cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonmyofilament‐associated troponin T3 nuclear and nucleolar localization sequence and leucine zipper domain mediate muscle cell apoptosis

Troponin T (TnT) plays a major role in striated muscle contraction. We recently demonstrated that the fast skeletal muscle TnT3 isoform is localized in the muscle nucleus, and either its full-length or COOH-terminus leads to muscle cell apoptosis. Here, we further explored the mechanism by which it enters the nucleus and promotes cytotoxicity. Amino acid truncation and substitution showed that its COOH-terminus contains a dominant nuclear/nucleolar localization sequence (KLKRQK) and the basic lysine and arginine residues might play an important role in the nuclear retention and nucleolar enrichment of KLKRQK-DsRed fusion proteins. Deleting this domain or substituting lysine and arginine residues (KLAAQK) resulted in a dramatic loss of TnT3 nuclear and nucleolar localization. In contrast, the GATAKGKVGGRWK domain-DsRed construct localized exclusively in the cytoplasm, indicating that a nuclear exporting sequence is possibly localized in this region. Additionally, we identified a classical DNA-binding leucine zipper domain (LZD) which is conserved among TnT isoforms and species. Deletion of LZD or KLKRQK sequence significantly reduced cell apoptosis compared to full-length TnT3. We conclude that TnT3 contains both a nuclear localization signal and a DNA-binding domain, which may mediate nuclear/nucleolar signaling and muscle cell apoptosis.
Imaging C. elegans embryos using an epifluorescent microscope and open source software.

Cellular processes, such as chromosome assembly, segregation and cytokinesis,are inherently dynamic. Time-lapse imaging of living cells, using fluorescent-labeled reporter proteins or differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, allows for the examination of the temporal progression of these dynamic events which is otherwise inferred from analysis of fixed samples1,2. Moreover, the study of the developmental regulations of cellular processes necessitates conducting time-lapse experiments on an intact organism during development. The Caenorhabiditis elegans embryo is light-transparent and has a rapid, invariant developmental program with a known cell lineage3, thus providing an ideal experiment model for studying questions in cell biology4,5and development6-9. C. elegans is amendable to genetic manipulation by forward genetics (based on random mutagenesis10,11) and reverse genetics to target specific genes (based on RNAi-mediated interference and targeted mutagenesis12-15). In addition, transgenic animals can be readily created to express fluorescently tagged proteins or reporters16,17. These traits combine to make it easy to identify the genetic pathways regulating fundamental cellular and developmental processes in vivo18-21. In this protocol we present methods for live imaging of C. elegans embryos using DIC optics or GFP fluorescence on a compound epifluorescent microscope. We demonstrate the ease with which readily available microscopes, typically used for fixed sample imaging, can also be applied for time-lapse analysis using open-source software to automate the imaging process.
Trabeculectomy with internal tube shunt: a novel glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE To describe a pilot study that evaluates the efficacy and mechanism of action of a new glaucoma operation, trabeculectomy with internal tube shunt. METHODS Twenty-three patients underwent the new operation in one eye for open angle glaucoma. Under a scleral flap, a deep sclerectomy was performed, resulting in an intrascleral lake. Laterally, on both sides, a small silicone tube was placed between the intrascleral lake and the suprachoroidal space. A trabeculectomy stoma and a peripheral iridectomy permitted easy access of aqueous to the tube. Postoperative and preoperative results were analyzed and also compared with results of 45 eyes that underwent a conventional trabeculectomy. RESULTS After a mean follow-up time of 324 days, the mean postoperative IOP was 13.8 mm Hg compared with a preoperative value of 25.4 mm Hg. The mean number of postoperative medications was only 1.1 compared with a preoperative value of 3.0. No significant change in outflow facility was seen. The bleb size was very small. In comparison, in conventional trabeculectomy eyes, the outflow facility and bleb size were significantly larger. CONCLUSION Trabeculectomy with internal tube shunt is very effective in lowering IOP. It is postulated to work, to a large extent, by allowing access of the aqueous humor to the suprachoroidal space where the protein colloid osmotic pressure of uveal blood causes its absorption. This new procedure offers many advantages over other filter procedures and tube shunts.
Are miniature ultrasonic probes of clinical value for diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract diseases

Are miniature ultrasonic probes of clinical value for diagnosis and treatment of digestive tract diseases?
The role of core–valence electron correlation in gallium halides: a comparison of composite methods

The electronic structure and atomization energies of gas phase gallium halides (GaXn where X = F, Cl, Br, and I, and n = 1 … 3) are studied with highly accurate ab initio composite methods. Coupled cluster methodologies up to full hextuples (CCSDTQPH) are used to compute spectroscopic properties of GaF, which are compared with experiment and conventional levels of theory [such as complete basis set CCSD(T)]. An appropriate treatment of core–valence electron correlation is necessary to obtain reasonable geometries and atomization energies. More efficient composite methods such as the correlation consistent Composite Approach (ccCA, ccCA-TM, rp-ccCA) and the Gaussian-n methods [G3, G3(MP2), G4, G4(MP2)] are calibrated to explore application toward large GaXn-containing molecules relevant to catalysis. For the 12 GaXn compounds, ccCA-TM and rp-ccCA with Boys-localized molecular orbitals has a mean absolute deviation of 1.41 kcal mol−1 compared to complete basis set CCSD(T). However, the G3(MP2) method performs better for complexes with the lighter halides. Calibration of GaXn (X = F, Cl, Br, and I; n = 1–3) ab initio atomization energies is useful to improve prediction of ligand binding energies in novel gallium halide-containing catalysts. Inorganic and organometallic complexes with GaXn ligands are extremely difficult to synthesize and characterize. Therefore, rational design based on well-understood theory is essential.
Coherent beam combining of large number of PM fibres in 2-D fibre array

Coherent combining of a record 48 PM fibres in a phased array configuration is reported. The resulting Strehl ratio degrades by 1000 fibres.
PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF ABNORMALITIES OF THE CRANIOSPINAL AXIS (CSA) IN NEWBORNS

A review of the literature revealed 104 cases with dermal defects distributed along the CSA (59% lumbar or lower and 31% occipital). Although at least 41 patients had lesions noted as newborns, only 20 patients were operated on before becoming infected. Ten of the affected children died and 32 had neurologic residua; none of 20 children operated on before becoming infected died or had residua. Adequate incidence and treatment data could not be determined. Term infants born at the UCLA Hosp. from Sept. 1 - Dec. 31, 1973 were examined for abnormalities of the CSA. The CSA of each infant was palpated and inspected (in good light, parting the scalp hair, and using magnification when necessary) from the bridge of the nose bo the anus. Suspicious lesions were photographed, and roentgenographs obtained for presumed sinuses and other selected lesions. One or more suspicious finding was seen in 39 (4.2%) of 834 neonates. These included 16 (1.9%) deep dimples (bottom seen); 14 (1.7%) presumed sinuses (bottom not seen); 6 (.7%) masses; 3 (.35%) skin tags; 2 (.22%) discolorations; and 1 (.12%) abnormal hair. All lesions but one were lumbar or lower. Incidence by sex was equal, and no roentgenographic abnormalities were found. The results show an alarmingly high incidence of abnormalities of the CSA with a surprising paucity of occipital lesions. The significance of these lesions remains to be defined by careful follow-up and surgery in selected cases.
Glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C of Trypanosoma brucei: expression in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC) from Trypanosoma brucei cleaves the glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor of the trypanosome variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) and other GPI structures. We have expressed this enzyme in Escherichia coli , using a protocol designed to produce the native enzyme rather than a fusion protein. We have purified large amounts of GPI-PLC from E. coli membranes, using a single step immunoaffinity technique. The expressed enzyme is identical to its trypanosome counterpart in enzymatic specificity, mobility on SDS-PAGE, and isoelectric point. Recombinant GPI-PLC is a membrane enzyme; it associates with E. coli membranes and, like the T. brucei GPI-PLC, partitions into the detergent phase in Triton X-114 phase separation experiments. The Michaelis constants for the two enzymes are similar (400 nM, with VSG as substrate). The turnover number ( k cat , 72 min −1 ) of the recombinant enzyme (expressed from a T. brucei rhodesiense WRATat 1.1 cDNA) is about one-tenth that of GPI-PLC from T. brucei brucei (ILTat 1.3).
Selenolates as Alternatives to Thiolates for Self-Assembled Monolayers: A SERS Study

To determine whether selenolates are viable alternatives to thiolates for self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), the formation and oxidative stability of monolayers made from diphenyl diselenide (DPDSe)...
Salt: How much less should we eat for health?: Understanding the recent IOM report

We should all eat less salt – but how much less? 1500 milligrams a day has been recommended as a target – but the US Institute of Medicine caused a media storm this spring with a report that did not support this. Nancy R. Cook, a co-author of the report, explains the evidence, and the reasoning.
Drug targeting by retrometabolic design: Soft drugs and chemical delivery systems

One of the most important goals of pharmaceutical research and development is targeted drug delivery, deﬁned as optimization of the therapeutic index by localizing the pharmacological activity of the drug to the site of action. It is important to distinguish this broad deﬁnition as the ability to achieve a desired pharmacological response at a selected site without undesired interaction at other sites from a narrower deﬁnition of the basic targeting concept. Within this narrower deﬁnition, a speciﬁc drug receptor is considered as target, and the objective is to improve ﬁt, afﬁnity, and binding to this receptor that ultimately will trigger the pharmacological activity.
Lee waves in a stratified flow Part 1. Thin barrier

The lee-wave amplitudes and wave drag for a thin barrier in a two-dimensional stratified flow in which the upstream dynamic pressure and density gradient are constant (Long's model) are determined as functions of barrier height and Froude number for a channel of finite height and for a half-space. Variational approximations to these quantities are obtained and validated by comparison with the earlier results of Drazin & Moore (1967) for the channel and with the results of an exact solution for the half-space, as obtained through separation of variables. An approximate solution of the integral equation for the channel also is obtained through a reduction to a singular integral equation of potential theory. The wave drag tends to increase with decreasing wind speed, but it seems likely that the flow is unstable in the region of high drag. The maximum attainable drag coefficient consistent with stable lee-wave formation appears to be roughly two and almost certainly less than three.
Myxoid liposarcoma: magnetic resonance imaging appearances with clinical and histological correlation.

Myxoid liposarcoma is the most common type of liposarcoma. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of this tumor were evaluated and correlated with its clinical and histological features in seven patients to determine under what circumstances the tumor should be considered in differential diagnosis and why its signal intensity differs from those of lipoma and lipoma-like (lipoblastic) liposarcoma. In all patients the tumor presented in a lower extremity (5 thigh, 2 calf) as a painless, slowly growing mass which had been present for several months to several years. MRI examination revealed the tumors to be encapsulated, noninfiltrating, and usually septated. On T1-weighted sequences five of seven lesions (71%) showed lacy, amorphous, or linear foci of high signal within a low signal mass. These foci are believed to represent fat within the tumor and distinguish it from several other benign and malignant masses. If an indolent mass in a lower extremity demonstrates a predomiantly low signal with a few amorphous or linear high signal foci on T1-weighted sequences, one should consider the possibility of myxoid liposarcoma even if it appears benign by all other criteria. Histologic evaluation showed that myxoid liposarcomas contain less than 10% mature fat, which accounts for their low signal on T1-weighted sequences in contrast to the high signal of lipomas and lipoblastic liposarcomas.
Alternative Explanations of Neighborhood Change: An Evaluation of Neighborhood Life-Cycle, Composition, and Arbitrage Models

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to evalute the degree to which three ecological models can predict the direction of neighborhood change. Three models — life-cycle, arbitrage, and composition — are found commonly in the literature on neighborhood change, but each focuses on a different aspect of this process. To date, researchers have evaluated the models individually, but few have compared them. This study uses regression analysis to evaluate the three models using census tract data from Cincinnati, Ohio. The life-cycle model was clearly the most parsimonious model for both upward and downward succession tracts. The arbitrage model had predictive value for upward succession tracts but not downward ones. The composition model was found to have little predictive value. The contributions of each model to the neighborhood change process is discussed.
Cell shape and motility of oligodendrocytes cultured without neurons

Oligodendrocytes, the myelin-forming cells of the central nervous system (CNS), were cultured from newborn rat brain and optic nerve to study how they differentiate in vitro in the absence of neurons. By use of galactocerebroside (GC) as a reference marker, the development of the cell phenotype was studied with video-enhanced differential interference contrast microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. After a few days in culture, oligodendrocytes extend 5 to 10 main processes that are very rich in microtubules, but they did not stain with a monoclonal antibody reacting with all known classes of intermediate filaments. The number of processes can vary with the substrate on which the cells are grown; fewer processes form on laminin than on polylysine coated glass. Oligodendrocytes, in a fashion similar to that of neurons appear to keep their body immobile while the long processes grow. However, while neurons display motile activities mostly at the end of the cell processes called growth cones, the oligodendrocytes display motile, actin rich filopodia and lamellipodia along the entire length of all processes. The outgrowth of motile processes from oligodendrocytes sometimes occurs preferentially towards neighboring astrocytes. Oligodendrocyte processes display intense bidirectional movement of cytoplasmic organelles. Movement of surface components also occurs since GC molecules cross-linked by antibodies move from the processes towards the cell body. Thus, oligodendrocytes cultured without neurons develop on schedule a complex phenotype similar to their in vivo counterpart. In addition, their processes are capable of specific motile activities which may function in vivo to find the target axon and to transport myelin membrane components at the site of myelin assembly.
Second-trimester amniotic fluid or maternal serum interleukin-10 levels and small for gestational age neonates

Objective To evaluate if interleukin-10 levels in either early second-trimester amniotic fluid (AF) or maternal serum can be utilized as a predictor of the subsequent occurrence of small for gestational age (SGA) infants after controlling for gestational age at delivery. Methods We identified patients who underwent genetic amniocentesis for standard genetic indications or maternal blood sampling for maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP)/triple screen between January 1992 and February 1995 with available follow-up delivery data. Small for gestational age was defined as birth weight less than the tenth percentile for gestational age. Control patients were matched for gestational age at delivery, maternal age, race, and parity with at least two controls for each study patient. We excluded patients with maternal immune disease, chronic hypertension, diabetes, asthma, congenital heart disease, multiple gestation, and fetuses with structural or chromosomal anomalies. Second-trimester AF and serum samples were assayed for interleukin-10. Potential confounding variables considered were MSAFP level, smoking history, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and neonatal gender. The interleukin-10 levels were normalized using natural log transformation for statistical analysis. Statistical analysis included χ 2 . Fisher exact test, and analysis of variance, with P Results From the AF data base, 18 patients (6%) delivered SGA neonates and were matched with 46 controls. From the maternal serum data base, 13 patients (7%) delivered SGA neonates and were matched with 45 controls. Neither AF nor maternal serum interleukin-10 levels were significantly different in patients subsequently delivering SGA neonates compared with controls (AF: median 21.0 pg/mL [range 13.8–27.6] versus 17.5 pg/mL [range 8.9–362.12], P = .18; serum: median 15.7 pg/mL [range 9.9–73.5] versus 18.7 pg/mL [range 9.7–71.7], P = .60, respectively). No significant differences were identified in gestational age at sampling, maternal smoking history, pregnancy-induced hypertension, or elevated MSAFP in patients delivering SGA neonates compared with controls ( P > .05 for each). As expected, birth weight was significantly lower in patients delivering SGA neonates compared with controls ( P Conclusion Second-trimester AF or maternal serum interleukin-10 levels are not predictive of subsequent delivery of SGA infants.
The Effect of Cylindrical Ferromagnetic Shells on the Self and Mutual Inductance of Parallel Wires

The effect of ferromagnetic shields on the self and mutual inductances of the wires enclosed by a ferromagnetic shell has been theoretically analyzed. Some theoretical equations based on a simplified model, which assumes that the driving wires and returning wires are located within two separated magnetic shells, are derived. The analysis shows that the effect of the ferromagnetic shells on the inductance of the wires depends strongly on the separation of the two magnetic shells; the closer the two magnetic shells, the stronger the effect. For a configuration of two identical ferromagnetic shells of internal radius 0.65 cm and separated by 10 cm, it is estimated that the self and mutual inductances are increased by about 30 percent for a wire of radius 0.06 cm. The changes of the self and mutual inductances are essentially due to the interactions between the ferromagnetic shells and the induced fields of the current elements.
Measures of Disease Incidence Used in Epidemiologic Research

This paper distinguishes between 2 concepts for measuring the incidence of disease: risk and rate. Alternative procedures for estimating these measures from epidemiologic data are reviewed and illustrated. An attempt is made to integrate statistical principles with epidemiologic methods while minimizing the use of higher mathematics. Several theoretical and practical criteria are discussed for choosing the appropriate incidence measure in the planning of a study and for selecting the best method of estimation in the analysis.
Detection and classification of edges in color images

Up to now, most of the color edge detection methods are monochromatic-based techniques, which produce, in general, better than when traditional gray-value techniques are applied. In this overview, we focus mainly on vector-valued techniques because it is easy to understand how to apply common edge detection schemes to every color component. Opposed to this, vector-valued techniques are new and different. The second part of the article addresses the topic of edge classification. While edges are often classified into step edges and ramp edges, we address the topic of physical edge classification based on their origin into shadow edges, reflectance edges, orientation edges, occlusion edges, and specular edges. In the rest of this article we discuss various vector-valued techniques for detecting discontinuities in color images. Then operators are presented based on vector order statistics, followed by presentation by examples of a couple of results of color edge detection. We then discuss different approaches to a physical classification of edges by their origin.
Design and performance verification of advanced multistage depressed collectors

In a joint USAF-NASA Program, Lewis Research Center is carrying out an efficiency improvement program on TWTs for use in ECMs by applying multistage depressed collector (MDC) and spent beam refocusing techniques developed at Lewis. In the analytic part of the effort, 3-D electron trajectories are used throughout the 10-18% (electronic) efficient, 4.8-9.6GHz bandwidth, 400-600 W CW TWT, the spent beam re-focuser and the depressed collector. Collector efficiency, collector losses and overall efficiency are identified and computed. On the experimental side, tube performance is evaluated first without the MDC, then the spent beam is analyzed for symmetry, circularity and the velocity spread. Finally, the MDC is attached and its performance optimized and evaluated. Theory predicts a MDC-efficiency of 84% for a 4 stage, 3"\times2" size MDC which can be achieved with symmetric and circular beams.
Nonenzymatic Glycosylation of HDL Resulting in Inhibition of High-Affinity Binding to Cultured Human Fibroblasts

Nonenzymatic glycosylation of plasma proteins may contribute to the excess risk of developing atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus. Because high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is believed to protect against atherosclerosis and is glycosylated at increased levels in diabetic individuals, the effects of nonenzymatic glycosylation of HDL3 on binding of HDL3 to cultured fibroblasts and to the candidate HDL-receptor protein were examined. HDL3 was glycosylated in vitro with glucose alone or in combination with sodium cyanoborohydride. With this catalyst, up to 40-50% of the lysine residues could be glycosylated, resulting in a progressive drop to nearly 60% in high-affinity binding to cultured fibroblasts at 4 degrees C. Binding to the 110,000-Mr candidate HDL-receptor protein was reduced by almost 75%. At levels of HDL glycosylation equivalent to the 3-5% observed in diabetes, high-affinity binding to fibroblasts at 4 degrees C was diminished by up to 15-20%. Binding kinetic studies paradoxically suggested that glycosylated HDL3 binds with higher affinity to a reduced number of binding sites. The findings in this study suggest that nonenzymatically glycosylated HDL may be functionally abnormal and might contribute to the development of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Locally optimum distributed detection of dependent random signals based on ranks

Distributed signal detection schemes based on observations which are dependent from sensor to sensor are studied. Cases where weak random signals are observed in possibly non-Gaussian additive noise are considered. The focus is on cases where the sensor tests are based only on the ranks and signs of the observations. We find analytical forms for the best (locally optimum) sensor test statistics for such cases, and we use these to find the best distributed detection schemes for some cases. >
Flat C(X)-modules and F spaces

We prove that the following conditions are equivalent: X is an F space; every ideal of C(X) is flat; every submodule of a free C(X)-module is flat.
The role of sexual behavior in head and neck cancer: Implications for prevention and therapy

HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OSCC) is associated with oral sexual behaviors. The sharp rise in incidence of HPV-OSCC in the USA has been attributed to changes in sexual norms over the past five decades, with lower age at sexual debut and higher numbers of sexual partners per individual. In addition, variations in HPV-OSCC prevalence by race, age cohort and gender may be attributable to differences in oral sexual behaviors among these groups. Oral HPV infection is the putative precursor to HPV-OSCC. Risk factors for oral HPV incidence, prevalence, clearance and persistence are crucial to understanding how, and in whom, oral HPV infection progresses to malignancy. Future investigation should focus on elucidating the natural history of oral HPV infection persistence and malignant transformation, developing effective screening tools and exploring opportunities for prevention such as vaccination and public health education.
Equilibrium in the Initial Public Offerings Market

In this review, I criticize the ability of popular asymmetric information-based models to explain the magnitude of the underpricing of initial public offerings (IPOs) that is observed. I suggest that the quantitative magnitude of underpricing can be explained with a market structure in which underwriters want to underprice excessively, issuers are focused on services bundled with underwriting rather than on maximizing the offer proceeds, and there is limited competition between underwriters. Since the technology bubble burst in 2000, U.S. IPO volume has been low. Although regulatory burdens undoubtedly account for some of the decline, I suggest that much of the decline may be due to a structural shift that has lessened the profitability of small independent companies relative to their value as part of a larger, more established organization that can realize economies of scope. I also discuss the long-run performance literature. My interpretation of the evidence is that except for the smallest companies go...
Optimizing dominant time constant in RC circuits

Conventional methods for optimal sizing of wires and transistors use linear resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit models and the Elmore delay as a measure of signal delay. If the RC circuit has a tree topology, the sizing problem reduces to a convex optimization problem that can be solved using geometric programming. The tree topology restriction precludes the use of these methods in several sizing problems of significant importance to high-performance deep submicron design, including for example, circuits with loops of resistors, e.g., clock distribution meshes and circuits with coupling capacitors, e.g., buses with crosstalk between the wires. In this paper, we propose a new optimization method that can be used to address these problems. The method is based on the dominant time constant as a measure of signal propagation delay in an RC circuit instead of Elmore delay. Using this measure, sizing of any RC circuit can be cast as a convex optimization problem and solved using recently developed efficient interior-point methods for semidefinite programming. The method is applied to three important sizing problems: clerk mesh sizing and topology design, sizing of tristate buses, and sizing of bus line widths and spacings taking crosstalk into account.
Insurgency Decision-making under Conditions of Risk

Utilizing prospect theory, the paper contends that two insurgencies, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Chechen resistance, decided to mount a stand at Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka, and Grozny in Chechnya, because they preferred to accept the risk of losing the battles, incurring greater casualties (rather than choosing to abandon the two sites respectively) and potentially losing the war, on the chance they could win the respective battles and turn the tide of the civil war generally. In terms of prospect theory, the two insurgencies underweighted the high probability of losing the respective battles, and demonstrated the prevalence of risk aversion in choices between probable gains and sure things, and the prevalence of risk seeking in choices between probable and sure losses.
Genetic control of survival of frozen mouse embryos.

Lines of mice selected for increased litter size (L+), increased body weight (W+), or randomly (K) were used to study genetic variation in embryo cryosurvival in response to standard cryopreservation protocols. A total of 60528-cell embryos from 400 females were used in two studies. In Study 1, embryos from L+, W+, and K were frozen by slow-cool and ultrarapid (direct-plunge) methods to evaluate effects of selection on cryosurvival and genotype X freezing method interaction. Post-thaw survival (PTS) was measured as percentage of recovered embryos developing in vitro to blastocyst per donor female. Nonfrozen control embryos developed similarly for each line. Within slow-cool freezing, lines differed (W+ greater than K, W+ = L+, L+ = K; p less than 0.05); no differences were observed within the ultrarapid freezing. However, line X method interaction effects on PTS were not significant. In Study 2, reciprocal crosses were made between L+ and K and between W+ and K. Hybrid and pure line embryos were frozen by slow-cooling. Control embryos developed similarly for all genotypes. Selection lines did not differ for overall PTS. However, hybrid embryos from L+ dams were superior to those from K dams (84 vs. 61%; p less than .001). No overall embryo heterosis was observed. Differences were not significant among embryo genotypes or treatments for cell number or in vivo survival. These results demonstrate significant correlated responses in embryo post-thaw cryosurvival due to selection, and implicate both maternal and embryonic genomes as controlling mouse embryo cryosurvival.
Ancient and medieval values for the mean synodic month

In a paper published shortly before his death, Neugebauer reviewed the transmission of the standard Babylonian value for the mean synodic month (hereafter: M). 1 He restricted his attention to this value for M and did not consider its derivation from the observational record. In other articles and books that he wrote over the years Neugebauer discussed a variety of values for M, but he did not gather these data together in one place. Recently, I argued that the Babylonian values for the lengths of the various months could have been derived from relatively crude observations by simple counting and arithmetic manipulation. The only value for which I was unable to fi a simple derivation was the standard length of the mean synodic month, although I came upon a method that yielded a value close to it. 2 I believe that this gap in the argument can now be fiby a much more plausible conjecture, based
All-optical beam scanning using an array of uncoupled nonlinear waveguides

The authors show that all-optical beam steering is possible by employing an array of uncoupled nonlinear waveguides. This can be achieved by varying the input power into successive waveguides in a linearly ascending or descending fashion. Examples are given which show that deflection angles up to approximately 1 degrees can be achieved at relatively low power levels, when such an array is implemented on a multiquantum well sample. >
The H2 4−0 S(0, 1, and 2) quadrupole features in Jupiter

In the wake of the detection of Jupiter's H2 S4(2) feature, low-temperature laboratory measurements of NH3 are used in a detailed analysis to ascertain an improved equivalent width for the H2 S4(0) line. Good agreement is obtained between equivalent widths computed from published models and the equivalent widths observed for this line. It is noted that the approximately 150 K effective formation line temperature at Jupiter's averaged disk center, which has been determined from the nominal S4(2)/S4(0) ratio, is in keeping with an H2 ortho-para ratio for Jovian equilibrium tropospheric H2.
All Roads Lead to Rome—Even in the Honeycomb World

Abstract This article presents a simple proof that a symmetric random walk on a hexagonal lattice in R 2 is recurrent. The goal of this article is educational, to enrich the list of interesting and intuitively appealing examples for teaching probability to advanced undergraduate and first-year graduate students.
Mesh-based Monte Carlo method for time-gated optical tomography

We describe a novel mesh-based Monte Carlo optical reconstruction algorithm for time-gated 3D optical tomography in small animals. Compared with previous works using voxel-based media discretization, a mesh-based approach is more accurate in modeling targets with curved boundaries or locally refined structures. Using an efficient ray-tracing technique, the mesh-based Monte Carlo method enables us to model both media properties and fluence distribution. Excellent agreement is found when comparing mesh-based MC with 3D voxel-based MC code in a synthetic mouse model.
Unified modeling of gene duplication, loss, and coalescence using a locus tree

Gene phylogenies provide a rich source of information about the way evolution shapes genomes, populations, and phenotypes. In addition to substitutions, evolutionary events such as gene duplication and loss (as well as horizontal transfer) play a major role in gene evolution, and many phylogenetic models have been developed in order to reconstruct and study these events. However, these models typically make the simplifying assumption that population-related effects such as incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) are negligible. While this assumption may have been reasonable in some settings, it has become increasingly problematic as increased genome sequencing has led to denser phylogenies, where effects such as ILS are more prominent. To address this challenge, we present a new probabilistic model, DLCoal, that defines gene duplication and loss in a population setting, such that coalescence and ILS can be directly addressed. Interestingly, this model implies that in addition to the usual gene tree and species tree, there exists a third tree, the locus tree, which will likely have many applications. Using this model, we develop the first general reconciliation method that accurately infers gene duplications and losses in the presence of ILS, and we show its improved inference of orthologs, paralogs, duplications, and losses for a variety of clades, including flies, fungi, and primates. Also, our simulations show that gene duplications increase the frequency of ILS, further illustrating the importance of a joint model. Going forward, we believe that this unified model can offer insights to questions in both phylogenetics and population genetics.
On-the-Fly Pipeline Parallelism

Pipeline parallelism organizes a parallel program as a linear sequence of stages. Each stage processes elements of a data stream, passing each processed data element to the next stage, and then taking on a new element before the subsequent stages have necessarily completed their processing. Pipeline parallelism is used especially in streaming applications that perform video, audio, and digital signal processing. Three out of 13 benchmarks in PARSEC, a popular software benchmark suite designed for shared-memory multiprocessors, can be expressed as pipeline parallelism. Whereas most concurrency platforms that support pipeline parallelism use a “construct-and-run” approach, this article investigates “on-the-fly” pipeline parallelism, where the structure of the pipeline emerges as the program executes rather than being specified a priori. On-the-fly pipeline parallelism allows the number of stages to vary from iteration to iteration and dependencies to be data dependent. We propose simple linguistics for specifying on-the-fly pipeline parallelism and describe a provably efficient scheduling algorithm, the Piper algorithm, which integrates pipeline parallelism into a work-stealing scheduler, allowing pipeline and fork-join parallelism to be arbitrarily nested. The Piper algorithm automatically throttles the parallelism, precluding “runaway” pipelines. Given a pipeline computation with T1 work and T∞ span (critical-path length), Piper executes the computation on P processors in TP ≤ T1/P+O(T∞+lg P) expected time. Piper also limits stack space, ensuring that it does not grow unboundedly with running time. We have incorporated on-the-fly pipeline parallelism into a Cilk-based work-stealing runtime system. Our prototype Cilk-P implementation exploits optimizations such as “lazy enabling” and “dependency folding.” We have ported the three PARSEC benchmarks that exhibit pipeline parallelism to run on Cilk-P. One of these, x264, cannot readily be executed by systems that support only construct-and-run pipeline parallelism. Benchmark results indicate that Cilk-P has low serial overhead and good scalability. On x264, for example, Cilk-P exhibits a speedup of 13.87 over its respective serial counterpart when running on 16 processors.
On Wallis-type Products and Pólya's Urn Schemes

AbstractA famous “curious identity” of Wallis gives a representation of the constant π in terms of a simply structured infinite product of fractions. Sondow and Yi [Amer. Math. Monthly 117 (2010) 9...
Tunable and stable real-time trajectory planning for urban autonomous driving

This paper investigates real-time on-road motion planning algorithms for autonomous passenger vehicles (APV) in urban environments, and propose a computationally efficient planning formulation. Two key properties, tunability and stability, are emphasized when designing the proposed planner. The main contributions of this paper are: • A computationally efficient decoupled space-time trajectory planning structure. • The formulation of optimization-free elastic-band-based path planning and speed-constraint-based temporal planning routines with pre-determined runtime. • Identification of continuity problems with previous cost-based planners that cause tunability and stability issues.
Making Public Educational Research: Enabling Impact as Integral to the Educational Research Process

The notion of ‘enabling impact’ can extend John Willinsky’s call for educational researchers to assume greater responsibility for making their research public. It is indicative of a shift in the culture of research utilization from one dominated by the development of a cultural elite to genuine public access and democratization of research. The notion promotes meaningful uses of research in the larger educational community of researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and the public. It also highlights the ephemeral fate that much educational research may meet. Drawing on the work of Carol Weiss on knowledge creep I discuss how educational researchers working collaboratively in knowledge cultures with concerned institutions and individuals from a variety of professions can work to lessen such creep. Enabling impact does not simply come at the end of the research process; it has to start with the inception of the research idea. Making public educational research with careful attention to influencing impact assumes significance in the newly reconceptualized role for universities as knowledge enterprises embedded in knowledge cultures, both local and global.
Mild depressive symptoms, self-reported disability, and slowing across multiple functional domains.

A growing body of evidence suggests that subthreshold depressive symptoms, that is, symptoms that do not meet criteria for diagnosis of a mood disorder, are clinically significant. Subthreshold depressive symptoms have been associated with an increased risk of incident ADL, IADL, and mobility disability, as well as declines in upper- and lower-extremity function (Gallo et al., 1997; Penninx et al., 1998; Cronin-Stubbs et al., 2000; Lyness et al., 2006; Lyness et al., 2007; Barry et al., 2009; Hybels et al., 2009). Subthreshold depressive symptoms have also been associated with mild cognitive impairment (Bhalla et al., 2009), lower self-ratings of global function (Judd, et al., 2002), and an increase in physician visits and hospital days (Katon et al., 2005). Subsyndromal depression is also highly prevalent. Across ten European countries, the mean number of depressive symptoms in seniors ranged from 2–3 on the EURO-D, which assesses the presence of 12 affective and motivational symptoms (Castro-Costa et al., 2007). Reports of four or more symptoms indicate a possible depressive disorder. Thus, depressive symptoms are common in older adults cross-nationally, which lends support to claims that subthreshold symptoms are the modal presentation of depressive illness in old age (Judd et al., 2002). Given the disability associated with depressive symptoms, interventions to prevent increases in symptoms (“indicated prevention”) are clearly important (van’t Veer-Tazelaar et al., 2009). Subthreshold depression is defined in a variety of ways. In studies using the Centers for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CESD), subthreshold depression is defined as scores in the range of 8–15 (Hybels et al., 2009) or 10–19 (Barry et al., 2009). The “no symptom” referent group includes people with scores below this range. One limitation in this approach is the grouping of people without any symptoms (say, scores of 0–2) and people with mild symptoms (scores of 3 to 7 or 9). Mild symptoms in this intermediate range may also be associated with disability. If so, this difference would suggest a need for intervention at much lower levels of depressive symptoms than typically recognized. A second limitation to use of the CESD is the association between somatic symptoms and disability. Participants endorsing fatigue or sleep problems as part of subthreshold depression, for example, may be at greater risk of disability because these represent underlying disease rather than an effect of depressed mood. We investigated these questions in a simple of older adults who did not meet criteria for depression and who completed the brief Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (Kroenke et al., 2002). We examined the extent to which mild symptoms of depressed mood are associated with physical and cognitive performance to determine ways in which depressive symptoms may lead to disability.
An Empirical Comparison of Internal and External Load Profile Codebook Coverage of Building Occupant Energy-Use Behavior

Technology independent elements such as the behavior of building occupants are significant factors responsible for energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions of the buildings. Predicting building occupants’ energy-use has been identified as one of the most challenging processes due to high intra-class variability of occupant behavior. Previous research has benefited from classification techniques that serve to simplify the energy profiling by creating a codebook of energy-use patterns for each user. Nevertheless, the optimum level and type of energy-use behavior classification system (i.e., energy-use codebook) remains unknown. In this paper, we build on previous work and compare the relative effectiveness of various approaches to simplified representations, or codebooks, of building occupant energyuse behavior. We introduce the methodologies behind the construction of the codebooks and conclude that individually generated codebooks are a more accurate approach to model occupants’ energy-use compared to the globally generated codebooks. This contributes to the creation of more reliable energy-use profiling methods that can enhance the efficacy of automated energy efficiency programs.
Molecular Design Aspect of Sulfonated Polymers for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Molecular structural effects of sulfonated polymers for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are investigated using a length scale parameter, Percent Conducting Volume (PCV). Sulfonated polymers were categorized based on molecular composition (nanometer length scale) and polymer architecture (sub micrometer length scale) and plotted methanol permeability as a function of PCV and molecular structure. Polymers having functional group showed the least methanol permeability while fluorinated polymers showed the highest methanol permeability at a given PCV. DMFC performance of selected sulfonated polymers is presented in order to support the analysis.
Does Crop Species Diversity Influence Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Pools

Crop species composition and richness exert a strong influence on soil C and N dynamics through the proportion of decomposable organic compounds returned to the soil. Under no-till, soil C and N pools were compared for five crop rotations, (1) continuous corn (Zea mays L.; CC), (2) spring wheat (Triticum spp.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.; SW–S], (3) spring wheat–corn–soybean (SW–C–S), (4) spring wheat–winter wheat–corn–soybean (SW–WW–C–S), and (5) spring wheat–winter wheat–flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)–corn–corn–soybean (SW–WW–F–C–C–S), in the northern Great Plains. Soil organic matter (SOM) content was highest under C–C and significantly higher than SW–WW–C–S (P < 0.05). Highest organic C, C/N ratio and potentially mineralizeable carbon pool (PMC) was observed under SW–C–S rotation, similar to CC and significantly greater than SW–WW–F–C–C–S. Pearson correlation coefficients indicate rotation length had negative relationship with PMC; whereas, PMC had positive relationship with soil organic carbon (SOC) and C/N ratio. Increasing rotation length might increase the substrate diversity that reduces decomposition rate. Similar soil C and N pools of CC and SW–C–S rotations with annual fertilizer N inputs of 220, 111 kg N ha–¹ yr–¹, respectively, indicate SW–C–S rotation can be a potential alternative to CC to minimize the fertilizer N input and maintaining species diversity.
PREPARATION OF Ni COATED ZrO 2 ULTRAFINE POWDERS BY ELECTROLESS PLATING

Ni coated ZrO 2 composite powders were prepared by the electroless plating method with different Ni contents in the solution, while t ZrO 2 (10% MgO, in mole) ultrafine powders were used as raw materials. The rate of nickel deposit was easily controlled through suitable stabilizing agent and coplex agent introduced in the bath. The powders were studied by XRD, SEM, EDAX, and so on. The results show that Ni can be coated on the surface of ZrO 2 powders. Thus evenly mixing Ni with ZrO 2 could be reached .
Smoking Cessation for People Living With HIV/AIDS: A Literature Review and Synthesis

Introduction People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are more likely to smoke cigarettes than are individuals in the general population. The health implications of tobacco use are substantially more dire among PLWHA than among otherwise healthy smokers, including higher rates of various cancers, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and lung infections. Efficacious behavioral and medication treatments for treating nicotine dependence have rarely been investigated in PLWHA. Methods We present a review of studies examining the efficacy of smoking cessation interventions. Results and conclusions The literature reveals some limited evidence for the efficacy of behavioral interventions. However, the research literature on these interventions is sparse and the efficacy findings are mixed. Studies exploring the use of mobile technologies for reducing treatment barriers are becoming more prevalent. Few published trials have directly examined the efficacy of pharmacological smoking cessation interventions among PLWHA. Specific gaps in the treatment literature are discussed in detail, and a strategy is presented for developing a greater understanding of factors that contribute to the efficacy of smoking cessation among PLWHA. Implications This paper provides the most comprehensive review to date on smoking cessation intervention research conducted with PLWHA. It also discusses specific gaps in the literature that should be a priority for future research.