cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive tracking of gene expression by reporter transgene imaging

In this issue of PNAS, the laboratory that discovered leptin (1) reports the development of a novel in vivo imaging strategy that permits noninvasive estimation of leptin expression (2). They have engineered a BAC transgenic mouse strain expressing a luciferase reporter gene under the control of adipocyte-specific leptin regulatory sequences. Because of the ample evidence of correlation between lipid storage and leptin (3, 4), they reasoned that a change in adipocyte mass would be accompanied by a parallel change in the expression of endogenous leptin and of the luciferase transgene. This was, in fact, the case. They were able to show in vivo differences in the adipocyte images of fed, fasting, and ob/ob transgenic animals. Luciferase activity fell gradually during a 3-day fast, but returned to baseline levels within 6 h of refeeding. Similarly, lipid depletion by infusion of recombinant leptin depleted adipocyte fat and, on discontinuation of leptin treatment, luciferase expression returned toward normal. Thus, in these two models, leptin expression as measured by the luciferase imaging is highly correlated with adipose tissue mass and can even be used as a surrogate for its measurement.
The impact of coastal runoff on ocean color during an El Nino year in Central California

The introduction of the SeaWiFS ocean-color instrument in the autumn of 1997 coincided with the onset of perhaps the largest El Nino event of the century, providing us with the opportunity to monitor the impact of such events on biological and bio-optical properties in central California. The increased importance of coastal runoff (both sediments and fresh water) during the winter of 1998 have been striking. Here we evaluate the effects of riverine input to central California immediately following the largest El Nino-influenced winter storm event in central California of February 1998 using shipboard, mooring, and satellite observations from the sea-viewing wide field-of-view sensor (SeaWiFS). Two models were employed to estimate colored dissolved organic matter, (CDOM), which provided similar spatial and temporal patterns of CDOM, but differing absolute concentrations. We observed a 5-fold increase in SeaWiFS-derived chlorophyll concentrations, with a corresponding CDOMsignal (estimated absorption at 300 nm greater than 0.30 m � 1 ) extending to approximately 300 km offshore. This event, while anomalous, demonstrates the potential influence of riverine input on the bio-optical properties of the coastal environment extending to several hundred kilometers offshore. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Salinipyrones and pacificanones, mixed-precursor polyketides from the marine actinomycete Salinispora pacifica.

Chemical examination of a phylogenetically unique strain of the obligate marine actinomycete Salinispora pacifica led to the discovery of four new polyketides, salinipyrones A and B (1, 2) and pacificanones A and B (3, 4). These compounds appear to be derived from a mixed-precursor polyketide biosynthesis involving acetate, propionate, and butyrate building blocks. Spectral analysis, employing NMR, IR, UV, and CD methods and chemical derivatization, was used to assign the structures and absolute configurations of these new metabolites. Salinipyrones A and B displayed exactly opposite CD spectra, indicating their pseudoenantiomeric relationship. This relationship was shown to be a consequence of the geometric isomerization of one double bond. The phenomenon of polyketide module skipping is proposed to explain the unusual biosynthesis of the salinipyrones and the pacificanones.
Self-organization of an acentrosomal microtubule network at the basal cortex of polarized epithelial cells

Mechanisms underlying the organization of centrosome-derived microtubule arrays are well understood, but less is known about how acentrosomal microtubule networks are formed. The basal cortex of polarized epithelial cells contains a microtubule network of mixed polarity. We examined how this network is organized by imaging microtubule dynamics in acentrosomal basal cytoplasts derived from these cells. We show that the steady-state microtubule network appears to form by a combination of microtubule–microtubule and microtubule–cortex interactions, both of which increase microtubule stability. We used computational modeling to determine whether these microtubule parameters are sufficient to generate a steady-state acentrosomal microtubule network. Microtubules undergoing dynamic instability without any stabilization points continuously remodel their organization without reaching a steady-state network. However, the addition of increased microtubule stabilization at microtubule–microtubule and microtubule–cortex interactions results in the rapid assembly of a steady-state microtubule network in silico that is remarkably similar to networks formed in situ. These results define minimal parameters for the self-organization of an acentrosomal microtubule network.
Aminoalkoholester von Hydroxyboranen, VII. Kinetik der Hydrolyse von monocyclischen Boroxazolidinen

Die Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit der Hydrolyse monocyclischer Aminoalkoholester von Diarylhydroxyboranen in 90-proz. Methanol wurde bestimmt. Sie ist unter vergleichbaren Bedingungen in 90-proz. Aceton groser als in 90-proz. Methanol. Die isokinetische Analyse last jedoch auf denselben Mechanismus schliesen. Dieser erscheint verschieden von den Hydrolysemechanismus bi- und tricyclischer Boroxazolidine.
Validation of Factors Affecting the Outcome of Cardiopulmonary Arrest in a Large, Urban, Academic Medical Center

Background. Recent studies of risks in cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) have been performed using large databases from a broad mix of hospital settings. However, these risks might be different in a large, urban, academic medical center. We attempted to validate factors influencing outcomes from CPA at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Methods. Retrospective chart review of all adult patients who underwent CPA between 2000 and 2005 at UMMC. Risk factors and outcomes were analyzed with appropriate statistical analysis and compared with published results. Results. 729 episodes of CPA were examined during the study period. Surgical patients had better survival than medical or cardiac patients. Intensive care unit' (ICU) patients had poor survival, but there was no difference on monitored or unmonitored floors. Respiratory etiologies survived better than cardiac etiologies. CPR duration and obesity were negatively correlated with outcome, while neurologic disease, trauma, and electrolyte imbalances improved survival. Age, gender, race, presence of a witness, presence of a monitor, comorbidities, or time of day of CPA did not influence survival, although age was associated with differences in comorbidities. Conclusions. UMMC risk factors for CPA survival differed from those in more broad-based studies. Care should be used when applying the results of database studies to specific medical institutions.
Shear Stress on the Base of a Lithospheric Plate

This paper is a review of the theoretical and observational evidence bearing on the magnitude of the shear stress which acts on the base of a lithospheric plate. Estimates based on the viscosity of the upper mantle do not yield useful limits. Arguments based on the thermal stability of the upper mantle indicate that the basal shear stress is no larger than a few bars. An indirect measurement of the rheology and shear stress can be made by studying the diffusion of stress and displacement following a large decoupling earthquake. When applied to the 1965 Rat Island Earthquake, this method yields a basal shear stress of about 2 bars. These results indicate that for small plates the forces produced by basal shear stress are probably small in comparison with forces acting on plate boundaries. To a first approximation, the smaller plates act as if they were decoupled from the mantle below. These stress estimates lead to a model in which the motion of the smaller lithospheric plates is governed almost entirely by the forces acting on their edges. Forces due to basal shear stress may be comparable to forces acting on the edges of large lithospheric plates. Thus, complete decoupling may not be a good approximation for such plates.
Protein kinase C regulation of glycine and γ-aminobutyric acid release in brain stem auditory nuclei

Abstract Protein kinase C (PKC) can regulate transmitter release in several brain areas. We determined if PKC could regulate the electrically evoked release of radiolabeled glycine (Gly) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in dissected samples of several brain stem auditory nuclei, such as the major subdivisions of the cochlear nucleus (CN) and the main nuclei of the superior olivary complex (SOC). The PKC activators, phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDA) or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) (3 μM), elevated the release by 1.4- to 2.0-fold. The PKC inhibitor, Ro31-8220 (50 nM), did not alter the release in most of the tissues but blocked the stimulatory effects of PDA and PDBu. This suggested that PKC positively regulates glycinergic and GABAergic release in the sampled nuclei. In the dorsal CN (DCN), Ro31-8220 elevated the release of [14C]Gly by 23%, suggesting that PKC negatively regulates glycinergic release in a proportion of DCN synapses. We also determined if PKC could regulate release after unilateral cochlear ablation (UCA). In the anteroventral (AVCN) and posteroventral (PVCN) CN and in the lateral (LSO) and medial (MSO) superior olive, the stimulatory effects of PDBu declined after this lesion and Ro31-8220 failed to alter release. Since UCA failed to alter release in these tissues, the stability of the release correlated with the lack of regulatory capacity of PKC. In the DCN and the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), the stimulatory effects of PDBu persisted after UCA. We previously demonstrated a postablation decline of Gly release in the DCN and elevated GABA release in the MNTB. Treatment of these tissues with Ro31-8220 reversed these changes in release. These findings suggested that PKC regulation persisted in the DCN and MNTB after UCA. Moreover, endogenous regulatory mechanisms activated after UCA probably act through PKC to alter release in these tissues. Thus, limiting PKC activation or activity might ameliorate pathological symptoms that accompany hearing loss and that stem from these plasticities in the DCN and MNTB.
Data-driven decisions for reducing readmissions for heart failure: general methodology and case study.

Background Several studies have focused on stratifying patients according to their level of readmission risk, fueled in part by incentive programs in the U.S. that link readmission rates to the annual payment update by Medicare. Patient-specific predictions about readmission have not seen widespread use because of their limited accuracy and questions about the efficacy of using measures of risk to guide clinical decisions. We construct a predictive model for readmissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) and study how its predictions can be used to perform patient-specific interventions. We assess the cost-effectiveness of a methodology that combines prediction and decision making to allocate interventions. The results highlight the importance of combining predictions with decision analysis. Methods We construct a statistical classifier from a retrospective database of 793 hospital visits for heart failure that predicts the likelihood that patients will be rehospitalized within 30 days of discharge. We introduce a decision analysis that uses the predictions to guide decisions about post-discharge interventions. We perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of 379 additional hospital visits that were not included in either the formulation of the classifiers or the decision analysis. We report the performance of the methodology and show the overall expected value of employing a real-time decision system. Findings For the cohort studied, readmissions are associated with a mean cost of $13,679 with a standard error of $1,214. Given a post-discharge plan that costs $1,300 and that reduces 30-day rehospitalizations by 35%, use of the proposed methods would provide an 18.2% reduction in rehospitalizations and save 3.8% of costs. Conclusions Classifiers learned automatically from patient data can be joined with decision analysis to guide the allocation of post-discharge support to CHF patients. Such analyses are especially valuable in the common situation where it is not economically feasible to provide programs to all patients.
True Detection Versus “Accidental” Detection of Small Lung Cancer by a Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) Program on Chest Radiographs

To evaluate the number of actual detections versus “accidental” detections by a computer-aided detection (CAD) system for small nodular lung cancers (≤30 mm) on chest radiographs, using two different criteria for measuring performance. A Food-and-Drug-Administration-approved CAD program (version 1.0; Riverain Medical) was applied to 34 chest radiographs with a “radiologist-missed” nodular cancer and 36 radiographs with a radiologist-mentioned nodule (a newer version 3.0 was also applied to the 36-case database). The marks applied by this CAD system consisted of 5-cm-diameter circles. A strict “nodule-in-center” criterion and a generous “nodule-in-circle” criterion were compared as methods for the calculation of CAD sensitivity. The increased sensitivities by the nodule-in-circle criterion were considered as nodules detected by chance. The number of false-positive (FP) marks was also analyzed. For the 34 radiologist-missed cancers, the nodule-in-circle criterion caused eight more cancers (24%) to be detected by chance, as compared to the nodule-in-center criterion, when using the version 1.0 results. For the 36 radiologist-mentioned nodules, the nodule-in-circle criterion caused seven more lesions (19%) to be detected by chance, as compared to the nodule-in-center criterion, when using the version 1.0 results, and three more lesions (8%) to be detected by chance when using the version 3.0 results. Version 1.0 yielded a mean of six FP marks per image, while version 3.0 yielded only three FP marks per image. The specific criteria used to define true- and false-positive CAD detections can substantially influence the apparent accuracy of a CAD system.
Some characteristics of precipitation and dry periods on Long Island

Six years of sequential hourly precipitation data are used to investigate the frequencyfunctions of precipitation and dry periods at Brookhaven National Laboratory on LongIsland, New York. The dry period frequency function is exponentially distributed when theprecipitation and dry periods are classified by events based on meteorological and synopticconditions. The ensemble precipitation frequency function is not exponentially distributed butis a composite of several distinct frequency functions which are characteristic of nonconvectiveand convective precipitation types. These precipitation-type frequency functionsare exponentially distributed; hence individually they may be modeled as Markov processes. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.1986.tb00263.x
Representing the Divided Self

This article is an experimental treatment of conflict and ambivalence in a study of mothers’ accounts of child rearing. Encouraged by the postmodern critique of overly rationalized academic texts, the author intentionally fragments her work to highlight the process of journal-article writing itself. Interspersed with the researcher’s text are reflections on the main narrative. These reveal fragmentation, multiplicity, and a sense of work in progress, all of which are seen as valuable to future paradigms of representation.
Intimate Partner Violence Between Male Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and Their Female Partners Who Seek Couples Therapy

The current study has three aims: (1) to describe the frequency, gender differences, and agreement in couples' reports of male-to-female and female-to-male intimate partner violence (IPV) reported by male veterans and their female partners who were seeking couples therapy; (2) to describe the pattern of violence reported by these couples (e.g., one-sided, mutual) and determine if frequency of violence varied based on patterns; and (3) to examine whether frequency of violence or pattern of violence were associated with veteran diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One hundred heterosexual couples (male Iraq/Afghanistan veteran, female civilian) seeking couples therapy at a Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic completed self-report measures of violence in their relationship. Almost all couples reported verbal aggression. Men reported perpetrating more frequent sexual coercion, and women reported perpetrating more frequent physical aggression. Correspondence in partners' reports of violence varied based on type of violence from high correspondence on verbal aggression to low correspondence on sexual coercion. Three patterns of violence were identified: verbally aggressive (n = 45), one-sided physically aggressive (n = 27), and mutually physically aggressive (n = 26). Mutually physically aggressive couples generally reported the most frequent violence. Frequency and pattern of violence were not associated with veteran diagnosis of PTSD. Findings underscore the need for clinicians to assess both partners for violence perpetration and the need for effective prevention strategies and treatments for IPV among veterans.
Role of Cognitive Theory in the Study of Learning Disability in Mathematics

Gersten, Jordan, and Flojo (in this issue) provide the beginnings of an essential bridge between basic research on mathematical disabilities (MD) in young children and the application of this research for the early identification and remediation of these forms of learning disability. As they acknowledge, the field of MD is in the early stages of development, and thus recommendations regarding identification measures and remedial techniques must be considered preliminary. I discuss the importance of maintaining a tight link between theoretical and empirical research on children’s developing numerical, arithmetical, and mathematical competencies and future research on learning disabilities in mathematics. This link will provide the foundation for transforming experimental procedures into assessment measures, understanding the cognitive strengths and weaknesses of children with these forms of learning disability, and developing remedial approaches based on the pattern of cognitive strengths and weaknesses for individual children.
Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, and selenium in feathers of Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) and Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) from Prince William Sound, Alaska

Abstract Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium were analyzed in the feathers of Black-legged Kittiwakes ( Rissa tridactyla ) from Shoup Bay in Prince William Sound, Alaska to determine if there were age-related differences in metal levels, and in Black Oystercatchers ( Haematopus bachmani )) from the same region to determine if there were differences in oiled and unoiled birds. Except for mercury, there were no age-related differences in metals levels in the feathers of kittiwakes. Kittiwakes over 13 years of age had the highest levels of mercury. There were no differences in levels of metals in the feathers of oystercatchers from oiled and unoiled regions of Prince William Sound. Except for mercury, the feathers of oystercatchers had significantly higher levels of all metals than those of kittiwakes. Levels of mercury in kittiwake feathers (mean of 2910 ng/g [ppb]) were within the range of many species of seabirds reported for other studies, and were generally below adverse effects levels.
An algorithm for the generalized quadratic assignment problem

This paper reports on a new algorithm for the Generalized Quadratic Assignment problem (GQAP). The GQAP describes a broad class of quadratic integer programming problems, wherein M pair-wise related entities are assigned to N destinations constrained by the destinations' ability to accommodate them. This new algorithm is based on a Reformulation Linearization Technique (RLT) dual ascent procedure. Experimental results show that the runtime of this algorithm is as good or better than other known exact solution methods for problems as large as M=20 and N=15.
Stiffness Requirements for Longitudinally Stiffened Box-Girder Flanges

This paper presents an optimum design of longitudinal stiffeners for box-girder compression flanges. The buckling behavior of longitudinally stiffened compression flanges has drawn considerable interest from early pioneers of theoretical mechanics, as illustrated by Timoshenko and Gere, and Bleich. The longitudinally stiffened compression plate structural members generally render an economical structure by efficiently proportioning the material to resist the induced compressive stresses. This study presents results that are based on 3D finite-element analyses of several hundred hypothetical compression flange models stiffened by varying numbers of longitudinal stiffeners with realistic dimensions. The thickness of the compression flange \it was varied from 0.50 to 2.50 in. (from 12.7 to 63.5 mm); the number of longitudinal stiffeners \in was varied from 1 to 4; and the aspect ratio of the plate panel \Iα\N was varied from 1 to 5. Two different plate transverse slenderness ratios \Iw/t\N were analyzed. Analytical data were reduced using nonlinear regression analysis to a simplified design equation suitable for practicing engineers. Several example problems are given to illustrate the use of the regression equation. Comparative analyses are also made to demonstrate the versatility and reliability of the analytical study conducted.
Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Vindoline

A concise asymmetric total synthesis of (−)-vindoline (1) is detailed based on a tandem intramolecular [4+2]/[3+2] cycloaddition cascade of a 1,3,4-oxadiazole inspired by the natural product structure, in which the tether linking the initiating dienophile and oxadiazole bears a chiral substituent that controls the facial selectivity of the initiating Diels−Alder reaction and sets absolute stereochemistry of the remaining six stereocenters in the cascade cycloadduct. This key reaction introduces three rings and four C−C bonds central to the pentacyclic ring system setting all six stereocenters and introducing essentially all the functionality found in the natural product in a single step. Implementation of the approach also required the development of a unique ring expansion reaction to provide a six-membered ring suitably functionalized for introduction of the Δ(6, 7)-double bond found in the core structure of vindoline and defined our use of a protected hydroxymethyl group as the substituent used to cont...
Luminescence and scintillation properties of Ce3+-activated Cs2NaGdCl6, Cs3GdCl6, Cs2NaGdBr6 and Cs3GdBr6

Abstract We report on the structure, scintillation and luminescence properties of Cs 2 BGdX 6 :Ce (where B=Na, Cs; X=Cl, Br). Single crystals were obtained for four different compounds with both cubic and monoclinic structures. γ-ray spectroscopy measurements revealed light yields of 27,000 ph/MeV, 24,500 ph/MeV, 48,000 ph/MeV and 47,000 ph/MeV and energy resolutions of 4.0%, 4.5%, 3.3%, and 4.0% for Cs 2 NaGdCl 6 :Ce, Cs 3 GdCl 6 :Ce, Cs 2 NaGdBr 6 :Ce and Cs 3 GdBr 6 :Ce, respectively. X-ray emission and optical emission measurements of the samples exhibited both the characteristic Ce 3+ 5d–4f emission and the Gd 3+ 4f–4f emission. The optimal concentration of Ce 3+ for these compounds was also determined from X-ray excited luminescence decay measurements of polycrystalline forms of these materials.
The preparation and properties of some cis-bis(aryl) bis- (2,2′-bipyridine)chromium(III) iodides, [R2Cr(Bipy)2]I

The direct synthesis of a new class of σ-bonded organochromium compounds, cis-bis(aryl)bis(2,2′-bipyridine)chromium(III) iodides (aryl  2,- 3- and 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl and phenyl) is described. Some properties of these compounds and of the related organochromium(II) species are discussed, together with some of the factors influencing the nature of carbon-chromium bonds.
Oxidation of hydrocarbons from lubricant oil layers in spark-ignition engines

The postflame oxidation of hydrocarbons desorbed from the lubricant oil layer in spark-ignition engines is investigated through simulations and comparison with experimental measurements. A one-dimensional reactive-diffusive model is formulated for the process of desorption and oxidation of hydrocarbons emerging from the lubricant oil layer. Energy, mass, and species conservation equations are solved through the expansion stroke, using simplified assumptions for the turbulent diffusivity, boundary layer growth, and chemical reaction rates. Simulation results show that under the current assumptions both reaction and diffusion rates are controlling. Chemical reaction rates peak over a narrow range of temperatures throughout the expansion stroke. This oxidation zone moves away from the wall during the expansion stroke due to heat transfer and volumetric expansion: Sensitivity analysis shows that the single most important parameter determining the oxidation of hydrocarbons from the oil layer is turbulent diffusion, which must be included for predictions to be of the same order of magnitude as experimental values. Other important parameters are chemical reactivity of the hydrocarbon and the initial boundary layer thickness. Good agreement is obtained regarding the sensitivity of oxidation levels to dopant type and the most sensitive operating parameters: dilution and coolant temperature. This good agreement indicates that oxidation of unburned hydrocarbons in engines may well be represented by such simplified models. However, a factor of 3 discrepancy in the prediction of absolute values for the oxidation levels suggest that substantial refinement is required in the submodels.
Aggressive Variants of Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Incidence, Characteristics and Predictors of Survival among 43,738 Patients

Background The diffuse sclerosing (DSV) and tall cell (TCV) variants are considered aggressive subtypes of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) for which data are limited.
Corrosion of glass fibres

Etude sur deux types de fibres de verre (verre E et verre EC) de leur corrosion dans une solution aqueuse d'H 2 SO 4 5%
Night-time negative obstacle detection for off-road autonomous navigation

Detecting negative obstacles (ditches, holes, wadis, and other depressions) is one of the most difficult problems in perception for unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) off-road autonomous navigation. One reason for this is that the width of the visible portion of a negative obstacle may only span a few pixels at the stopping distance for vehicle speeds UGV programs aspire to operate at (up to 50kph). The problem can be further compounded when negative obstacles are obscured by vegetation or when negative obstacles are embedded in undulating terrain. Because of the variety of appearances of negative obstacles, a multi-cue detection approach is desired. In previous nighttime negative obstacle detection work, we have described combining geometry based cues from stereo range data and a thermal signature based cue from thermal infrared imagery. Thermal signature is a powerful cue during the night since the interiors of negative obstacles generally remain warmer than surrounding terrain throughout the night. In this paper, we further couple the thermal signature based cue and geometry based cues from stereo range data for nighttime negative obstacle detection. Edge detection is used to generate closed contour candidate negative obstacle regions that are geometrically filtered to determine if they lie within the ground plane. Cues for negative obstacles from thermal signature, geometry-based analysis of range images, and geometry-based analysis of terrain maps are fused. The focus of this work is to increase the range at which UGVs can reliably detect negative obstacles on cross-country terrain, thereby increasing the speed at which UGVs can safely operate.
Integration of Liouvillian functions with special functions

In this paper, we discuss a decision procedure for the indefinite integration of transcendental Liouvillian functions in terms of elementary functions and logarithmic integrals. We also discuss a decision procedure for the integration of a large class of transcendental Liouvillian functions in terms of elementary functions and error-functions.
Reduced HDL2 cholesterol subspecies and elevated postheparin hepatic lipase activity in older men with abdominal obesity and asymptomatic myocardial ischemia.

Silent myocardial ischemia (SI), an asymptomatic manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD), was identified in 10% of apparently healthy nonsmoking, nondiabetic older (60 +/- 7 years, mean +/- SD) men with normal plasma cholesterol levels. We hypothesized that in the absence of other major risk factors for CAD, the men with SI would have reduced plasma levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and HDL2 subspecies due to an upper-body fat distribution (waist-to-hip ratio [WHR]), hyperinsulinemia, and abnormal postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activities. Compared with 47 normal control subjects of similar age, obesity, and maximal aerobic capacity, the 18 men with SI had higher plasma triglyceride (TG) (162 +/- 71 versus 102 +/- 39 mg/dl, p less than 0.001) and lower HDL-C (33 +/- 6 versus 37 +/- 7 mg/dl, p less than 0.02) levels with no difference in low density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The HDL2b and HDL2a subspecies measured by gradient gel electrophoresis were also lower in the men with SI (p less than 0.01). The plasma glucose and insulin responses during an oral glucose tolerance test were the same in both groups. Postheparin plasma HL activity was significantly higher in 12 men with SI than in 41 control subjects (34 +/- 8 versus 27 +/- 10 mumol/ml.hr-1, p less than 0.03) and was correlated with log insulin area (r = 0.36, p less than 0.05) and WHR (r = 0.32, p less than 0.05) in the control subjects but not in the men with SI. In the control group, the percent HDL2b subspecies was correlated inversely with postheparin plasma HL activity (r = -0.46, p less than 0.01, n = 41) as well as WHR (r = -0.49, p less than 0.001, n = 47) and log insulin area (r = -0.37, p less than 0.05, n = 47) but not in the men with SI. Postheparin LPL activity was the same in both groups of men and did not correlate with HDL, WHR, insulin, or plasma TG levels. As the control subjects and men with SI had comparable degrees of abdominal obesity and hyperinsulinemia, these results suggest that the reduced HDL-C levels in men with SI may be related to elevations in HL activity. Thus, abdominal obesity, hyperinsulinemia, elevated TG levels, and low HDL-C and HDL2 subspecies levels may predispose these older men to atherosclerosis.
Vitamin K dependent formation of γ-carboxyglutamate residues in tumor microsomes

Abstract Vitamin K stimulated the incorporation of 14 C into proteins when microsomes from melanoma, mammary gland, mast cell and lymphoma tumors were incubated with Na 2 14 CO 3 . The 14 C label in the [ 14 C] proteins was identified as [ 14 C] γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla), which is formed by carboxylation of glutamic acid residues. Carboxylation in tumor microsomes ranged from 2 to 19% of the carboxylation in normal liver microsomes per mg of microsomal protein. Carboxylation in microsomes was completely blocked by 10 μM Warfarin. SDS-polyacrylamide gel analysis of the melanoma [ 14 C] Gla protein(s) revealed one major peak of 14 C with an apparent MW of less than 6,000.
Supporting Overcommitted Virtual Machines through Hardware Spin Detection

Multiprocessor operating systems (OSs) pose several unique and conflicting challenges to System Virtual Machines (System VMs). For example, most existing system VMs resort to gang scheduling a guest OS's virtual processors (VCPUs) to avoid OS synchronization overhead. However, gang scheduling is infeasible for some application domains, and is inflexible in other domains. In an overcommitted environment, an individual guest OS has more VCPUs than available physical processors (PCPUs), precluding the use of gang scheduling. In such an environment, we demonstrate a more than two-fold increase in application runtime when transparently virtualizing a chip-multiprocessor's cores. To combat this problem, we propose a hardware technique to detect when a VCPU is wasting CPU cycles, and preempt that VCPU to run a different, more productive VCPU. Our technique can dramatically reduce cycles wasted on OS synchronization, without requiring any semantic information from the software. We then present a server consolidation case study to demonstrate the potential of more flexible scheduling policies enabled by our technique. We propose one such policy that logically partitions the CMP cores between guest VMs. This policy increases throughput by 10-25 percent for consolidated server workloads due to improved cache locality and core utilization.
Responsible to the Kids: The Goals and Struggles of Urban High School Teachers

For this study, 40 teachers at four admired public urban high schools participated in interviews about the responsibilities, goals, and challenges they face as they try to attend to students' needs in the midst of pressures from high stakes testing and high academic standards. Common themes from their responses included a deep and profound responsibility to the “kids” who enter their classrooms; ongoing efforts to negotiate the academic and personal goals they have for each student; frustration and dismay that their “juggling act” is not recognized in the wider society; and feelings of burnout when they become overwhelmed by their efforts to balance competing demands. How teachers negotiate these tensions is explored. Suggestions are made for how to enhance the sustainability of good teaching in public education, especially in areas of high student need, such as high-poverty urban districts.
Analysis and classification of vapor phase infrared spectra by feed-forward neural networks

The interpretation and classification of vapor phase infrared spectra of alcohols and esters by neural networks is reported. Feature spectra produced by neural networks reveal functional group-specific absorption bands.
Subcortical mediation of learned taste aversion.

Abstract Rats were trained on a taste aversion task in which they were given access to water and saccharin on alternate days. Saccharin consumption was followed by an injection of apomorphine which made the animals ill. In the first experiment the animals learned to avoid drinking saccharin under unilateral cortical spreading depression (CSD) and showed a marked transfer when tested with the contralateral hemisphere depressed. In the second experiment rats were successfully trained on the same task under bilateral CSD. The data indicate that the afferent, efferent, and association process necessary for the maintenance of fluid intake and the regulation of that intake by conditioned aversive properties of taste stimuli do not depend upon normally functioning neocortex.
Computational Environments for Exploring Dynamical Systems

Nonlinear dynamical-system models are ubiquitous throughout the sciences and engineering. Efficient computational analysis of specific dynamical systems is often a critical component for the successful completion of a research or design project. The enormous increase in the computational capability of desktop computers presents an opportunity for corresponding increases in our ability to explore dynamical models efficiently. Doing so requires that a suitable computational environment be established that gives the user interactive access to algorithms, graphical displays and data management tools. This paper is an overview of what such an environment might look like. The program kaos is a prototype that is oriented towards the computation of multiparameter bifurcation diagrams.
Effective content of the calculus of variations I: Semi-continuity and the chattering lemma

Abstract The content of existence theorems in the calculus of variations has been explored and an effective treatment of semi-continuity has been achieved. An algorithm has been developed which captures the natural algorithmic content of the notion of a semi-continuous function and this is used to obtain an effective version of the “chattering lemma” of control theory and ordinary differential equations. This lemma reveals the main computational content of the theory of relaxed optimal control.
Nonlinear analysis of pressurized spinning fiber-reinforced tori

The symbolic manipulator Mathematica is used to implement a procedure combining the theory of elasticity, differential geometry, calculus of variations, and variational techniques to derive and solve a set of equations that approximates the nonlinear steady-state response of pressurized spinning toroidal shells. The nonlinearity is geometric and the torus is fiber reinforced along its major direction. The resulting set of nonlinear equations is solved for various values of the applied pressure, fiber content, and spinning speeds. Qualitative results are obtained and linear results are compared and contrasted to nonlinear results.
First steps in growth of a polypeptide toward β-sheet structure.

The full conformational energy surface is examined for a molecule in which a dipeptide is attached to the same spacer group as another peptide chain, so as to model the seminal steps of β-sheet formation. This surface is compared with the geometrical preferences of the isolated dipeptide to extract the perturbations induced by interactions with the second peptide strand. These interpeptide interactions remove any tendency of the dipeptide to form a C5 ring structure, one of its two normally stable geometries. A C7 structure, the preferred conformation of the isolated dipeptide, remains as the global minimum in the full molecule. However, the stability of this structure is highly dependent upon interpeptide H-bonds with the second chain. The latter forces include not only the usual NH···O interaction, but also a pair of CH···O H-bonds. The secondary minimum is also of C7 type and likewise depends in part upon CH···O H-bonds for its stability. The latter interactions also play a part in the tertiary minimum...
The glucose transporter of the human brain and blood-brain barrier.

We identified and characterized the glucose transporter in the human cerebral cortex, cerebral microvessels, and choroid plexus by specific D-glucose-displaceable (3H)cytochalasin B binding. The binding was saturable, with a dissociation constant less than 1 microM. Maximal binding capacity was approximately 7 pmol/mg protein in the cerebral cortex, approximately 42 pmol/mg protein in brain microvessels, and approximately 27 pmol/mg protein in the choroid plexus. Several hexoses displaced specific (3H)cytochalasin B binding to microvessels in a rank-order that correlated well with their known ability to cross the blood-brain barrier; the only exception was 2-deoxy-D-glucose, which had much higher affinity for the glucose transporter than the natural substrate, D-glucose. Irreversible photoaffinity labeling of the glucose transporter of microvessels with (3H)cytochalasin B, followed by solubilization and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, labeled a protein band with an average molecular weight of approximately 55,000. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific to the human erythrocyte glucose transporter immunocytochemically stained brain blood vessels and the few trapped erythrocytes in situ, with minimal staining of the neuropil. In the choroid plexus, blood vessels did not stain, but the epithelium reacted positively. We conclude that human brain microvessels are richly endowed with a glucose transport moiety similar in molecular weight and antigenicmore » characteristics to that of human erythrocytes and brain microvessels of other mammalian species.« less
The influences of capital market munificence on new-venture alliance formation in emerging industries

How do public capital markets influence alliance formation by new ventures? Resource dependency logic suggests that new ventures form fewer alliances when public capital markets are munificent because public investors demand less management control than do alliance partners. In contrast, according to the strategic behavior view, public capital market munificence can also motivate alliance formation because such munificence can enhance the returns that new-venture managers expect from using alliances. We seek to reconcile these two conflicting views of reinforcing versus attenuating effects of public capital market munificence on alliance formation. In this study of new Internet ventures, we find evidence that public capital market munificence increases alliance formation, which provides support for the reinforcing effect. However, availability of other resource alternatives�venture capital and product markets�decreases the positive influence of public capital market munificence on alliance formation. Thus, a contingency perspective in which resource dependency-based motivations moderate strategic motivations best explains the influence of capital market munificence on new ventures� alliance formation behavior.
The impact of induction chemotherapy on the dosimetric parameters of subsequent radiotherapy: an investigation of 30 consecutive patients with locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer and modern radiation planning techniques

To investigate the influence of induction chemotherapy (ICT) on dosimetric outcomes in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive chemoradiation (CRT). 30 patients with inoperable stage II-III NSCLC treated with 2–4 cycles of ICT followed by definitive CRT to ≥ 60 Gy were selected. Tumor response to chemotherapy was scored by RECIST criteria. Treatment plans based on tumor extent prior to chemotherapy were generated based on equivalent planning constraints and techniques as the original post-chemotherapy plans. Dosimetric parameters predictive of toxicity for lung, esophagus, heart, and spinal cord were compared amongst the pre- and post-ICT plans. The majority of patients (70%) experienced an overall reduction in GTV size between the pre-ICT imaging and the time of simulation. Comparing pre-and post-ICT diagnostic imaging, 5 patients met the RECIST criteria for response, 23 were classified as stable, and 2 experienced disease progression on diagnostic imaging. Despite a significantly reduced GTV size in the post-ICT group, no systematic improvements in normal tissue doses were seen amongst the entire cohort. This result persisted amongst the subgroup of patients with larger pre-ICT GTV tumor volumes (>100 cc3). Among patients with RECIST-defined response, a significant reduction in lung mean dose (1.9 Gy absolute, median 18.2 Gy to 16.4 Gy, p = 0.04) and V20, the percentage of lung receiving 20 Gy (3.1% absolute, median 29.3% to 26.3%, p = 0.04) was observed. In the non-responding group of patients, an increased esophageal V50 was found post-chemotherapy (median 28.9% vs 30.1%, p = 0.02). For patients classified as having a response by RECIST to ICT, modest improvements in V20 and mean lung dose were found. However, these benefits were not realized for the cohort as a whole or for patients with larger tumors upfront. Given the variability of tumor response to ICT, the a priori impact of induction chemotherapy to reduce RT dose to normal tissue in these patients is minimal in the setting of modern treatment planning.
A Survey on Data Acquisition Systems DAQ

Data acquisition systems have been used in various applications in our world. Numerous techniques and algorithms have been employed to achieve high quality acquisition. Each application has its own philosophy and data acquisition structure. Hence, in this paper, a survey on data acquisition systems has been presented. Different DAQ categories have been introduced. A comparison study between these categories has been presented. Different applications that need DAQs have been mentioned in more details illustrating DAQ technique used for each application.
The variable deletion of unstressed vowels in Faialense Portuguese

To verify anecdotal claims regarding the nature of unstressed vowel deletion in Azorean (European) Portuguese, conversational data from a native speaker of the island of Faial have been analyzed to determine the segmental and prosodic contexts favoring elision. Results of a quantitative analysis indicate that unstressed [u] and schwa are the most likely vowels to be deleted; moreover, deletion is highly favored when the unstressed vowel occurs in word-final position at the end of an utterance. Factors such as rhythmic preservation, syllable structure, and functional load are discounted in the analysis, suggesting that vowel deletion is essentially a word-based variable process in the language.
A factored approach to subdivision surfaces

Polygons are a ubiquitous modeling primitive in computer graphics. However, modeling with polygons is problematic for highly faceted approximations to smooth surfaces. The sheer size of these approximations makes them impossible to manipulate directly. Subdivision solves this problem by representing a smooth shape in terms of a coarse polygonal model. The subdivision rules used during this refinement process depend only on the initial model's topological connectivity and yield surfaces with guaranteed smoothness. Subdivision schemes are either interpolating or approximating. The averaging methods we've described are approximating in that the surfaces don't interpolate the original surface's vertices. Interpolating methods interpolate the vertices of the original surface, giving the user a more intuitive feel of the final surface shape.
Producing the Governable Employee: The Strategic Deployment of Workplace Empowerment

Workplace empowerment and the issues surrounding it have been well documented in the organizational literature on the topic, with critiques centered on the question of whether it is possible to craft an 'empowered' workplace where employees who are embedded within capitalist relations of production are actually able to exercise meaningful control over the environment in which they labor. Our contention in this paper is that workplace empowerment cannot be analyzed in isolation, but must be seen as a part of a broader managerial discourse that attempts to serve the organizational project. Following on from Foucault's delineation of the concept of governmentality and Gramsci's notes on hegemony, we read empowerment as a part of the modern operation of power, and as an integral component of a system of signification that is employed in order to produce a governable, organizational subject.