cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short wavelength x‐ray laser research at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Laboratory x‐ray lasers are currently being studied by researchers worldwide. This paper reviews some of the recent work carried out at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Laser action has been demonstrated at wavelengths as short as 35.6 A while saturation of the small signal gain has been observed with longer wavelength schemes. Some of the most successful schemes to date have been collisionally pumped x‐ray lasers that use the thermal electron distribution within a laser‐produced plasma to excite electrons from closed shells in neon‐ and nickel‐like ions to metastable levels in the next shell. Attempts to quantify and improve the longitudinal and transverse coherence of collisionally pumped x‐ray lasers are motivated by the desire to produce sources for specific applications. Toward this goal there is a large effort underway to enhance the power output of the Ni‐like Ta x‐ray laser at 44.83 A as a source for x‐ray imaging of live cells. Improving the efficiency of x‐ray lasers in order to produce saturated output with smaller pump lasers is also a goal of this work.
Unintended Consequences Examining the Effect of Part-Time Faculty Members on Associate's Degree Completion

Employment of part-time faculty members by community colleges has become an increasingly common approach to reducing institutional costs, which may have unintended consequences for student outcomes...
Optimal design of CdS- and Cd0.8Zn0.2S-based single-junction and multijunction solar cells

Abstract Computer analysis has been used to determine the conversion efficiency of polycrystalline CdS- and Cd0.8Zn0.2S-based solar cells. For CdS-based cells the maximum calculated air mass 1, 1 sun efficiencies at 27 °C are 16% for single-junction cells, 21% for two-cell tandem structures and 24% for three-cell tandem structures. For Cd0.8Zn0.2S-based devices the corresponding efficiencies are 19%, 26% and 29%–30%. The improvements obtained in the three-cell structures appear to be too small to justify their added complexity. Somewhat higher efficiencies are calculated for two-cell tandem structures with a single-crystal Ga1−xAlxAs or GaAS1−xPx top cell and A CdS- or Cd0.8Zn0.2S-based bottom cell. However, unless the fabrication cost of the polycrystalline bottom cell is sufficiently low, such structures may not be economical.
A basis theorem for a class of max-plus eigenproblems

We study the max-plus equation (∗)P+ψ(ξ)=maxξ⩽s⩽M(H(s)+ψ(γ(s))),ξ∈[0,M], where H:[0,M]→(−∞,∞) and γ:[0,M]→[0,M] are given functions. The function ψ:[0,M]→[−∞,∞) and the quantity P are unknown, and are, respectively, an eigenfunction and additive eigenvalue. Eigensolutions ψ are known to describe the asymptotics of certain solutions of singularly perturbed differential equations with state dependent time lags. Under general conditions we prove the existence of a finite set (a basis) of eigensolutions ϕi, for 1⩽i⩽q, with the same eigenvalue P, such that the general solution ψ to (∗) is given by ψ(ξ)=(c1+ϕ1(ξ))∨(c2+ϕ2(ξ))∨⋯∨(cq+ϕq(ξ)). Here ci∈[−∞,∞) are arbitrary quantities and ∨ denotes the maximum operator. In many cases q=1 so the solution ψ is unique up to an additive constant.
SOX2 is a cancer-specific regulator of tumour initiating potential in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Although the principles that balance stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in normal tissue homeostasis are beginning to emerge, it is still unclear whether cancer cells with tumour initiating potential are similarly governed, or whether they have acquired distinct mechanisms to sustain self-renewal and long-term tumour growth. Here we show that the transcription factor Sox2, which is not expressed in normal skin epithelium and is dispensable for epidermal homeostasis, marks tumour initiating cells (TICs) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). We demonstrate that Sox2 is required for SCC growth in mouse and human, where it enhances Nrp1/Vegf signalling to promote the expansion of TICs along the tumour–stroma interface. Our findings suggest that distinct transcriptional programmes govern self-renewal and long-term growth of TICs and normal skin epithelial stem and progenitor cells. These programmes present promising diagnostic markers and targets for cancer-specific therapies. The mechanisms that sustain the self-renewal and expansion of cancer cells with tumour initiating potential are not completely understood. Here the authors show that the transcription factor, Sox2, marks tumour initiating cells in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and is required for their expansion.
Linear dependence in multiple correlation work

The problem in multiple correlation work of nonsense results attributable to linear dependence of variables, which has been discussed by Ragnar Frisch in relation to economic data, is presented from the standpoint of its significance in psychological research. It is shown that a symmetric correlation determinant with unity in the diagonal cells can vanish only when there is a first-order or partial correlation of unity between one pair of the variables. On the basis of this result, it is argued that the problem should be expected to cause less difficulty in the field of psychology than in economics and that psychologists should be able to avoid the pitfall by bringing to bear their knowledge of the variables with which they are working.
Princeton Conference XXVIII—Cincinnati, Ohio

The 28th Princeton Conference was held in Cincinnati, OH from May 17 to 19, 2012. This conference focused on new advances in research in the field of cerebrovascular disease, and included representatives from academia, industry, and the National Institutes of Health. The Conference was designed as a symposium with crystallized, brief presentations as a stimulus for longer participant discussion. The invited speakers presented new and sometimes unpublished data, as well as ongoing controversies. Topics ranged …
3D single-molecule tracking using one- and two-photon excitation microscopy

Three dimensional single-molecule tracking (3D-SMT) has revolutionized the way we study fundamental cellular processes. By analyzing the spatial trajectories of individual molecules (e.g. a receptor or a signaling molecule) in 3D space, one can discern the internalization or transport dynamics of these molecules, study the heterogeneity of subcellular structures, and elucidate the complex spatiotemporal regulation mechanisms. Sub-diffraction localization precision, sub-millisecond temporal resolution and tens-of-seconds observation period are the benchmarks of current 3D-SMT techniques. We have recently built two molecular tracking systems in our labs. The first system is a previously reported confocal tracking system, which we denote as the 1P-1E-4D (one-photon excitation, one excitation beam, and four fiber-coupled detectors) system. The second system is a whole new design that is based on two-photon excitation, which we denote as the 2P-4E-1D (two-photon excitation, four excitation beams, and only one detector) system. Here we compare these two systems based on Monte Carlo simulation of tracking a diffusing fluorescent molecule. Through our simulation, we have characterized the limitation of individual systems and optimized the system parameters such as magnification, z-plane separation, and feedback gains.
Instability regimes and self-excited vibrations in deep drilling systems

Abstract This paper analyzes the stability of the discrete model proposed by Richard et al. (2004 [1] , 2007 [2] ) to study the self-excited axial and torsional vibrations of deep drilling systems. This model, which relies on a rate-independent bit/rock interaction law, reduces to a coupled system of state-dependent delay differential equations governing the axial and angular perturbations to the stationary motion of the bit. A linear stability analysis indicates that, although the steady-state motion of the bit is always unstable, the nature of the instability depends on the nominal angular velocity Ω 0 of the drillstring imposed at the rig. On the one hand, if Ω 0 is larger than a critical velocity Ω c , the angular dynamics is responsible for the instability. However, on the timescale of the resonance period of the drillstring viewed as a torsional pendulum, the system behaves like a marginally stable one, provided that exogenous perturbations are of limited magnitude. The instability then only appears on a much larger timescale, in the form of slowly growing oscillations that ultimately lead to an undesired drilling regime such as bit-bouncing or stick-slip vibrations. On the other hand, if Ω 0 is smaller than Ω c , the instability manifests itself on the timescale of the bit motion due to a dominating unstable axial dynamics; perturbations to the steady-state motion then rapidly degenerate into stick-slip limit cycles or bit-bouncing. For typical deep drilling field conditions, the critical angular velocity Ω c is virtually independent of the axial force acting on the bit and of the bit bluntness. It can be approximated by a power law monomial, a function of known parameters of the drilling system and of the intrinsic specific energy (a quantity characterizing the energy required to drill a particular rock). This approximation holds on account that the dissipation in the drilling structure is negligible with respect to that taking place through the bit/rock interaction, as is typically the case. These findings are further illustrated on an example of deep drilling and shown to match the trends observed in the field.
Comparison of normal tissue pharmacokinetics with 111In/90Y monoclonal antibody m170 for breast and prostate cancer

Purpose: Radioactivity deposition in normal tissues limits the dose deliverable by radiopharmaceuticals (RP) in radioimmunotherapy (RIT). This study investigated the absorbed radiation dose in normal tissues for prostate cancer patients in comparison to breast cancer patients for 2 RPs using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) m170. Methods and Materials: 111 In-DOTA-glycylglycylglycyl-l-p-isothiocyanatophenylalanine amide (GGGF)-m170 and 111 In-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N′,N″,N″′-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) 2-iminothiolane (2IT)-m170, representing the same MAb and chelate with and without a cleavable linkage, were studied in 13 breast cancer and 26 prostate cancer patients. Dosimetry for 90 Y was calculated using 111 In MAb pharmacokinetics from the initial imaging study for each patient, using reference man– and patient-specific masses. Results: The reference man–specific radiation doses (cGy/MBq) were not significantly different for the breast and the prostate cancer patients for both RPs in all but one tissue-RP combination (liver, DOTA-2IT). The patient-specific doses had differences between the groups most of which can be related to weight differences. Conclusions: Similar normal tissue doses were calculated for two groups of patients having different cancers and genders. This similarity combined with continued careful analysis of the imaging data might allow the use of higher starting doses in early phase RIT studies.
Proton Overhauser experiments on kringle 4 from human plasminogen. Implications for the structure of the kringles' hydrophobic core

1H-NMR Overhauser experiments at 300 and 600 MHz have been implemented on the isolated kringle 4 fragment of human plasminogen. This study shows that Leu46 and Leu77 CH3 delta,delta' groups, as well as two threonine CH3 gamma and a methionine S-CH epsilon (probably Met48) groups, are in efficient dipolar contact with histidine and aromatic side-chains. In particular, the experiments reveal that of the two Leu46 CH3 delta,delta' groups, one is in efficient contact with tryptophan (Trp25 and Trp62) indole rings while the other interacts with a tyrosine (probably Tyr41) phenol. Leu46 appears also to be close to an Ala CH3 beta group. Such a hydrophobic cluster appears to be contiguous to Trp72, hence to Arg71, residues that are through to be part of the lysine-binding site. Acid-base titration experiments show that the buried methionine S-CH3 epsilon group senses a neighboring ionizable group of pK*1 = 3.76, suggesting presence of a carboxyl anionic group (probably an aspartic acid side-chain) in the vicinity of the hydrophobic core. A preliminary model is proposed for the overall folding of the kringle polypeptide chain.
Colocolostomy and coloproctostomy utilizing the circular intraluminal stapling devices

Coloproctostomy or colocolostomy by peranal insertion of a circular stapling device was performed on 265 patients between January 1978, and June 1981. A low anterior resection was performed in 174 patients. Stapler-related technical complications occurred in 52 patients (20 per cent). Complementary transverse colostomies were performed in 11 patients, of which seven were performed on the first 30 patients. Intraoperative complications occurred in 18 patients (7 per cent). Twenty-six major postoperative complications occurred (10 per cent), and clinical anastomotic leaks occurred in eight patients (3 per cent). Four postoperative deaths occurred (1.5 per cent). This study concludes that (1) coloproctostomy or colocolostomy can be safely performed by transanal insertion of a circular stapling device, (2) these instruments allow a sphincter-preserving procedure to be performed for lesions in the low and midrectum (5 to 10 cm from the anal verge) with an acceptable early morbidity and mortality, and (3) the majority of stapler-related technical complications can be managed without protecting colostomy.
Hydromagnetic dynamo in the cores of Uranus and Neptune

It is noted that the explanation of the origin of a magnetic field of Uranus is difficult because the structure of the planet's interior is not well known and the strong thermal flux, which is associated with the operation of hydromagnetic dynamos in Jupiter and Saturn, seems to be absent or very low. It is shown that the composition, physical state and electrical conductivity of the planet's core permits the generation of a magnetic field within the very low observational limits of its heat emission. Further, it is suggested that the higher density and higher pressures in the core of Neptune could explain the suspected absence of a measurable field on that planet even though it is a relatively strong source of heat.
Broadening Horizons: Interpretive Cultural Research, Hermeneutics, and Scholarly Inquiry in Physical Education

After outlining an interpretive or hermeneutic concept of human social life in which sociocultural phenomena are considered to be constituted in large part by mutually influential relationships between shared understandings and social interaction, the suggestion is made that the interpretive research paradigm may frequently be more appropriate than the natural science paradigm for the study of such phenomena. Therefore, physical educators who investigate activities such as education and sports, clearly major features of human social life, are urged to study these activities more holistically, guided by the interpretive cultural research model. Although this paradigm seems more appropriate in many instances for the conduct of social research, criticisms or points of contention nevertheless touch this investigative tradition. Two of the most important of these are discussed: problems concerning generalization and cultural relativism in social research, and problems related to seeking truth through interpret...
Communication skills of technical professionals: a report for schools of business administration

The business community has frequently complained about the poor quality of college graduates' communication skills, with information systems and computer science graduates often criticized most severely. The purpose of this research was to investigate and analyze the communication skills of information systems (IS) personnel in terms of current and desired skill levels as perceived by their managers. This paper presents a survey of IS managers which revealed findings concerning: (1) the perceived importance of communication skills to technical professionals, (2) the perceived communication skills levels of these employees as compared to those of employees in nontechnical fields, and (3) the expected levels of communication skills of college graduates in technical fields. For example, the findings reconfirm the need for more communication skills education and training for IS students. The findings and their implications for graduates and professionals in technical fields are discussed.
Chemotherapeutic synergy enhancement through micellar nanotherapeutics

Current chemotherapeutic regimens involve the administration of a combination of agents with hopes of gaining synergistic cell-killing effects observed in vitro. However, drug synergy is rarely realized clinically given the different pharmacokinetic profiles of the drugs. Recent findings show that a combination of rapamycin and paclitaxel proves highly effective at hindering growth of tumors wherein the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Our objective was to fabricate a micellar nanotherapeutic platform capable of delivering a multitude of agents shown to synergistically affect a specific pathway (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) in breast cancer. We hypothesized that this concomitant delivery strategy will result in increased antitumor efficacy, given the site-specific and controlled delivery of the two agents. Herein, we demonstrate the successful fabrication of a nanotherepeutic strategy for the treatment of breast tumors with aberrant PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. Resulting polymer micelles were small in size (∼30 nm) and showed high levels of drug incorporation efficiency of both rapamycin and paclitaxel. Current studies involve the examination of release kinetics and antitumor efficacy in in vitro and in vivo models.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Distribution of frequency following responses in cat cochlear nucleus to sinusoidal acoustic signals

Abstract We have investigated the frequency following response (FFR) to pure tones in the cochlear nucleus of anesthetized cats with regard to the spatial distribution of amplitude and phase. Amplitude distributions were variable from animal to animal and showed a range of responses including single and multiple peaks and nulls, broad plateaus, and gradually tapering slopes. In general, amplitudes were larger in the ventral cochlear nucleus and VIIIth nerve than in dorsal cochlear nucleus. Phase distributions displayed gradual phase shifts across the nucleus as well as abrupt phase changes in the order of 0.5 cycle. Stimulus frequency had a greater effect upon the dorso-ventral profile of both phase and amplitude of the FFR than did the horizontal position of the electrode track within the cochlear nucleus. Changing stimulus intensity altered the amplitude profile of the FFR at a given frequency but had relatively little effect upon the phase distribution. Our data are consistent with the following hypotheses: (1) the FFR is generated as an envelope of the VIIIth nerve action potentials as the nerve arborizes and terminates in the cochlear nucleus. Phase shifts may be caused by traveling action potentials along the nerve and/or by volume conduction from different fiber bundles to regions lying between these bundles; (2) the FFR is generated postsynaptically in cochlear nucleus cells innervated by the VIIIth nerve. Once again, phase shifts may reflect the sequential innervation of adjacent dendrites, a ‘traveling’ postsynaptic wave, or the response of a few generators at different loci driven at different phases, in which case spatial phase shifts are caused by the summing of responses as currents are volume conducted to the recording electrode.
Genetically engineered charge modifications to enhance protein separation in aqueous two-phase systems : charge directed partitioning

This report continues the authors` examination of the effect of genetically engineered charge modifications on the partitioning behavior of proteins in aqueous two-phase extraction. The genetic modifications consisted of the fusion of charged peptide tails to {beta}-galactosidase and charge-change point mutations to T4 lysozyme. In this study, they examined charge directed partitioning behavior in PEG/dextran systems containing small amounts of the charged polymers diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-dextran) or dextran sulfate. The best results were obtained when attractive forces between the protein and polymer were present. Nearly 100% of the {beta}-galactosidase, which carries a net negative charge, partitioned to the DEAE-dextran-rich phase regardless of whether the phase was dextran or PEG. In these cases, cloudiness of the protein-rich phases suggest that strong charge interactions resulted in protein/polymer aggregation, which may have contribution to the extreme partitioning. Unlike the potential-driven partitioning reported previously, consistent partitioning trends were observed as a result of the fusion tails, with observed shifts in partition coefficient (K{sub p}) of up to 37-fold. However, these changes could not be solely attributed to charge-based interactions.
A conceptual model for assessing ecological risk to water quality function of bottomland hardwood forests

Ecological risk assessment provides a methodology for evaluating the threats to ecosystem function associated with environmental perturbations or stressors. This report documents the development of a conceptual model for assessing the ecological risk to the water quality function (WQF) of bottomland hardwood riparian ecosystems (BHRE) in the Tifton-Vidalia upland (TVU) ecoregion of Georgia. Previus research has demonstrated that mature BHRE are essential to maintaining water quality in this portion of the coastal plain. The WQF of these ecosystems is considered an assessment endpoit—an ecosystem function or set of functions that society chooses to value as evidenced by laws, regulations, or common usage. Stressors operate on ecosystems at risk through an exposure scenario to produce ecological effects that are linked to loss of the desired function or assessment end point. The WQF of BHRE is at risk because of the ecological and environmental quality effects of a suite of chemical, physical, and biological stressors. The stressors are related to nonpoint source pollution from adjacent land uses, especially agriculture; the conversion of BHRE to other land uses; and the encroachment of domestic animals into BHRE. Potential chemical, physical, and biological stressors to BHRE are identified, and the methodology for evaluating appropriate exposure scenarios is discussed. Field-scale and watershed-scale measurement end points of most use in assessing the effects of stressors on the WQF are identified and discussed. The product of this study is a conceptual model of how risks to the WQF of BHRE are produced and how the risk and associated uncertainties can be quantified.
A Strong Cutting Plane/Branch-and-Bound Algorithm for Node Packing

We present a strong cutting plane/branch-and-bound algorithm for node packing. The cutting planes are obtained from cliques and lifting odd hole inequalities. Computational results are reported.
Phosphonic acid functionalized asymmetric phthalocyanines: synthesis, modification of indium tin oxide, and charge transfer.

Metalated and free-base A3B-type asymmetric phthalocyanines (Pcs) bearing, in the asymmetric quadrant, a flexible alkyl linker of varying chain lengths terminating in a phosphonic acid (PA) group have been synthesized. Two parallel series of asymmetric Pc derivatives bearing aryloxy and arylthio substituents are reported, and their synthesis and characterization through NMR, combustion analysis, and MALDI-MS are described. We also demonstrate the modification of indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates using the PA functionalized asymmetric Pc derivatives and monitoring their electrochemistry. The PA functionalized asymmetric Pcs were anchored to the ITO surface through chemisorption and their electrochemical properties characterized using cyclic voltammetry to investigate the effects of PA structure on the thermodynamics and kinetics of charge transfer. Ionization energies of the modified ITO surfaces were measured using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy.
Miniaturized Reference Electrodes. II. Use in Corrosive, Biological, and Organic Media

In a recent paper [9] we reported the manufacturing and performance of miniaturized reference electrodes (MREs) with low sensitivity to chloride ions and pH. Here, we demonstrate the wide range applicability of a MRE based on an Ag/Ag2S internal reference element (IRE), imbedded in a photopolymerized hydrogel of improved composition, which contains the supporting electrolyte. Exchange current density, temperature coefficient, impedance value, and the voltammetric and potentiometric use of the Ag/Ag2S-based MRE are discussed relative to the previously reported Ag/AgSCN, Ag/Ag3PO4, and Ag/AgCl-based MREs. No special or extensive conditioning is required when moving these MREs from aqueous supporting electrolyte to an organic solution or from one organic medium to another, and the equilibration time in a new medium is very rapid (<6 min). The new Ag/Ag2S MRE has a highly stable potential in various media, including aqueous solutions (salt buffers and 20 wt.% H2SO4), biological samples (bovine serum albumin), mixed aqueous-organic, and organic supporting electrolytes (methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, propylene carbonate, methylene chloride, and DMSO). This is particularly advantageous when in the course of the electrochemical analysis an organic solution is being added to an aqueous supporting electrolyte. Such MREs are suitable for analyses of μL sample volumes and for use in protein-containing media.
Selective use of daunorubicin for remission-induction chemotherapy in acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia.

Twenty-eight patients with acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) were started on induction chemotherapy consisting of Cytosine Arbinoside (Ara C) and 6 thioguanine (TG). Daunorubicin (DNR) was used selectively in 20 of 28 patients who failed to respond by day 14 to the Ara C and TG combination. Seven patients, or 25%, achieved complete remission (CR) without requiring DNR during remission induction. The overall response rate was 89% (64% CR and 25% PR). The median duration of survival for the CR group was 578 days. 189 days for the partial remission (PR) group (P = .02). Patients in the age groups of 18--40 years and with acute myelomonocytic leukemia subtype had the best response rate. There was no difference in the survival of the DNR treated group of complete responders as compared to DNR non-treated group. These results suggest that even though the majority of patients do require DNR for the remission induction, a significant number, perhaps as high as 25% of previously untreated patients, will achieve remission without the use of DNR. A significant minority of patients, therefore, be spared the toxicity of DNR early in the course of their disease.
Transistors: reliability, life and the relevance of circuit design

The paper describes the design features of the highly reliable silicon planar transistors and a brief description of the ‘accelerated life test’ is given. These tests have to be carried out with high precision. The problem is discussed from the circuit designer's and the manufacturer's point of view and suggestions are made for obtaining reliable performance and a low rate of failure from the transistors
Nuclear consequences of the welfare state

Using newly available data on comprehensive measures of U.S. and Soviet nuclear stockpiles this paper has investigated statistically the dynamics of nuclear arms acquisition by these nations over the past two decades. There is no evidence of a nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. On the contrary, there is clear evidence of Soviet ‘nuclear opportunism’ and American ‘nuclear drift’ over this period. During these decades the U.S. welfare system has expanded in two directions: into the federal budget, crowding-out defense, and into the private sector, reducing the untaxed taxable capacity of the nation. This process has rendered U.S. nuclear force levels unresponsive to changes in Soviet nuclear force, while allowing the Soviets to pursue political dominance through nuclear superiority as American ‘latent strength’ has declined. Estimates indicate that U.S. latent strength has lagged about one to five percentage points below that which would have forestalled further Soviet nuclear arms accumulation and stabilized relative force ratios. The SALT agreements appear to have hastened this process by facilitating an acceleration in the rate of increase of U.S. non-defense expenditures as a percent of GNP. It is difficult to see how democracy and the West are to survive without a reallocation of resources towards defense. The analysis herein suggests, however, that restoring U.S./Soviet nuclear parity via a U.S. arms buildup, or a negotiated arms control agreement, will be difficult, if not impossible. With nuclear parity virtually unattainable, development of a strategic defense is of vital importance. Such a defense may allow us to escape from the rather ominous predicament into which we have drifted, ironically, in the pursuit of security.
Developmental patterns of neuronal thread protein gene expression in Down syndrome

Neuronal thread proteins (NTP) are a group of immunologically related molecules expressed in brain and neuroectodermal tumor cell lines. NTP gene expression is up-regulated and NTP molecules accumulate in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, pathological states associated with regenerative neuritic sprouting, and during brain development. To investigate the role of NTP over-expression in AD, we examined NTP immunoreactivity in brains from differently aged individuals with Down syndrome, since patients with Down syndrome nearly always develop AD neuropathology and dementia. Using SMI monoclonal antibodies to neurofilament protein, we detected age-associated increases in neurofilament immunoreactive (SMI-positive) neurites in Layers I and II of the cerebral cortex beginning at 1 year of age, followed by SMI-positive neurofibrillary tangles beginning at age 5 years, and then SMI-positive plaques beginning in the third decade. Increased NTP immunoreactivity in Down syndrome brains began in the second decade, prior to establishment of widespread AD neurodegeneration (Down syndrome + AD), and at an age when low-level or absent NTP expression was observed in control brains. Analysis of SDS and Triton X-100-treated histological sections and tissue extracts demonstrated that a largely insoluble, denaturation-resistant form of NTP accumulates in both Down syndrome + AD and AD brains. The findings provide further evidence that abnormal NTP expression and accumulation in brain may be an early marker of AD neurodegeneration in Down syndrome.
Green marketing: a strategic balancing act for creating value

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to illustrate that when practiced correctly, environmental marketing can represent promising opportunities for value creation and market growth. For many companies, the practice of environmental marketing has delivered disappointing results. Design/methodology/approach – Building from examples of companies that have successfully transcended traditional environmental marketing, we create a model for strategic product positioning. We rely on illustrations from companies in a variety of industries that target both consumer and business markets. Findings – We describe five strategies that are built upon value drivers for green products such as image, status, functionality and brand management through authenticity and superior offerings. We also emphasize the importance of strategies that target commercial markets for green products, which represent valuable opportunities for growth. Originality/value – Companies often confront the challenge of positioning the green attri...
THE EFFECT OF HYPERGLYCEMIA ON HYPOTHALAMIC GOLD UPTAKE AND HYPERPHAGIA IN GOLDTHIOGLUCOSE-TREATED MICE

The accumulation of gold in the hypothalamus and the development of hyperphagia and obesity were studied in mice given a single intravenous injection of goldthioglucose at various levels of blood glucose concentration. It was found that the glucose concentration prevailing at the time of goldthioglucose injection was correlated directly with the level of free and bound goldthioglucose in the blood 3 minutes later, with the hypothalamic uptake of gold, with the extent of the hypothalamic lesion, and with the severity of the subsequent hyperphagia and obesity. Hyperglycemia was associated with an increased gold deposition throughout the brain. A gold content of 88 ± 12 µg/mg wet tissue in the hypothalamus of fasted animals was associated with clearcut lesions in all animals studied, whereas a similar gold content in the control brain lobes of hyperglycemic animals was not associated with lesions in any animal. This finding indicates that some regions in the brain (e.g. the ventral hypothalamus) are more susceptible than others to damage by goldthioglucose.
Epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression is a marker for adverse pathologic features in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract Background Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression (EGFR-H) is implicated in thyroid carcinoma disease progression; however, the clinicopathologic significance of EGFR-H in tumors that harbor EGFR and/or v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 ( BRAF)(V600E) mutations is unknown. Methods Tissue microarrays from 81 patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for carcinoma from 2002–2011 were scored for EGFR expression using immunohistochemistry. Somatic mutations in EGFR exons 19 and 21 and BRAF were analyzed. Correlations between the EGFR immunohistochemistry, EGFR , and BRAF(V600E) mutations and the clinicopathologic features were assessed. Results EGFR-H was detected in 39.5% of carcinomas ( n = 32) from patients with papillary (PTC, 46.2%, n = 18), follicular (29.6%, n = 8), and anaplastic (100.0%, n = 6) but not medullary (0.0%, n = 9) thyroid carcinoma. BRAF(V600E) mutations were identified in 22.2% of the carcinoma cases ( n = 18, 15 PTCs and 3 anaplastic thyroid carcinomas). No somatic EGFR mutations were detected in any subtype. On PTC univariate analysis, EGFR-H correlated with increasing stage, extrathyroid extension, tumor capsule invasion, adverse pathologic features (any demonstration of extrathyroid extension, tumor capsule invasion, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and/or distant metastasis), and BRAF(V600E) mutations. On multivariate analysis, EGFR-H correlated with BRAF(V600E) mutations. In BRAF wild-type PTCs, the correlation between EGFR-H and adverse pathologic features approached statistical significance ( P = 0.065). Conclusions EGFR-H could be an important biomarker for aggressive PTCs, particularly in BRAF wild-type PTCs. Despite EGFR-H in PTC, follicular thyroid carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma by immunohistochemistry, somatic EGFR mutations were absent. Therefore, future investigations of EGFR should consider histologic and immunohistochemical methods, in addition to molecular profiling of thyroid carcinomas. This multimodal approach is particularly important for future clinical trials testing anti-EGFR therapy.
Tandem mass spectrometry of multiply phosphorylated forms of a 'histidine-tag' derived from a recombinant protein kinase expressed in bacteria.

When a histidine-tagged form of the protein kinase Aurora-2 was expressed in Escherichia coli, the purified product carried four to nine phosphate groups, although many fewer were expected. The amino-terminal tag had the sequence GSSHHHHHHSSGLVPRGSHMK-. Tryptic digestion of the product followed by analysis by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) showed that phosphorylation could occur on the five serine residues of the tag. Mono-, bis-, tris-, tetra- and pentaphosphorylated forms of the tag were detected, and their behavior in MS/MS was studied using a quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The MS/MS spectra were dominated by the products of neutral loss events (in 98 Da increments, each equivalent to loss of H 3 PO 4 ), but sufficient b- and y-type sequence ions were detected to allow the locations of the phosphates to be specified in some cases. The assignment of phosphorylation sites for incompletely phosphorylated forms of the tag peptide was challenging, but it appeared that Ser-10 and Ser-11 of the tag were more likely to be phosphorylated than Ser-2 and Ser-3.
Object detection in indoor scenes using log-polar mapping

In this paper a system that successfully detects stationary objects in indoor scenes is presented. The doors and ceiling lamps have been chosen to be detected in the initial phase of the authors' system. The scene was divided into four different regions, The edges resulting from the walls/ceiling and the walls/floor intersections are the boundaries that separate the different regions. The use of the log-polar mapping transforms the problem of finding four edges of unknown orientations, that separated the different regions, into finding four horizontal edges. The log-polar map was performed such that it possesses the varying resolution property. The objects were detected using model-matching in the log-polar domain. The varying resolution property of the mapping simplified the model-matching problem. The detection (of edges and then objects) was very fast due to the small size of the log-polar image (64/spl times/64) pixels. >
Web Services Wind Tunnel: On Performance Testing Large-Scale Stateful Web Services

New versions of existing large-scale web services such as Passport.comcopy have to go through rigorous performance evaluations in order to ensure a high degree of availability. Performance testing (such as benchmarking, scalability, and capacity tests) of large-scale stateful systems in managed test environments has many different challenges, mainly related to the reproducibility of production conditions in live data centers. One of these challenges is creating a dataset in a test environment that mimics the actual dataset in production. Other challenges involve the characterization of load patterns in production based on log analysis and proper load simulation via reutilization of data from the existing dataset. The intent of this paper is to describe practical approaches to address some of the aforementioned challenges through the use of various novel techniques. For example, this paper discusses data sanitization, which is the alteration of large datasets in a controlled manner to obfuscate sensitive information, preserving data integrity, relationships, and data equivalence classes. This paper also provides techniques for load pattern characterization via the application of Markov chains to custom and generic logs, as well as general guidelines for the development of cache-based load simulation tools tailored for the performance evaluation of stateful systems.
State-space representations of 2-D FIR lossless matrices and their application to the design of 2-D subband coders

The authors provide a general characterization of p*p lossless 2-D FIR (finite impulse response) transfer matrices of arbitrary degree in (z/sub 1/, z/sub 2/). The properties of 2-D state-space realizations of such matrices are examined. It is shown that these matrices are not necessarily decomposable of a product of 1-D matrix transfer functions depending on z/sub 1/ and z/sub 2/ separately. An approach to the design that does not exclude any lossless filter of a given degree is presented. An illustrative example which covers a subset of the ideas discussed is presented. This example consists of a two-band lossless filter bank suitable for hexagonal subsampling. >
Facile measurement of 1H-15N residual dipolar couplings in larger perdeuterated proteins

We present a simple method, ARTSY, for extracting 1JNH couplings and 1H–15N RDCs from an interleaved set of two-dimensional 1H–15N TROSY-HSQC spectra, based on the principle of quantitative J correlation. The primary advantage of the ARTSY method over other methods is the ability to measure couplings without scaling peak positions or altering the narrow line widths characteristic of TROSY spectra. Accuracy of the method is demonstrated for the model system GB3. Application to the catalytic core domain of HIV integrase, a 36 kDa homodimer with unfavorable spectral characteristics, demonstrates its practical utility. Precision of the RDC measurement is limited by the signal-to-noise ratio, S/N, achievable in the 2D TROSY-HSQC spectrum, and is approximately given by 30/(S/N) Hz.
Three‐dimensional response of a layered cylindrical valley embedded in a layered half‐space

An indirect boundary integral method to obtain the three-dimensional response of an infinitely long, layered, viscoelastic valley of arbitrary cross-section embedded in a layered viscoelastic half-space is presented. The valley is excited by homogeneous plane waves impinging at an oblique angle with respect to the axis of the valley. The method and associated computer programs are tested by comparison with available results in the limiting two-dimensional case of incidence normal to the axis of the valley. Additional comparisons with previous three-dimensional results obtained by a hybrid finite element-boundary integral method for cylindrical valleys subjected to obliquely incident waves show large differences. However, the results obtained here for an infinitely long valley appear to be in some agreement with earlier results for an elongated prolate semi-ellipsoidal valley and with results obtained by a discrete wavenumber boundary element approach. An extensive bibliography on the dynamic response of valleys is also presented.
A necessary and sufficient condition for commutative PR orthogonal multifilter banks

Constructing multiwavelet-based filter banks (multifilters) is more difficult than constructing scalar wavelet filters, partly because the noncommutativity of matrix multiplication prevents a trivial extension of the scalar wavelet "flip construction". Commutative multifilters avoid this problem by allowing the flip construction to be used, thereby simplifying the design process. This paper presents a condition on the polyphase components of the analysis multifilters which is necessary and sufficient for the multifilters to achieve commutativity in addition to perfect reconstruction and orthogonality. This condition involves matrices of a form similar to that appearing in various other contexts, some of which are discussed. The paper includes simple examples of multifilters satisfying the condition obtained.
Case-control studies with contaminated controls☆

Abstract This paper considers inference about a parametric binary choice model when the data consist of two distinct samples. The first is a random sample from the people who made choice 1, say, with all relevant covariates completely observed. The second is a random sample from the whole population with only the covariates observed . This is called a contaminated sampling scheme. An example might be where we have a random sample of female labor force participants and their covariate values and a second random sample of working age women, with covariates, whose participant status is unknown. We consider the cases in which the fraction of the population making choice 1 is known and that in which it is not. For both cases we give semiparametrically efficient procedures for estimating the choice model parameters.
A Participatory Planning Approach to Enhancing a Historically Black University-Community Partnership: The Case of the e-City Initiative

Abstract Little is known about the involvement of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in university–community partnerships. This article describes the planning process in a partnership, named the e-City Initiative, between Jackson State University and its surrounding community. The article highlights the role of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning faculty in facilitating greater participation and decision-making of e-City inhabitants in the planning process. It provides the voice of residents, business owners and other stakeholders living, learning and working in e-City neighborhoods. The article concludes with observations about HBCU university–community partnerships involved in revitalization that engender citizen participation and social justice, and offers suggestions for increasing HBCU public scholarship in the planning and service learning literatures.
Indirect and Direct Subsidies for Cost of Government Capital: Comparing Tax-Exempt Bonds and Build America Bonds

Using data from the California primary market, we find that on average Build America Bonds (BABs) have after-subsidy interest rates of approximately 72 basis points lower than tax-exempt bonds, and the saving increases with bond maturity. The implied tax rate for the marginal municipal bond investor is 25%, which is also the neutral subsidy rate at which municipal bond issuers are indifferent between issuing tax-exempt bonds and BABs. Analysis of paired tax-exempt bonds and BABs issued by the same issuers on the same dates suggests a comparable implied tax rate and net after-subsidy savings of about 65 basis points.
The Economic Justification of Semi-Active Damping Systems for Civil Structures

The upfront costs of the installation of a vibration damping system in a structure can be significant with respect to total structural costs. A detailed life-cycle cost analysis of the benefits of incorporating a damping system in a structure can show that much of the upfront costs are offset by savings occurring either at the time of construction or over the life of the structure. Semi-active dampers are a modern type of vibration damping system that has received increasing amount of attention in the structural community for its increased performance capabilities with respect to passive systems and significantly lower power requirements with regards to active damping systems. Currently, there is a gap in the research community between the performance and cost of semi-active dampers. This study aims at closing this gap by evaluating the current performance of passive systems and existing data on semi-active systems. First, we discuss cases where researchers proved that passive dampers can be cost effective while providing significant structural benefits. Secondly, we discuss how other research has shown that semi-active dampers can perform better than passive dampers and in some cases with fewer dampers, which could imply a lower-cost, better-performing damping system than those currently used in practice. Thirdly, we discuss the possible shortcomings and the unknown characteristics of semi-active damping systems, including lack of testing on the resiliency of semi-active dampers and sensors over time, the power requirements for semi-active dampers, the over-idealized testing procedures with control algorithms greatly optimized for a predetermined excitation sequence and the future of codified structural design with regards to structural resiliency in addition to life safety guidelines. The research indicates the possibility of semi-active damping
Characterization of photomechanical elastomers for device applications

High intensity laser stimulation induces stress in dye-doped photomechanical elastomers, causing a length change. Using principles of nonlinear optics and continuum mechanics, we develop a theoretical model quantifying how these elastomers react to laser stimulation. The model evaluates the quality of the response using a photomechanical coefficient, such that a larger coefficient means a larger stress, and hence a more highly photoresponsive material. We are able to determine the photoresponsiveness as a function of pre-strain, laser intensity, strain his- tory, and other properties. Furthermore, we test our model with various types of elastomers, as well as different dyes and doping agents.