cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wake-up stroke is not associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract Objective/Background Obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for stroke. This study sought to assess the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and wake-up strokes (WUS), that is, stroke symptoms that are first noted upon awakening from sleep. Patients/methods In this analysis, 837 Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) project participants completed an interview to ascertain stroke onset during sleep (WUS) versus wakefulness (non-wake-up stroke, non-WUS). A subset of 316 participants underwent a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) shortly after ischemic stroke to assess for OSA. Regression models were used to test the association between OSA and WUS, stratified by sex. Results Of 837 participants who completed the interview, 251 (30%) reported WUS. Among participants who underwent an HSAT, there was no significant difference in OSA severity [respiratory event index (REI)] among participants with WUS [median REI 17, interquartile range (IQR) 10, 29] versus non-WUS (median REI 18, IQR 9, 30; p = 0.73). OSA severity was not associated with increased odds of WUS among men [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.011, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.995, 1.027] or women (unadjusted OR 0.987, 95% CI 0.959, 1.015). These results remained unchanged after adjustment for age, congestive heart failure, body mass index, and pre-stroke depression in men (adjusted OR 1.011, 95% CI 0.994, 1.028) and women (adjusted OR 0.988, 95% CI 0.959, 1.018). Conclusions Although OSA is a risk factor for stroke, the onset of stroke during sleep is not associated with OSA in this large, population-based stroke cohort.
Beyond single sleep measures: A composite measure of sleep health and its associations with psychological and physical well-being in adulthood.

Abstract Rationale. Sleep is important for many functions including body and mind restoration. Studies report the association of sleep with stress and physical deterioration, often focusing only on sleep duration; yet, sleep health needs to be understood by multiple dimensions to comprehensively capture its impact on well-being. Objective. This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of multidimensional sleep health with perceived stress and chronic physical conditions. Methods. We used a sample of 441 adults (M age = 57 years) who participated in the biomarker project of the Midlife in the United States Study. Participants provided self-report and actigraphy sleep data in 2004–2009 (T1). We created a composite score of sleep health (Range = 0–6; higher indicating more sleep problems) encompassing: actigraphy-measured regularity, timing, efficiency, duration, and self-reported satisfaction and alertness. Participants responded to the perceived stress scale and chronic physical conditions checklist at T1; chronic physical conditions were reassessed in 2013–2015 (T2). Results. Cross-sectionally, a composite score of sleep health problems was uniquely associated with higher perceived stress and more chronic conditions, explaining additional variance that each individual sleep variable did not explain. Sleep duration – one of the most commonly researched dimensions of sleep – was not associated with either perceived stress or chronic conditions. Longitudinally, for individuals who had fewer chronic conditions at T1, having more sleep health problems was associated with an increase in chronic conditions at T2. Among the multiple dimensions, sleep satisfaction was most consistently and strongly associated with the outcomes. Conclusion. Findings suggest the importance of considering multiple sleep dimensions concerning psychological and physical well-being in adulthood.
Anticipation to Social and Nonsocial Dynamic Cues in Preschool-Age Children.

The ability to learn from expectations is foundational to social and nonsocial learning in children. However, we know little about the brain basis of reward expectation in development. Here, 3- to 4-year-olds (N = 26) were shown a passive associative learning paradigm with dynamic stimuli. Anticipation for reward-related stimuli was measured via the stimulus preceding negativity (SPN). To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure an SPN in children younger than age 6. Our findings reveal distinct anticipatory neural signatures for social versus nonsocial stimuli, consistent with previous research in older children. This study suggests an SPN can be elicited in preschoolers and is larger for social than nonsocial stimuli.
Distributed object manipulation using a mobile multi-agent system

This paper presents a collaborative formation holding that translates and rotates an oversized object to a predefined reference location, utilizing a swarm of robots. Geometric equations and guidance feedback laws were derived for the swarm members to autonomously transport the object to its final location and orientation. Previous research in the field of cooperative robotics has been limited by the cost and space requirements of the swarm's individual agents. Our developed Arachne System provides a reconfigurable platform that is both low-cost and small-scale. The system consists of centimeter-scale mobile robots able to communicate wirelessly and interact with their environment. The entire configuration consists only of a webcam, laptop, and the robots themselves. The Arachne System was employed in the solution and implementation of the group box pushing challenge. Experimental results illustrate the capabilities of the system and the applicability of our approach.
A Survey of Discrete Trace Formulas

The goal is to survey work on Selberg’s trace formula for discrete quotient spaces G/K both finite and infinite. Here G is often the general linear group GL(n, F) consisting of n × n non-singular matrices with entries in some field F, and K is some subgroup. Usually F is the finite field F q with q elements and n = 2.
Political Entrepreneurship and the Democratic Allocation of Economic Resources

Political entrepreneurship occurs when an individual acts on a political profit opportunity. These profit opportunities can be divided into two categories: productive, and predatory. Productive opportunities enable entrepreneurs to profit from enhancing the efficiency of government, while predatory opportunities enable entrepreneurs to profit from forcibly transferring resources from some to others. This analysis shows that political institutions tend to favor predatory over productive political entrepreneurship, and shows that what is sometimes referred to as political exchange does not have the same efficiency characteristics as voluntary exchange in private markets.
Emergence: A New Approach to The Perennial Problem of The one and the Manyv

Emergence, as a relatively new concept in the natural and social sciences, has multiple meanings. As an analogical philosophical concept which consciously resists the dialectical opposition of reductive physicalism and immaterial dualism for the understanding of physical reality, it presupposes an evolutionary world view which is open-ended in its mode of operation rather than conceptually closed. Within such an open-ended world view, the implicit paradigm for the dialectical relationship between the One and the Many will necessarily be different from the corresponding paradigm for that relation within a closed metaphysical system. The purpose of this article is to set forth an understanding of the relation between the One and the Many that rationally justifies an open-ended, process-oriented metaphysics which in turn confirms the proposed validity of that same paradigm for the understanding of physical reality from an evolutionary perspective. Hence, I first lay out the historical development of the classical paradigm for the One and the Many in Western philosophy and at the same time point to its residual deficiencies for a full explanation of physical reality. Then I sketch what I see as a new paradigm for understanding the relation between the One and the Many which does not prioritize either the One over the Many or the Many over the One but sees them as intrinsically interdependent for their existence and intelligibility. Finally, I apply this revised understanding of the relation between the One and the Many to analysis of the generic notion of emergence in the natural sciences. Further application of this new paradigm for the relation between the One and the Many within each of the natural sciences and within the social sciences and the humanities will inevitably involve many other individuals than the author.
Multi-step planning for robotic manipulation

Most current systems capable of robotic object manipulation involve ad hoc assumptions about the order of operations necessary to achieve a task, and usually have no mechanism to predict how earlier decisions will affect the quality of the solution later. Solving this problem is sometimes referred to as combined task and motion planning. We propose that multi-step planning, a technique previously applied in some other domains, is an effective way to address the question of combined task and motion planning. We demonstrate the technique on a complex motion planning problem involving a two-armed robot (PR2) and an articulated object (folding chair) where our planner naturally discovers extra steps that are necessary to satisfy kinematic constraints of the problem. We also propose some further extensions to our algorithm that we believe will make it an extremely powerful technique in this domain.
Sex-role orientation and achievement context as determinants of the motive to avoid success

Seventy-two female high school students with cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or above were administered the Wellesley Role Orientation Scale and four verbal cues used to measure success-avoidant imagery in response to feminine competitive achievement in a variety of contexts. Results indicated that the arousal of success-avoidant imagery was partially a function of the role orientation (traditional vs. nontraditional) of the students and the context within which the success was presented. As hypothesized, nontraditionally oriented students generated fewer success-avoidant responses across cues than either moderate or traditionally oriented students. However, differences in the proportion of imagery across cues was carried by the differential responses of the nontraditional students, suggesting that the inhibition of achievement behavior among women may be differentially moderated as a function of the salience of the achievement context and their definitions of sex-role-appropriate success.
SU-E-T-26: Automated Plan Evaluation System: Design and Implementation

Purpose: To present software for a Radiation therapy facility that will simplify the process of dosimetric plan evaluation and will help clinicians and physicists to review the plan. Materials and method: Every treatment plan requires certain dosimetriccharacteristics or parameters to be evaluated, which are essential for the assessment of a treatment plan. One can automate this process with the software that can understand the treatment plan and DVH data and gives you the desired results. This software accepts DICOM RT data from IHE‐RO compliant Varian Eclipse v 8.6 and computes DVH. There is also a facility to define disease site, technique and fractionation specific templates for dose volume constraints. This software helps you to analyze the normal tissue tolerances with the data given in the literature and also gives user the freedom to use &#945;/&#946; ratios to modify the tolerance values in accordance with dose‐fractionation scheme. The dosimetric indices such as conformity index and homogeneity index can also be calculated and compared with the user defined criteria in the template. Results: The prototype system has been used to design various templates for different treatment sites such as head and neck and breast. These templates are used to evaluate plan and dosimetric parameters for several patients. Conclusion: This prototype software provides a simplified solution for an automated dosimetric plan evaluation. The dosimetric parameters used in the plan evaluation is stored in an databasearchive for all the patients and this data is intended to used for further analysis.
Series and parallel addition of matrices

Abstract Let A and B be Hermitian semi-definite matrices and let A + denote the Moore-Penrose generalized inverse. Then we define the parallel sum of A and B by the formula A ( A + B ) + B and denote it by A : B . If A and B are nonsingular this reduces to A : B = ( A −1 + B −1 ) −1 which is the well known electrical formula for addition of resistors in parallel. Then it is shown that the Hermitian semi-definite matrices form a commutative partially ordered semigroup under the parallel sum operation. Here the ordering A ⩾ B means A − B is semidefinite and the following inequality holds: ( A + B ) : ( C + D ) ⩾ A : C + B : D . If R ( A ) denotes the range of A then it is found that R ( A : B ) = R ( A ) ∩ R ( B ). Moreover if A and B are orthogonal projection operators then 2 A : B is the orthogonal projection on R ( A ) ∩ R ( B ). The norms are found to satisfy the inequality ∥ A : B ∥ ⩽ ∥ A ∥ : ∥ B ∥. Generalization to non-Hermitian operators are also developed.
A semi-empirical approach to estimate vertical transport by nonprecipitating convective clouds on a regional scale

Abstract A semi-empirical approach to estimate the vertical flux of mass between the boundary layer and the cloud layer by an ensemble of nonprecipitating cumulus clouds has been developed. The model determines the existence of the cloud ensemble, estimates the cloud amount at cloud base, and establishes the vertical distribution of the convective cloud amount attributed to a cloud population, having a continuous spectrum of cloud depth, using standard meteorological data. The mass flux is then estimated for the ensemble or for a ‘processor’ cloud, a single cloud which, on the average, can be used to represent the ensemble, using a modified version of the cloud model developed by Ritter and Stedman (1985, Coop. Agreement No. CR 807485-01, 02). Results of a sensitivity analysis are presented. The analysis examined the behavior of the model as the vertical distribution of temperature and dew point changed from one atmospheric state to another.
NPARC Study of a Two-Dimensional Transonic Wall Interference

An application of the inviscid (Euler) version of the NPARC code to a finite thickness airfoil inside a test section with impermeable walls is described. Three different, physically meaningful, choking patterns are generated. It is shown that, in contrast to predictions from singular perturbation analyses, the computed wind-tunnel results are not correctable to equivalent freestream conditions when flow is choked. Nomenclature A = cross-sectional area Cp = pressure coefficient CltL = upper-surface lift coefficient c = chord length of airfoil h = height of test section M = local Mach number Mch = choking Mach number Mch = choking Mach number, subsonic MS' = choking Mach number, supersonic MT = wind-tunnel Mach number M^ = Mach number imposed on outer boundary t = maximum thickness of airfoil jc = chordwise coordinate y - ratio of specific heats I. Introduction
Diazepam and learning: Assessment of acquisition deficits

Subjects treated with diazepam (0.3 mg/kg) showed significant reductions in performance on multiple-trial free recall, paired-associate learning, and serial learning tasks compared to placebo control subjects. The free recall task showed the largest drug effect with diazepam subjects failing in six acquisition trials to attain the level of performance achieved by placebo subjects on the first trial. Serial position curves in the serial learning task were changed by the diazepam treatment from their usual skewed form to symmetrical functions. Results indicate that diazepam exerts its greatest memory influence on the acquisition of new information.
Hypersonic low-density solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations with chemical nonequilibrium and multicomponent surface slip

Solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations with chemical nonequilibrium and multicomponent surface slip are presented along the stagnation streamline under low-density hypersonic flight conditions. The conditions analyzed are those encountered by the nose region of the Space Shuttle Orbiter during reentry. A detailed comparison of the Navier-Stokes (NS) results is made with the viscous shock-layer (VSL) and Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) predictions. With the inclusion of surface-slip boundary conditions in NS calculations, the surface heat transfer and other flow field quantities adjacent to the surface are predicted favorably with the DSMC calculations from 75 km to 115 km in altitude. Therefore, the practical range for the applicability of Navier-Stokes solutions is much wider than previously thought. This is appealing because the continuum (NS and VSL) methods are commonly used to solve the fluid flow problems and are less demanding in terms of computer resource requirements than the noncontinuum (DSMC) methods. The NS solutions agree well with the VSL results for altitudes less than 92 km. An assessment is made of the frozen flow approximation employed in the VSL calculations.
Locally delivered antimicrobials adjunctive to scaling and root planing provide additional PD reduction and CAL gain in the treatment of chronic periodontitis

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Impact of local adjuncts to scaling and root planing in periodontal disease therapy: a systematic review. Bonito AJ, Lux L, et al. J Periodontol 2005;76(8):1227-36. Level of Evidence 1a Purpose/Question The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the additional effect of locally delivered antimicrobials as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis in adults. Source of Funding Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD Type of Study/Design Systematic review
Vulnerability Analysis of the Grid Data Security Authentication System

A password-based authentication is still the most prevalent authentication method because of its convenience and easy implementations. Since a password is transmitted via network, it has an inherent vulnerability of password exposure to an attacker. A one-time password system reduces the risk of a security breach even when a password is exposed to an attacker, because the password is only meaningful at a given time. A grid data security system uses a technology, GridOne™, which allows the use of a one-time password without requiring preinstalled hardware or software infrastructures, and it provides strong security over conventional password-based authentication systems. We analyzed the weakness of the grid data security authentication system and provide a suggestion to compensate for its vulnerability.
Leaf-litter inputs from an invasive nitrogen-fixing tree influence organic-matter dynamics and nitrogen inputs in a Hawaiian river

AbstractWe examined how invasion of tropical riparian forests by an exotic N-fixing tree (Falcataria moluccana) affects organic-matter dynamics in a Hawaiian river by comparing early stages of leaf-litter breakdown between the exotic F. moluccana and native Metrosideros polymorpha trees. We examined early decomposition stages because of low leaf-litter retention rates (<20 d) that result from the flashy nature of tropical Pacific Island streams. Leaf breakdown rates, fungal biomass, and invertebrate abundances were 40, 120, and 30% greater, respectively, for F. moluccana than M. polymorpha leaves. Leaf-litter breakdown was largely a result of stream flow and to a lesser extent fungal colonization. Invertebrates were not an important factor in leaf-litter breakdown. Initial tannin content, leaf C∶N, and toughness were important intrinsic factors inhibiting leaf breakdown and fungal colonization. Regression analyses between remaining N content (%) and ash-free dry mass of leaf litter revealed that the early...
The Locomotion of Lethocerus (Hemiptera, Belostomatidae)

The external and internal skeleton and the musculature of the pterothorax of Lethocerus are described and figured. Studies of these structures revealed that the front and hind wings possess definite mechanisms for eoaptation, and that torsion of the wings is regulated by modified external sclerites rather than by the musculature of the basalare and subalare. The structure and musculature of the middle and hind legs are described, and the swimming mechanisms discussed.
Results of surgical resection in patients with N2 non-small cell lung cancer☆

From January 1982 to December 1986, 167 patients (121 men and 46 women) with non-small cell lung cancer and a clinically negative mediastinum were found to have N2 lymph node metastases at thoracotomy and underwent pulmonary resection. Ages ranged from 31 to 86 years (median, 66 years). Adenocarcinoma was present in 70 patients (41.9%), squamous cell carcinoma in 64 (38.3%), large cell carcinoma in 20 (12.0%), adenosquamous cell carcinoma in 7 (4.2%), and bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma in 6 (3.6%). Forty-seven patients (28.1%) underwent mediastinoscopy; all results were negative. Pneumonectomy was performed in 64 patients, bilobectomy in 4, lobectomy in 76, segmentectomy in 2, and wedge excision in 21. Twenty patients had an incomplete resection. Thirty-five patients (21.0%) had complications, and the operative mortality was 4.8% (8 of 167 patients). Sixty-seven patients (40.1%) received adjuvant radiation therapy. The 5-year survival for the 147 patients who underwent complete resection was 23.7%. In contrast, 19 of the 20 patients (95.0%) who underwent incomplete resection died within 3 years. Other factors that significantly affected the 5-year survival were the number and location of metastatic lymph node stations, age, type of resection, and whether adjuvant radiation therapy was administered. We conclude that, when N2 disease is found at thoracotomy, complete resection is warranted to achieve long-term survival.
Feasibility of a MEMS Sensor for Gas Detection in HV Oil-Insulated Transformer

This paper addresses protection of oil-insulated transformers, using a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor system to augment or replace existing protection techniques. Traditional technologies used for protection and analysis involve pressure and temperature sensing, gas chromatography, and/or a Buchholz relay. The proposed MEMS device is immersed within the insulating fluid, e.g., oil, and primarily consists of multiple microscale turbines centrally shafted to a MEMS generator. The device utilizes relative differences in the velocity, pressure, and flow rate of fluid caused by electric faults. A differential electrical output is produced, which can be coupled to a remote recorder.
Propofol enhances both tonic and phasic inhibitory currents in second-order neurons of the solitary tract nucleus (NTS)

The anesthetic propofol is thought to induce rapid hypnotic sedation by facilitating a GABAergic tonic current in forebrain neurons. The depression of cardiovascular and respiratory regulation often observed during propofol suggests potential additional actions within the brainstem. Here we determined the impacts of propofol on both GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic mechanisms in a class of solitary tract nucleus (NTS) neurons common to brainstem reflex pathways. In horizontal brainstem slices, we recorded from NTS neurons directly activated by solitary tract (ST) axons. We identified these second-order NTS neurons by time-invariant (“jitter” <200 µs), “all-or-none” glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in response to shocks to the ST. In order to assess propofol actions, we measured ST-evoked, spontaneous and miniature EPSCs and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) during propofol exposure. Propofol prolonged miniature IPSC decay time constants by 50% above control at 1.8 µM. Low concentrations of gabazine (SR-95531) blocked phasic GABA currents. At higher concentrations, propofol (30 µM) induced a gabazine-insensitive tonic current that was blocked by picrotoxin or bicuculline. In contrast, total propofol concentrations up to 30 µM had no effect on EPSCs. Thus, propofol enhanced phasic GABA events in NTS at lower concentrations than tonic current induction, opposite to the relative sensitivity observed in forebrain regions. These data suggest that therapeutic levels of propofol facilitate phasic (synaptic) inhibitory transmission in second order NTS neurons which likely inhibits autonomic reflex pathways during anesthesia.
The use of octadecanol monolayers as wetting agents in the negative staining technique.

A monolayer of octadecanol, spread on the surface of a droplet of an aqueous solution covering a carbon support film covered grid, effects wetting of the support film when the excess liquid is blotted with filter paper. The wetting action occurs in the complete absence of soluble surfactants. When used with the negative staining technique, the monolayer causes the stain to disperse around particles adsorbed on the support film surface; this procedure has been used to impart negative contrast to polystyrene spheres and several kinds of biological macromolecules.
Diabetes epidemic in China and its economic impact

Article history: Received 2 December 2010 Accepted 2 December 2010 Available online 3 February 2011 increased reliance on automobiles, which have replaced m bicycles that were the common means of transportation i [14,15], popularization of television [8,14–16], and, last b least, the one-child policy [17]. China's one-child policy is conducive to obesity in two w China is strict in allowing only one child per family. There is China: “2-4-8 (pronounced as ‘er, ‘si’ and ‘ba’, respectively
Crosstalk mitigation in a free-space orbital angular momentum multiplexed communication link using 4×4 MIMO equalization

We demonstrate crosstalk mitigation using 4×4 multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) equalization on an orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexed free-space data link with heterodyne detection. Four multiplexed OAM beams, each carrying a 20 Gbit/s quadrature phase-shift keying signal, propagate through weak turbulence. The turbulence induces inter-channel crosstalk among each beam and degrades the signal performance. Experimental results demonstrate that with the assistance of MIMO processing, the signal quality and the bit-error-rate (BER) performance can be improved. The power penalty can be reduced by >4 dB at a BER of 3.8×10−3.
Flow distribution in chromatographic columns

Abstract It becomes increasingly clear that flow non-uniformity frequently limits the performance of chromatographic columns, and that there are at least two major causes for this: non-uniform packing and inadequate header design. Static magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of small columns in this laboratory has confirmed previous reports of packing non-uniformity and found void fractions to be smallest in the neighborhood of the wall while the central and upstream regions of the column are more loosely packed. Both static and flow MRI suggests that additional mal-distribution is introduced by non-uniform flow in headers, especially for short columns. Flow non-uniformity can reduce resolution directly, and it can also limit column capacity through perturbation-induced viscous fingering. A preliminary stress–strain analysis during column packing is reported which shows that the stress distribution depends strongly upon column aspect ratio (length/diameter) and is most favorable for low values. At the same time adequate flow distribution becomes more difficult as this ratio decreases, and this requires careful attention to the column headers. We therefore suggest a new strategy for header design and provide two specific examples which produce very nearly uniform residence time for all streamlines as well as uniform exit velocity.
Compressing perceived distance with remote tool-use: Real, imagined, and remembered

Reaching for an object with a tool has been shown to cause a compressed perception of space just beyond arm's reach. It is not known, however, whether tools that have distal, detached effects at far distances can cause this same perceptual distortion. We examined this issue in the current study with targets placed up to 30m away. Participants who illuminated targets with a laser pointer or imagined doing so consistently judged the targets to be closer than those who pointed at the targets with a baton. Furthermore, perceptual distortions that arose from tool-use persisted in memory beyond the moment of interaction. These findings indicate that remote interactions can have the same perceptual consequences as physical interactions, and have implications for an action-specific account of perception. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Quantifying the climatic and tectonic controls on hillslope steepness and erosion rate

Hillslopes in humid regions are typically convex to concave in profile and have a relatively thick, continuous regolith cover. Conversely, hillslopes in arid regions are typically cliff-dominated and have a relatively thin, discontinuous regolith cover. The difference between these two end-member slope forms is classically attributed to climate, but climate, tectonics, and lithology all play a role. In this paper, we describe a mathematical model for hillslope gradient and regolith thickness using basic climatic and tectonic input data for a given rock type. The model first solves for the regolith thickness on a planar slope segment in topographic steady state using the soil production function and a prescribed uplift/incision rate. The climatic and lithologic controls on soil production rates are quantified using an empirical energy-based model for the physical weathering of bedrock. The slope gradient is then computed by balancing uplift/incision rates with sediment fluxes calculated using a nonlinear depth- and slope-dependent sediment transport model. The model quantifies the ways in which, as aridity and uplift/incision rates increase, regolith thicknesses decrease and hillslope gradients increase nonlinearly until a threshold condition is reached, beyond which bare, cliff-dominated slopes form. The model can also be used to estimate long-term erosion rates and soil residence times using basic input data for climate and regolith thickness. Model predictions for erosion rates closely match cosmogenically derived erosion rates in granitic landscapes. This approach provides a better quantitative understanding of the climatic and tectonic controls on slope form, and it provides a simple, widely applicable method for estimating long-term erosion rates and the thickness of regolith cover on hillslopes.
CRE-Enhancer DNA Decoy

Enhancer DNA decoy oligonucleotides (ODNs) inhibit transcription by competing for transcription factors. A decoy ODN composed of the cAMP response element (CRE) inhibits CRE-directed gene transcription and tumor growth without affecting normal cell growth. We used DNA microarrays to analyze the global gene expression in tumors exposed to the CRE-decoy ODN. The CRE decoy upregulated the AP-2beta transcription factor gene in tumors but not in the livers of host animals. The upregulated expression of AP-2beta was clustered with other upregulated genes involved in development and cell differentiation. Concomitantly, another cluster of genes involved in cell proliferation and transformation was downregulated. The observed alterations indicate that CRE-directed transcription favors tumor growth. Evidence presented here suggests that the CRE-decoy ODN may provide a target-based genetic tool for treating cancer, viral diseases, and other diseases in which CRE-directed transcription is abnormally used.
Composition correlations in ternary semiconductor alloys

Spatial composition fluctuations in semiconductor alloys ${A}_{x}{B}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}C$ involve elastic energy when the lattice parameters of $\mathrm{AC}$ and $\mathrm{BC}$ differ. Therefore, the fluctuations are expected to be reduced below those exhibited by a purely random distribution of the constituent ions. We estimate the extent of the reduction, and relate it to recent observations of Raman linewidths and line shapes in ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{x}{\mathrm{In}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$ and ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{x}{\mathrm{Al}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$.
Toxicity of bile acids to colon cancer cell lines

Quantitative aspects of bile acid cytotoxicity to colon cancer cell lines were investigated because of the etiological role in colon carcinogenesis attributed to the toxic effects of bile acids on colon mucosal cells. The cytotoxicity of major colonic bile acids differed. Lithocholate was the most toxic, followed by chenodeoxycholate and deoxycholate, with cholate being non-toxic over the concentration range studied. Cytotoxicity increased with time of exposure. Values for IC50 for some of the acids were determined to be in the physiological range, as estimated from their concentrations in fecal water. The results suggest dietary factors that contribute to bile acid mucosal damage. They also identify factors of possible importance in the association of high concentrations of bile acids in fecal water with risk for colon cancer.
Peeling Hard Cooked Eggs by Rapid Cooling and Reheating

Abstract An experiment using 540 eggs was conducted to determine the effects of different cooling media, times in the cooling media and time of reheating on ease of peeling hard-boiled eggs. Yield, peeled appearance and peeling times indicated that a 10 second reheating period in boiling water preceded by either 30 seconds in liquid nitrogen, one minute in ice water, or 10 minutes in 25° C. air could be used effectively to peel freshly laid, hard cooked eggs. An additional experiment using 325 eggs included a factorial arrangement of treatments consisting of three holding conditions (fresh, 7 days at 4° C., and 7 days at 25° C.); three spray oiling treatments (whole eggs, top only and none); and the three cooling-reheating methods (liquid nitrogen, ice water and 25° C. air). The data indicated that for ease of peeling fresh eggs, oiling should not be used. However, oiled eggs held for 7 days at 4° C. peeled readily when rapidly cooled and reheated. Cooling in ice water (followed by a 10 second reheat) resulted in maximum yields and ease of peeling thus rendering the process applicable to either commercial or home peeling of freshly laid, hard cooked eggs.
Challenges and Advances of Heat Pipes in Cooling Notebook Systems

Notebooks represent an increasing percentage of PC client market with growth surpassing that of desktop computers. Heat pipe has been an integral part of notebook computer system cooling and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Heat pipe allows for efficient transport of heat from the CPU and other high power components to a location where there is more room for accommodating motherboard cutout for a fan and a heat exchanger. The thermal resistance along this path must be minimized to enable maximum cooling. This paper first briefly describes the contributing resistance in a heat pipe and ways to measure them for a notebook thermal solution. Since there are several parameters that can affect the performance of the heat pipes, we use an experimental procedure utilizing DOE (Design of Experiments) to first understand the sensitivities of these design, manufacturing and usage parameters on performance and then to arrive at an optimum level of these parameters to minimize various resistances in a heat pipe. We show that for various different wick technologies, it is possible to optimize the heat pipes to achieve an evaporator performance of the level of 0.1 C-cm2/W. Furthermore, we show some simple design rules to minimize the condenser resistance and also results of a design study to optimize the design of heat pipe block at the CPU end to minimize the evaporator resistance. We want to encourage the heat pipe vendor community to use these methods to optimize their products for performance as well as process enhancements to produce higher performing parts, at lower cost.© 2007 ASME
Genetics assessment at the end of life: suggestions for implementation in clinic and future research.

ABSTRACT Background: Approximately 5%–10% of all cancers and cardiovascular diseases have a significant genetic component. Of the 15 most frequent admission diagnoses for palliative care, at least one third have a significant genetic component which is testable, informative, and potentially life saving to the survivors. Once the patient has died, the chance to test or bank DNA for common inherited conditions such as breast cancer, colon cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc., is gone. Objective: To determine the frequency of genetic conditions for commonly seen palliative care conditions, the availability of testing or DNA banking for future testing, and how genetics assessment is helpful. Design: A case illustration and review of the currently published evidence. Results: Genetic testing fits the accepted model of family-centered palliative care, is ethical, and may lead to life-saving interventions. Risk assessment tools and helpful websites are available. Conclusions: While common genetic conditions shou...
Effect of metal coordination environment on topology of coordination polymers containing 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate and long-spanning dipyridine ligands

Abstract Hydrothermal reaction of a metal nitrate, 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (H2tpdc), and bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine (4-bpmp) afforded a series of crystalline coordination polymers with different dimensionality and topology depending on the metal coordination geometry. These materials were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [Cu(tpdc)(4-bpmp)(H2O)]n (1), with square pyramidal coordination, shows parallel stacked (4,4) grid motifs. {[Co(tpdc)(4-bpmp)1.5(H2O)2]·4H2O}n (2) exhibits graphitic (6,3) honeycomb layer motifs and octahedral coordination at the metal. {[Cd(tpdc)(4-bpmp)(H2O)]·H2O}n (3) shows pentagonal bipyramidal geometry and manifests (4,4) grid layers as in 1, but with 2D + 2D → 3D parallel entanglement. [Zn(tpdc)(4-bpmp)(H2O)]n (4), which has distorted “5 + 1” octahedral coordination at zinc, displays an acentric 66 3-D diamondoid topology. Luminescent properties of 3 and 4 are presented, along with thermal analyses.
Chronic digoxin toxicity and significantly elevated BNP levels in the presence of mild heart failure.

We present a case of patient with chronic digoxin toxicity with minimal evidence of heart failure, but a significantly elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. A 78-year-old woman was brought to an ED by her daughter with complaints of nausea, increasing dyspnea on exertion, and lower extremity edema for approximately 2 weeks. The patient denied chest pain, fevers, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. The patient’s medical history was significant for moderate to severe congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease status after bypass graft in 1994, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, dementia, depression, dyspepsia, and osteoarthritis. The patient was taking a significant number of medications including 0.125 mg of digoxin daily, with which she was reportedly compliant. Physical examination revealed a thin elderly woman in moderate distress. Vital signs were significant for a bradycardia with a rate of 50 beats per minute and tachypnea with a rate of 30 breaths per minute. The patient was afebrile, had a normal blood pressure, and normal room air oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry. Head, eyes, ears, neck, and throat examination was unremarkable except for mild jugular venous distension. Lung examination revealed mild crackles at the bases, tachypnea without retractions, and good air exchange. Cardiac examination revealed a bradycardia, which was regular, and a systolic murmur. There were no rubs or gallops. The remainder of the examination was unremarkable except for mild bilateral lower extremity pitting edema. Peripheral pulses were normal.
Synthesis, stability, and photochemistry of pentacene, hexacene, and heptacene: a matrix isolation study.

The photochemical bisdecarbonylation of bridged α-diketones (Strating−Zwanenburg reaction) to give the oligoacenes pentacene (2), hexacene (3), and heptacene (4) is investigated in solid inert gas matrices at cryogenic temperatures. The photodecomposition using visible light irradiation cleanly produces the corresponding oligoacene without formation of observable intermediates. This synthetic approach to the higher acenes allows a comprehensive comparative study of their electronic absorption and infrared spectral properties under identical conditions for the first time. In addition, the route makes it possible to investigate the thermal and photochemical stability of these higher acenes and addresses the problem of heptacene stability which dates back almost 70 years. This largest known member of the acene series is found to be unstable at room temperature. Furthermore, all oligoacenes 2−4 undergo a photoredox reaction upon 185 nm excitation, resulting in the concurrent formation of radical cations and a...
Embayment characteristic time and biology via tidal prism model

Transport time scales are often offered by scientists, and accepted by ecologists, as qualitative indicators of the susceptibility of ecological components within an embayment. However, rigorous quantitative methods were never presented to confirm this intuition. Transport time scales in water bodies are classically based on their physical and chemical aspects rather than their ecological and biological character. The direct connection between a physical time scale and an ecological effect has to be investigated in order to quantitatively relate a transport time scale to ecology. This concept is presented here with some general guidelines and clarifying examples. To be able to relate physical time scales to biological processes, a simple tidal prism model is developed that calculates temporal changes in concentration and the related exposure. This approach provides a quick method to calculate the characteristic time for transport in a large number of embayments, which can also help in classification endeavors.
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CENTRAL FUNCTION AND SIZE OF PLACE1

Central place analysis has been predicated to a considerable extent upon the general existence of a continuous geometric scale of size of central place, in accordance with the rank-size rule on the one hand, yet divided into discrete size classes on the other. Furthermore, cities within such size groups are believed to be functionally differentiated. Based upon a number of empirical tests in the State of Georgia, both in complete detail for a six-county area centering on the City of Athens and in less detail using secondary state-wide data, evidence is here presented showing that sizes of place do not conform closely to the rank-size rule, although they do reflect closely their own logarithmic regression curve; that there is little evidence of discrete size groupings; and that intensity of service by type of activity varies significantly with size of place. Furthermore, it is shown that the formula N = aPb, indicating the rate of change of number of establishments with change in size of place, does not provide an acceptable estimator throughout the whole range of size of place.
Politics Inside-Out

If, as Homi Bhabha asserts, colonial discourse depends upon “the concept of ‘fixity’ in the ideological construction of otherness,” it would seem that Kay Picart's new book, Inside Notes from the O...
Interaction of HMG14 with chromatin.

Abstract Neutron scattering has been used to study the interaction of HMG14 with chromatin. Chromatin depleted of H1 H5 was reconstituted separately with histones H1 and H5, and complexed with HMG14. We have also studied the conformation of complexes formed by the binding of HMG14 to nucleosome dimers without linker DNA. Our data on the binding of HMG14 to linkerless nucleosome dimers argue against a significant change in the exit and entry angles of nucleosomal core DNA. Data on the condensation of chromatin into a higher-order structure suggest that there is no dramatic difference between the roles of H1 and H5 in their influence on HMG14 complex formation. However, there is a decrease of about 25% in the mass per unit length of chromatin fibers on HMG14 binding, which is not accompanied by a change in the fiber repeat distance. This is evidence that there are fewer nucleosomes per repeat in HMG14 containing chromatin fibers than in normal chromatin. Alteration of chromatin structure in this manner may be part of the role of HMG14 in actively transcribed chromatin.
Orientation of the NO ligand of cytochrome a3 in nitrosyl cytochrome c oxidase.

Investigations of the site of oxygen reduction in cytochrome c oxidase have recently been accelerated by the development of techniques to orient ‘membranous’ cytochrome c oxidase [ 1,2 1, submitochondrial particles [3,4] and mitochondria [S,6] into hydrated multilayer arrays. The orientation of the heme prosthetic groups relative to the membrane plane has been determined for several oxidation and liganded states of cytochrome c oxidase and for other members of the mitochondrial electron transport chain [l-7]. This work extends these studies to the orientation of the dissociable NO ligand of cytochrome a3 in nitrosyl cytochrome c oxidase. Preliminary account of this work has appeared already [S] .
Wireless Communication Networks Between Distributed Autonomous Systems Using Self-Tuning Extremum Control

This paper represents an effective optimization approach for building high bandwidth wireless communication networks between distributed autonomous systems using unmanned aerial vehicles as airborne relay nodes. A self-tuning extremum control technique is developed to find an optimal location of the aerial vehicles to provide maximum communication throughputs. The idea behind the self-tuning control is to use an on-line gradient estimator to identify the derivative of a cost function and to use this as an input to a gradient-based hill-climbing algorithm. The on-line estimation of the gradient of a performance function is achieved by utilizing a perturbation-based peek-seeking approach which provides a quantitative gradient value of the cost function in a numerical way. Flight experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed airborne wireless sensor networking control algorithm.
THE NATURE OF RESIDUAL ARYLSULFATASE ACTIVITY IN LATE INFANTILE METACHROMATIC LEUKODYSTROPHY (MLD)

Late infantile MLD is a familial degenerative neurologic disease presumably caused by a mutation of arylsulfatase A (ASA). In order to study the residual arylsulfatase activity in MLD, the two lysosomal isoenzymes, ASA and ASB, were purified from human liver and a specific antiserum to ASA prepared. The IgG fraction of the antiserum was covalently bound to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. Liver homogenates from normal and MLD patients as well as purified ASA gave an identical precipitin line when examined by double gel diffusion. The ASA activity of the preparations was determined and were then adsorbed with the insoluble anti-ASA antibodies. After adsorption, no crossreacting material with anti-ASA antiserum could be demonstrated. The ASA activity after adsorption was 17% of the original for the normal liver homogenate, 9% for the purified ASA, and 98.5% for the MLD liver homogenate. When purified normal ASA and ASB activities were determined, the ASB was found to have residual enzymatic activity (7%) in the A substrate determining assay. A synergistic effect of the normal and mutant ASA on the ASB activity determination assay was also observed. These data indicate that the mutant ASA in late infantile MLD has no enzymatic activity and the residual “A-like” activity is secondary to the ASB isoenzyme. Further studies are needed to determine whether or not the B isoenzyme in this form of MLD is enzymatically and antigenically identical to the normal B.