cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2272: Survivin and acetylated Survivin predict outcome in breast cancer and correlate separately with a basal-like and luminal-type expression profile

Background: Basal-like breast cancer is a highly aggressive breast tumor subtype associated with an adverse prognosis for which biologic therapies are not available. These tumors have a distinct molecular profile characterized by an absence of estrogen receptor expression, absence of HER2 amplification, and positive expression of EGFR and/or cytokeratin (CK) 5/6. The object of this study was to evaluate the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Survivin in basal-like breast cancer and compare it with other molecular subtypes. Our laboratory recently identified that post-translational modification of Survivin by acetylation (Ac) at Lys-129 regulates its export from the nucleus and therefore its anti-apoptotic function. In an effort to understand the expression profile of Survivin and Ac-Survivin in breast tumors, we developed an antibody to the Ac Lys-129 residue. Methods: 4 μM sections of 238 consecutive grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma cases, arranged on 15 tissue microarrays were stratified into 67 luminal (ER+), 66 HER2 positive (HER2+), 93 basal-like (ER-, HER2-, CK5/6+ and/or EGFR+), and 12 ER-/HER2-/CK5/6-/EGFR- carcinomas. TMAs were immunostained with a rabbit polyclonal Survivin antibody generated to the Lys-129 acetylated residue, a full-length (FL) rabbit polyclonal Survivin antibody (NB-500-201), or normal rabbit serum control. Tumors were scored semiquantitatively and compared with recurrence-free (RF) and overall survival (OS) and with expression of ER, PR, HER2, CK 5/6, and EGFR. Results: In all breast carcinomas examined, FL-Survivin and Ac-Survivin had a predominantly nuclear localization pattern. Ac-Survivin was also expressed in the nucleus of normal breast epithelium. RF (70%) and OS (90%) for FL-Survivin low tumors was significantly better than for tumors with strong FL-Survivin expression (40% and 70%, respectively) at 10 yrs, p = 0.02. By contrast, strong expression of Ac-Survivin was associated with improved RF (70% vs. 40%) and OS (85% vs. 75%), p = 0.03. Molecular subset analyses showed that FL-Survivin expression was associated with a basal-like expression profile, while Ac-Survivin expression was associated with a luminal-type profile, p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2272. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2272
Investigation of relative effects of mass and damping in vortex-induced vibration of a circular cylinder

Abstract An experimental study of vortex-induced vibration of a circular cylinder was conducted in a unique experimental facility especially designed for low mass and low damping. In this low mass-damping regime, two separate regions of the high amplitude response curve were identified, which we label “upper” and “lower” branches of response. A systematic study including twelve responses was performed to determine the effect of separately varying the nondimensional mass and varying the nondimensional damping. It seems apparent over the range of our present investigation that the mass - damping (the product of mass and damping) collapses well the amplitude of response, indicating two distinct amplitude curves, rather than the single, unique relationship previously supposed.
QEPCAD B: a program for computing with semi-algebraic sets using CADs

This report introduces QEPCAD, B, a program for computing with real algebraic sets using cylindrical algebraic decomposition (CAD). QEPCAD B both extends and improves upon the QEPCAD system for quantifier elimination by partial cylindrical algebraic decomposition written by Hoon Hong in the early 1990s. This paper briefly discusses some of the improvements in the implementation of CAD and quantifier elimination via CAD, and provides somewhat more detail on extensions to the system that go beyond quantifier elimination. The author is responsible for most of the extended features of QEPCAD B, but improvements to the basic CAD implementation and to the SACLIB library on which QEPCAD is based are the results of many people's work, including: George E. Collins, Mark J. Encarnacion, Hoon Hong, Jeremy Johnson, Werner Krandick, Richard Liska, Scott McCallum, Nicolas Robidoux, and Stanly Steinberg. Source code, documentation and installation instructions for QEPCAD B are all available at www.cs.usna.edu/~qepcad.
On the choice of a consensus distribution in Bayesian analysis

Abstract Four methods of arriving at a consensus distribution in Bayesian analysis are described (weighted-average, natural-conjugate, feedback and reassessment, and group reassessment). The weighted-average and natural-conjugate methods are compared empirically in probability choice and generation models. The use of the weighted-average method was more frequent and its use increased in the presence of high variance among experts' judgments. The cognitive abilities, tolerances for ambiguity, and risk-taking propensities of the subjects were not related to their choices of a consensus distribution. Implications for future research are drawn.
Visual detection of aperiodic spatial stimuli by probability summation among narrowband channels

Abstract Recent psychophysical results of Shapley and Tolhurst and of Kulikowski and King-Smith have suggested that the visual system contains broadband channels like “edge detectors” and “line detectors” as well as relatively narrowband “spatial frequency” channels. These recent results (including thresholds for aperiodic stimuli) can be completely explained using only relatively narrowband channels with probability summation among them. This explanation requires many fewer free parameters than the original explanation based on both broadband and narrowband channels. The bandwidths of the individual narrowband channels can be estimated and are similar to those previously estimated from sine-wave summation experiments.
An evaluation of federal reserve forecasting: Reply*

This paper explains why Jansen and Kishan (1996) and Joutz and Stekler differ in their evaluation of Federal Reserve forecasts. We show that these differences are due to differences in the data employed in the two papers, and point out some features of the raw data.
Natural background and pollution levels of some heavy metals in soils from the area of Dayton, Ohio

In a reconnaissance study, trace amounts of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were determined in “A-zone” soil from 22 locations in the Dayton, Ohio, area. Soil samples were collected at high-volume air monitoring sites in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Measurable amounts of the elements were found in all of the samples. Positive correlations occur between each metal and particulate matter, with correlation coefficients of aboutr=0.70, at the 99% confidence level. Natural background values for the elements were measured in soil from rural areas. Theoretical background values, which are very close to those measured, were calculated from the individual regression equations. Natural background levels do not exceed 1.00 ppm Cd, 15 ppm Cu, 25 ppm Pb, and 55 ppm Zn. The heavy metal contents of most soils in the area exceed background by factors of up to 3.0 for Cd, up to 4.5 for Cu, up to 11 for Pb, and up to 4.5 for Zn.
A theorem on swirl loss in propeller wakes

method for the 3.5-ft guide surface drogue and 15-ft ribbon parachute. This eliminated the costly ball-lock load plate, and allowed staging by severing a double 5000-lb braided Kevlar pucker cord with a cable cutter fired by the clock timer in the vehicle. The deceleration record from the second drop is shown in Fig. 2. The positive load peaks shown in Fig. 2 are due to the aft parachute load force along the vehicle axis. The velocity decay with time after release, as obtained from phototheodolite tracking cameras, is shown in Fig. 3. Pointmass theoretical trajectory data shown as circles agree well with the diamond-shaped marks for the tracking data.
Prescription and practice: Motivations behind change in news discourse

The use of sentence-initial connectives (and, but) in written discourse historically has been disfavored, including by newspaper copy editors who delete them. This article describes changes in the frequency and use of sentence-initial connectives in news stories over the course of the twentieth century, from their relative absence to a semi-conventionalized frequency of use. Connectives have both referential (or semantic) meaning and functional (or pragmatic) meaning, the latter especially associated with spoken discourse. Using data from one community, I show how connectives in sentence-initial position have come to be used by reporters to meet profession-specific communicative functions that override other prescriptive considerations. These functions are mostly pragmatic, rather than semantic, and include goals that are both interactional (managing the interlocutorial distance between reporter and reader, by invoking spoken discourse norms) and structural (delimiting text categories or genres of journalism, and creating coherence in news narratives).
Amyloid β‐Peptide Induces Cell Monolayer Albumin Permeability, Impairs Glucose Transport, and Induces Apoptosis in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Amyloid beta-peptide (A beta) is deposited as insoluble fibrils in the brain parenchyma and cerebral blood vessels in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition to neuronal degeneration, cerebral vascular alterations indicative of damage to vascular endothelial cells and disruption of the blood-brain barrier occur in AD. Here we report that A beta25-35 can impair regulatory functions of endothelial cells (ECs) from porcine pulmonary artery and induce their death. Subtoxic exposures to A beta25-35 induced albumin transfer across EC monolayers and impaired glucose transport into ECs. Cell death induced by A beta25-35 was of an apoptotic form, characterized by DNA condensation and fragmentation, and prevented by inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis and endonucleases. The effects of A beta25-35 were specific because A beta1-40 also induced apoptosis in ECs with the apoptotic cells localized to the microenvironment of A beta1-40 aggregates and because astrocytes did not undergo similar changes after exposure to A beta25-35. Damage and death of ECs induced by A beta25-35 were attenuated by antioxidants, a calcium channel blocker, and a chelator of intracellular calcium, indicating the involvement of free radicals and dysregulation of calcium homeostasis. The data show that A beta induces increased permeability of EC monolayers to macromolecules, impairs glucose transport, and induces apoptosis. If similar mechanisms are operative in vivo, then A beta and other amyloidogenic peptides may be directly involved in vascular EC damage documented in AD and other disorders that involve vascular amyloid accumulation.
Segmental dynamics of forward fall arrests: A system identification approach

Abstract Background Fall-related injuries are multifaceted problems. One approach to identify the critical biomechanical factors is biodynamic simulation. Methods A 2-degree-of-freedom discrete impact model was constructed through system identification and validated using experimental data in order to understand the dynamic interactions of various biomechanical parameters in bimanual forward fall arrests. Findings The bimodal reaction force responses from the identified models had very small identification errors ( R 2 = 0.95) between the measured and identified model responses. Model validation with separate experimental data also demonstrated excellent validation accuracy and coherence, less than 7% errors and R 2 = 0.87, respectively. The first force peak was usually greater than the second force peak and strongly correlated with the impact velocity of the upper extremity, while the second force peak was associated with the impact velocity of the body. The impact velocity of the upper extremity relative to the body could be a major risk factor to fall-related injuries as observed from model simulations that a 75% faster arm movement relative to the falling speed of the body alone could double the first force peak from that of a soft landing, thereby readily exceeding the fracture strength of the distal radius. Interpretation Despite the time-critical nature of falling often calling for a rapid arm movements, the safe use of the upper extremity in forward fall arrests requires adequate reaction times and coordinated protective motions of the upper extremity.
Rapid Plant Community Response to a Water Level Peak in Northern Lake Huron Coastal Wetlands

Abstract Aquatic plants were sampled in five coastal wetlands of northern Lake Huron during July 1996, 1997, and 1998. Mean annual water levels of Lake Huron changed during this period from 176.37 m (below the long-term average) in January 1996 to above average water levels of 176.83 m in July 1996 to 177.19 m in July 1997 and then declined to 176.88 m by July 1998. Boundaries of plant zones as indicated by distribution of the 1–3 dominant species along permanently established transect points across the wetland did not shift spatially over this 3-year period. Instead, relative abundance (percent of total stems per three 0.25 m 2 quadrats per plot) and presence/absence of plant species responded individually to water level changes within major zones. In 1996, the first season sampled, the wet meadow had recently been inundated by rising water level. In 1997, after more than a year of above average and rising water levels, emergent stem densities were reduced in the Carex/Calamagrostis (sedge/blue-joint) dominated wet meadow and mixed transition sedge, narrow-leafed cattail, and hardstem bulrush ( Carex, Typha angustifolia , and Schoenoplectus acutus ) dominated zones compared to stem densities in 1996. Stem densities remained low in 1998, even though water levels dropped 31 cm from 1997 levels. The relative dominance (% of stems/3 quadrats/plot) and presence/absence of some plant species changed rapidly in the wet meadow zone in response to increases in water levels in 1997 and to decreases in water levels in 1998. In contrast, changes in emergent species were minimal in the deeper emergent zone dominated by hardstem bulrush. We conclude that temporary flooding and drying in response to water level changes are critical to maintaining a diverse arrray of plant species in the wet meadow zones of these marshes. Furthermore, short-term water level changes do not affect the relative spatial position of major plant zones within the marsh nor the relative abundance of emergent species in the deepest zone.
Properties of morphotropic phase boundary lead barium niobate (PBN) compositions

Abstract Investigations of the polarization mechanisms in tungsten bronze ferroelectric, Pb1−xBaxNb2O6, in particular of the morphotropic phase boundary compositions, have been carried out for both ceramics and bulk crystals by means of electrical, optical, and electron microscopic methods. It is demonstrated by optical conoscopic interference figure that electric field can switch the crystal from one ferroelectric phase to the other for compositions close to the morphotropic phase boundary. A TEM study in the temperature range from—180°C to room temperature revealed the presence of ferroelectric domains and discommensurate structures associated with octahedral rotations in the PBN crystals and ceramics. In the light of above observed experimental data, the polarization mechanisms of the morphotropic phase boundary compositions are discussed.
Housing rehabilitation in Bruges

Bruges, along with several other Belgian communities, was declared a pilot city for housing rehabilitation by the Belgian government. This took place in 1973, yet only desultory action was taken in upgrading housing, owing to insufficient budgeting for the programme and a lack of a clear-cut policy by the planners in the national government. Accordingly, it was not until 1979-1980 that a housingimprovement programme came into being in Bruges; yet, to a large extent this programme was launched by the city rather than by the central government. Only since 1983, when the Revitalisation Area Programme was initiated through the Region of Flanders, did the proposed 1973 national housingrehabilitation programme really get under way. The purpose of this paper is to provide an examination of the salient features of the two housing programmes presently in place in Bruges, a city which, like York and Chichester, has a rich architecture and tradition going back many centuries. It is hoped that, with the information presented in this paper, the reader will gain some insight into two instructive and interesting approaches to revitalising a charming, and, in many respects, unique town.
An 8–14 Micron Infrared Astronomical Photometer

A system for measurement of 8-14 µ infrared emission from extra-terrestrial objects is described. The photometric system utilizes a mercury-doped germanium detector cooled to liquid hydrogen temperature to achieve increased sensitivity in this spectral region. A method is presented for minimizing the problem of atmospheric and component emission. The system has been used to measure the radiation from the star α Orionis, from the unilluminated moon, and from several planets.
Observations and models of the energy flux from the wind to mixed-layer inertial currents

Abstract Observations of wind stress, upper-ocean currents, and stratification from a mooring at 10 ∘ N in the Pacific are used along with two different one-dimensional mixed-layer models to investigate the horizontal kinetic energy (KE) balance for inertial motions in the mixed-layer. Results from four other sites spanning 25 ∘ N to 60 ∘ N in the Atlantic also are presented. Determining the work done by the wind on the ocean during strong resonant forcing events is of particular interest. The damped-slab mixed-layer model used in previous studies is appealing for this purpose, since it is possible to estimate the wind work using only the wind stress, prescribed mixed-layer depth, and an empirical damping constant. However, it is found that this model, which does not allow for interaction between the mixed-layer and the stratified water column below, does not reproduce the observed KE balance for strong forcing events and systematically over-estimates the wind work. A slightly more sophisticated model, which includes a shear instability mechanism to facilitate momentum transfer between the mixed-layer and a transition layer below, reproduces the observed KE balance and the cumulative wind work much more accurately. Mixed-layer inertial currents unrelated to wind forcing (e.g., due to upward propagating internal waves) are found in the observations, but are not accounted for in either model. When wind forcing is relatively weak, these background currents may be of comparable amplitude to wind-forced currents, and can have a significant impact on the inertial response.
PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS IN APPENDICECTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE DOUBLE BLIND RANDOMIZED STUDY

Our double blind prospective randomized trial comparing intravenous cefoxitin with rectal metronidazole in appendicectomy reveals both groups to be similar regarding basic data, with no significant difference in the results between the two drugs. Nearly all the wound infections occurred after the patient went home. Most were minor infections and the overall infection rate was 6%. The intravenous route was the more certain but the more expensive. Bacteriology suggests that the same flora were present in the appendiceal wall of normal and acute non-perforated appendices. This would suggest bacteriologically that the same risks exist with non-inflamed appendicectomy as occurs with inflamed non-perforated appendices. These findings support the use of short course prophylaxis in appendicectomy.
Open-door cervical expansile laminoplasty.

CERVICAI LAMINOPLASTY IS becoming a popular technique for the treatment of cervical myelopathy that is the result of multilevel canal stenosis. May variations in this technique, which was originally created in Japan, have been developed, all with the goal of increasing canal space and reconstructing the posterior bony arch. We describe our exterisive experience with this procedure for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Oxidation of cobalt and manganese in seawater via a common microbially catalyzed pathway

Abstract Cobalt and manganese uptake onto suspended particles was studied in waters collected from Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts and the upper water column of the Sargasso Sea using radiotracers, coupled with protocols used previously for Mn and Ce to distinguish biological and redox processes. Cobalt uptake onto suspended particles in Waquiot Bay was dominated by microbial oxidation. Moreover, there was a close relationship between Mn(II) and Co(II) oxidation, with Mn(II) specific rates approximately 7–10x faster. Oxidation of each element obeys Michaelis Menten kinetics, with identifical values of Km in a given sample and values of Vmax are 7× higher for Mn. Lineweaver-Burk plots, generated from saturation plots for Co and Mn oxidation at different Mn and Co concentrations, demonstrated competitive inhibition between Co and Mn. The results indicate that both elements are co-oxidized via the same microbial catalytic pathway, and that this is probably an important mechanism for the incorporation of Co into marine Mn oxides. In the Sargasso Sea, by contrast, Mn and Co uptake onto suspended particles were completely decoupled. Cobalt uptake was nonoxidative, biologically mediated, and enhanced by low to moderate levels of light. It is probably due primarily to uptake by phytoplankton. Manganese uptake was almost exclusively oxidative and was inhibited by light even at low intensities. The differences probably reflect a higher biological demand for Co in the Sargasso Sea (Co is a biologically essential element), where Co concentrations are low, and lower activity of Mn oxidizing bacteria. Results suggest that higher specific uptake rates of Co than Mn by phytoplankton in oceanic regimes could result in Co having a geochemistry intermediate between Mn and a more nutrient-type element, such as Zn. Nevertheless, Co and Mn cycling are expected to be closely coupled in regions of high microbial Mn oxidizing activity.
Design optimisation of tapered thin-walled square tubes

This paper presents a crashworthiness optimum design of the tapered thin-walled tubes with square cross sections. In this study, three design variables that fully describe the tapered thin-walled square beam's geometry are optimised to maximise the beam's energy absorption capability during crashes. The specific energy absorption (SEA) and the ratio between the average and maximum crushing forces (F avg/F max), which is also referred to as the ‘crush force efficiency’, are considered as objective functions separately. During the optimisation, the objective of SEA and F avg/F max are formulated using the response surface method as function of the design variables. Optimal designs are decided based on the developed RS models for each design objective, and the results show that the optimised design variable values are same for both design objectives. Therefore, in such crashworthiness design of tapered square tubes, either SEA or F avg/F max can be considered as the design objective. After obtaining the opti...
Capillary Permeability to Macromolecules

Small infusions of dextran fractions having average molecular weights ranging from 10,600 to 412,000 yield plasma to lymph concentration ratios which are directly proportional to molecular weight. The concentration gradient for a specific molecular weight, however, decreases as the volume of infusion is increased. This volume effect, explained in terms of stretching of capillary pores, consequently provides less resistance to the passage of macromolecules through the capillary wall. The significance of these results in terms of the conventional pore theory of capillary permeability is discussed.
Noise reduction in space charge limited thermionic diodes

Theoretical studies of the space charge reduction of noise in a thermionic diode predict a much greater suppression of the low frequency shot noise than is actually observed. A lower limit to the observed reduction of the shot noise is proposed to be due to modulation of the diode spacing by thermal elastic fluctuations in the length of the cathode. Combining the classical Langmuir diode and Debye vibrational theories, yields results that agree quantitatively with experiment. The theory makes a number of predictions as to how the measured space charge reduction factor varies with the relevant parameters, which need to be verified.
Public Assessments of Gubernatorial Performance A Comparative State Analysis

Scholarly attention to public evaluations of governors has focused almost exclusively on individual voting decisions. Such an approach has allowed scholars to identify the factors that lead voters to support and oppose incumbent governors. However, such analyses deal with assessments of governors solely at election time, potentially overlooking some factors that influence assessments of governors and overstating others. The authors develop a model of public approval of gubernatorial performance and test it on a cross-section of governors. Their results suggest that only in an election year does the public hold the governor responsible for having presided over tax increases. Similarly, only in an election period does a strong institutional power base result in higher approval ratings for governors. Outside of the campaign context, neither tax increases nor institutional power makes a dent in governors' job ratings.
The haploinsufficient hematopoietic microenvironment is critical to the pathological fracture repair in murine models of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Germline mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene cause neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a complex genetic disorder with a high predisposition of numerous skeletal dysplasias including short stature, osteoporosis, kyphoscoliosis, and fracture non-union (pseudoarthrosis). We have developed murine models that phenocopy many of the skeletal dysplasias observed in NF1 patients, including reduced bone mass and fracture non-union. We also show that the development of these skeletal manifestations requires an Nf1 haploinsufficient background in addition to nullizygous loss of Nf1 in mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) and/or their progenies. This is replicated in two animal models of NF1, PeriCre+;Nf1flox/− and Col2.3Cre+;Nf1flox/−mice. Adoptive transfer experiments demonstrate a critical role of the Nf1+/− marrow microenvironment in the impaired fracture healing in both models and adoptive transfer of WT bone marrow cells improves fracture healing in these mice. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a non-cell autonomous mechanism in non-malignant NF1 manifestations. Collectively, these data provide evidence of a combinatory effect between nullizygous loss of Nf1 in osteoblast progenitors and haploinsufficiency in hematopoietic cells in the development of non-malignant NF1 manifestations.
Multiple embryonic benzodiazepine binding sites: evidence for functionality.

Abstract We have found high-affinity binding (site-A) and low-affinity binding (site-B) of benzodiazepines to membrane homogenates of embryonic chick brain and spinal cord. A new technique was developed to permit the determination of complete electrophysiological dose-response curves on single neurons in cell culture, eliminating cell-to-cell variability as a problem that complicates the interpretation of pooled data. The electrophysiological potencies and binding affinities of a series of benzodiazepines correlate well for site-A but not for site-B or the micromolar site reported in adult rat brain. Site-A and the electrophysiological response are sensitive to photoaffinity blockade with flunitrazepam (FNZM) by about 75% while site-B is resistant to blockade. The FNZM-photolinked benzodiazepine receptor/GABA receptor complex is not chronically potentiated and thus exists in an ‘unpotentiated’ state. These experiments suggest that site-A in embryonic CNS membranes corresponds to a functional benzodiazepine receptor/GABA receptor complex in spinal cord cell cultures.
Stability, sensitivity and selectivity of tungsten trioxide films for sensing applications

Abstract The stability, sensitivity and selectivity of r.f. sputtered gold-doped tungsten trioxide (WO3) films for gas-sensing applications have been examined. The WO3 film sensing properties, such as electrical conductivity and carrier type, concentration and mobility, have been measured. It is found that in order to improve the WO3 film stability, sensitivity and response time, it is necessary to subject the as-deposited films to a heat treatment or ‘activation’ process. This process enables concentrations of less than 1 part per billion (ppb) of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in air to be measured reproducibly. The films are exposed to several interferent gases and are found to be weakly sensitive only to hydrogen (H2); however, this is not expected to be problematic in H2S-sensing applications. The presenet work clearly shows that properly treated gold-doped WO3 films are extremely stable, sensitive and selective to H2S gas in the ppb range.
A Survey of Various Encoding Schemes and Associated Placement Algorithms Applied to Packing and Layout Problems

In this paper, we investigate the current state-of-the-art in packing algorithms. The focus of this survey is on the different types of encoding schemes and associated placement techniques used to represent the layout of a set of objects. The encoding schemes are investigated with respect to their suitability to different types of packing problems, specific scenarios where a given representation may outperform others and their limitations. The different types of placement algorithms that can be used with a given encoding are described. Some common desirable characteristics that an encoding scheme should follow are also discussed. Finally a qualitative comparison of the various encoding schemes is presented to help in selecting a specific representation based on a set of criteria.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Fetal Drug Exposure and Its Possible Implications for Learning in the Preschool and School-Age Population

For the past 5 years there has been an exponential increase in the use of cocaine, phenylcyclidine hydrochloride (PCP), and other central nervous system (CNS) active drugs. A significant amount of this accelerated usage is in sexually active females, resulting in some urban hospitals reporting positive drug screens in over 16% of the infants born on their busy obstetrical service. There is a growing body of data showing that fetal exposure to cocaine, phenylcyclidine hydrochloride (PCP), and other CNS-active drugs results in infants and children with abnormal brain wave patterns, short-term neurologic signs, depression of interactive behavior, and poor organizational responses to environmental stimuli. Whether such neurologic findings will translate into a significant number of children with learning and behavioral problems needs to be the focus of long-term longitudinal studies of children with fetal drug exposure to cocaine, PCP, and other CNS-active drugs.
A comparative study of H+ and Li+ interactions with oxygen bases

Abstract Ab initio SCF calculations have been performed to investigate the structural and electronic features of the interactions of H + and Li + with the oxygen bases H 2 CO and OH − . The data indicate that the OH interactions are primarily covalent while the LiO interactions are primarily electrostatic, although the LiO interaction in LiOH has considerable covalent character.
Implementation of microwave transmissions for rocket plume diagnostics

This paper presents an experiment that relates the electron number density of a solid rocket exhaust plume to its propagation constant. Estimated values of the collision frequency and electron number density are taken from a numerical simulation of a rocket plume and are used to guide the design of the experimental apparatus. The apparatus transmits a radio sweep between 4 GHz and 7 GHz through the exhaust plume of a J-class solid rocket motor. Data are range-gated to a 10 cm resolution. Microwave transmissions are used to measure the scattering parameters of the exhaust plume. While diffraction of the transmission around the exhaust makes precise analysis difficult, measurements of the signal attenuation across the plume imply an electron number density between 1014 m-3 and 1015 m-3.
Novel 2,5-Hexanedione Analogues. Substituent-Induced Control of the Protein Cross-Linking Potential and Oxidation Susceptibility of the Resulting Primary Amine-Derived Pyrroles

The neurotoxic γ-diketone, 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD), induces neurofilamentous swellings at prenodal sites in proximal axons as a consequence of pyrrolation of lysine e-amino groups on neurofilament proteins. However, there is disagreement as to whether pyrrole formation and the associated alteration of noncovalent interactions is sufficient to cause neurofilament accumulation, or whether pyrrole autoxidation and subsequent protein−protein cross-linking is an obligatory event. To investigate γ-diketones that might form pyrroles inert to autoxidative-induced cross-linking, we synthesized 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,5-hexanedione, 3-(trifluoromethyl)-2,5-hexanedione (3-TFMHD), and two 3-(dialkylaminocarbonyl)-2,5-diketones and assessed their rates of pyrrole formation with amines, the oxidation susceptibility of the resulting pyrroles, and the protein cross-linking potential in vitro, relative to those of 3-methyl-2,5-hexanedione. 1,1,1-Trifluoro-2,5-hexanedione does not form pyrroles, but the three 2,5-HD analogues w...
Therapeutic Hypothermia on Its 10th Anniversary: Is it Time to Turn the Thermostat Down?

It has been 10 years since 2 seminal articles reported a dramatic improvement in survival and neurological outcome of comatose survivors from out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest (CA) with postresuscitative therapeutic hypothermia (TH).1,2 These exciting findings came after many years of resuscitation research that failed to yield a breakthrough therapy substantially advancing the outcome of CA victims. The results sparked a new enthusiasm in resuscitation research and launched multiple initiatives to bring this method to practice. Surprisingly, the protocol used in these studies was very simple: induce TH to between 32°C and 34°C and maintain it for 12 to 24 hours. The obvious simplicity and the apparent lack of need for sophisticated equipment made the technique very appealing. It was readily adopted in the both 2005 and 2010 resuscitation guidelines and soon started to be implemented worldwide. Article see p 2826 These findings were not surprising to those who closely followed resuscitation literature. In fact, hypothermia has been used for CA survivors and other critically ill patients for decades.3 To our knowledge, the initial series of TH applied to victims of CA of various origins (anaphylactic shock, respiratory failure, and trauma) was published in 1958.4 Surprisingly, the target temperatures and duration of cooling (30–34°C for 24–72 hours) closely resembled current recommendations (32–34°C for 12–24 hours). In 1959, Benson et al5 reported the first case series of in-hospital CA patients. Their data revealed favorable neurological recovery in 50% of patients treated with hypothermia versus 14% in those treated with normothermia. In 1964, TH was already endorsed by Safar in his first “ABCs of resuscitation.”6 However, variable use of hypothermia, being implemented at levels ≤30°C or for prolonged durations, was associated with adverse effects that stalled the future developments.7 On the other hand, experimental …
Mortality of resprouting chaparral shrubs after a fire and during a record drought: physiological mechanisms and demographic consequences

We examined postfire regeneration of chaparral shrubs during an intense drought. This study focused on the demography and physiology of shrub species that resprout from a basal lignotuber following fire. We found significant levels of resprout mortality when intense drought occurred in the year following fire during the period of shrub recovery. Three of the seven sampled resprouting species had the greatest or near greatest levels of mortality ever recorded when compared to previous studies. Most shrub mortality occurred during the drought after individuals had resprouted (i.e. individuals survived fire, resprouted and then subsequently died). Physiological measurements of species with high mortality suggested that resprout stems were highly embolized and xylem hydraulic conductivities were close to zero during the peak of the drought. In addition, lignotubers of two of the three species experiencing high mortality were depleted of starch. Population densities of most shrub species declined after the drought compared with their prefire levels, with the exception of one drought tolerant obligate seeding species. Resprouting shrub species may deplete their carbohydrate reserves during the resprouting process, making them particularly vulnerable to drought because of the need to transpire water to acquire the CO2 that is used to supply energy to a large respiring root system. Drought appears to interact with fire by altering postfire shrub recovery and altering species abundances and composition of chaparral communities.
Electronic Ballast Control IC With Digital Phase Control and Lamp Current Regulation

A digital control architecture is presented for electronic ballasts that provides a phase sweep for reliable, soft lamp ignition and a smooth transition to lamp current regulation mode. The controller is based on an inner phase loop for fast regulation of the resonant tank operating point and an outer current loop for lamp current regulation. The inner loop operates on a simple digital control law that computes the required gate timing relative to the inductor current positive zero crossing. Phase control provides reliable drive of the resonant converter in the presence of large dynamic changes in the load impedance during lamp ignition and warm up and natural tracking of component variations with temperature and time. The primarily digital approach provides programmability for broad application, insensitivity to process and temperature variations, realization in low cost CMOS processes and few external components. Experimental results are presented for an integrated ballast controller fabricated in a 0.8 mum CMOS process used in a 400 W, 150 kHz HID electronic ballast.
Protecting Rhode Island's coastal salt ponds: An economic assessment of downzoning

Abstract In southern Rhode Island, there is growing concern that housing and recreational demands will soon overwhelm the capacity of the coastal salt ponds to absorb wastes, produce seafood, and maintain scenic qualities. As a result, coastal towns have been studying the feasibility of using land controls such as downzoning to protect these coastal amenities. The paper presents an economic analysis of the downzoning program proposed in the town of South Kingstown. Hedonic price and contingent valuation methods are used to value coastal amenities. The estimated net present value of “swimmable” water is shown to be $3.1 million.
Predicting rates of cell state change caused by stochastic fluctuations using a data-driven landscape model

We develop a potential landscape approach to quantitatively describe experimental data from a fibroblast cell line that exhibits a wide range of GFP expression levels under the control of the promoter for tenascin-C. Time-lapse live-cell microscopy provides data about short-term fluctuations in promoter activity, and flow cytometry measurements provide data about the long-term kinetics, because isolated subpopulations of cells relax from a relatively narrow distribution of GFP expression back to the original broad distribution of responses. The landscape is obtained from the steady state distribution of GFP expression and connected to a potential-like function using a stochastic differential equation description (Langevin/Fokker–Planck). The range of cell states is constrained by a force that is proportional to the gradient of the potential, and biochemical noise causes movement of cells within the landscape. Analyzing the mean square displacement of GFP intensity changes in live cells indicates that these fluctuations are described by a single diffusion constant in log GFP space. This finding allows application of the Kramers’ model to calculate rates of switching between two attractor states and enables an accurate simulation of the dynamics of relaxation back to the steady state with no adjustable parameters. With this approach, it is possible to use the steady state distribution of phenotypes and a quantitative description of the short-term fluctuations in individual cells to accurately predict the rates at which different phenotypes will arise from an isolated subpopulation of cells.
Harnessing the Undiscovered Resource of Student Research Projects.

This article suggests that undergraduate research can help advance the science of psychology. We introduce a hypothetical “question-list paradigm” as a mechanism to do this. Each year, thousands of undergraduate projects are completed as part of the educational experience. Although many of these studies may not contain sufficient contributions for publication, they provide a good test of the replicability of established findings across populations at different institutions and geographic locations. Thus, these projects could meet the needs of recent calls for increased replications of psychological studies while simultaneously benefiting the student researchers, their instructors, and the field in general.
Thermal-relaxation studies of the stability of amorphous structures in zirconium-based superconducting alloys

The superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ of amorphous ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{2}X (X=\mathrm{C}\mathrm{o},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{N}\mathrm{i},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{d})$ and ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{3}X (X=\mathrm{N}\mathrm{i},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{d},\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{h})$ alloys annealed isothermally below their crystallization temperatures is studied as a function of annealing time (up to \ensuremath{\sim} 20-100 h). Upon annealing, ${T}_{c}$ is always found to decrease below its value in the as-quenched state. The major portion of ${T}_{c}$ depression is attributed to the relaxation of "quenched-in" strains. Alloys of ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{2}$Co, ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{2}$Ni, ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{2}$Pd, and ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{3}$Rh which undergo polymorphous crystallization ($P$ alloys) show trends of saturation in ${T}_{c}$. On the other hand, for ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{3}$Ni and ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{3}$Pd alloys which crystallize eutectically ($E$ alloys), saturation in ${T}_{c}$ is only observed at relatively low annealing temperatures over rather short intervals of annealing time. The results are attributed to the stability and instability of the "equilibrium" amorphous structures in the $P$ and $E$ alloys, respectively. It is conjectured that instability in the $E$ alloys leads to initial microscopic phase separation, the homogeneity of which is evidenced by results on transition width and flux pinning measurements. All homogeneous samples exhibit very weak flux-pinning force of about ${10}^{4}$ N/${\mathrm{m}}^{3}$ at 1.5 K. Prolonged annealing of $E$ alloys leads to eutectic decomposition. Predictions derived from a simple "proximity-effect" model are consistent with the present findings.
An overview of the SR language and implementation

SR is a language for programming distributed systems ranging from operating systems to application programs. On the basis of our experience with the initial version, the language has evolved considerably. In this paper we describe the current version of SR and give an overview of its implementation. The main language constructs are still resources and operations. Resources encapsulate processes and variables that they share; operations provide the primary mechanism for process interaction. One way in which SR has changed is that both resources and processes are now created dynamically. Another change is that inheritance is supported. A third change is that the mechanisms for operation invocation—call and send—and operation implementation—proc and in—have been extended and integrated. Consequently, all of local and remote procedure call, rendezvous, dynamic process creation, asynchronous message passing, multicast, and semaphores are supported. We have found this flexibility to be very useful for distributed programming. Moreover, by basing SR on a small number of well-integrated concepts, the language has proved easy to learn and use, and it has a reasonably efficient implementation.
ICICLES: Self-Tuning Samples for Approximate Query Answering

Approximate query answering systems provide very fast alternatives to OLAP systems when applications are tolerant to small errors in query answers. Current sampling-based approaches to approximately answer aggregate queries over foreign key joins suffer from the following drawback. All tuples in relations are deemed equally important for answering queries even though, in reality, OLAP queries exhibit locality in their data access. Consequently, they may waste precious real estate by sampling tuples that are not required at all or required very rarely. In this paper, we introduce icicles, a new class of samples that tune themselves to a dynamic workload. Intuitively, the probability of a tuple being present in an icicle is proportional to its importance for answering queries in the workload. Therefore, an icicle consists of more tuples from a subset of the relation that is required to answer more queries in the workload. Consequently, the accuracy of approximate answers obtained by using icicles is better than a static uniform random sample. We show, analytically, that for a certain class of queries reflected by the workload, icicles yield more accurate answers. In a detailed experimental study, we examine the validity and performance of icicles.
Norms of Sums of Squares

Abstract For a finite separable extension K/F of fields of characteristic not 2, the norm of a sum of 2 n squares in K is a sum of 2 n squares in F . We find explicit identities.
Molecular Analysis of the In Situ Growth Rates of Subsurface Geobacter Species

Molecular tools that can provide an estimate of the in situ growth rate of Geobacter species could improve understanding of dissimilatory metal reduction in a diversity of environments. Whole-genome microarray analyses of a subsurface isolate of Geobacter uraniireducens, grown under a variety of conditions, identified a number of genes that are differentially expressed at different specific growth rates. Expression of two genes encoding ribosomal proteins, rpsC and rplL, was further evaluated with quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) in cells with doubling times ranging from 6.56 h to 89.28 h. Transcript abundance of rpsC correlated best (r(2) = 0.90) with specific growth rates. Therefore, expression patterns of rpsC were used to estimate specific growth rates of Geobacter species during an in situ uranium bioremediation field experiment in which acetate was added to the groundwater to promote dissimilatory metal reduction. Initially, increased availability of acetate in the groundwater resulted in higher expression of Geobacter rpsC, and the increase in the number of Geobacter cells estimated with fluorescent in situ hybridization compared well with specific growth rates estimated from levels of in situ rpsC expression. However, in later phases, cell number increases were substantially lower than predicted from rpsC transcript abundance. This change coincided with a bloom of protozoa and increased attachment of Geobacter species to solid phases. These results suggest that monitoring rpsC expression may better reflect the actual rate that Geobacter species are metabolizing and growing during in situ uranium bioremediation than changes in cell abundance.