three-dimensional space or equivalently tests of uniform distribution of points on the unit sphere are treated. One test is against alternatives which concentrate probability density near an equator, and the other is against alternatives which concentrate probability density near opposite poles; in each case the poles are unspecified. The tests are based on the latent roots of the matrix of sums of squares and cross-products of the co-ordinates of the observed points on the unit sphere. Against equatorial alternatives the null hypothesis is rejected if the smallest root is less than the appropriate significance point, and against bimodal alternatives the null hypothesis is rejected if the largest root is greater than the appropriate significance point. Tables of significance points are given, based on Monte-Carlo studies and the asymptotic distributions which are derived. The two-dimensional problem is also discussed.
Investigation of the secondary structure of Escherichia coli 5 S RNA by high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance.

The base-pairing structure of Escherichia coli 5 S RNA has been studied by high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the first analysis, these experiments provide a direct measure of the A · U and G · C base-pair content. Measurements over a range of temperatures indicate that the number of base pairs decreases from 28 ± 2 at 30 °C to 16 to 18 in the 52 °C to 62 °C range. On heating to 72 °C, this number is further reduced to about eight. An analysis of the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra in terms of nearest-neighbor ring current field affects on the positions of the low-field proton resonances provides a highly detailed picture of the 5 S RNA in its different stages of melting. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of all possible helices containing three or more base-pairs were computed and used in conjunction with the observed spectral data, general thermodynamic considerations and observations on the spectra of other polynucleotides to identify the helical sections present in 5 S RNA at 50 to 60 °C. This analysis leads to a model that includes three helices containing ten, seven and four base-pairs, respectively. If the helices that are present at the high temperatures are assumed to be present at lower temperatures, then the base-pairing matrix shows that many other helices are automatically excluded from consideration. This information, along with the nuclear magnetic resonance difference spectrum (30 to 50 °C), is sufficient to identify the two helices that are added when the temperature is lowered to 30 °C. In this way, a model for the complete secondary structure of 5 S RNA at room temperature can be deduced, which is consistent with other chemicals and phyical data. None of the previously proposed models are consistent with the nuclear magnetic resonance data.