cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ligand-sensitive binding of actin-binding protein to immunoglobulin G Fc Receptor I (FcγRI)

Summary The high affinity receptor that binds the Fc domain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses 1 and 3 (FcγRI) mediates important immune defense functions by inducing cell surface changes on human leukocytes. In this article, we document direct high affinity binding of FcγRI to the actin filament cross-linking protein, actin-binding protein (ABP). In the absence of IgG, all FcγRI molecules in undifferentiated cells of myeloid line U937 bound to ABP over a 9-fold range of FcγRI expression induced by human IFN-γ. Binding of IgG to U937 cells constitutively expressing FcγRI or to COS cells genetically transfected to express FcγRI rapidly decreased the avidity of FcγRI for ABP. This finding suggests the existence of a pathway communicating a signal between a functional IgG receptor and intracellular components involved in the effector responses to FcγRI-ligand interaction.
Business rules as the basis of an organization’s information systems

Business rules are statements that aim to influence or guide behavior and information in the organization. They are the business policies, the business practices, and business definitions that should be well known and treated as a valuable asset to the organization. They are in essence how the actual business is run. Yet so often these business rules are implicit, assumed in the development of information systems in an organization. They have been buried in code, lived in the business experts’ heads and sporadically been documented in system manuals. In this paper we examine the value of business rules, compare the thinking of business rule experts and provide guidelines on how to derive and store an organization’s business rules.
Identification of human activities in a thermal system with noise varied in temporal frequency

The ability of observers to identify human activities in noise is expected to differ from performance with static targets in noise due to the unmasking that is provided by target motion. At a minimum, the probability of identification should increase when the temporal bandwidth of the noise is less than that of the system. Results from a human activities identification experiment are presented in this paper, along with results from a moving character experiment that is intended to provide better understanding of basic motion in noise with varied temporal bandwidth. These results along with further experiments and analysis will eventually be used to improve performance predictions derived from the Targeting Task Performance (TTP) metric.
Study of the (d,p) Reaction on the Even-A Barium Isotopes 130-138

The ($d, p$) reactions on ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{130,132,134,136,138}$ have been investigated with 12.0-MeV deuterons from the Argonne Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator. Proton spectra were recorded in a broad-range magnetic spectrograph. Many new levels were observed. The ground-state $Q$ values (in MeV) for the ($d, p$) reactions (including the odd-$A$ targets) are found to be 5.269 for $A=130, 4.977$ for $A=132, 4.746$ for $A=134, 6.886$ for $A=135, 4.680$ for $A=136, 6.398$ for $A=137, \mathrm{and} 2.493$ for $A=138$. Proton angular distributions were measured for states up to an excitation energy of about 3 MeV. The observed angular momentum transfers were ${l}_{n}=0, 1, 2, 3, \mathrm{and} 5$, which correspond to the population of states of the $3{s}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ and $2{d}_{\frac{3}{2}}$ configurations below the closed neutron shell at $N=82$ and the $2{f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$, $3{p}_{\frac{3}{2}}$, $3{p}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, $1{h}_{\frac{9}{2}}$, and $2{f}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ configurations above it. From the observed $l$ values, it was possible to assign spins in some isotopes from a knowledge of the spin in other isotopes by taking account of systematic shifts in the $Q$ values of levels and also from shell-model expectations. Distorted-wave Born-approximation calculations were used to extract absolute spectroscopic factors. The problems and uncertainties arising in such calculations were studied in some detail. They derive, in part, from the need to use a sharp radial cutoff to fit the experimental angular distributions; calculations with nonlocal potentials and finite-range approximations did not yield satisfactory fits. Another source of uncertainty is the dependence of the spectroscopic factors upon the geometric parameters of the bound-state potential well. The results are interpreted with the help of pairing theory; centers of gravity and single-particle energies are deduced.
RAG: An update to the RNA-As-Graphs resource

In 2004, we presented a web resource for stimulating the search for novel RNAs, RNA-As-Graphs (RAG), which classified, catalogued, and predicted RNA secondary structure motifs using clustering and build-up approaches. With the increased availability of secondary structures in recent years, we update the RAG resource and provide various improvements for analyzing RNA structures. Our RAG update includes a new supervised clustering algorithm that can suggest RNA motifs that may be "RNA-like". We use this utility to describe RNA motifs as three classes: existing, RNA-like, and non-RNA-like. This produces 126 tree and 16,658 dual graphs as candidate RNA-like topologies using the supervised clustering algorithm with existing RNAs serving as the training data. A comparison of this clustering approach to an earlier method shows considerable improvements. Additional RAG features include greatly expanded search capabilities, an interface to better utilize the benefits of relational database, and improvements to several of the utilities such as directed/labeled graphs and a subgraph search program. The RAG updates presented here augment the database's intended function - stimulating the search for novel RNA functionality - by classifying available motifs, suggesting new motifs for design, and allowing for more specific searches for specific topologies. The updated RAG web resource offers users a graph-based tool for exploring available RNA motifs and suggesting new RNAs for design.
X-ray observations of spiral galaxies. II. Images and spectral parameters of 13 galaxies

The results of a spatial and spectral analysis of a sample of spiral galaxies observed in X-rays with the Einstein satellite indicate that the X-ray emission is generally extended and complex. In some cases, discrete, very bright X-ray sources are detected, some of these coincident with the nuclear regions. The spectral fit of the IPC data to a thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum with a low-energy absorption cutoff shows that the average spectrum could be rather hard with kT greater than 2 keV, and with low-energy cutoff consistent with line-of-sight absorption. Results on NGC 4631, NGC 6946, and the nuclei of IC 342 and NGC 1313 are discussed and compared with previous observations in different energy ranges.
A proof in favor of block-based procedure

Abstract This paper proves that a block-based procedure for inverting a nonsingular matrix is cheaper than the element-based procedure. This result can provide a useful strategy to the inverse of large scale matrices.
Use of acetyl chloride/methanol for assumed selective methylation of plasma nonesterified fatty acids results in significant methylation of esterified fatty acids

The albumin-bound nonesterified fatty acid pool in plasma, which represents a very small percentage of total plasma fatty acids, has previously been quantitated by a variety of methods. In the present study we determined that the nonesterified fatty acid concentrations in the plasma, quantitated by a popular method using acetyl chloride and methanol which is reported to be specific for methylation of nonesterified fatty acids in the presence of esterified fatty acids (i.e., without prior isolation of the plasma non-esterified fatty acids), were significantly overestimated due to cleavage and methylation of esterified fatty acids. Quantitation of the contaminating fatty acid from the esterified pool demonstrated that the amount of fatty acid cleaved from the esterified pool was enough to exceed the entire mass of nonesterified fatty acids. As an established method for comparison, we isolated nonesterified fatty acids from the plasma by thin-layer chromatography prior to methylation, using a number of simple precautions to limit oxidation. By performing all thin-layer chromatography steps in an atmosphere of nitrogen and by including fatty acid standards in the plasma with 0,1, 2 or 4 double bounds, we were able to accurately and reproducibly determine the concentration of nonesterified fatty acids in the plasma, including arachidonate. We demonstrated that no oxidation occurred in the thin-layer chromatographic isolation of homonesterified fatty acids and that the coefficients of variation for repeat measurements of the same sample were <11% using our reference method. Our data indicate that the use of acetyl chloride and methanol for assumed selective methylation of plasma nonesterified fatty acids results in significant methylation of esterified fatty acids.
Carbohydbate Metabolism of Lactic Acid Cultures., I. Effects of Antibiotics on the Glucose, Galactose, and Lactose Metabolism of Streptococcus Lactis

Summary Streptococcus lactis UN metabolized glucose, galactose, and lactose and produced varying amounts of lactic, formic and acetic acids, carbon dioxide, ethanol, and glycerol. Lactic acid constituted the major product, accounting for 26 to 93% of the metabolized sugar. Possible mechanisms of production of the various metabolites are discussed. Under the conditions of the study, S. lactis , normally a homofermenter, functioned as a heterofermenter. The results indicate that the organism metabolized the sugars partly through classical glycolysis and partly through the hexosemonophosphate shunt pathway. Penicillin and streptomycin inhibited almost completely the growth of the organism, the utilization of carbohydrates, and the production of various metabolites for the first 18 to 24 hr. However, upon extended incubation up to 48 hr, the organism grew, metabolized sugars, and produced acid and the various metabolites. In general, in the presence of the residual antibiotics, the emerging cells produced lactic acid and carbon dioxide at a reduced rate. Penicillin was more inhibitory toward the fermentation of the monosaccharides than toward that of the disaccharide, and the reverse was true for streptomycin. Aureomycin and terramycin inhibited completely the growth, the sugar metabolism, and the acid production up to 48 hr of incubation.
Performance Analysis of Fault Tolerant Control Systems Including Time Delay

The brief instability concept in Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) systems allows the linear system to be unstable for some values of the LPV parameters so that instability occurs only for a short period of time. The present paper takes advantage of an extension of the notion of the brief instability to the LPV systems with time-delay in their dynamics to examine the performance degradation in Fault Tolerant Control (FTC) systems in the presence of false identification of the fault signals. The paper provides tools for the stability and performance analysis of such systems, where performance is evaluated in terms of induced L 2 -gain. The results presented in the paper demonstrate that stability and performance can be evaluated by examining the feasibility of a parameterized set of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). The paper provides the analysis conditions to guarantee the asymptotic stability and H ∞ performance for FTC systems, in which instability, due to the false identification of the fault signals, is allowed to take place for a short period of time. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the qualifications of the proposed analysis and synthesis conditions for treating brief instability in the delayed FTC systems.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Nuclear medicine in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the head and neck: II

The advent of both improved imaging systems and new radioactive agents has increased the effectiveness of nuclear medicine in diagnosing and treating diseases of the head and neck. In this second of two articles, we discuss radionuclide bone imaging and the role of nuclear medicine in the management of thyroid disease. Radionuclide bone imaging is useful in the differential diagnosis of sinusitis, the early detection of head and neck fracture, the assessment of temporomandibular joint disease, and the identification of local extension of primary head and neck carcinoma. In the management of thyroid disease, radionuclide technology is uniquely helpful in the diagnostic evaluation of the thyroid nodule and radioactive iodine continues to play a major role in thyroid cancer therapy.
Recycled Creatures and Rogue Genomes: Biotechnology in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas

In an era when the modern sense of ‘nature’ as a domain outside of culture is quickly becoming obsolete – in large part due to advanced technology such as bioengineering – is there a way of conceiving of this collapse that does not bolster an anthropocentric drive to dominate nature and/or to erase its differance? Science fiction has always created myths that allow us to explore both the efficacy and limitations of technology's ability to control nature. In Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell's clone, Sonmi-451, updates and radicalizes Mary Shelley's caution to modern science in Frankenstein. As a biological cyborg, Sonmi's material and semiotic identity is irreducibly unpredictable, suggesting nature's resistance to control even within social systems that seek absolute power over living entities.
Evaluating fusion techniques for multisensor satellite image data

Satellite image data fusion is a topic of interest in many areas including environmental monitoring, emergency response, and defense. Typically any single satellite sensor cannot provide all of the benefits offered by a combination of different sensors (e.g., high-spatial but low spectral resolution vs. low-spatial but high spectral, optical vs. SAR). Given the respective strengths and weaknesses of the different types of image data, it is beneficial to fuse many types of image data to extract as much information as possible from the data. Our work focuses on the fusion of multi-sensor image data into a unified representation that incorporates the potential strengths of a sensor in order to minimize classification error. Of particular interest is the fusion of optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images into a single, multispectral image of the best possible spatial resolution. We explore various methods to optimally fuse these images and evaluate the quality of the image fusion by using K-means clustering to categorize regions in the fused images and comparing the accuracies of the resulting categorization maps.
Mechanisms of adaptive angiogenesis to tissue hypoxia

Angiogenesis is mostly an adaptive response to tissue hypoxia, which occurs under a wide variety of situations ranging from embryonic development to tumor growth. In general, angiogenesis is dependent on the accumulation of hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), which are heterodimeric transcription factors of α and β subunits. Under normoxia, HIF heterodimers are not abundantly present due to oxygen dependent hydroxylation, polyubiquitination, and proteasomal degradation of α subunits. Under hypoxia, however, α subunits are stabilized and form heterodimers with HIF-1β which is not subject to oxygen dependent regulation. The accumulation of HIFs under hypoxia allows them to activate the expression of many angiogenic genes and therefore initiates the angiogenic process. In recent years, however, it has become clear that various other mechanisms also participate in fine tuning angiogenesis. In this review, I discuss the relationship between hypoxia and angiogenesis under five topics: (1) regulation of HIF-α abundance and activity by oxygen tension and other conditions including oxygen independent mechanisms; (2) hypoxia-regulated expression of angiogenic molecules by HIFs and other transcription factors; (3) responses of vascular cells to hypoxia; (4) angiogenic phenotypes due to altered HIF signaling in mice; and (5) role of the HIF pathway in pathological angiogenesis. Studies discussed under these topics clearly indicate that while mechanisms of oxygen-regulated HIF-α stability provide exciting opportunities for the development of angiogenesis or anti-angiogenesis therapies, it is also highly important to consider various other mechanisms for the optimization of these procedures.
Explaining rural/non-rural disparities in physical health-related quality of life: a study of United Methodist clergy in North Carolina

Purpose Researchers have documented lower health-related quality of life (HRQL) in rural areas. This study seeks to identify factors that can explain this disparity.
Effects of Language Experience on the Perception of American Sign Language.

Perception of American Sign Language (ASL) handshape and place of articulation parameters was investigated in three groups of signers: deaf native signers, deaf non-native signers who acquired ASL between the ages of 10 and 18, and hearing non-native signers who acquired ASL as a second language between the ages of 10 and 26. Participants were asked to identify and discriminate dynamic synthetic signs on forced choice identification and similarity judgement tasks. No differences were found in identification performance, but there were effects of language experience on discrimination of the handshape stimuli. Participants were significantly less likely to discriminate handshape stimuli drawn from the region of the category prototype than stimuli that were peripheral to the category or that straddled a category boundary. This pattern was significant for both groups of deaf signers, but was more pronounced for the native signers. The hearing L2 signers exhibited a similar pattern of discrimination, but results did not reach significance. An effect of category structure on the discrimination of place of articulation stimuli was also found, but it did not interact with language background. We conclude that early experience with a signed language magnifies the influence of category prototypes on the perceptual processing of handshape primes, leading to differences in the distribution of attentional resources between native and non-native signers during language comprehension.
News (un)scripted An analysis of support and blame in the wake of two fatal shootings

In order to better understand how media users react to incidents that follow and deviate from a standard cognitive script, we examined the response postings (n 1/4 389) left on a newspaper’s website regarding two fatal shootings. An analysis of the postings found differences in placement of blame and support based on whether the incident followed standard script patterns pertaining to character roles and incident progression. Postings regarding a shooting that fit the script were more likely to attribute blame to the assailants as individuals and offer sympathy to the victim’s family. Postings regarding the shooting that didn’t follow the script were more likely to blame the victim. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
On maximal (k,t)-sets

This investigation was originally motivated by the problem of determining the maximum number of points in finiten-dimensional projective spacePG(n, s) based on the Galois fieldGF(s) of orders=ph (wherep andh are positive integers andp is the prime characteristic of the field), such that not of these chosen points are linearly dependent. A set ofk distinct points inPG(n, s), not linearly dependent, is called a (k, t)-set fork1>k. The maximum value ofk is denoted bymt(n+1, s). The purpose of this paper is to find new upper bounds for some values ofn, s andt. These bounds are of importance in the experimental design and information theory problems.
A descriptive/prescriptive model for menu-based interaction

As software systems continue to increase in sophistication and complexity, so do the interface requirements that support user interaction. To select the proper blend of ingredients that constitutes an adequate user interface, it is essential that the system designer have a firm understanding of the interaction process, i.e, how the selected dialogue format interacts with the user and with the underlying task software. One major approach to understanding the software design process and improving the quality of a product is through the use of models. The application of models to user/system interaction can provide the crucial feedback and innovative insights for designing and developing exemplary interactive systems. In this paper, we present one such model that describes as well as prescribes the critical elements for menu-based interaction and their interface dependencies. The model structure provides the flexibility for characterizing menu-based interactions that vary in levels of sophistication, and include 1) computational and decision capabilities based on task oriented actions, 2) user response reversal for error recovery, and 3) user directed movement. Finally, to illustrate the intrinsic power of our model, we present a descriptive narrative of two prominent menu-driven systems, Smalltalk and Zog, followed by a discussion of the model''s prescriptive influence on the design and development of a third menu-based system, Omni.
Fibrillar angle variation in red pine determined by Senarmont compensation

Fibrillar angles were determined in the secondary wall layers of three rings across the stem of a mature red pine. The Senarmont compensation method was adopted for this study since it gives results for all three wall layers. It involves the determination of birefringence in a series of sections cut at various angles to the long axis of the tracheids. Maxima and minima in the resultant plots of birefringence versus section angle correspond to fibrillar orientations. In the “early latewood” of each ring, the S2 layr was found to contain a single Z helix of small fibrillar angle and the S1 dual S and Z helices of much flatter orientation. Results for S3 were found to be so close to those for the corresponding S2 layers that there was some doubt as to their validity. In each layer a slight decrease in fibrillar angle was observed between rings 4 (juvenile wood) and 12 (transition zone); a sharper decrease was seen between ring 12 and the mature ring 20. This trend corresponds inversely to tracheid length differences for the three rings. Correlations of tracheid wall thickness and overall cross-sectional dimensions with the fibrillar angle variations were less readily apparent.
Crack Measurement in Steel Plates Using TOFD Method

In this study, the ultrasonic time of flight diffraction (TOFD) method to locate and size flaws in steel members was evaluated. This was done by measuring the location and depth of flaws implanted in steel plate specimens and of a fatigue crack in the flange of a full-scale steel plate girder. The data showed that the TOFD procedure was very accurate to locate flaws (within 5% of the actual location). The accuracy of the procedure to measure flaw depth depends, however, on the proximity of the flaw tip to the scanning surface. Flaw tips at depths ≥6 mm below the scanning surface were measured to an accuracy of 20% of the actual value. When the flaw tip was at a depth ≤3 mm below the scanning surface, flaw depth was overestimated. Additional scans on the opposite surface of the material may be used, however, to overcome this limitation and to obtain an accurate measurement of such flaws. The method offered good repeatability and can be used to accurately locate and size flaws with an appropriate scanning s...
Target spawning requirements for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in Newfoundland rivers

In recent years, there has been increasing pressure from user groups in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, to manage Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., on a river-specific basis. The requirement to maximize benefits to users while ensuring that conservation goals are met has resulted in an initiative to develop river-specific target spawning requirements. In Newfoundland, anadromous juvenile Atlantic salmon make widespread use of lacustrine habitat for rearing. Depending on the river, lacustrine habitat can account for a substantial proportion of total production. Therefore, target spawning requirements for a number of rivers in several management areas were derived in terms of the contribution of both riverine and lacustrine habitats. The approach adopted, and derivations of associated parameter values, are reviewed, and limitations and research needs are discussed.
Contribution of GPR30 for 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D 3 protection in EAE

Previous studies have demonstrated that vitamin D3-mediated protection in EAE occurs only in females and is dependent on the presence of diestrus levels of 17β-estradiol (E2). To evaluate the role of estrogen receptors in vitamin D3 treatment of EAE, we compared disease severity, CNS histopathology and immunological responses in vehicle and calcitrol (1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D₃) treated WT C57BL/6 mice vs. GPR30 membrane estrogen receptor (MER) knockout mice with MOG-35-55 peptide-induced EAE. Our results demonstrated that vitamin D₃-mediated prevention of clinical signs, CNS cellular lesions and demyelination observed in WT mice was abrogated in GPR30-KO mice with EAE. Regulatory effects of vitamin D₃ treatment that were MER dependent included increased levels of IL-10 and IL-6 secreted by MOG peptide-reactive splenocytes and increased expression of CCL5, CCR1 & CCR3 in spleen tissue. These results demonstrate for the first time that the MER is a key contributor to the E2-dependent effects of vitamin D₃-mediated protection in EAE.
Neuroendocrine Function in Depression

Changes in hormone dynamics occur in some patients with endogenous depression. These include hypersecretion of ACTH and Cortisol, nonsuppression of Cortisol by dexamethasone, blunted TSH response to TRH, reduced nocturnal GH secretion and GH responses to several secretory stimuli, reduced secretion of gonadotropins and gonadal steroids, and possible disturbances of other hormones as well. Some of these hormone changes may prove to be useful as ancillary laboratory aids in the differential diagnosis of endogenous depression and in the determination of the adequacy of treatment. These neuroendocrine changes also are relevant for etiology, in that both the affect disturbance and the endocrine changes may be sequelae of common CNS neurotransmitter dysfunctions. However, this hypothesis remains to be verified.
Qualitative heterogeneous control of higher order systems

This paper presents the qualitative heterogeneous control framework, a methodology for the design of a controlled hybrid system based on attractors and transitions between them. This framework designs a robust controller that can accommodate bounded amounts of parametric and structural uncertainty. This framework provides a number of advantages over other similar techniques. The local models used in the design process are qualitative, allowing the use of partial knowledge about system structure, and nonlinear, allowing regions and transitions to be defined in terms of dynamical attractors. In addition, we define boundaries between local models in a natural manner, appealing to intrinsic properties of the system. We demonstrate the use of this framework by designing a novel control algorithm for the cart-pole system. In addition, we illustrate how traditional algorithms, such as linear quadratic regulators, can be incorporated within this framework. The design is validated by experiments with a physical system.
Tube feeding, the microbiota, and Clostridium difficile infection.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile ) is now the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea in the USA, accounting for 30% of patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea, 70% of those with antibiotic-associated colitis, and most cases of pseudomembranous colitis. The organism has evolved over the last 8 years to become more virulent and resistant to antimicrobials (NAP1/027 strain) causing a more severe form of the disease that has increased mortality and healthcare costs. While it is generally accepted that the problem results from the overuse of antibiotics, and in particular second and third generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and macrolides, recent studies suggest that acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be equally culpable. A further common, but less recognized, etiological factor is the prolonged use of elemental diets. Such diets are totally absorbed within the small intestine and therefore deprive the colonic microbiota of their source of nutrition, namely dietary fiber, fructose oligosaccharides, and resistant starch. The resultant suppression of colonic fermentation leads to suppression of the “good” bacteria, such as butyrate-producers (butyrate being essential for colonic mucosal health), and bifidobacteria and the creation of a “permissive” environment for C. difficile colonization and subsequent infection. Based on this analysis, the best chance of suppressing the emerging C. difficile epidemic is to adopt a 3-pronged attack consisting of (1) avoidance of the use of prophylactic antibiotics, (2) the avoidance of prophylactic PPIs, and (3) the conversion of elemental diet feeding to a diet containing adequate indigestible carbohydrate after the first week of critical illness. In this review, we highlight the rising worldwide incidence of C. difficile associated diarrhea and the role played by non-residue diets in destabilizing the colonic microbiota.
Biochemical Evidence for Nuclear Gene Involvement in Phenotype of Non-Syndromic Deafness Associated with Mitochondrial 12S rRNA Mutation

The phenotypic effects of the human mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene mutation at position 1555 associated with maternally inherited non-syndromic deafness and sensitivity to aminoglycoside-induced deafness have been analyzed in 25 lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from members of a large family carrying this mutation in homoplasmic form and from control individuals. A clear decrease in the rates of growth in galactose medium, mitochondrial protein synthesis, total oxygen consumption, and complex I-, complex III- and complex IV-dependent respiration was observed in two groups of nine and 10 mutant cell lines derived, respectively, from symptomatic and asymptomatic members of the family, as compared with six control cell lines. The severity of mitochondrial dysfunction in the mutant cell lines was correlated with the presence or absence of hearing loss in the donor individuals. These observations strongly suggest a role of a nuclear factor(s) in the phenotypic manifestation of the mutation. The approach used here provides a paradigm for the analysis of the nuclear background involvement in other mtDNA-linked disorders, including the putative ones associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Exposure of the cell lines derived from several symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals from the same family to high concentrations of neomycin or paromomycin decreased to a significant, nearly identical extent their rate of growth in glucose-containing medium, as contrasted with the unchanged growth rate of control cell lines or of mtDNA-less cells. These results support the hypothesis that the main target of the antibiotics is the mitochondrial 12S rRNA carrying the 1555 mutation, without any apparent role of the nuclear background.
Management of common carotid artery dissection due to extension from acute type A (DeBakey I) aortic dissection

Background Acute type A aortic dissection can extend into arch vessels, including the common carotid arteries. Although several reports describe concomitant endovascular repair of common carotid artery dissection (CCAD) during open ascending aortic repair, the criteria for repair, natural history, and risk of stroke are unclear. We examine the literature and our experience with nonoperative management of CCAD after acute aortic dissection repair to determine the risk of stroke and the need for carotid revascularization. Methods We queried our cases of type A aortic dissection over a 10-year period from January 2002 to December 2011. Imaging was reviewed to determine the presence of CCAD and degree of true-lumen stenosis. Analysis was performed to determine risk of stroke and survival on initial presentation and during follow-up. Survival functions between excluded groups and those with and without CCAD were compared using log-rank statistics. Results We repaired 288 cases of acute type A aortic dissection during the study period. Adequate carotid imaging was available in 179 patients and comprised the study group. We identified 43 cases with CCAD (group A, 24.0%) and 136 cases without it (group B, 76.0%). History of previous stroke was not a risk factor for new stroke in either group (P = .517). Bilateral CCAD occurred in 16 cases (37.2%). Stroke on initial presentation was more common in group A (18.6%) than in group B (8.1%; odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-6.95; P = .051). Degree of stenosis or false-lumen thrombosis did not affect rate of stroke on presentation. The degree of postoperative true-lumen stenosis ranged from 0% (resolution) to 90%. No patient with CCAD had stroke or required carotid revascularization after discharge on follow-up. The 5-year, stroke-free survival rates in groups A and B were 69.7% and 73.6% (P = .820), respectively. Conclusions CCAD, due to extension from aortic arch dissection, has a low risk of subsequent stroke after the initial event. Based on current data, there is little evidence to suggest that aortic origin CCAD requires repair in the absence of recurrent symptoms, regardless of the degree of stenosis or false-lumen patency. Recommended optimal medical therapy includes either aspirin or anticoagulation for 6 months after initial presentation. Additional longitudinal studies are needed.
Continuum theory of carbon phases

Abstract We constructed a continuum theory of carbon phases based on the Landau theory of phase transitions. Our theory ties up many seemingly unrelated data on the carbon system. Transformations between graphite, diamond, and liquid-carbon are described by the Landau–Gibbs free-energy which depends on two order parameters: crystallization and structural. The barrier-height and gradient-energy coefficients were calculated from the nucleation data obtained in the studies of diamond/graphite and diamond/liquid-carbon systems. The boundary of the absolute stability of the graphitic phase was interpreted as the spinodal point of the free-energy, which allowed us to calculate the pressure dependence of the barrier-height coefficient. The continuum model yielded a value of 1.66 J/m2 for the graphite/liquid-carbon interface energy, which continues the trend of the elements of Group IV. We also analyzed stability of nanostructured amorphous carbon and interpreted it as the transition state of the free-energy function. This conjecture helped us to explain results of the experiments on the focused ion-beam irradiation of CVD-diamond nanofilms. The present theory may be used for the large-scale modeling of graphite and diamond crystallization; it can also be extended to include other structural modifications of carbon or an entirely different element such as silicon.
Autonomous Rendezvous, Capture and In-Space Assembly: Past, Present and Future

*† ‡ All mission architectures for exploration involve rendezvous and capture and many include in-space assembly of critical space elements. In order to meet the exploration enterprise goals of affordability, safety and sustainability, the critical capabilities of rendezvous, capture and in-space assembly must become routine and autonomous. For these critical capabilities to become routine, a much more autonomous rendezvous, capture and in-space assembly capability must be employed. Several space programs have developed and routinely performed rendezvous and capture, albeit with significant human intervention from the crew or ground operators. Flight demonstration programs are nearing launch that will demonstrate subsets of the autonomous rendezvous and capture technologies necessary. The assembly of the International and the Russian Mir space stations is proving that in-space assembly is technically feasible. All of these programs are coalescing in the recently announced mission to robotically service the Hubble Space Telescope which will develop and utilize many of the autonomous rendezvous, capture and in-space assembly technologies necessary for the near-term exploration missions. This paper will provide a technical and historical perspective on autonomous rendezvous and capture, from the early days of Apollo through today’s exciting programs and on to the needs of tomorrow’s exploration missions. This historical perspective will be provided from the authors’ unique perspective of supporting every rendezvous, capture and assembly mission since Apollo. We will provide an overview of the requirements for autonomous rendezvous, capture and in-space assembly; define the technologies required to provide safe and routine flight operations for the exploration missions; and apply historical insights to describe how future exploration missions can apply autonomous rendezvous and capture capabilities.
Criteria of Evidence to Move Potential Chemopreventive Agents into Late Phase Clinical Trials

Preclinical models and data from clinical trials suggest that cancer is a preventable disease. However, demonstration of a preventive effect requires large phase III clinical trials of long duration and involves many thousands of participants. The decision to proceed with phase III studies therefore must be informed by robust efficacy and safety data. This requires a systematic review of all available preclinical, epidemiological, and clinical data, along with a mechanistic understanding of the biology of the disease under study. In this review we identify the issues that are critical to decision-making prior to embarking on late phase prevention clinical trials and provide a framework for making such decisions.
Impact of Soldier Suicide on Unit and Care Givers: Implications for Education and Training

(2011). Impact of Soldier Suicide on Unit and Care Givers: Implications for Education and Training. Psychiatry: Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 124-126.
Factors Affecting Broiler Breeder Performance 1. Relationship of Daily Feed Intake Level to Reproductive Performance of Pullets

Abstract Five feeding regimens, using four restriction levels and full feed, were tested to determine the effects of feed restriction on reproductive performance of broiler breeders. At 31, 39, and 52 weeks of age, females were artificially inseminated on two consecutive days with .05 cc semen from males of the same age, and eggs were collected for 9 days and incubated at each production period. In general, females that received the higher levels of feed exhibited lower egg production, lower fertility, and hatchability, heavier body and egg weights, and poorer shell quality. Fertility, shell quality, and production were not influenced by feeding regimens at 31 weeks of age; whereas, feeding regimens significantly affected these traits at 39 and 52 weeks of age.
A 5GHz CMOS low phase noise transformer power combining VCO

A transformer based power combining technique is shown to be an efficient method for reducing VCO phase noise. Higher signal power and resonator Q can be achieved while avoiding breakdown without penalty in tuning range. A CMOS process was used to fabricate the 5GHz VCO. This VCO has a 4dB improvement in phase noise and 2dB improvement in FOM over a simple LC VCO. The phase noise at 1 MHz offset is -125 dBc/Hz. The VCO dissipates 5.5mA with 17.6% tuning range at a 1.5V supply voltage.
Nonsmooth optimization and robust control

Many questions of robust control analysis and synthesis fundamentally involve nonsmooth sets and functions, and their variational properties. Central examples include distances to instability and uncontrollability, the H 1 norm, and pseudospectra. This plenary presentation at the Fifth IFAC Symposium on Robust Control Design (2006), surveys what current ideas from nonsmooth analysis say about the structure and conditioning of such functions and sets, and their numerical optimization. The presentation focuses on notions of nonsmooth derivatives and regularity and on structural tools such as partial smoothness and semi-algebraic techniques, illustrating how each idea helps in analysis and algorithm design. This survey relies heavily on joint work of the author with J.V. Burke (University of Washington) and M.L. Overton (Courant Institute). # 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Do Highly Exclusive Social Welfare Programs Increase Political Inequality? A Comparative Analysis of the 50 US States

In this paper, I empirically test the notion that the degree of inclusion/exclusion of social welfare policies can have important feedback effects on political participation of poor citizens. I conduct a comparative analysis of the 50 US states, using the uptake (or coverage rate) of the Food Stamp program as an indicator of relative inclusiveness. If the inclusiveness of the program sends a message to potential recipients about their worth in the community, these messages may encourage or discourage participation. Using data from the National Education Longitudinal Survey, 1988-2000, I show that the turnout of young citizens raised in poor families is dramatically influenced by the inclusiveness of the state's Food Stamp program. High inclusive states displayed much lower rates of political inequality. The mechanisms underlying this effect remain to be specified. However, in the context of previous individual-level studies, the results bolster the idea of policy feedback generally, and its impact on political inequality in particular.
Spectrin, fodrin, and TW260/240: A family of related proteins lining the plasma membrane

Recently, molecules highly related to erythrocyte spectrin have been identified in nonerythroid cells. Here we summarize our current understanding of these molecules and suggest a model for their organization. Significant differences exist between this family of proteins isolated from mammalian cells and avian cells, and this may explain the variability in antibody preparations as well as differences in peptide maps of these subunits which have been reported. We have prepared antibodies specific for the variant subunits of the spectrinlike proteins fodrin, spectrin, and TW260/240 and analyzed the distribution of these variant subunits in different chicken cell types as well as their developmental distribution in the intestine. The results suggest that fodrin is the general member of this family of proteins and can even coexist with other spectrinlike proteins in the same cells.
Determination of the kink point in the bilinear softening model for concrete

Abstract The characterization of the softening curve from experimental results is essential for predicting the fracture behavior of quasi-brittle materials like concrete. Among various shapes (e.g. linear, exponential) to describe the softening behavior of concrete, the bilinear softening relationship has been extensively used and is the model of choice in this work. Currently, there is no consensus about the location of the kink point in the bilinear softening curve. In this study, the location of the kink point is proposed to be the stress at the critical crack tip opening displacement. Experimentally, the fracture parameters required to describe the bilinear softening curve can be determined with the “two-parameter fracture model” and the total work of fracture method based on a single concrete fracture test. The proposed location of the kink point compares well with the range of kink point locations reported in the literature, and is verified by plotting stress profiles along the expected fracture line obtained from numerical simulations with the cohesive zone model. Finally, prediction of experimental load versus crack mouth opening displacement curves validate the proposed location of the kink point for different concrete mixtures and also for geometrically similar specimens with the same concrete mixture. The experiments were performed on three-point bending specimens with concrete mixtures containing virgin coarse aggregate, recycled concrete coarse aggregate (RCA), and a 50–50 blend of RCA and virgin coarse aggregate. The verification and validation studies support the hypothesis of the kink point occurring at the critical crack tip opening displacement.
Idealizations and Contextualism in Physics

Describing a physical system in idealized terms involves making claims about the system that we know to be literally false. Because of this, it is not clear how calculations involving idealizations can generate justified belief and explain facts about the world. I argue that this puzzling aspect of idealizations cannot be explained away by talking about approximations, as is often supposed. I develop a different account of how justified beliefs and explanations can be generated from idealized descriptions of physical systems. My account involves a type of contextualism about the truth of mathematical descriptions of physical systems.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Predicting Postpartum Depression

This study examines the direct and moderating effects of emotional intelligence on postpartum depression (PPD), while taking into account social support and stressful life events. Using a prospecti...
Stock Acquisition Mortgage Loans

Purpose: There is an undeveloped market for the broader distribution of future capital acquisition and income in which the price (cost) paid for acquisition of securities to realize future capital income plays a crucial role. Our objective in this paper is to propose a new loan which facilitates acquisition of financial capital with the future earnings of the financial capital acquired.Design/methodology/approach: This is a theoretical paper relying on mathematics, graphs, verbal arguments and some numerical summary measures to describe concepts.Findings: We show that increasingly elastic demand for future capital income raises consumption (and therefore production) for the entire economy and, under certain conditions, for both high and low income earners.Research limitations/implications: The proposed hypothesis is not empirically tested, an exercise left to future work.Practical implications: We describe how Stock Acquisition Mortgage Loans may be instituted in countries with well-functioning financial markets and monetary systems, at acquisition costs lower than average historical returns in security markets.Social implications: Relative to high-income earners, economic prospects of poor and middle-class people could be enhanced if (a) they were also extended the economic opportunity to acquire capital with earnings of capital and (b) then after the capital is acquired (and fully paid for) they too could supplement their labor earnings and welfare payments with capital income. Originality/value: The proposed Stock Acquisition Mortgage Loan is a new loan (currently not in existence) which can significantly improve income for all.