cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The work of Einsiedler, Katok and Lindenstrauss on the Littlewood conjecture

This document is intended as a (slightly expanded) writeup of my (anticipated) talk at the AMS Current Events Bulletin in New Orleans, January 2007. It is a brief report on the work of Einsiedler, Katok and Lindenstrauss on the Littlewood conjecture [5]. It is not intended in any sense for specialists and is, indeed, aimed at readers without any specific background either in measure theory, dynamics or number theory. Any reader with any background in ergodic theory will be better served by consulting either the original paper, or one of the surveys written by those authors: see [7] and [12].
The performance status scale for head and neck cancer patients and the functional assessment of cancer therapy‐head and neck scale: A study of utility and validity

BACKGROUND The goal of this investigation was to examine the relationship between, and application of, two disease specific quality of life (QL) measures currently being employed for head and neck cancer patients: the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck Scale (FACT-H & N) and the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (PSS-HN). METHODS The FACT-H & N and PSS-HN were administered to 151 head and neck cancer patients with a range of disease sites, treatment status (on vs. off treatment), and treatment modalities (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy). RESULTS FACT-H & N subscale and total scores and PSS-HN subscale scores proved sensitive to patients groups (showed significant and clinically meaningful differences) on the basis of treatment status (on vs. off treatment) and global performance status (Karnofsky scores). The pattern of correlations between FACT-H & N and PSS-HN subscales supported the scales' construct (convergent vs. divergent) validity. The strongest and most significant associations were observed between PSS-HN Normalcy of Diet and Eating in Public, and the head and neck subscale (HNS) of FACT-H & N, both of which were designed to measure the unique problems of head and neck cancer patients. More modest associations were observed between subscales measuring physical and functional areas of performance, social functioning, and emotional well-being. CONCLUSIONS The FACT-HNS was found to be reliable and valid when applied to head and neck cancer patients. It clearly adds information to that collected by the parent (core) instrument. The PSS-HN also provides unique information, independent of that provided by the Karnofsky or the FACT-H & N. This study supported the multidimensional nature of QL for head and neck cancer patients, and thus the importance of assessing disease specific concerns in addition to general health status when assessing functional and QL outcome. Cancer 1996;77:2294-301.
Cytotoxicity of withaferin A in glioblastomas involves induction of an oxidative stress-mediated heat shock response while altering Akt/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways

Withaferin A (WA), a steroidal lactone derived from the plant Vassobia breviflora, has been reported to have anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic properties against cancer growth. In this study, we identified several key underlying mechanisms of anticancer action of WA in glioblastoma cells. WA was found to inhibit proliferation by inducing a dose-dependent G2/M cell cycle arrest and promoting cell death through both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. This was accompanied by an inhibitory shift in the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway which included diminished expression and/or phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR, p70 S6K, and p85 S6K with increased activation of AMPKα and the tumor suppressor tuberin/TSC2. Alterations in proteins of the MAPK pathway and cell surface receptors like EGFR, Her2/ErbB2, and c-Met were also observed. WA induced an N-acetyl-L-cysteine-repressible enhancement in cellular oxidative potential/stress with subsequent induction of a heat shock stress response primarily through HSP70, HSP32, and HSP27 upregulation and HSF1 downregulation. Taken together, we suggest that WA may represent a promising chemotherapeutic candidate in glioblastoma therapy warranting further translational evaluation.
The health-related effects of alcohol use in older persons: a systematic review.

Increased alcohol consumption is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in young and middle-aged adult populations, but its effects on the health of older adults have received less attention. The objective of the study was to review published studies that assessed the effects of alcohol on falls or fall injuries, functional impairment, cognitive impairment, and all-cause mortality among older adults. MEDLINE database and bibliographies of selected citations were searched for English language studies published between 1966 and 1998 that examined the relationship between alcohol and one or more of the above outcomes. Also a study was analyzed if it included participants 60 years of age or older, or a broader age range of participants and reported results for older subgroups, or predominantly older participants as evidenced by a mean age of 65 years of age or above. Information on studies' sample sizes, exposure and outcome measures, and risk estimates were extracted, and articles were evaluated for methodologic quality using predetermined criteria. Eighty-four studies were identified that examined 91 potential exposure–outcome associations including falls or fall injuries (n = 26); functional impairment (n = 13); cognitive impairment (n = 32); and all-cause mortality (n = 20). The percentage of studies demonstrating harm, no association, or benefit by outcome included falls (15% vs. 81% vs. 4%); functional disability (38% vs. 46% vs. 16%); cognitive impairment (31% vs. 66% vs. 3%); and all-cause mortality (15% vs. 65% vs. 20%). Studies (n = 84) inconsistently adhered to methodologic standards. Although 90% provided eligibility criteria; 61% cited participation rates; and 73% described the methods used to measure alcohol exposure; only 44% adjusted for potentially important confounding factors; and 26% distinguished former drinkers from nondrinkers. Of the cohort studies (n = 47), 30% assessed for change in participants' exposure status over time, and 17% determined whether losses to follow-up varied by exposure status. The magnitude of risk posed by alcohol use for falls or fall injuries, functional disability, cognitive impairment, and all-cause mortality among older adults remains uncertain. Prospective studies are needed to better define the health-related effects of alcohol use in older populations.
Atypical post-translational modification and targeting of a Schistosoma mansoni surface receptor, a member of the transforming growth factor β receptor family of cell surface receptors

The surface membrane of the intravascular parasite Schistosoma mansoni is composed of not one but two closely apposed lipid bilayers which overlie a syncytial cellular layer, known as the tegument or neodermis. To gain insights into how membrane proteins are transported to and displayed on this unusual surface structure, we have investigated the post-translational modification and targeting of SmRK-1, a receptor and type I membrane protein expressed on the parasite surface, using heterologous expression systems. While SmRK-1 enters the secretory pathway in these systems, our data indicate that the SmRK-1 N-terminal signal peptide is either not cleaved by signal peptidase or is only eleven amino acids long or less. Retention of the signal peptide is accompanied by N-linked glycosylation of an asparagine residue within the predicted signal peptide. The SmRK-1 signal peptide is not capable of directing another cytoplasmic protein to the secretory pathway, suggesting that the signal for insertion of the SmRK-1 extracellular domain into the endoplasmic reticulum resides elsewhere in the protein. Further, SmRK-1 is inefficiently transported to the cell surface in mammalian cells, suggesting that the schistosome neodermis possesses specialized systems for receptor targeting and localization.
Loci of disfluencies in the speech of stutterers.

A group of 15 male stutterers read a 1000-word passage. Words spoken disfluently were analyzed for the presence of Brown's four word characteristics. The same pattern of loci of occurrence was observed as was reported by Brown in a similar study in which the analyses were based on stuttering counts rather than on disfluency counts. Several implications of this finding are discussed.
Quantum and Ecosystem Entropies

Ecosystems and quantum gases share a number of superficial similarities including enormous numbers of interacting elements and the fundamental role of energy in such interactions. A theory for the synthesis of data and prediction of new phenomena is well established in quantum statistical mechanics. The premise of this paper is that the reason a comparable unifying theory has not emerged in ecology is that a proper role for entropy has yet to be assigned. To this end, a phase space entropy model of ecosystems is developed. Specification of an ecosystem phase space cell size based on microbial mass, length, and time scales gives an ecosystem uncertainty parameter only about three orders of magnitude larger than Planck’s constant. Ecosystem equilibria is specified by conservation of biomass and total metabolic energy, along with the principle of maximum entropy at equilibria. Both Bose - Einstein and Fermi - Dirac equilibrium conditions arise in ecosystems applications. The paper concludes with a discussion of some broader aspects of an ecosystem phase space.
Genetic and Morphometric Assessment of the Origin, Population Structure, and Taxonomic Status of Anticlea vaginata (Melanthiaceae)

Abstract Anticlea vaginata (Melanthiaceae) is a rare and endemic plant species restricted to hanging gardens in low-elevation desert regions of the Colorado Plateau. Its more widespread congener, A. elegans, is morphologically similar, but occurs in montane forests that encompass and extend beyond the natural range of A. vaginata. Here, we use morphometric and genetic analyses to investigate the biogeographic origin, population structure, and taxonomic classification of A. vaginata relative to A. elegans. Our results demonstrate that A. vaginata is closely related to and morphologically indistinguishable from A. elegans and likely represents remnant populations of A. elegans derived from a Pleistocene vicariance event. We conclude that A. vaginata warrants treatment as Anticlea elegans subsp. vaginata, since it exhibits a similar level of differentiation from A. elegans subsp. elegans as subsp. glaucus. Since A. vaginata occupies an ecologically unique niche, exhibits a distinct flowering period and harbo...
A novel class of ferromagnetic materials

Abstract We have prepared a class of stable ferromagnetic materials with high Curie temperatures by thermal treatment of transition metal phthalocyanines, MnPc, FePc, CoPc or NiPc, for several hours at 500–700°C in inert ambient. Part of the phthalocyanine ring is pyrolyzed with corresponding loss in mass. Mossbauer studies of FePc and Co(57Co)Pc indicate that the MeN4 moiety and the aromatic character of the ring are retained, and that there is fairly strong interaction between the central atom and axially situated aromatic rings or nitrogens of neighboring coplanar rings. The axial interactions provide a pathway for ferromagnetism.
Caregiving in social context

The heterogeneity of family caregiving is explored with specific emphasis on differences by gender, age, race, and area of residence. The aging of the population and other social structural changes during the next several decades will simultaneously increase the size of the population in need of long-term care and constrain the options available to frail elders and their care providers. Research suggests that there will be particularly deleterious consequences for women, older elders, nonwhites, and those who live in rural areas. In addition to these social characteristics, elder abuse and neglect, negative outcomes sometimes associated with caregiving, and the importance of linkages between formal and informal providers are discussed. Finally, the many contributions of older people to society and the fact that most elders are aging well are addressed. The modification of curricula to reflect caregiving in social context will enhance training programs designed for formal and informal providers who work with impaired elders and formal courses available to students in academic institutions. The latter represent future decision makers who will have the opportunity to influence public policies and intervention strategies whose benefits will redound to frail elders and their care providers.
Modified concepts of logic, probability, and information based on generalized continuous characteristic function*

All the basic laws of the traditional logic can be derived from the characteristic function f(A/a) which is 1 or 0 according as object a satisfies predicate A or not. There is good reason to believe that it is worthwhile to extend this formalism to the case where f(A/a) can take any value in the continuous domain [0, 1]. The implications of this generalization to the concepts of logic, probability and information theory are studied.
Vitamin D and aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS): a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial

A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized phase II trial was performed to determine whether High Dose Vitamin D2 supplementation (HDD) in women receiving adjuvant anastrozole improves aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) and bone loss. Patients with early breast cancer and AIMSS were stratified according to their baseline 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) level. Stratum A (20–29 ng/ml) received either HDD 50,000 IU capsules weekly for 8 weeks then monthly for 4 months or placebo. Stratum B (10–19 ng/ml) received either HDD for 16 weeks and then monthly for 2 months, or placebo. AIMSS was assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was measured at baseline and at 6 months. The primary endpoint of the study was the change-from-baseline musculoskeletal pain. The secondary endpoint was the percent change in BMD at 6 months. Sixty women were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. At 2 months, FIQ pain (P = 0.0045), BPI worst-pain (P = 0.04), BPI average-pain (P = 0.0067), BPI pain-severity (P = 0.04), and BPI interference (P = 0.034) scores were better in the HDD than placebo group. The positive effect of HDD on AIMSS was stronger across all time points in Stratum B than Stratum A (FIQ pain, P = 0.04; BPI average, P = 0.03; BPI severity, P = 0.03; BPI interference, P = 0.04). BMD at the femoral neck decreased in the placebo and did not change in the HDD group (P = 0.06). Weekly HDD improves AIMSS and may have a positive effect on bone health. Vitamin D supplementation strategies for breast cancer patients on AI should be further investigated.
RESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PATTERNS OF AFRO-AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THREE DIFFERENT STATES

The residential preferences of Afro-American students in three black colleges in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Texas are factor analyzed to determine whether major differences exist. Mapping the factor scores for the students in each college reveals that state rankings vary markedly from one region to another, black spatial preferences differ markedly from those students attending predominately white universities, and preference patterns reflect contemporary interregional black migration trends.
Reduction of arthritis and pneumonitis in motheaten mice by soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy in the inflammatory and autoimmune disease in motheaten (me/me) mice, which exhibit a Fas apoptosis signaling defect. METHODS Arthritis, pneumonitis, and mortality were analyzed in me/me mice treated with a novel, soluble, dimeric TNF receptor I (sTNFRI) molecule capable of high-affinity binding and neutralization of TNFalpha. RESULTS Soluble TNFRI reduced serum levels of TNFalpha and led to a 2-fold increase in the lifespan of me/me mice, compared with the control treatment group. The treatment also reduced the development of the "motheaten" skin patches and alleviated pneumonitis and inflammatory lesions in the extremities of me/me mice compared with controls. However, the serum levels of IgM and IgM anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibody were comparable to those of untreated control mice. CONCLUSION TNFalpha is an important cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease in me/me mice, resulting in tissue damage and early mortality. Therapies directed at blocking TNF/TNFR interactions, such as the sTNFRI used in these experiments, may be effective in diseases associated with apoptosis defects leading to overutilization of the TNF/TNFR pathway.
Motionless phase stepping in X-ray phase contrast imaging with a compact source

X-ray phase contrast imaging offers a way to visualize the internal structures of an object without the need to deposit significant radiation, and thereby alleviate the main concern in X-ray diagnostic imaging procedures today. Grating-based differential phase contrast imaging techniques are compatible with compact X-ray sources, which is a key requirement for the majority of clinical X-ray modalities. However, these methods are substantially limited by the need for mechanical phase stepping. We describe an electromagnetic phase-stepping method that eliminates mechanical motion, thus removing the constraints in speed, accuracy, and flexibility. The method is broadly applicable to both projection and tomography imaging modes. The transition from mechanical to electromagnetic scanning should greatly facilitate the translation of X-ray phase contrast techniques into mainstream applications.
A method for isolating ions in quadrupole ion traps using an excitation waveform generated by frequency modulation and mixing

Abstract We describe a new method for isolating ions in quadrupole ion traps using an excitation waveform generated by mixing a broadband waveform generated by frequency modulation (FM) with a sine-wave at the secular frequency of the ion to be isolated. In terms of resolution and efficiency, the mixed FM method exhibits performance nearly identical to isolation using the apex of the Mathieu stability diagram. A disadvantage of the mixed FM method is that isolations require additional time relative to apex-based methods. This disadvantage is shared by other methods that involve application of multi-frequency waveforms such as stored waveform inverse Fourier transform (SWIFT). An advantage of the mixed FM technique (also shared with other tailored waveform approaches), is applicability to a much larger m / z range than apex-based methods. Indeed, the mixed FM technique performs identically to SWIFT in many respects. While the mixed FM technique is not nearly as flexible as SWIFT in terms of the frequency content of the generated waveforms, the mixed FM technique is much simpler to implement as it requires only two function generators and a frequency mixer. Tuning important parameters of the waveform such as notch frequency, notch width, and excitation bandwidth is also facilitated with the mixed FM technique.
Congestion versus accuracy tradeoffs in IP traffic classification

Real-time internet traffic classification has potential applications in next-generation internet security and bandwidth management. Current machine learning-based algorithms for traffic classification, however, present scalability issues that would degrade system performance if executed to make control decisions on real-time streams. This tension gives rise to competing performance costs for traffic classification systems: higher throughput can be achieved at the expense of less stringent computation, and thus lower accuracy. In this paper, we develop a queueing model to explicitly weigh the tradeoff between accuracy and congestion costs in binary classification tasks of discretionary duration. We show the optimal control policy can be approximated well using standard dynamic programming techniques, and compare its performance against two benchmark policies. We also propose a simple heuristic based on constructing conic hulls, and show its performance is very close to optimal.
An optimal control policy in a mobile cloud computing system based on stochastic data

The emerging mobile cloud computing (MCC) paradigm has the potential to extend the capabilities of battery-powered mobile devices. Lots of research work have been conducted for improving the performance and reducing the power consumption for the mobile devices in the MCC paradigm. Different from the previous work, we investigate the effect of the inter-charging interval (ICI) length on the mobile device control decisions, including the offloading decision of each service request and the CPU operating frequency for processing local requests. Generally, the length of an ICI is uncertain to the mobile device controller and only stochastic data are known. We first define the expected “performance sum” as the objective function, which essentially captures a desirable trade-off between performance and power consumption of the mobile device and accounts for the ICI length uncertainty. We prove that the best-suited control decisions should change as time elapses to take into account the effect of ICI length variations. We propose a dynamic programming algorithm, which can derive the optimal control policy of the mobile device to maximize the expected performance sum.
Portrayals of Teen Smoking, Drinking, and Drug Use in Recent Popular Movies

Studies indicate that films can influence adolescents' attitudes toward and initiation of substance use. It is therefore important to periodically assess film content to assess the types of imagery adolescents are likely to encounter. This study content analyzed teen characters in top films featuring teenagers from 2007, 2008, and 2009 to assess smoking, drinking, and drug use portrayals. Results indicate a relatively low incidence of smoking and drug use. However, one in five teen characters are shown drinking. Overall, substance use depictions have diminished considerably compared with films released at the earlier end of the decade. However, consequences of substance use were infrequently depicted, and characters seldom refused invitations to drink or do drugs. Given these findings, some potentially counterproductive outcomes are discussed.
Efficacy and Cost Comparisons of Bronchodilatator Administration Between Metered Dose Inhalers with Disposable Spacers and Nebulizers for Acute Asthma Treatment

Abstract Background: Despite demonstration of equivalent efficacy of beta agonist delivery using a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with spacer vs. nebulizer in asthma patients, use of a nebulizer remains standard practice. Objectives: We hypothesize that beta agonist delivery with a MDI/disposable spacer combination is an effective and low-cost alternative to nebulizer delivery for acute asthma in an inner-city population. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with 60 acute asthma adult patients in two inner-city emergency departments. Subjects (n = 60) received albuterol with either a MDI/spacer combination or nebulizer. The spacer group (n = 29) received albuterol by MDI/spacer followed by placebo nebulization. The nebulizer group (n = 29) received placebo by MDI/spacer followed by albuterol nebulization. Peak flows, symptom scores, and need for rescue bronchodilatator were monitored. Median values were compared with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Results: Patients in the two randomized groups had similar baseline characteristics. The severity of asthma exacerbation, median peak flows, and symptom scores were not significantly different between the two groups. The median (interquartile range) improvement in peak flow was 120 (75–180) L/min vs. 120 (80–155) L/min in the spacer and nebulizer groups, respectively ( p = 0.56). The median improvement in the symptom score was 7 (5–9) vs. 7 (4–9) in the spacer and nebulizer groups, respectively ( p = 0.78). The median cost of treatment per patient was $10.11 ($10.03–$10.28) vs. $18.26 ($9.88–$22.45) in the spacer and nebulizer groups, respectively ( p
Studies in alkylation. I. Synthesis and reactions of spiro[oxirane-2,4-piperidines]

Spiro[oxirane-2, 4′-piperidines] have been prepared by the action of dimethyloxosulfonium methylide on 4-piperidones. The spiro[oxirane-2,4′-piperidines] act as alkylating agents to introduce (4-hydroxy-4-piperidyl) methyl moieties onto heteroaromatic compounds such as 4(3H)-quinazolone.
Paclitaxel-Eluting Polymer Film Reduces Locoregional Recurrence and Improves Survival in a Recurrent Sarcoma Model: A Novel Investigational Therapy

Locoregional recurrences occur in up to 50% of patients after macroscopically complete (R0/R1) resections of abdominal, pelvic, and retroperitoneal sarcomas. Efficacy of a drug-eluting polymer film in reducing locoregional recurrence rates was assessed in a murine recurrent sarcoma model. Poly(glycerol monostearate-co-caprolactone) polymer films were synthesized with and without 300 μg paclitaxel (Pax-film and unloaded film). Cytotoxicity was assessed against CS-1 (human chondrosarcoma) cells in vitro and in vivo in nude mice. Following R0/R1 resection of primary subcutaneous tumors, mice were blindly randomized to: (1) Pax-film implant, (2) unloaded film implant, (3) paclitaxel 300 μg IV (Pax IV), or (4) no other therapy (“untreated”). Locoregional recurrence, overall survival (OS), and tumor mitotic index were evaluated. Pax-films, but not unloaded films, reduced CS-1 viability in vitro for >50 days (P < 0.001). In vivo, locoregional recurrence was observed in 2 of 12 Pax-film mice (17%), 9 of 13 unloaded film mice (69%), 8 of 9 Pax IV mice (89%), and 7 of 8 untreated mice (88%) (P < 0.01). Median OS was 81, 64, 48, and 56 days, respectively. Paclitaxel levels in local tissues were 50- to 300-fold greater in Pax-film mice compared with Pax IV mice. Tumor mitotic index adjacent to Pax-films was significantly lower than adjacent to unloaded films. Tumor bed implantation of Pax-films after R0/R1 resection is superior to Pax IV as evidenced by reduced locoregional recurrence and improved OS in a murine recurrent sarcoma model. Continuous local drug exposure via polymer films represents a potentially novel approach for treatment of locally aggressive sarcomas.
Complex permittivities and dielectric relaxation of granular activated carbons at microwave frequencies between 0.2 and 26 GHz

Carbonaceous materials are amenable to microwave heating to varying degrees. The primary indicator of susceptibility is the complex permittivity (e*), of which the real component correlates with polarization and the imaginary term represents dielectric loss. For a given material, the complex permittivity is dependent upon both frequency and temperature. Here we report the complex permittivities of three activated carbons of diverse origin over the frequency range from 0.2 to 26 GHz. Dielectric polarization-relaxation phenomena for these materials are also characterized. Measurements were made using a coaxial dielectric probe and vector network analyzer based system across the temperature region between 22 and 190 8C.  2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Neptune inbound bow shock

Voyager 2 crossed the inbound or upstream Neptunian bow shock at 1430 spacecraft event time on August 24 in 1989 (Belcher et al., 1989). The plasma and magnetic field measurements allow us to study the solar wind interaction with the outermost gas giant. To fully utilize all of the spacecraft observations, an improved nonlinear least squares, 'Rankine-Hugoniot' magnetohydrodynamic shock-fitting technique has been developed (Szabo, 1994). This technique is applied to the Neptunian data set. We find that the upstream bow shock normal points nearly exactly toward the Sun consistent with any reasonable large-scale model of the bow shock for a near subsolar crossing. The shock was moving outward with a speed of 14 +/- 12 km/s. The shock can be characterized as a low beta, high Mach number, strong quasi-perpendicular shock. Finally, the shock microstructure features are resolved and found to scale well with theoretical expectations.
Identification of a Drosophila Vitamin K-dependent γ-Glutamyl Carboxylase

Abstract Using reduced vitamin K, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, γ-glutamyl carboxylase post-translationally modifies certain glutamates by adding carbon dioxide to the γ position of those amino acids. In vertebrates, the modification of glutamate residues of target proteins is facilitated by an interaction between a propeptide present on target proteins and the γ-glutamyl carboxylase. Previously, the gastropod Conus was the only known invertebrate with a demonstrated vitamin K-dependent carboxylase. We report here the discovery of a γ-glutamyl carboxylase inDrosophila. This Drosophila enzyme is remarkably similar in amino acid sequence to the known mammalian carboxylases; it has 33% sequence identity and 45% sequence similarity to human γ-glutamyl carboxylase. TheDrosophila carboxylase is vitamin K-dependent, and it has a K m toward a model pentapeptide substrate, FLEEL, of about 4 mm. However, unlike the human γ-glutamyl carboxylase, it is not stimulated by human blood coagulation factor IX propeptides. We found the mRNA forDrosophila γ-glutamyl carboxylase in virtually every embryonic and adult stage that we investigated, with the highest concentration evident in the adult head.
A second stripper for an EN or FN tandem accelerator

Abstract A second stripper has frequently been installed, part way down the high-energy acceleration tube, in an MP or other very large tandem to achieve a higher particle energy and charge state [1–3]. In an EN, FN or similar accelerator the space available in the dead section is very small, approximately 4″ in length and little more than the tube diameter transversely. The 4″ length must also accomodate the flexible bellows and vacuum seals that are necessary between the individual acceleration tubes. A stripper housing 22 foils 0.75″ diameter has been built and successfully installed, in this space, on the FN tandem accelerator at Florida State University. This accelerator has always operated with a 0.75″ diameter aperture in this position so no loss of beam transmission occurs.
The Pregastrula Establishment of Gene Expression Pattern in Xenopus Embryos: Requirements for Local Cell Interactions and for Protein Synthesis

Although it has been proposed that mesoderm forms in the marginal zone of the amphibian embryo through inductive signaling from vegetal pole cells, the details of this process remain to be clarified. To determine when marginal zone cells become committed to mesodermal fates, cell contact and protein synthesis requirements for early transcriptional responses were analyzed in Xenopus blastulae. Marginal zone explants were isolated from embryos at different stages and either were cultured untreated, or were dissociated in a medium lacking calcium and magnesium ions, or cultured in the presence of cycloheximide. Whereas many mesoderm-specific transcripts are efficiently induced by activin in dissociated animal pole cells, the same markers were not activated in dissociated marginal zone cells, which were isolated from mid or even late blastulae and cultured in the absence of exogenous inducers. These observations suggest that early specification of mesodermal fates requires cell-cell interactions within the marginal zone and that the marginal zone cells are not committed to express early mesodermal markers until the late blastula stage. Specification of mesodermal fates was also assessed by the ability of marginal zone cells to express early mesodermal markers in the absence of protein synthesis. Induction of Xlim1, 1A11, and, partially, Xbrachyury transcripts in the marginal zone was blocked by cycloheximide treatment through late blastula stages, whereas Goosecoid and Xwnt8 mRNAs were expressed in the absence of protein synthesis, indicating that these sets of markers are activated in vivo through different pathways. These observations demonstrate that determination of mesoderm in the marginal zone is a multistep process which occurs during late blastula stages and depends on cell-cell contact and protein synthesis.
Gene structure, expression and identification of a new CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase β isoform

Abstract CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT) is a key regulatory enzyme in phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) biosynthesis, and in mammals, there are two distinct genes that encode enzymes that catalyze this reaction. This work defines the structures of both the murine CCT genes (Pcyt1a and Pcyt1b) and identifies a new CCT protein, CCTβ3, with a unique amino terminus that arises from an alternate initiation exon. CCTα is expressed in all tissues, and is most abundant in liver, kidney and heart. A second CCTα transcript is described that initiates from a separate untranslated exon that is most highly expressed in testis. The CCTβ isoforms are most highly expressed in brain and reproductive tissues. CCTβ3 is not expressed in embryonic brain tissues, but is a significant transcript in the adult. These data suggest unique roles for the CCT protein isoforms in the differential regulation of PtdCho biosynthesis in specific tissues.
Linear modeling of multidimensional non-Gaussian processes using cumulants

Extending the notion of second-order correlations, we define thecumulants of stationary non-Gaussian random fields, and demonstrate their potential for modeling and reconstruction of multidimensional signals and systems. Cumulants and their Fourier transforms calledpolyspectra preserve complete amplitude and phase information of a multidimensional linear process, even when it is corrupted by additive colored Gaussian noise of unknown covariance function. Relying on this property, phase reconstruction algorithms are developed using polyspectra, which can be computed via a 2-D FFT-based algorithm. Additionally, consistent ARMA parameter estimators are derived for identification of linear space-invariant multidimensional models which are driven by unobservable, i.i.d., non-Gaussian random fields. Contrary to autocorrelation based multidimensional modeling approaches, when cumulants are employed, the ARMA model is allowed to be non-minimum phase, asymmetric non-causal or non-separable.
Spectroscopic constants of the Kolos-Wolniewicz potential for H2

Abstract Recently Kolos and Wolniewicz used an 80-term electronic wave function in an accurate variational calculation of the H 2 ground-state potential. For this potential the coefficients in power series expansions about the minimum are here determined. The expansions are carried out only in restricted subdomains of internuclear separation; the potential coefficients are thereby found not to vary significantly as the number of terms included in the series varies. (Without subdomain restriction, calculations of this type generally have led to coefficients that vary widely.) Resulting Dunham potential coefficients a 0 , a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , and a 4 are 0.7971 × 10 5 cm −1 , −1.600, 1.86, −2.1 and 2.3, respectively. From these the spectroscopic constants are found to be Y 10 = +4402, Y 20 = −122, Y 01 = +60.82, Y 11 = −3.03, Y 02 = −0.0465, Y 12 = +0.0016, and Y 03 = +4.98 × 10 −5 , all in cm −1 . When account is taken of computer precision limitations in the Kolos-Wolniewicz calculation, only Y 01 and Y 11 appear to differ significantly from experimental values.
Connective tissue growth factor in regulation of RhoA mediated cytoskeletal tension associated osteogenesis of mouse adipose-derived stromal cells.

Background Cytoskeletal tension is an intracellular mechanism through which cells convert a mechanical signal into a biochemical response, including production of cytokines and activation of various signaling pathways. Methods/Principal Findings Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) were allowed to spread into large cells by seeding them at a low-density (1,250 cells/cm2), which was observed to induce osteogenesis. Conversely, ASCs seeded at a high-density (25,000 cells/cm2) featured small cells that promoted adipogenesis. RhoA and actin filaments were altered by changes in cell size. Blocking actin polymerization by Cytochalasin D influenced cytoskeletal tension and differentiation of ASCs. To understand the potential regulatory mechanisms leading to actin cytoskeletal tension, cDNA microarray was performed on large and small ASCs. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was identified as a major regulator of osteogenesis associated with RhoA mediated cytoskeletal tension. Subsequently, knock-down of CTGF by siRNA in ASCs inhibited this osteogenesis. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that CTGF is important in the regulation of cytoskeletal tension mediated ASC osteogenic differentiation.
Broadband energy harvesting via adaptive control of bistable potential energy separatrix

As a result of the documented performance limitations of conventional linear piezoelectric energy harvesters, researchers have focused their efforts towards device designs that can better capture broadband energy. The approaches used can be classified into three categories: frequency tuning, multi-modal energy harvesting, and nonlinear energy harvesting 1 . Of the nonlinear harvesting approaches studied, bistable energy harvesters have been shown to have the most robust performance when subjected to broadband harmonic & stochastic excitation 2-4 . A conventional method for developing a nonlinear bistable restoring force is through use of magnetic repulsion. In these studies, a common theme of high-energy orbit breakdown occurs during a frequency upsweep. The issue at hand is the inability of the device inertial forces to overcome the potential energy barrier (separatrix) inherent to a bistable potential energy. This paper proposes the use of a high-permeability electromagnet for adaptively controlling the bistable magnetic repulsion force to expand the frequency bandwidth for high-energy harmonic oscillations. Numerical simulations of the nonlinear oscillator are used to study the system response under varying parameters of separation distance and electromagnetic coil current. An analytical model of the magnetic moment of an electromagnet is developed for use in studying the force interaction between repulsing magnets and to determine the parametric space that generates buckling loads in a cantilever bimorph energy harvester.
Simultaneous Ejection of Six Electrons at a Constant Potential by Hexakis(4-ferrocenylphenyl)benzene

A simple synthesis of a dendritic hexaferrocenyl electron donor (5) is described in which six ferrocene moieties are connected at the vertices of the propeller of the hexaphenylbenzene core. The mo...
Sustained polymorphic arrhythmias induced by programmed ventricular stimulation have prognostic value in patients receiving defibrillators.

Background: Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) who have monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) induced by programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Among a primary prevention population, the prognostic significance of induced polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias is unknown. Methods:A total of 105 consecutive patients who received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention of SCD in the setting of ICM and non-sustained VT were retrospectively evaluated. Seventy-five patients (group I) had induction of monomorphic VT and 30 patients (group II) had a sustained ventricular arrhythmia other than monomorphic VT (ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, and polymorphic VT) induced during PVS. Results:Baseline characteristics were similar between group I and group II except for ejection fraction (25% vs. 31%, P = 0.0001) and QRS duration (123 milliseconds vs. 109 milliseconds, P = 0.04). Sixteen of 75 (21.3%) patients in group I and 6 of 30 (20%) patients in group II received appropriate ICD therapy (P = 0.88). Survival free from ICD therapy was similar between groups (P = 0.54). There was a trend toward increased all-cause mortality among patients in group I by Kaplan-Meier analysis (P = 0.08). However, when adjusted for age, EF, and QRS duration mortality was similar (P = 0.45). Conclusions:There is no difference in rates of appropriate ICD discharge or mortality between patients dichotomized by type of rhythm induced during PVS. These results suggest that patients in this population who have inducible VF or sustained polymorphic VT have similar rates of subsequent clinical ventricular tachyarrhythmias as those with inducible monomorphic VT.
Designing an electronic writing classroom

The article discusses designing electronic writing classrooms and the various decisions that classroom designers face during this complex task. In particular, it considers four key stages in the design process: establishing a plan, developing a room design, working within budgets, and maintaining a smoothly running computerized classroom. The article provides specific suggestions in these four stages informed by sound instructional goals appropriate to the teaching of technical communication.
Reliability—risks, resources, rewards

Abstract The topic ‘Reliability—Risks, Resources, Rewards’ has received wide attention from reliability engineers and theoreticians in the past few years. Their concern has been emphasized by several factors such as the increased complexity of systems, increased quality requirements, and the rising costs of resources. So far, most of the reliability studies and modelling that were structured from purely theoretical behaviour or purely practical considerations suffer from inherent problems. This paper puts forward some of the problem areas encountered in reliability studies and discusses possible solutions and future developments and applications.
Compliant mechanism synthesis using degree of genus and variable width curves

Compliant mechanisms (CMs) utilize elastic deformations for mechanism functions. Their merits primarily come from jointless structures. The structure of a fully CM is a piece of elastic material and is defined by its topology, shape and size. Topology is the overarching material layout of a CM while shape and size are on its structural details, but topology is entangled with shape and size in the synthesis process of a CM because its elastic deformation is from the joint effect of topology, shape and size. Degree of freedom (DOF) and number of links used in rigid mechanism synthesis are not effective to guide the synthesis of CMs since any point of a fully CM can deform and its whole structure forms a single piece. Without effective synthesis guidance, the structural complexity of a synthesized CM can be undesirably high. In this paper, degree of genus (DOG) is introduced for topology guidance of CM synthesis. DOG of a CM is the number of holes and is actively controlled during its synthesis process. With DOG guidance, a synthesized CM will not have overcomplicated topology. Variable width curves (VWCs) are introduced in this paper for shape and size description. Any connection in a CM is defined as a VWC and the entire CM is modeled as a network of VWCs. With VWC description, a synthesized CM will not have unsmooth connection. Under DOG and VWC strategies, CM synthesis is systematized as optimizing control parameters of networks of VWCs. The proposed CM synthesis using DOG and VWC strategies is demonstrated by synthesizing shape morphing compliant mechanisms.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Radio-calcium and radio-strontium metabolism in pregnant mice.

Summary and ConclusionRadioactive strontium and calcium have been used to study the mineral metabolism in mice during pregnancy. It appears that part of the calcium and strontium previously fixed in the skeleton of mice migrates to the foetus during the last days of pregnancy and to the offspring through the milk. When radioactive strontium lactate is injected intravenously into lactating mice and cows, appreciable amounts are excreted in the milk.
Murine lipid phosphate phosphohydrolase-3 acts as a cell-associated integrin ligand

Abstract Lipid phosphate phosphohydrolase-3 (LPP3) is a cell surface protein that exhibits ectoenzyme activity. Previously, we identified human LPP3 in a functional assay of angiogenesis and showed that the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif in the proposed second extracellular domain interacts with a subset of integrins to mediate cell–cell adhesion. In contrast to the RGD domain of human LPP3, murine Lpp3 contains a variant sequence, Arg-Gly-Glu (RGE). Whether the RGE motif of murine Lpp3 mediates cell–cell interaction has not been studied. In this report, we test the hypothesis that the cell adhesion function of the LPP3 protein is conserved across mouse and human. A glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein of the proposed second extracellular loop of the murine Lpp3 sequence (GST-mLpp3-RGE) promoted attachment of cells in a long-term cell adhesion assay. GST-mLpp3-RGE interacted with α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins in a solid-phase ELISA, while a mutant control, GST-hLPP3-RAD, did not. Long-term adhesion of endothelial cells to GST-mLpp3-RGE induced phosphorylation of FAK, SHC, and CAS, whereas adhesion to GST-hLPP3-RAD failed to do so. Upon long-term adhesion both the GST-hLPP3-RGD and GST-mLpp3-RGE substrates bound to the α5β1 integrin of FRT-α5(+) cells, an interaction that was inhibited by an anti-α5 integrin antibody. In addition, a cell aggregation assay showed that the intact mLpp3-RGE protein interacts with α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins expressed by adjacent cells, an interaction that can be blocked by GRGDSP peptides and anti-LPP3-RGD antibodies. These data, together with the known importance of integrins in angiogenesis, provide a mechanism for the function of LPP3 in cell–cell interactions in both human and mouse.
The relationship between age and the self-report of health symptoms in persons with traumatic brain injury

Abstract Breed ST, Flanagan SR, Watson KR. The relationship between age and the self-report of health symptoms in persons with traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85(4 Suppl 2):S61–7. Objective To examine the impact of age on health problems related to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design Case-control study using a survey instrument. Setting Outpatient setting of a large urban tertiary care hospital. Participants Young and old community dwellers with histories of TBI and control subjects matched for age. Intervention Structured interview using the Living Life After TBI assessment tool. Main outcome measure Symptom reporting on 52 potential health problems. Results Individuals with TBI reported significantly more overall health problems than those without TBI. Younger subjects with TBI reported more problems than their nondisabled, age-matched peers with their patterns of sleep as well as with their metabolic/endocrine, neurologic, and musculoskeletal systems. Conclusions Older people with TBI were more likely than nondisabled, age-matched peers to report problems with their metabolic/endocrine and neurologic systems. Younger people with TBI were more likely than older people with TBI to report difficulty falling asleep.