cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Adaptive Meshless Computation Method for Design of Electromechanical Actuators

The ever increasing cost of energy and advance in permanent magnet technology have the incentives to develop geometrically compact and energy-efficient electro-magnetic (EM) actuators for robotic and automation applications. Design automation of these actuators often involves solving a magnetic field problem. This paper presents an adaptive meshless method (MLM) that inherits many advantages of FEM but needs no explicit mesh structure for design of EM actuators. Specifically, this paper offers a technique to estimate the distribution of numerical errors and a scheme automatically inserts additional nodes to improve computational accuracy and efficiency. Five examples are given; the first three are numerical examples, where exact solutions are available, provide a means to validate the adaptive MLM and evaluate its effectiveness against MLM with uniform node distribution. The other examples, where the magnetic forces are computed from the Lorenz's law, illustrate the use of adaptive MLM for the pole design of a three-DOF EM actuator. We also verify the results by comparing the computed forces against published experimental results.
Effect of 1-epoxyalkyl-1-deoxynojirimycins on exoglucosidases

Abstract The total synthesis of two nojirimycin derivatives 13 and 33 has been achieved. These substances act as inactivators or inhibitors of α- and β-glucosidases.
Real-time coding for multiple access channels

We consider a multiple access channel shared by two sources. The channel is noiseless but there is interference between the transmissions of the sources. Because of applications to distributed control we are interested in the real-time version of this problem, in which the receiver must act immediately upon received information. Block coding is therefore not possible, and error probability cannot generally be made to tend to 0 in the interior of the multiple access capacity region. We study code design for a simple class of XOR channels. We provide several computationally efficient design methods. Under an assumption on the form of the correlation among the sources, one of these algorithms provides codes whose success probability is within 2/3 of optimal. In the absence of assumptions on the correlation, optimal code design is NP-hard
African-American history, cosmology and the moral universe of Edward Houston's yard

Abstract This paper focuses on the ways in which one yard in northwest Alabama combines southern European-American gardening conventions with traditional African-American cosmology to model a balanced, moral and ethical conception of the universe. This balanced universe, enstantiated through plants, objects and spatial positioning, establishes a contrast between the yard and an unjust, unbalanced history played out beyond its boundaries.
Computation and applications of geometric mixtures of convolutions

On considere la loi de probabilite du temps d'attente necessaire pour obtenir une duree de vie superieure a une constante T dans un processus de renouvellement. Cette loi est une composee geometrique de convolutions successives d'une distribution a support limite
Photoisomerization of Pre- and Provitamin D3 in EPA at 77 K: One-Bond-Twist, Not Hula-Twist

The photoisomerizations of previtamin D3 (Pre) and provitamin D3 (Pro) in EPA at 77 K were monitored using fluorescence spectroscopy. In the glassy EPA medium equilibrated tachysterol (Tachy) exists as a mixture of three conformers, the major of which we assign to s-trans,s-cis- and s-cis,s-cis-conformers (tEc- and cEc-Tachy). By contrast, Pre exists exclusively as the s-cis,s-cis-conformer (cZc-Pre) and undergoes cis → trans photoisomerization to cEc-Tachy. Light-induced ring-opening of Pro gives three Pre conformers, the major of which is tZc-Pre instead of the expected cZc-Pre. Curve resolution based on singular value decomposition yields the fluorescence spectra of the conformers. Structural assignments are based on experimental and theoretical evidence showing that the s-cis,s-cis-conformers of Pre and Tachy absorb UV light to the red of s-trans-s-cis-conformers. The photoisomerizations of tZc- and cZc-Pre in EPA proceed by the one bond twist (OBT) mechanism to give tEc- and cEc-Tachy, respectively.
Fast and highly compact RNS multipliers

Two novel approaches are presented to the design of a fast residue number based multiplier over a Galois field GF(p), where p is a prime number. The first approach uses an isomorphic mapping from the additive index group, modulo(p—1), of GF(p) onto the direct sum of a set of submodular additive groups. The submoduli are selected for minimizing the hardware and increasing the speed. This is accomplished by fully exploiting the properties of a Galois field. The second uses symmetric residue number arithmetic to perform multiplication. This uses a pseudo-primitive root as the generator for the elements of the multiplicative group of GF(p) and reduces the index storage hardware by 50% and adder hardware by 1 bit. Multipliers designed with these approaches would be faster and use less silicon area compared to earlier designs reported in the literature.
Allergic reactions to drugs: implications for perioperative care.

Clinically, one must be able to differentiate between an allergic reaction and an adverse reaction. Clinical manifestations of allergic reactions range from urticaria and rash to bronchoconstriction, laryngeal edema, hematologic disorders, and other serious reactions. Many drugs administered in the perioperative setting can cause allergic reactions. Antibiotics such as penicillins, beta-lactam antibiotics, and sulfonamides are the most common class of drugs that produce allergic reactions. A detailed allergy history is important when deciding if a patient can receive a drug that may cross-react (eg, a cephalosporin in a patient with a penicillin allergy). Vancomycin can cause a reaction that ranges from erythema and pruritus to clinically significant hypotension. Proper dilution and rate of administration are essential in minimizing the histamine from vancomycin that is thought to produce this reaction. "Sulfa allergy" describes an allergy to sulfonamide antibiotics; a patient with a "sulfa allergy" is not allergic to drugs containing sulfur, sulfites, or sulfates. Although true allergic reactions to opioids are rare, naturally occurring compounds like morphine and codeine can cause allergic reactions. After stopping the offending drug, mild allergic reactions can be managed with diphenhydramine, with or without a steroid. Significant allergic reactions require more aggressive management with oxygen, intravenous fluids, epinephrine, and histamine blockers.
DETERMINATION OF OXYGEN EQUILIBRIA WITH A VERSATILE NEW TONOMETER.

Abstract A spectrophotometric method is deseribed for determining oxygen equilibria of hemoglobin in concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 10%. A new tonometer and rotating assembly were devised to carry out these measurements. Equations are given for calculating the results in the various concentration ranges and for detecting impurities of methemoglobin. It is also shown how methemoglobin formation can be kept to a minimum in work with very dilute hemoglobin solutions.
ENHANCED GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF EXPLANTED CHICK EMBRYOS CULTURED UNDER HIGH LEVELS OF OXYGEN.

Abstract Chick embryos of 11–13 somites were cultured on a whole egg homogenate medium for various periods under different combinations of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and air. A mixture of 75% air + 25% O 2 for 0–24 hours of in vitro cultivation followed by either 95% O 2 + 5% CO 2 or 100% O 2 resulted in embryo PN and DNA levels which were considerably greater than the levels previously obtained with air and the other gas mixtures investigated. All embryos provided with these high levels of oxygen survived 48 hours of cultivation, and 86% of the embryos provided with 95% O 2 + 5% CO 2 survived for 72 hours. Comparison of growth parameters and the presence of blood pigment for embryos explanted with somite numbers between 4 and 20 paris suggested that embryos at the 11–13 somite stage or less were particularly sensitive to high levels of oxygen. Growth of embryos provided with a chemically defined medium was not enhanced over that obtained with 95% air + 5% CO 2 when higher levels of oxygen were provided. Supplementing the chemically defined medium with horse serum and embryo extract or transferring embryos to the defined medium after an initial period of cultivation on the whole egg medium did not appreciably improve the response of these embryos to increased amounts of oxygen. Exposure of embryos inclubated in ovo to amounts of oxygen found to be most favorable for the explanted embryos did not result in greater growth than that obtained when air was provided.
EFFICIENT ICCG ON A SHARED MEMORY MULTIPROCESSOR

Different approaches are discussed for exploiting parallelism in the ICCG (Incomplete Cholesky Conjugate Gradient) method for solving large sparse symmetric positive definite systems of equations on a shared memory parallel computer. Techniques for efficiently solving triangular systems and computing sparse matrix-vector products are explored. Three methods for scheduling the tasks in solving triangular systems are implemented on the Sequent Balance 21000. Sample problems that are representative of a large class of problems solved using iterative methods are used. We show that a static analysis to determine data dependences in the triangular solve can greatly improve its parallel efficiency. We also show that ignoring symmetry and storing the whole matrix can reduce solution time substantially.
The effect of adapting and test field size upon threshold during early dark adaptation

The course of early dark adaptation appears to be differentially influenced by adapting field size. In general, longer time courses were found when adapting and test fields were similar in size. Comparisons among configurations in which adapting and test fields were similar in relative size but different in absolute size indicated a longer time course for the smallest configuration.
The role of cirrhosis in memory functioning of alcoholics.

The effects of alcoholism and liver disease on memory functioning in alcoholics were studied by comparing four groups: normal healthy controls, alcoholics without liver disease, alcoholics with biopsyconfirmed cirrhosis, and nonalcoholics with postnecrotic cirrhosis. Memory capacity was evaluatod employing the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), the Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test, Digit Span, and the Brown Peterson four-word short-term memory test. A 2 times 2 ANOVA revealed significant main effects for both alcohol and cirrhosis on Digits Forward and the total score on the Brown Peterson test. Additionally, there were significant main effects for cirrhosis on the BVRT. The Brown Peterson test was analyzed using a repeated measures 2×2 ANOVA. Significant effects for cirrhosis were observed at all three interpolation periods. The effects for alcohol approached significance at the 30-s-ec (most difficult) interpolation period. Analysis of error patterns on the Brown Peterson test indicated that overall omission errors were most commonly made among all groups. Significant effects were found for alcohol on omissions and intrusion, while the cirrhosis factor yielded significant effects for phonemic, preservative, and omission errors. This study demonstrates the importance of liver disease underlying the etiology of memory impairments in alcoholics. The results confirm our earlier findings that neuropsychologic deficits seen in alcoholics may be the result of the combination of alcohol abuse and liver disease.
Integrated Solar Cycles for Natural Gas and Coal Power Plants

As fossil fuel prices rise and emission allowances are implemented, solar augmented steam cycles might be an attractive option for energy companies. The system utilizes steam generated by a solar field in a conventional natural gas or coal-powered steam cycle, offsetting some of the fuel required to generate power. Many energy companies are interested in adding solar power to their generating mix, but today most solar applications are not cost-competitive with other power generating options. Solar augmentation potentially is the lowest cost option for adding solar power to the generation fleet. The highest intensity solar energy typically is within a few hours of peak summer loads, making it a particularly attractive renewable option.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Electrochemistry of the Cu(II) complex of 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonate adsorbed on graphite electrodes and its behavior as an electrocatalyst for the reduction of O2 and H2O2

Abstract The complex formed between Cu 2+ and 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonate, [Cu II L 2 ] 2− , is strongly and irreversibly adsorbed on graphite electrode surfaces. Both oxidation states of the adsorbed complex exist in two isomeric forms, believed to involve tetragonal or tetrahedral coordination geometry at the copper center. Formal potentials for the half-reactions connecting each pair of isomers are reported. Upon reduction, the adsorbed complex is an active electrocatalyst for the reduction of both O 2 and H 2 O 2 . The catalyst accomplishes the four-electron reduction of O 2 to H 2 O at a significantly greater rate than it catalyzes the two-electron reduction of H 2 O 2 so that the latter cannot be an intermediate in the reduction of O 2 . The tetragonal form of the Cu(I) complex appears to be the more catalytically active and this isomer is unstable at the potential where the reductions proceed. As a result, catalytic currents gradually decrease as the adsorbed catalyst converts spontaneously from its active to its less active form.
The use of sighting records to infer species extinctions: an evaluation of different methods

In the absence of long-term monitoring data, inferences about extinctions of species and populations are generally based on past observations about the presence of a particular species at specified places and times (sightings). Several methods have been developed to estimate the probability and timing of extinctions from records of such sightings, but they differ in their computational complexity and assumptions about the nature of the sighting record. Here we use simulations to evaluate the performance of seven methods proposed to estimate the upper confidence limit on extinction times under different extinction and sampling scenarios. Our results show that the ability of existing methods to correctly estimate the timing of extinctions varies with the type of extinction (sudden vs. gradual) and the nature of sampling effort over time. When the probability of sampling a species declines over time, many of the methods perform poorly. On the other hand, the simulation results also suggest that as long as the choice of the method is determined by the nature of the underlying sighting data, existing methods should provide reliable inferences about the timing of past extinctions.
Platinum metal pyrochlores of the type Tl2M2O7

Abstract New compounds of the type Tl2M2O7 have been prepared where M is Ru, Rh, Os, or Ir. All compounds have the cubic pyrochlore structure. Metallic conductivity is observed when M is Rh, Os, or Ir; however, Tl2Ru2O7 is a low activation-energy semiconductor. Known Tl2Pt2O7 was also prepared and found to be a semiconductor.
Low temperature properties of the filled skutterudite CeFe4Sb12

CeFe4Sb12 is a member of a class of advanced thermoelectric materials. In order to evaluate this material’s potential for such applications, we have measured a variety of its properties at low temperature, including thermal conductivity, thermoelectric power, electrical resistivity, Hall coefficient, and magnetic susceptibility.
Economic model predictive control for inventory management in supply chains

Abstract In this paper, we propose economic model predictive control with guaranteed closed-loop properties for supply chain optimization. We propose a new multiobjective stage cost that captures economics as well as risk at a node, using a weighted sum of an economic cost and a tracking stage cost. We also demonstrate integration of scheduling with control using a supply chain example. We integrate a scheduling model for a multiproduct batch plant with a control model for inventory control in a supply chain. We show recursive feasibility of such integrated control problems by developing simple terminal conditions.
Type II natural killer T cells use features of both innate-like and conventional T cells to recognize sulfatide self antigens.

Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d. Zajonc and Rossjohn and their colleagues describe molecular interactions between type II NKT cell antigen receptors and CD1d-ligand complexes, which demonstrate distinct modes of recognition used by the receptors.
Biochemical and functional studies on the regulation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae AMPK homolog SNF1

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master metabolic regulator for controlling cellular energy homeostasis. Its homolog in yeast, SNF1, is activated in response to glucose depletion and other stresses. The catalytic (alpha) subunit of AMPK/SNF1, Snf1 in yeast, contains a protein Ser/Thr kinase domain (KD), an auto-inhibitory domain (AID), and a region that mediates interactions with the two regulatory (beta and gamma) subunits. Previous studies suggested that Snf1 contains an additional segment, a regulatory sequence (RS, corresponding to residues 392-518), which may also have an important role in regulating the activity of the enzyme. The crystal structure of the heterotrimer core of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SNF1 showed interactions between a part of the RS (residues 460-498) and the gamma subunit Snf4. Here we report biochemical and functional studies on the regulation of SNF1 by the RS. GST pulldown experiments demonstrate strong and direct interactions between residues 450-500 of the RS and the heterotrimer core, and single-site mutations in the RS-Snf4 interface can greatly reduce these interactions in vitro. On the other hand, functional studies appear to show only small effects of the RS-Snf4 interactions on the activity of SNF1 in vivo. This suggests that residues 450-500 may be constitutively associated with Snf4, and the remaining segments of the RS, as well as the AID, may be involved in regulating SNF1 activity.
Quaternary ammonium elastomeric ionomers by melt-state conversion

Quaternizations of benzyl bromide units in brominated poly(isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene), or BIMS, elastomers with tertiary amines can be readily accomplished either by solution techniques or by melt reactive mixing. At temperatures of 130 °C and above, the nucleophilic substitution of benzyl bromide with ammonium bromide occurs instantaneously in an internal mixer. The conversion is around 95% for both dimethyl alkyl and dialkyl methyl amines. Suppressions in loss tangent measured in dimethyl alkyl amine melt quaternized BIMS indicate that molecular weight amplifications as a result of ionic association in these ionomers are in line with that obtained from solution quaternized BIMS. These melt quaternized BIMS ionomers become gels when their molecular weight amplification factors are greater than 1.5. Viscosity of BIMS can be raised significantly through quaternization to facilitate its mixing with thermoplastics. BIMS ionomers can also be added into bromobutyl innerliner compounds to enhance their green strengths. The efficiency in promoting ionic associations during melt mixing of BIMS with only 0.1 mol equiv. of dimethyl alkyl amines allows residual benzyl bromide units for subsequent curing.
Sources of tension in the aging mother and adult daughter relationship

This study explored sources of tension in the aging mother-adult daughter relationship. Forty-eight dyads of healthy mothers over the age of 70 years (mean age = 76 years) and their adult daughters (mean age = 44 years) were interviewed individually and then together about their relationship. Responses to questions about tension were coded as referring to intrusiveness, exclusion, inappropriate care of self or other, or as referring to general habits or traits. The term developmental schism is introduced to explain possible sources of tension in this relationship. Aging mothers and middle-aged daughters are at different points in their adult development; developmental discrepancies may foster interpersonal tension in their relationship. Mothers and daughters who described sources of difficulty that were not related to developmental differences had more positive regard for the relationship.
The Long Voyage Home—Concluded

mentum? Again there are a number of possibilities, although the ones I've found all require an increased flow to the department of the kinds of resources that are typically controlled by key administrators. The exploration of these possibilities, therefore, requires some initial good will, the willingness to negotiate, and some skill in forging pathways to joint gains. Sometimes, an External Reviewer can elicit initial expressions of good will, facilitate negotiations, and add negotiation skills.2
Quantitative Metrics of Net Proliferation and Invasion Link Biological Aggressiveness Assessed by MRI with Hypoxia Assessed by FMISO-PET in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastomas

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are aggressive and uniformly fatal primary brain tumors characterized by their diffuse invasion of the normal-appearing parenchyma peripheral to the clinical imaging abnormality. Hypoxia, a hallmark of aggressive tumor behavior often noted in GBMs, has been associated with resistance to therapy, poorer survival, and more malignant tumor phenotypes. Based on the existence of a set of novel imaging techniques and modeling tools, our objective was to assess a hypothesized quantitative link between tumor growth kinetics [assessed via mathematical models and routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] and the hypoxic burden of the tumor [assessed via positron emission tomography (PET) imaging]. Our biomathematical model for glioma kinetics describes the spatial and temporal evolution of a glioma in terms of concentration of malignant tumor cells. This model has already been proven useful as a novel tool to dynamically quantify the net rates of proliferation (ρ) and invasion (D) of the glioma cells in individual patients. Estimates of these kinetic rates can be calculated from routinely available pretreatment MRI in vivo. Eleven adults with GBM were imaged preoperatively with 18F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO)–PET and serial gadolinium-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted MRIs to allow the estimation of patient-specific net rates of proliferation (ρ) and invasion (D). Hypoxic volumes were quantified from each FMISO-PET scan following standard techniques. To control for tumor size variability, two measures of hypoxic burden were considered: relative hypoxia (RH), defined as the ratio of the hypoxic volume to the T2-defined tumor volume, and the mean intensity on FMISO-PET scaled to the blood activity of the tracer (mean T/B). Pearson correlations between RH and the net rate of cell proliferation (ρ) reached significance (P Major Findings Overall, biological aggressiveness assessed by serial MRI is linked with hypoxic burden assessed on FMISO-PET using a novel biomathematical model for glioma growth and invasion. This study suggests that patient-specific modeling of growth kinetics can provide novel and valuable insight into the quantitative connections between disparate information provided by multimodality imaging.
Hemicraniectomy for acute stroke in patients older than age 60: neurosurgeons on the frontlines of multidisciplinary stroke therapy.

8. Stupp R, Mason WP, van den Bent MJ, Weller M, Fisher B, Taphoorn MJ, Belanger K, Brandes AA, Marosi C, Bogdahn U, Curschmann J, Janzer RC, Ludwin SK, Gorlia T, Allgeier A, Lacombe D, Cairncross JG, Eisenhauer E, Mirimanoff RO; European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Brain Tumor and Radiotherapy Groups, National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group: Radiotherapy plus concomitant
Design and characterization of quantum dot photonic crystal lasers

Quantum dot photonic crystal lasers are demonstrated at room temperature by optical pulse pumping. Coupled cavities were designed based on square lattice PC slabs. Optimized two-dimensional photonic crystal cavities were defined in 200nm slabs with five-stacked InAS QDs layers. The two- and four-coupled cavities showed as incident pump power threshold as 120μW and 370μW, respectively, both from QD ground state emission range. Both clear threshold in pump power-output resonance power and resonance line width narrowing were observed from our membrane samples. The measured wavelengths matched very well with wavelengths predicted by 3D-Finite Difference Time Domain modelling.
In vitro and In vivo Evaluation of Select Kahalalide F Analogs with Antitumor and Antifungal Activities

Kahalalide F (KF) and the regioisomer isoKF are novel anticancer drugs of marine origin and currently under clinical investigation. Here we report the synthesis of two new KF analogs with significant in vitro and in vivo antifungal and antitumor activities. The primary amine hydrogen of ornithine in KF has been replaced with 4-fluoro-3-methylbenzyl and morpholin-4-yl-benzyl via reductive N-alkylation. The TGI of these analogs using the NCI-60 cell line screening revealed promising results when compared to paclitaxel. The result of in vivo hollow fiber and animal toxicity assays are presented.
Estrogen receptor α/β isoforms, but not βcx, modulate unique patterns of gene expression and cell proliferation in Hs578T cells

The actions of 17β-estradiol (E2) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been extensively investigated regarding their ability to act through estrogen receptor-α (ERα) to perturb estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC) growth. However, many BCs also express ERβ, along with multiple estrogen receptor (ER) splice variants such as ERβcx, an ERβ splice variant incapable of binding ligand. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of ER action in BC cells, we stably expressed ERα, ERβ, or ERβcx under doxycycline (Dox) control in Hs578T cells. Microarrays performed on E2 or 4OH-tamoxifen (4HT) treated Hs578T ERα and ERβ cells revealed distinct ligand and receptor-dependent patterns of gene regulation, while the induction of ERβcx did not alter gene expression patterns. E2 stimulation of Hs578T ERβ cells resulted in a 27% decrease in cellular proliferation, however, no significant change in proliferation was observed following the exposure of Hs578T ERα or ERβ cells to 4HT. Expression of ERβcx in Hs578T cells did not effect cellular proliferation. Flow cytometry assays revealed a 50% decrease in E2-stimulated Hs578T ERβ cells entering S-phase, along with a 17% increase in G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest. We demonstrate here that ERα and ERβ regulate unique gene expression patterns in Hs578T cells, and such regulation likely is responsible for the observed isoform-specific changes in cell proliferation. Hs578T ER expressing cell-lines provide a unique BC model system, permitting the comparison of ERα, ERβ, and ERβcx actions in the same cell-line. J. Cell. Biochem. 101:1125–1147, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Fingolimod and related compounds in a spontaneous autoimmune polyneuropathy

We investigated potential therapeutic effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators FTY720 (fingolimod) and selective S1P1 agonist SEW2871 on a spontaneous autoimmune polyneuropathy (SAP) when given orally at 7 mo (anticipated disease onset) for 4 weeks. Clinical severity, electrophysiologic and histological findings were ameliorated in mice treated with 1 mg/kg of FTY720. Subsequent studies showed that SEW2871 was also effective in halting the progression of SAP, which was accompanied by decreased proliferative and cytokine responses to myelin protein zero (P0), and an increase in regulatory T cells. We conclude that S1P receptor modulators may play a therapeutic role in autoimmune neuropathies.
Diffusion and boundary layer concepts in aeration through liquid surfaces

Abstract The downward transport of a gas being absorbed at the free surface can be represented by a diffusion model. This model is similar to the surface film concept but allows for the possible influence of turbulence on the diffusion coefficient in a turbulent surface film. Experiments with heat diffusion indicated a diffusivity in the turbulent film which varied from the molecular diffusivity to six times that value. Some boundary layer concepts and data are used to indicate that the thickness of the turbulent surface film varies not only with mixing conditions but also with the Schmidt number for the gas being absorbed.
In Situ Expression of Angiopoietins in Astrocytomas Identifies Angiopoietin-2 as an Early Marker of Tumor Angiogenesis

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and its naturally occurring antagonist angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) are novel ligands that regulate tyrosine phosphorylation of the Tie2/Tek receptor on endothelial cells. Proper regulation of Tie2/Tek is absolutely required for normal vascular development, seemingly by regulating vascular remodeling and endothelial cell interactions with supporting pericytes/smooth muscle cells. We investigated the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 in human astrocytomas by in situ hybridization and compared them to the distribution of pericytes/smooth muscle cells by immunohistochemistry for alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Ang-1 mRNA was localized in tumor cells and Ang-2 mRNA was detected in endothelial cells of hyperplastic and nonhyperplastic tumor vessels. Ang-2 was also expressed in partially sclerotic vessels and in vascular channels surrounded by tumor cells in brain adjacent to the tumor. Neither Ang-1 nor Ang-2 was detected in normal brain. Dynamic changes in SMA expression during glioma tumorigenesis appear to progress from fragmentation in early vascular hyperplasia to subsequent reassociation and enhanced expression in later stages of vascular proliferation in hyperplastic complexes in high-grade gliomas. All these vessels displaying dynamic changes in SMA immunoreactivity also expressed Ang-2 mRNA. Moreover, SMA immunoreactive intratumoral vascular channels lacking morphological evidence of hyperplasia also showed upregulation of Ang-2. These results suggest that angiopoietins are involved in the early stage of vascular activation and in advanced angiogenesis, and they identify Ang-2 as an early marker of glioma-induced neovascularization. The association between Ang-2 expression and alterations in SMA immunoreactivity suggests a role for Ang-2 in tumor-associated activation of pericytes/smooth muscle cells.
Declining histone phosphorylation during myogenesis revealed by in vivo and in vitro labeling.

Abstract To investigate histone phosphate levels during myogenesis, proliferation (d 1), pre-fusion postmitotic (d 2) and myotube (d 3) stage cultured chicken myoblasts were phosphorylated in vivo with [ 32 P]orthophosphate or in vitro by incubating isolated nuclei with 32 P-γ-ATP. Incorporation of radioactive phosphate into histone was assessed by SDS and acid/urea/ Triton-X-100 (AUT) gel electrophoresis and radioautography. During proliferation, in vivo labeling with [ 32 P]orthophosphate revealed that all histones except H2b were phosphorylated in the following order of decreasing modification: H1a > H2a > H1b > H3 > H4. In prefusion post-mitotic cells phosphorylation of histones H1a, H3 and H4 declined, whereas all histones exhibited significantly decreased modification at the myotube stage. It is unlikely that these changes resulted from decreased specific radioactivity of intracellular inorganic phosphate pools, since uptake of [ 32 P]orthophosphate by myotubes increased six-fold, compared with proliferating cells. Isolated nuclei incubated with 32 P-γ-ATP displayed similar decreases during myogenesis; however, H1a, H1b and H3 were the only histones modified by in vitro phosphorylation.
Quantum spin Hall phase in neutral zigzag graphene ribbons

Abstract We present a detailed description of the nature of the wavefunction and spin distribution of the zero energy modes of zigzag graphene ribbons ( ZGR s) in the presence of the intrinsic spin–orbit (I-SO) interaction. These states characterize the quantum spin Hall (QSH) phase in graphene ribbons. We provide analytic expressions for wavefunctions and show how these evolve as the strength of the interaction and the ribbon width are changed. For odd-width ribbons, we show that its insulating nature precludes the existence of a QSH phase. For these systems the I-SO interaction is predicted to have a stronger effect as shown by the enhancement of the gap as the interaction strength is turned on.
Effects of a 10‐week step aerobic training program on the aerobic power and body composition of college‐age women

This study determined the effect of a 10‐week step aerobics training program on aerobic power and body composition of college‐age women (mean age, 19.4 years). Subjects in the experimental group (n = 21) exercised three times per week for 10 weeks, at an intensity that represented 76% of maximal heart rate. A control group (n = 28) did not exercise. All subjects performed a maximal treadmill test, were hydrostatically weighed, and were measured for maximal buttocks, thigh, and calf girth prior to and on completion of the study. Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant (p ≤0.05) improvement in peak oxygen consumption (11.7%), maximal minute ventilation (6.7%), and time to exhaustion on the treadmill (33.1%). There was no significant (p >0.05) change in percent body fat in either group. Thus, it appears that step aerobic training can be an effective method of improving aerobic power in college‐age women. However, while the acute caloric requirement of step aerobics compares...
A Block Vertebra in an Equine Patient

Summary A yearling Standardbred colt was presented to The Ohio State University Teaching Hospital with a primary complaint of ataxia. The diagnostic work-up identified spinal canal thinning at C4–C5 as well as a clinically insignificant block vertebra at C2–C3. The term block vertebra refers to a disturbance in the normal embryologic formation of the vertebral column, which results in the bony fusion of two vertebrae. It is the intent of this case study to document the unusual condition of a block vertebra in a horse. Key Words: Equine, Vertebra, Block vertebra
Administration of Lactobacillus GG to hospitalised children reduces the risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections.

Commentary on: I Hojsak, S Abdovic, H Szajewska, et al.. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of nosocomial gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections. Pediatrics2010;125:e1171–7.
Kinetic rate constants determined by a digital computer

The difficulty of determining rate constants for complex reactions has been overcome with the development of a general digital computer program that can determine up to 10 rate constants in any reaction scheme which can contain as many as 10 components. A given reaction to which the experimental data are to be fit is described to the computer in a short one-step integration subprogram, which solves the differential equations representing the scheme. Only this subprogram needs to be rewritten to change the reaction scheme. Special features of the program and length of calculations are discussed. A copper-chromite hydrogenation of a mixture of linolenate and conjugated linoleate demonstrates what the program does and what is a typical output.
MOS circuit for nonlinear Hebbian learning

An analogue MOS circuit that implements a nonlinear Hebbian learning rule is presented. The circuit has two differential inputs (voltages) and yields an output (current) which approximates the product of a cubic and a hyperbolic tangent function of the two input voltages. This has been successfully incorporated in an analogue integrated circuit implementation of the Herault-Jutten neuromorphic network.
Pacifism Among Japanese Non-Church Christians

HE Muky6kai, or non-Church Christians, constitute one of the best known Christian movements in Japan.' Founded by Uchimura Kanz6* (18611930) in reaction to Western denominationalism, this small (about 35,000 adherents) movement is considered to be the most genuine form of Japanese Christianity. The Mukyokai reject all formal Christian institutions, having no sacraments, liturgy, professional clergy, church buildings, national headquarters, or membership rolls. Instead, this non-Churchism is based on independent Bible study groups centered on the traditional teacher-disciple (sensei-deshi) relationship. The teachers have no formal training in the Bible, setting up a group when inspired to do so; the group thus disintegrates when its teacher dies or retires. Most of these teachers are regularly employed in outside occupations, often as high school teachers or university professors. The Mukyokai movement has attracted members from all social strata in Japan, but it is particularly appealing to the Japanese intelligentsia scholars,
Internal mammary nodal irradiation in conservatively-managed breast cancer patients: is there a benefit?

Abstract Purpose: Recent randomized trials have demonstrated a significant benefit to postmastectomy radiation in node-positive breast cancer patients. The contribution of internal mammary nodal radiation (IMNR) to this benefit remains controversial, and in conservatively-treated patients (CS + RT), may compromise cosmesis and contribute to morbidity. The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate outcome as a function of IMNR in a cohort of breast cancer patients treated with CS + RT. Patients and Methods: Between January 1970 and December 1990, 984 patients with invasive breast cancer were treated at our facility with CS + RT, and serve as the base for this study. Of these patients, 399 patients had pathologically-negative lymph nodes, 167 (17%) had pathologically-involved lymph nodes, and 381 did not undergo lymph node dissection. The majority of node-positive patients received adjuvant systemic therapy (94%) and were treated with tangential fields matched to a separate supraclavicular field (95%) with or without IMNR. For this analysis, patients were divided into two groups: those treated by intentionally targeting the internal mammary nodes (IM-yes, n = 535) and without intentionally targeting the internal mammary nodes (IM-no, n = 411). In the IM-no group, the medial border was typically placed at midline. The decision not to use a separate internal mammary field was a result of a change in treatment policy over time, and generally not based on number of nodes or tumor location. Results: As of August 1998, with a median follow-up of 13 years, the overall survival at 10 years is 76%, the distant disease-free survival is 81%, and the breast relapse-free survival is 88%. There were no significant differences between the IM-yes and IM-no groups with respect to age, ER/PR status, or use of adjuvant chemotherapy or hormone therapy. There were more patients with T2 tumors, positive nodes, medial lesions, indeterminate margins, and slightly longer follow-up in the IM-yes group compared to the IM-no group. Although there was a trend toward better outcome in the IM-no group, there were no significant differences between the IM-yes and IM-no groups with respect to overall survival (72% IM-yes vs. 84% IM-no, p = NS) or distant metastasis-free survival (64% IM-yes vs. 82% IM-no, p = NS). Subset analysis showed no benefit in the IM-yes group regardless of age, number of nodes, or location. Conclusion: In this retrospective analysis, no benefit could be attributed to IMNR in conservatively-treated breast cancer patients, even if node-positive or medial in location. Until results of an ongoing EORTC randomized trial addressing this issue are available, these data suggest that it is acceptable to continue to treat node-positive conservatively-managed patients to tangential fields usually matched to a supraclavicular field, but without a separate internal mammary field.
Etch-free low loss silicon waveguides using hydrogen silsesquioxane oxidation masks

An etch-free fabrication technique for creating low loss silicon waveguides in the silicon-on-insulator material system is proposed and demonstrated. The approach consists of local oxidation of a silicon-on-insulator chip covered with a e-beam patterned hydrogen silsesquioxane mask. A single oxidation step converts hydrogen silsesquioxane to a glass-like compound and simultaneously defines the waveguides, bypassing the need for any wet or dry etching steps. The spectral response of ring resonators fabricated using this technique was used to characterize the waveguide losses. Intrinsic Q-factors as high as 1.57 × 10(6), corresponding to a waveguide loss of 0.35 dB/cm, were measured.
A view from the “cyanide room” politics and culture in a mining township in Papua New Guinea

(1994). A view from the “cyanide room” politics and culture in a mining township in Papua New Guinea. Identities: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 63-84.
Does Bulog Stabilise Rice Prices in Indonesia? Should It Try?

The intuition of economists is likely to be a poor guide to the social value of food price stabilisation, because of problems in modelling the impact of stabilisation on consumer behaviour, producer behaviour, and the macro economy, including the impact on economic growth. The potential for stable food prices to contribute to economic growth is especially relevant to the poor countries of Asia, where rice is important in macroeconomic terms. Indonesia's experience since 1959 presents an opportunity to test hypotheses about the design, implementation, and impact on social welfare of food price stabilisation. The model presented here explains Bulog's activities, and confirms that its interventions stabilise rice prices. Should Bulog try to stabilise rice prices? The answer is a clear yes in the 1970s and 1980s, but is less clear in the 1990s as Bulog's costs have risen and the share of rice in the economy has fallen.
Sampling-based Algorithm for Testing and Validating Robot Controllers

The problem of testing complex reactive control systems and validating the effectiveness of multi-agent controllers is addressed. Testing and validation involve searching for conditions that lead to system failure by exploring all adversarial inputs and disturbances for errant trajectories. This problem of testing is related to motion planning. In both cases, there is a goal or specification set consisting of a set of points in state space that is of interest, either for finding a plan, demonstrating failure or for validation. Unlike motion planning problems, the problem of testing generally involves systems that are not controllable with respect to disturbances or adversarial inputs and therefore, the reachable set of states is a small subset of the entire state space. In this work, sampling-based algorithms based on the Rapidly-exploring Random Trees (RRT) algorithm are applied to the testing and validation problem. First, some of the factors that govern the exploration rate of the RRT algorithm are analysed, this analysis serving to motivate some enhancements. Then, three modifications to the original RRT algorithm are proposed, suited for use on uncontrollable systems. First, a new distance function is introduced which incorporates information about the system's dynamics to select nodes for extension. Second, a weighting is introduced to penalize nodes which are repeatedly selected but fail to extend.Third, a scheme for adaptively modifying the sampling probability distribution is proposed, based on tree growth. Application of the algorithm is demonstrated using several examples, and computational statistics are provided to illustrate the effect of each modification. The final algorithm is demonstrated on a 25 state example and results in nearly an order of magnitude reduction in computation time when compared with the traditional RRT. The proposed algorithms are also applicable to motion planning for systems that are not small time locally controllable.
Compounding drugs contaminated with fungi: a recipe for disaster

Emerging Microbes & Infections (2012) 1, e41; doi:10.1038/emi.2012.46 An ongoing outbreak of fungal meningitis in the United States has been traced to injections of contaminated corticosteroids pro...
Speed of memory scanning is not affected in early HIV-1 infection

Abstract Thirty-seven nondemented HIV-seropositive and 17 seronegative control subjects were administered the Sternberg speed of memory scanning task, a procedure frequently employed to study mental slowing in patients with subcortical dementing disorders. Experimental and control subjects did not differ in speed of memory scanning, as indexed by the slopes of set size-reaction time functions, nor on mean 0-intercepts for the RT functions, which index stimulus detection and motor response time. Intercept values were significantly greater for subjects with a positive alcohol abuse history and for subjects with greater self-reported depression, but slopes were not significantly correlated with substance abuse history or psychological distress. Cognitive slowing in early HIV-1 infection is not a nonspecific effect observed across all measures of information processing speed. Underlying component functions measured must be carefully considered when selecting reaction time tasks for study with HIV-seropositive...
Survival of Aspergillus flavus sclerotia in soil

Aspergillus flavus sclerotia overwintered in field soil at two sites in southern Georgia (United States) survived in greater numbers than sclerotia overwintered at three sites in central Illinois. Buried sclerotia survived better than those exposed on the soil surface. The latter were typically colonized by Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum nigrum , or Fusarium spp. All sclerotia buried in Georgia remained viable and free from internal fungal colonists. Evidence is also presented that A. flavus sclerotia survive poorly in soils saturated to field capacity. These results may explain, in part, the lower incidence of A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination of maize grown in more northerly latitudes.
Regional induction of fos immunoreactivity in the brain by anticonvulsant stimulation of the vagus nerve

Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve exerts an antiepileptic effect on human partial-onset epilepsy, but little is known about the brain structures that mediate this phenomenon. Fos is a nuclear protein that is expressed under conditions of high neuronal activity. We utilized fos immunolabeling techniques on Sprague-Dawley rat brains to identify regions that are activated by antiepileptic stimulation of the left vagus nerve. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) induced specific nuclear fos immunolabeling in several forebrain structures, including the posterior cortical amygdaloid nucleus, cingulate and retrosplenial cortex, ventromedial and arcuate hypothalamic nuclei. In the brainstem, there was specific immunolabeling in vagus nerve nuclei, in the A5 and locus ceruleus noradrenergic nuclei, and in the cochlear nucleus. No labeling of these structures occurred in sham-operated, unstimulated control animals. Intense labeling also occurred in habenular nucleus of thalamus after vagus nerve stimulation, whereas only mild staining occurred in unstimulated animals. Several of the brain structures activated by VNS are important for genesis or regulation of seizures in the forebrain. These structures may mediate the antiepileptic effect of VNS.