cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finding Actions Using Shape Flows

We propose a novel method for action detection based on a new action descriptor called a shape flow that represents both the shape and movement of an object in a holistic and parsimonious manner. We find actions by finding shape flows in a target video that are similar to a template shape flow. Shape flows are largely independent of appearance, and the match cost function that we propose is invariant to scale changes and smooth nonlinear deformation in space and time. The problem of matching shape flows is difficult, however, yielding a large, non-convex, integer program. We propose a novel relaxation method based on successive convexification that converts this hard program into a vastly smaller linear program: By using only those variables that appear on the 4D lower convex hull of the matching cost volume, most of the variables in the linear program may be eliminated. Experiments confirm that the proposed shape flow method can successfully detect complex actions in cluttered video, even with self-occlusion, camera motion, and intra-class variation.
Radiative transfer in spherical shell atmospheres: II. Asymmetric phase functions

The effects are investigated of sphericity on the radiation reflected from a planet with a homogeneous, conservative scattering atmosphere of optical thicknesses of 0.25 and 1.0. A Henyey-Greenstein phase function with asymmetry factors of 0.5 and 0.7 is considered. Significant differences were found when these results were compared with the plane-parallel calculations. Also large violations of the reciprocity theorem, which is only true for plane-parallel calculations, were noted. Results are presented for the radiance versus height distributions as a function of planetary phase angle.
Therapeutic and neurotoxic effects of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine in adults with acute myeloid leukemia

Despite expectations that 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) would prove active primarily in lymphoproliferative diseases, early reports suggested unexpected high activity of this drug in heavily pretreated children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) at a maximally tolerated dose of 8.9 mg/m2/day for 5 days. In view of these findings, we conducted an escalating dose trial of 2-CdA in adult patients with relapsed or resistant AML. Thirty-six patients who had received extensive prior therapy were treated at 9 dose levels of 2-CdA at daily doses ranging from 5 to 21 mg/m2 for 5 days. 2-CdA eliminated leukemic blasts from the peripheral blood in 32 of 36 cases; however, bone marrow hypoplasia was seen only at daily dose levels > or = 15 mg/m2. We observed a total of 3 complete remissions: 1 at the 15 mg/m2/d dose level and 2 at the 21 mg/m2/d dose level; these responses persisted for 3, 2, and 3 months, respectively. Although prolonged myelosuppression would have been dose-limiting at 21 mg/m2/d for 5 days, the most important adverse effect was the development of a sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. This reaction, whose onset was substantially delayed after completion of drug treatment, was observed in 2 of 5 patients at the 19 mg/m2/d level and in 4 of 4 evaluable patients at the 21 mg/m2/d level. Pathologically, this process was characterized by axonal degeneration and secondary demyelination. Other side effects included reactivation of a posttransplant Epstein-Barr virus-related lymphoma in 1 patient and tumor lysis syndrome. We conclude that the maximally tolerable dose of 2-CdA in adult patients (17 mg/m2/d for 5 days) in approximately twofold in excess of that previously reported in children and that the limiting toxic effect is a degenerative neuropathic disorder. We confirm that this drug has definite activity in AML, but the magnitude of this effect needs to be determined in larger numbers of patients who have received less extensive therapy. This agent deserves further evaluation in patients with both AML and acute lymphoblastic leukemia at these higher doses and perhaps as part of a preparative regimen for patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.
A Nonparametric Approach to Estimating Divergence Times in the Absence of Rate Constancy

A new method for estimating divergence times when evolutionary rates are variable across lineages is proposed. The method, called nonparametric rate smoothing (NPRS), relies on minimization of ancestor-descendant local rate changes and is motivated by the likelihood that evolutionary rates are autocorrelated in time. Fossil information pertaining to minimum and/or maximum ages of nodes in a phylogeny is incorporated into the algorithms by constrained optimization techniques. The accuracy of NPRS was examined by comparison to a clock-based maximum-likelihood method in computer simulations. NPRS provides more accurate estimates of divergence times when (1) sequence lengths are sufficiently long, (2) rates are truly nonclocklike, and (3) rates are moderately to highly autocorrelated in time. The algorithms were applied to estimate divergence times in seed plants based on data from the chloroplast rbcL gene. Both constrained and unconstrained NPRS methods tended to produce divergence time estimates more consistent with paleobotanical evidence than did clock-based estimates.
Influence of trophic status on the behaviour of contaminants in aquatic systems

The problems of eutrophication through nutrient enrichment and contamination with persistent contaminants have traditionally been regarded as unrelated by water scientists and managers, but recently evidence has appeared suggesting that the fate of organic contaminants in an aquatic ecosystem is influenced by the trophic state of the system. There is also evidence that the dissolved organic matter in dystrophic, or humic, waters may influence contaminant dynamics. Mechanisms that may be involved include changes in the metabolic capabilities of organisms with changes in trophic state; reductive degradation in the anoxic hypolimnia of highly productive waters; binding of contaminants by dissolved organic matter or organisms, or photochemical degradation induced by light-absorbing molecules. The possible significance of these processes is discussed.
High skills pay off: the changing wage structure during economic transition in Poland

Economic transition turns the inherited wage structure upside down. Changes are rapid and dramatic. The Polish example shows that even in the first year of market-oriented reforms, there was a marked increase in earnings inequality, a dramatic rise in the wage premium for white-collar skills, and a significant jump in the returns to education. In contrast, skills acquired under the old system lost their value. It is younger workers who are rewarded with higher wages. The changes are spearheaded by the private sector, where inequalities and the educational premium are higher than in the public sector. Privatization, thus, has its social aspects in that it strengthens the incentive for human capital investment. This paper documents these changes and sets out possible explanations.
Apparatus for Solution Kinetics

An apparatus is described which allows for rapid convenient kinetic studies and overcomes several disadvantages associated with other kinetic study arrangements. The thermal degradation of bromothymol blue in alkaline aqueous solution has been used as a trial system to demonstrate advantages and precautions associated with the apparatus.
Optical Tracking Technology in Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

The last decade has seen the introduction of advanced technologies that have enabled much more precise application of therapeutic radiation. These relatively new technologies include multileaf collimators, 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning, and intensity modulated radiotherapy in radiotherapy. Therapeutic dose distributions have become more conformal to volumes of disease, sometimes utilizing sharp dose gradients to deliver high doses to target volumes while sparing nearby radiosensitive structures. Thus, accurate patient positioning has become even more important, so that the treatment delivered to the patient matches the virtual treatment plan in the computer treatment planning system. Optical and image-guided radiation therapy systems offer the potential to improve the precision of patient treatment by providing a more robust fiducial system than is typically used in conventional radiotherapy. The ability to accurately position internal targets relative to the linac isocenter and to provide real-time patient tracking theoretically enables significant reductions in the amount of normal tissue irradiated. This report reviews the concepts, technology, and clinical applications of optical tracking systems currently in use for stereotactic radiation therapy. Applications of radiotherapy optical tracking technology to respiratory gating and the monitoring of implanted fiducial markers are also discussed.
NASA's Next Generation Launch Technology Program - Strategy and Plans

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration established a new program office, Next Generation Launch Technology (NGLT) Program Office, last year to pursue technologies for future space launch systems. NGLT will fund research in key technology areas such as propulsion, launch vehicles, operations and system analyses. NGLT is part of NASA s Integrated Space Technology Plan. The NGLT Program is sponsored by NASA s Office of Aerospace Technology and is part of the Space Launch Initiative theme that includes both NGLT and Orbital Space Plane. NGLT will focus on technology development to increase safety and reliability and reduce overall costs associated with building, flying and maintaining the nation s next-generations of space launch vehicles. These investments will be guided by systems engineering and analysis with a focus on the needs of National customers.
A phase I evaluation of chronotropic delivery of floxuridine by hepatic arterial infusion in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of floxuridine is often used for metastatic colorectal cancer, though this is associated with dose-limiting hepatobiliary toxicity. A phase I trial was initiated to determine if circadian-patterned HAI floxuridine would reduce toxicity. Twenty-one patients were enrolled, and they received a continuous 14-day HAI of floxuridine, with 90-95% of the drug delivered over the same six-hour period daily. The therapy was tolerable, but there was no reduction in hepatobiliary toxicity. The response rate of 33% (1 complete and 6 partial responses) was similar to that of regimens that do not utilize circadian timing. HAI floxuridine chronotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer cannot be recommended.
Reporting and usability of ARMS income and balance sheet data

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine the usability and communication methods of the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) data. Recommendations for improving access and usability are proposed to Economic Research Service (ERS).Design/methodology/approach – The current methods for accessing the ARMS data are described. Several accounting issues related to the usability of the data are presented. Cost of production issues related to the data are also discussed.Findings – Recommendations to ERS include: increase efforts to disseminate the ARMS results more widely, make the ARMS web tool easier to access, develop partnerships with universities, increase the value of the web tool by providing more information on the data that are already available, consider the accounting items of extraordinary income, inventory valuations, and nonmonetary income and consider issues related to cost of production items.Originality/value – By identifying the factors limiting the current use of the ARMS d...
Optoelectronic-cache memory system architecture

We present an investigation of the architecture of an optoelectronic cache that can integrate terabit optical memories with the electronic caches associated with high-performance uniprocessors and multiprocessors. The use of optoelectronic-cache memories enables these terabit technologies to provide transparently low-latency secondary memory with frame sizes comparable with disk pages but with latencies that approach those of electronic secondary-cache memories. This enables the implementation of terabit memories with effective access times comparable with the cycle times of current microprocessors. The cache design is based on the use of a smart-pixel array and combines parallel free-space optical input–output to-and-from optical memory with conventional electronic communication to the processor caches. This cache and the optical memory system to which it will interface provide a large random-access memory space that has a lower overall latency than that of magnetic disks and disk arrays. In addition, as a consequence of the high-bandwidth parallel input–output capabilities of optical memories, fault service times for the optoelectronic cache are substantially less than those currently achievable with any rotational media.
Exact corrections for potential modulation distortion in Auger yield measurements

Abstract The instrument response function formalism for the potential modulation differentiation technique is used to derive the exact relationship between measured and true Auger yield. It is shown that when the yield is defined as the peak signal in the energy spectrum for a particular Auger feature (measured as the area under a peak in the derivative spectrum), and when the oscillation amplitude is small, the relationship between measured and true yield is a simple proportionality involving only the magnitude of the modulation. As the amplitude approaches the width of the Auger peak, the relationship becomes sensitive to the detailed shape of the feature. However, when the yield is defined as the area under an Auger peak in the energy spectrum (measured as the double integral of the feature in the derivative spectrum), it is found that the relationship remains independent of peak shape regardless of the magnitude of the oscillation amplitude.
2011 AOA Symposium: Tissue Engineering and Tissue Regeneration: AOA critical issues.

Improvements in our understanding of biological and biomechanical aspects of connective-tissue degeneration, healing, and repair have revealed the potential to develop novel approaches to tissue repair and regeneration. New knowledge about the basic cellular and molecular processes that govern tissue repair has emerged from the fields of cell biology, molecular biology, and molecular genetics. Ongoing developments in related fields, such as biomaterials and stem cells, have also suggested new ways to attack old problems in orthopaedics. This symposium brought together experts to address several important areas: (1) the use of local osteoinductive factors for spine fusion, (2) systemic agents and mesenchymal stromal cells to manipulate bone formation and remodeling, and (3) the use of scaffolds and platelet-derived factors for ligament-healing. We discuss biologic approaches to tissue-healing and regeneration, ranging from experimental techniques that are currently in preclinical testing to techniques that are currently in use. The basic principles related to tissue-healing and regeneration presented here will provide the basis for future studies in tissue engineering and related fields. Spine arthrodesis is one of the most challenging applications for bone graft materials and bone-healing. The nonunion rate associated with arthrodesis for management of degenerative lumbar spine disease ranges from 10% to 45%1,2. The combination of biologic and environmental factors makes the achievement of spine fusion sensitive to systemic issues that inhibit bone-healing, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and nicotine. Bone graft substitutes are associated with one or more of four potential healing mechanisms3. An osteogenic material, by definition, has live osteoblasts that are capable of making bone matrix, which mineralizes normally. Osteoconductivity is the ability of a material to serve as a scaffold to support new bone ingrowth and/or ongrowth and can be influenced by the three-dimensional macrostructure as well as features such as …
PROCESSING CHARACTERISTICS AND YIELD OF PORK FRANKFURTERS MANUFACTURED FROM GILTS ADMINISTERED EXOGENOUS PORCINE SOMATOTROPIN

Eighteen gilts (75 kg) were injected daily with 0, 2.5, or 5 mg of porcine somatotropin (pST) for either 30 or 31 days prior to slaughter to examine the effects of dose of pST administration to swine on processing characteristics of frankfurters manufactured from pork. Frankfurters were manufactured from New York shoulders (NAMP #404) and formulated with fat from the same carcass to a final product target of 22% fat and 10% added water. Frankfurters from pST- treated gilts had lower smokehouse yields (0.9% decrease; P 0.05)
The Persistence of Racial Disadvantage: The Socioeconomic Attainments of Single-Race and Multi-Race Native Americans

Using data from the 2000 U.S. Census, we investigate the schooling and earnings of single-race and multi-race Native Americans. Our analysis distinguishes between Single-Race Native Americans, biracial White Native Americans, biracial Hispanic-White Native Americans, and biracial Black Native Americans. Further differentiating by gender, the results indicate significant variation in socioeconomic attainments across these different Native American groups although almost all of them are in some way disadvantaged relative to non-Hispanic, non-Native American whites. The most disadvantaged group tends to be Single-Race Native Americans who have the lowest levels of schooling as well as lower earnings relative to non-Hispanic, non-Native American whites who are comparable in terms of schooling, age, and other basic demographic characteristics. The results demonstrate notable differentials by the racial/ethnic type of Native American group as well as by gender. In the case of men, all of the Native American groups have clear socioeconomic disadvantages. One contrast is that migration slightly increases the earnings of men but it slightly decreases the earnings of women. We interpret these findings as underscoring how measured socioeconomic differentials between demographic groups are significantly affected by the categorization of race/ethnicity in surveys and by how persons choose to be enumerated in terms of those categories.
Error free and transparent coding of images using approximations by splines

We have undertaken a study of techniques for the perceptually transparent coding of very high quality and resolution images. These techniques should be free of any of the visual artifacts due to transform coders, DPCM coders or vector quantization, so that post processing to improve image quality or resolution can be performed. The approach starts with a decomposition of an image into a spline approximation, based on a subsampled array of pixels. The spline approximation is then subtracted from the original and the resulting remainder is quantized non-uniformly and with as few levels as possible while still insuring perceptual transparency. This differential quantization takes advantage of properties of human vision. The coarsely quantized remainder is then encoded in an error free fashion. Several techniques are being considered for this error free coding. Since the only errors are introduced in the quantization of the remainder, the errors are not perceptible and there is no structure to them.
Root allocation and water uptake patterns in riparian tree saplings: Responses to irrigation and defoliation

The genus Populus relies on shallow groundwater for successful recruitment and is often the focus of riparian restoration efforts. Under some circumstances mature trees take up a substantial proportion of their water from unsaturated soil water derived from growing season rainfall, but it is unknown how Populus saplings may alter root allocation patterns and water use in response to water availability and carbon limitations. Although it has been inferred that root allocation differs with changes in water uptake patterns as determined with stable isotope studies, this notion has rarely been tested. We conducted a glasshouse experiment with Populus fremontii (Fremont cottonwood) saplings to determine how allocation to fine and coarse roots, leaf gas exchange, root respiration and water uptake from hydrologically isolated upper and lower soil compartments would be altered by above- and belowground resource limitations. Aboveground carbon limitations were imposed with defoliation. Belowground resource limitations were imposed by maintaining high or low soil water availability in lower soil compartment. Isotopically labeled water was supplied in pulses to upper soil compartments to determine the proportion of transpiration water derived from each compartment. Above- and belowground resource limitations differentially altered use of surface water pulses and affected patterns of fine root allocation. Proportional use of water sources was plastic and changed in response to water availability and defoliation. Changes in fine root biomass allocation were associated with changes in water-source use for water-stressed plants. Defoliated plants in both watering treatments used proportionally less of the surface pulse than undefoliated plants. In contrast, plants that were water limited, but not carbon limited had a higher ratio of shallow fine roots to deep fine roots and took up proportionally more water from the surface pulse. These data suggest that carbon limited saplings take up less water with shallow roots. Thus, P. fremontii exhibited belowground allocation tradeoffs in response to spatial heterogeneity of soil water and carbon limitations. Furthermore, our data suggest that successful recruitment events may be influenced by the occurrence of summer rainfall, and by factors affecting canopy carbon gain.
Carbohydrate metabolism in pregnancy: A possible role of chromium

Normal human pregnancy is characterized by substantial changes in peripheral glucose utilization as well as homeostatic alterations in insulin release and response mechanisms. Recent observations we have made indicate a relative deficiency in plasma chromium in pregnancy and the puerperium. The possibility is suggested that changes in chromium physiology may relate to the so-called ‘diabetogenic’ features of pregnancy.
Role of Practice and Stimulus-Onset-Asynchrony in Modulating Effects of Stimulus Repetition, Category Relation, and Response Compatibility in the Eriksen Flanker Task:

In the Eriksen flanker task, irrelevant information influences reaction time based on three types of relationships between target and flanker, Stimulus Repetition, Category Relation, and Response Compatibility. The effects of Stimulus Repetition and Category Relation refer to the finding that reaction time is faster when the target and flankers are the same or belong to the same category, respectively. The effect of Response Compatibility refers to the finding that reaction time is faster when the target and flankers are assigned to the same response than to different responses. Two experiments were designed to examine whether these effects vary with practice and stimulus-onset-asynchrony. It was shown that the effects of Stimulus Repetition and Category Relation occurred only when the flankers preceded the target by 200 msec. The effect of Response Compatibility, however, occurred regardless of stimulus-onset-asynchrony. Furthermore, limited practice seems necessary for the occurrence of response facilitation.
Ecological momentary assessment of tinnitus using smartphone technology: a pilot study.

ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) as a tool to more accurately assess the level of bother from tinnitus.Study DesignLongitudinal observational study.Set...
Transient electrocardiographic changes in patients with unstable angina: Relation to coronary arterial anatomy☆

Abstract The relation between the spontaneous electrocardiographic changes and coronary arterial anatomy in unstable angina pectoris was examined in 97 patients with coronary artery disease and transient electrocardiographic changes during chest pain. Sinus rhythm was maintained during pain in all patients. Heart rate increased significantly in 61 percent (mean ± standard error of the mean 72 ± 2 to 93 ± 2 beats/min, probability [p] Thus, patients with coronary artery disease and unstable angina maintain regular sinus rhythm during chest pain, and the heart rate usually increases but may be unchanged or decreased in a significant proportion. S-T segment elevation is common in these patients and the magnitude of the S-T segment shift is related to the extent of the underlying coronary disease. This study suggests that the type and distribution of the repolarization changes are a reflection of the location and severity of the atherosclerotic process.
Further mechanistic studies of n-type silicon photoelectrodes: behavior in contact with methanol-dimethylferrocene+/0 and in contact with aqueous electrolytes

Mechanistic studies of n-Si photoelectrodes have been conducted using aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes. For (Me{sub 2}Fc{sup +}) between 0.3 mM and 0.050 M, the temperature dependence of V{sub oc} indicated that bulk-diffusion/recombination was the rate-limiting recombination process. In all of these experiments, conventional Shockley diode theory provided an excellent description of the solid/liquid junction properties. In a related set of experiments, HF-etched n-Si photoelectrodes ((100)- and (111)-oriented samples) and n-Si samples that had been metalized by several different methods all showed passivation in contact with Fe(CN){sub 6}{sup 3-/4-}{sub aq} or Br{sub 2}/Br{sup {minus}}{sub aq} or electrolytes. For several metalized Si samples, etches that had been reported to produce metal islands on the Si surface instead yielded Si surfaces free of metal. All Si samples that had been metalized by filament evaporation yielded I-V behavior in contact with the Ch{sub 3}OH-Me{sub 2}Fc{sup +/0} redox system that was characteristic of a pinned surface Fermi level, even for coverages of metal as low as 9 {Angstrom}. This indicates that proposed metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions with anomalously high barrier heights are difficult to obtain by such metalization and etching methods.
The effect of cell size and receptor density on ligand--receptor reaction rate constants.

Abstract A method is developed for calculating rate constants for ligands interacting with cell-bound receptors in terms of rate constants for reactions between solubilized molecules. The results indicate that for identical reaction mechanisms and typical cellular and molecular dimensions, the rate and equilibrium constants for reaction of solution phase ligand with receptors that are cell-bound or otherwise fixed, as on a bead, can be several orders of magnitude smaller or larger than their values for reactions with dispersed receptors. These variations have little to do with diffusion coefficient differences, but are intimately connected to the size and density of receptors, and the relation between diffusive and reactive rate constants. The main equations are tabularized and their utility illustrated by a brief discussion of data from the literature.
Anaerobic metabolic processes in the deep terrestrial subsurface

Abstract Anaerobic microorganisms were enumerated and metabolic activities measured in deep Coastal Plain sediments sampled from three water‐bearing formations at depths down to 300 m. Aseptically obtained sediment cores harbored the potential for anaerobic biodegradation of various substrates in almost all samples. Although the sediments were not predominantly anaerobic, viable methanogens and sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) were present almost throughout the depth profile. Coliform organisms were also found at various locations, but were not recoverable from drilling muds or water used to slurry the muds. The anaerobic metabolism of lactate and formate was easily detected in most samples. However, acetate and benzoate were degraded only in portions of the subsurface that harbored methanogens. The water‐saturated transmissive zones harbored the highest numbers of SRB and the potential for the widest variety of anaerobic metabolic activities. Small or negligible anaerobic microbial activity was associated...
Integrating analogical reasoning in a natural language understander

The research described in this paper addresses the problem of integrating analogical reasoning and argumentation into a natural language understanding system. We present an approach to completing an implicit argument-by-analogy as found in a natural language editorial text. The transformation of concepts from one domain to another, which is inherent in this task, is a complex process requiring basic reasoning skills and domain knowledge, as well as an understanding of the structure and use of both analogies and arguments. The integration of knowledge about natural language understanding, argumentation, and analogical reasoning is demonstrated in a proof of concept system called ARIEL. ARIEL is able to detect the presence of an analogy in an editorial text, identify the source and target components, and develop a conceptual representation of the completed analogy in memory. The design of our system is modular in nature, permitting extensions to the existing knowledge base and making the argumentation and analogical reasoning components portable to other understanding systems.
Turning enzymes ON with small molecules

Drug discovery and chemical genetic efforts typically focus on the identification and design of inhibitors or loss-of-function probes as a means to perturb enzyme function. These tools are effective in determining the physiological consequence of ablating the activity of a specific enzyme. Remarkably, nearly a dozen examples of non-natural small molecules that activate enzyme catalysis have been identified within the past decade. In aggregate, these studies delineate four unique activation mechanisms that the small molecules exploit. These complementary gain-of-function probes offer a way to address the sufficiency of an enzyme to drive a particular cellular phenotype, and they also provide new opportunities for drug discovery. This review covers the identification and characterization of these unique small-molecule activators.
Listeria booriae sp. nov. and Listeria newyorkensis sp. nov., from food processing environments in the USA.

Sampling of seafood and dairy processing facilities in the north-eastern USA produced 18 isolates of Listeria spp. that could not be identified at the species-level using traditional phenotypic and genotypic identification methods. Results of phenotypic and genotypic analyses suggested that the isolates represent two novel species with an average nucleotide blast identity of less than 92 % with previously described species of the genus Listeria . Phylogenetic analyses based on whole genome sequences, 16S rRNA gene and sigB gene sequences confirmed that the isolates represented by type strain FSL M6-0635T and FSL A5-0209 cluster phylogenetically with Listeria cornellensis . Phylogenetic analyses also showed that the isolates represented by type strain FSL A5-0281T cluster phylogenetically with Listeria riparia . The name Listeria booriae sp. nov. is proposed for the species represented by type strain FSL A5-0281T ( = DSM 28860T = LMG 28311T), and the name Listeria newyorkensis sp. nov. is proposed for the species represented by type strain FSL M6-0635T ( = DSM 28861T = LMG 28310T). Phenotypic and genotypic analyses suggest that neither species is pathogenic.
Bound Water Molecules at the Interface between the HIV-1 Protease and a Potent Inhibitor, KNI-272, Determined by NMR

KNI-272 is a peptidomimetic transition state analog inhibitor, having very high specificity and binding affinity for the HIV-1 protease. In order to understand the interactions that enhance drug bi...
A note on the C-N inequality

Es wird gezeigt, dass die Ungleichung von Coleman und Noll, auf nicht genau orthogonale und daher nichttriviale Dehnungen aufweisende Deformationen verallgemeinert, nicht anwendbar ist.
Evaluation of an adaptive automation system using three EEG indices with a visual tracking task

Abstract A system was evaluated for use in adaptive automation using two experiments with electroencephalogram (EEG) indices based on the beta, alpha, and theta bandwidths. Subjects performed a compensatory tracking task while their EEG was recorded and converted to one of three engagement indices: β/(α+Θ), β/α, or 1/α. In experiment one, the tracking task was switched between manual and automatic modes depending on whether the subject’s engagement index was increasing or decreasing under a positive or negative feedback condition. Subjects were run for three consecutive 16-min trials. In experiment two, the task was switched depending on whether the absolute level of the engagement index for the subject was above or below baseline levels. It was hypothesized that negative feedback would produce more switches between manual and automatic modes, and that the β/(α+Θ) index would be most effective. The results confirmed these hypotheses. Tracking performance was better under negative feedback in both experiments; also, the use of absolute levels of engagement in experiment two resulted in better performance. There were no systematic changes in these effects over three 16-min trials. The implications for the use of such systems for adaptive automation are discussed.
Fractals – Form, Chance and Dimension

(1978). Fractals – Form, Chance and Dimension. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews: Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 346-346.
Estimation of higher-order damping terms in linear plate models

In this paper we consider the estimation of damping parameters in equations that include Kelvin-Voight damping models. We determine optimality conditions that characterize optimal regularized output least squares estimators and obtain sufficient conditions for the positivity of Lagrange multipliers. These results imply regularity properties of the optimal estimators and their stability with respect to perturbation of data. Approximation and numerical results are obtained as well.
Extensive ab initio study of the electronic states of SCl including spin-orbit coupling.

The effect of different basis sets for calculation of the spectroscopic constants of the ground state of sulfur monochloride (SCl) was analyzed using scalar relativistic multireference configuration interaction with single and double excitations plus Davidson correction. Then the generally contracted all-electronic correlation-consistent polarized valence quintuple zeta basis sets were selected to compute the electronic states of SCl including 12 valence and 9 Rydberg Λ−S states. The spin-orbit coupling effect was calculated via the state interaction approach with the full Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. This effect splits these Λ−S states into 42Ω states. Potential-energy curves of all these states are plotted with the help of the avoided crossing rule between the electronic states of the same symmetry. The structural properties of these states are analyzed. Spectroscopic constants of bound excited states that have never been observed in experiment are obtained. The transition dipole moments and the Franck-Cond...
ANDROGEN RECEPTOR DOWN-REGULATION IN PROSTATE CANCER WITH PHOSPHORODIAMIDATE MORPHOLINO ANTISENSE OLIGOMERS

ABSTRACT Purpose: Androgen receptor (AR) has a pivotal role in the growth and proliferation of prostate cancer (PCa). Even in advanced stages of PCa AR continues to be expressed and appears to be functional. Since the mechanisms of AR activation in androgen independent PCa have yet to be clearly defined, the decrease in AR protein by antisense compounds is an attractive therapeutic option. In this study we evaluated a novel antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) targeting the translational start site of AR mRNA in vitro and in vivo in a PCa xenograft and murine prostate. Materials and Methods: AR antisense PMOs targeting the AR initiation AUG were tested in vitro and in LNCaP cells, and in vivo in LAPC-4 xenografts and normal mouse prostate. Effects on AR protein and PSA expression were assessed. Results: AR antisense PMOs specifically down-regulated AR protein levels in a plasmid based screening system and also decreased endogenous AR levels in androgen responsive LNCaP cells in culture compared to control nonspecific PMOs. Pretreatment and posttreatment biopsies in the LAPC-4 xenograft model demonstrated that the antisense AR PMO administered intraperitoneally specifically decreased AR protein levels and serum PSA. Analysis of tissue distribution of the AR PMO by high performance liquid chromatography based methodology showed significant PMO levels in tumor tissue and mouse prostate, and there was a dose dependent decrease in AR protein levels in murine AR antisense PMO treated mouse prostates. Conclusions: An AR antisense PMO with unique chemical properties administered once daily can decrease AR protein levels and PSA in vivo . The reduction of AR protein with an antisense PMO may be an effective method of interfering with AR mediated growth in advanced human PCa.
Effect of emulsifiers on the body and texture of low fat ice cream

Four emulsifiers at three levels each were evaluated in low fat ice creams (2% fat). Emulsifiers were a polysorbate 80 blend with monoglycerides and diglycerides, 40% α-monoglyceride, 70% α-monoglyceride, and lecithin. The lowest flavor scores were obtained for samples containing lecithin. Emulsifiers increased the consistency of viscosity of low fat ice cream mix and reduced whipping times and ice crystal sizes. Sensory scores for coarse and icy were related to ice crystal size. Emulsifiers also provided increased stability to heat shock. Higher levels of emulsifiers increased whipping ability, but only polysorbate 80 blend and 70% α-monoglyceride increased whipping ability above that of the control. All emulsifiers improved the body and texture of low fat ice cream.
Formation of miscible fluid microstructures by hydrodynamic focusing in plane geometries.

We experimentally investigate the flow structures formed when two miscible fluids that have large viscosity contrasts are injected and hydrodynamically focused in plane microchannels. Parallel viscous flows composed of a central stream surrounded by symmetric sheath streams are examined as a function of the flow rates, fluid viscosities, and rates of molecular diffusion. We study miscible interfacial morphologies and show a route for manipulating viscous flow-segregation processes in plane microsystems. The diffusion layer at the boundary of an ensheathed fluid grows as function of the distance downstream and depends on the Peclet number. In particular, we observe diffusion-enhanced viscous ensheathing processes. In the presence of a constriction, we investigate the formation of a lubricated viscous thread in the converging flow and also the buckling morphologies of the thread in the diverging flow. This study, relevant to multifluid flow between a "thick" material and a "thin" solvent, demonstrates the possibility to further control steady and oscillatory miscible fluid microstructures.
Fine structure in the dynamic form factor of an electron liquid

Using a simple model for the quasiparticle damping, we show how the fine structure observed in the dynamic form factor of an electron liquid can be understood on purely kinematic considerations. We also show that more realistic calculations of the self-energy including vertex corrections leave the qualitative features of the model unchanged. Results for the mass enhancement as a function of wave number are given.
Adipose Tissue as an Endocrine Organ

Adipose tissue is a complex, essential, and highly active metabolic and endocrine organ. Besides adipocytes, adipose tissue contains connective tissue matrix, nerve tissue, stromovascular cells, and immune cells. Together these components function as an integrated unit. Adipose tissue not only responds to afferent signals from traditional hormone systems and the central nervous system but also expresses and secretes factors with important endocrine functions. These factors include leptin, other cytokines, adiponectin, complement components, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, proteins of the renin-angiotensin system, and resistin. Adipose tissue is also a major site for metabolism of sex steroids and glucocorticoids. The important endocrine function of adipose tissue is emphasized by the adverse metabolic consequences of both adipose tissue excess and deficiency. A better understanding of the endocrine function of adipose tissue will likely lead to more rational therapy for these increasingly prevalent disorders. This review presents an overview of the endocrine functions of adipose tissue.
Infrared study of the effect of hydration on the amide I band and aggregation properties of helical peptides.

The amide I‘ band of a polypeptide is sensitive not only to its secondary structure content but also to its environment. In this study we show how degrees of hydration affect the underlying spectral features of the amide I‘ band of two alanine-based helical peptides. This is achieved by solubilizing these peptides in the water pool of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate reverse micelles with different water contents or w0 values. In agreement with several earlier studies, our results show that the amide I‘ band arising from a group of dehydrated helical amides is centered at ∼1650 cm-1, whereas hydration shifts this frequency toward lower wavenumbers. More importantly, temperature-dependent infrared studies further show that these helical peptides undergo a thermally induced conformational transition in reverse micelles of low w0 values (e.g., w0 = 6), resulting in soluble peptide aggregates rich in antiparallel β-sheets. Interestingly, however, increasing w0 or water content leads to an increase in th...
Image resolution enhancement via data-driven parametric models in the wavelet space

We present a data-driven, project-based algorithm which enhances image resolution by extrapolating high-band wavelet coefficients. High-resolution images are reconstructed by alternating the projections onto two constraint sets: the observation constraint defined by the given low-resolution image and the prior constraint derived from the training data at the high resolution (HR). Two types of prior constraints are considered: spatially homogeneous constraint suitable for texture images and patch-based inhomogeneous one for generic images. A probabilistic fusion strategy is developed for combining reconstructed HR patches when overlapping (redundancy) is present. It is argued that objective fidelity measure is important to evaluate the performance of resolution enhancement techniques and the role of antialiasing filter should be properly addressed. Experimental results are reported to show that our projection-based approach can achieve both good subjective and objective performance especially for the class of texture images.
Accumulation of lipid droplets in ventricular cardiac muscle of the bat following administration of parachlorophenylalanine: the influence of hibernation.

The effect of the administration of p-chlorophenylalanine on the fine structure of the ventricular cardiac muscle of active and hibernating bats was studied. The concentration of norepinephrine in the bat heart was also measured. In the active animal, p-chlorophenylalanine induced a striking increase in the size and number of lipid droplets. Moreover, the lipid droplets exhibited an intimate association with mitochondria. The mitochondria in such associations showed extreme variations in form but exhibited normal arrangement of cristae. p-Chlorophenylalanine also induced a slight increase in the number of glycogen granules but no other effects were apparent. During hibernation, the administration of p-chlorophenylalanine failed to produce a change in either the size or number of lipid droplets. The concentration of norepinephrine in the heart of active and hibernating bats was not altered by the injection of the drug. The present findings indicate that lipid accumulation in ventricular myocardium following injection of drugs is not necessarily the result of depletion of cardiac stores of norepinephrine.
Family Caregiving of Persons with Dementia: Prevalence, Health Effects, and Support Strategies

The authors summarize the dementia caregiving literature and provide recommendations regarding practice guidelines for health professionals working with caregivers. Family caregiving of older persons with disability has become commonplace in the United States because of increases in life expectancy and the aging of the population, with resulting higher prevalence of chronic diseases and associated disabilities, increased constraints in healthcare reimbursement, and advances in medical technology. As a result, family members are increasingly being asked to perform complex tasks similar to those carried out by paid health or social service providers, often at great cost to their own well-being and great benefit to their relatives and society as a whole. The public health significance of caregiving has spawned an extensive literature in this area, much of it focused on dementia caregiving because of the unique and extreme challenges associated with caring for someone with cognitive impairment. This article summarizes the literature on dementia caregiving, identifies key issues and major findings regarding the definition and prevalence of caregiving, describes the psychiatric and physical health effects of caregiving, and reviews various intervention approaches to improving caregiver burden, depression, and quality of life. Authors review practice guidelines and recommendations for healthcare providers in light of the empirical literature on family caregiving.
Factors supporting quality of life over time for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The role of positive self-perception and religiosity

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease with no known cure. Maintaining quality of life (QOL) as the disease progresses is an important treatment goal.Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that support QOL as ALS progresses.Methods: Changes in QOL were monitored in 162 individuals with ALS at 3- to 4-month intervals. Forty-nine of the participants survived in the study for over 1 year and were included in a longitudinal comparison. The 49 long-term participants were younger and stronger at Time 1 than were the participants who died before reaching the 1-year point. The McGill Quality of Life Scale demonstrated a high and stable QOL despite physical deterioration.Results: Patients maintained a positive self-perception of their health despite the physical deterioration. Over time, self-perception of health and religiosity were shown to be significantly correlated with QOL.Conclusions: Results support the need for better instrumentation to enable future studies to more precisely measure multiple dimensions of ALS-related QOL, to identify reference points for self-ratings of both health and QOL, and to capture the religious and spiritual mechanisms related to QOL as individuals face the end of life.