cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The enhancing effects of obesity on mammary tumor growth and Akt/mTOR pathway activation persist after weight loss and are reversed by RAD001

The prevalence of obesity, an established risk and progression factor for postmenopausal breast cancer, remains high in US women. Activation of Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling plays a key role in the obesity-breast cancer link. However, the impact of weight normalization in obese postmenopausal women on breast tumorigenesis and/or Akt/mTOR activation is poorly characterized. To model this, ovariectomized female C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet (n = 20), a calorie restriction (CR) regimen (n = 20), or a diet-induced obesity (DIO) diet (n = 30). At week 17, DIO mice were switched to control diet, resulting in formerly obese (FOb) mice with weights identical to the controls by week 20. MMTV-Wnt-1 mammary tumor cells were injected at 20 wk into each mouse. Two weeks post-injection, vehicle or the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 at 10 or 15 mg/kg body weight (n = 10/diet group) was administered by gavage twice/week until termination. Relative to controls, CR mice had decreased (and DIO mice had increased) serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and phosphorylation of Akt/mTOR pathway components. RAD001 decreased tumor growth in the CR, control, and FOb mice. Wnt-1 tumor cells treated in vitro with serum from mice from each group established that diet-dependent circulating factors contribute to tumor growth and invasiveness. These findings suggest weight normalization in obese mice does not immediately reverse tumor progression or Akt/mTOR activation. Treatment with RAD001 blocked mammary tumor development and mTOR activation observed in the FOb mice, suggesting combination of lifestyle and pharmacologic strategies may be effective for breaking the obesity-breast cancer link.
Independent calculations to validate monitor units from ADAC treatment planning system

Current standards of practice are based on the use of an independent calculation to validate the monitor units (MUs) derived from a treatment planning system. The ADAC PINNACLE treatment planning system has shown discrepancies of 10% or more compared to simple independent calculations for highly contoured areas such as tangential breast and chest wall irradiation. The ADAC treatment planning system generally requires more MUs to deliver the same prescribed dose. Independent MU calculation methods are based on full phantom conditions. On the other hand, the MUs from the ADAC treatment planning system are derived using realistic phantom scatter. As such, differences exist in TMR factors, off-axis wedge factors, and the phantom scatter factor. To systematically study the discrepancies due to phantom conditions, experimental measurements were performed with various percentages of tissue missing. The agreement between the experimental measurements and ADAC calculations was found to be within 2%. Using breast field geometry, a relationship between missing tissue and the dosimetric parameters used by ADAC was developed. This relationship, when applied, yielded independent MU calculations whose values closely matched those from the ADAC treatment planning system.
Nucleic acid-modified nanostructures as programmable atom equivalents: forging a new "table of elements".

Despite the rapid progress in the area of nucleic acid functionalized nanoparticle assembly, especially since 2008, several challenges remain as the focus of ongoing efforts. An additional challenge beyond simply synthesizing the nanoparticle building blocks is to functionalize them with nucleic acids without altering their structure or desired physical properties. The first type of nucleic acid functionalized nanostructure that was developed by our group utilized a spherical gold nanoparticle core as a scaffold for the covalent attachment of single-stranded oligonucleotides in a densely functionalized and highly oriented manner. Initial assemblies made from spherical nucleic acid–gold nanoparticle programmable atom equivalents were synthesized by combining sets of complementary conjugates in solution the melting temperature of the nucleic acid duplexes. By using nucleic acid functionalized nanostructures however, one can recreate the diversity observed in atomic lattices, but also surpass the limitations in programmability and predictability inherent in atomic systems.
The Evolution of Consciousness and the Theology of Nature

Theology and philosophy have traditionally assumed a radical split between human beings and the rest of creation. Philosophically, the split is usually justified in terms of a locus humanus, some one cognitive trait that human beings possess and nonhuman animals do not. Theologically, this trait is usually identified as that which makes us in the image of God. Research in animal cognition, however, suggests that we are not unique in as many respects as we think we are. This suggests that we rethink the idea of the image of God, In light of this, I propose that we think of nature itself as being in the image of God, with humankind as part of the broader natural and theological process.
The use of relational database management systems (DBMS) for information retrieval in a group technology (GT) environment

Abstract This paper investigates the use of the tools available in a Relational DBMS for the purpose of developing a Group Technology (GT) application. Specifically, we will concentrate on Structured Query Language (SQL) but the possibilities of using other features such as Host Language programming and Report Generators will also be examined. The paper demonstrates the use of Relational DBMS technology as a tool for implementing a GT project in an advanced manufacturing environment.
Laser shadowgraph and schlieren studies of gravity-related flow during solidification

Shadowgraph and schlieren techniques were used to observe gravity-related flow arising during solidification. The purpose of these studies was to elucidate the results of previous low gravity solidification experiments. Shadowgraph and schlieren techniques were selected as most suitable for operation in the anticipated experimental environment. A laser shadowgraph/schlieren system was built and flown on KC-135 low gravity simulation flights. A solution of ammonium chloride and water was cooled during the experiment, causing solidification. Growth plumes in the solution were observed and photographed using shadowgraph and schlieren techniques. Results are presented and related to previous work.
Amyl nitrite inhalation as a screening test for hypertrophic subaortic stenosis

Abstract The influence of amyl nitrite inhalation on the ejection time, corrected for heart rate, was examined in 18 patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and 34 with a variety of other cardiac diseases (control group). The corrected ejection time increased by 0.04 sec. or more in 11 of 18 patients (61 per cent) with hypertrophic stenosis after amyl nitrite; in the control group the corrected ejection time generally decreased, remained constant, or increased by less than 0.04 sec. The augmented degree of outflow obstruction produced by amyl nitrite probably accounts for the prolongation in corrected ejection time in hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. The change in ejection time after amyl nitrite inhalation may be conveniently studied during phonocardiography or right heart catheterization and employed as a simple screening test for hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Thus, it is useful in determining the indications for left heart catheterization or angiocardiography in patients suspected of having this disease.
Energetics and fullerene fractionation.

The local-density-functional binding energies per carbon atom ${\mathrm{C}}_{50}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{70}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{72}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{76}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{78}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{84}$, ${\mathrm{C}}_{180}$, and ${\mathrm{C}}_{240}$ fullerenes and various isomers of these are computed at geometries that have been optimized using an empirical potential. Little is found to distinguish fullerenes that have been obtained experimentally and those that have not. It is unlikely that energetics plays a dominant role in determining which fullerenes are made in the Kra\ifmmode\ddot\else\textasciidieresis\fi{}tschmer-Huffman process.
Regulation of expanded polyglutamine protein aggregation and nuclear localization by the glucocorticoid receptor

Spinobulbar muscular atrophy and Huntington's disease are caused by polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor and huntingtin, respectively, and their pathogenesis has been associated with abnormal nuclear localization and aggregation of truncated forms of these proteins. Here we show, in diverse cell types, that glucocorticoids can up- or down-modulate aggregation and nuclear localization of expanded polyglutamine polypeptides derived from the androgen receptor and huntingtin through specific regulation of gene expression. Wild-type glucocorticoid receptor (GR), as well as C-terminal deletion derivatives, suppressed the aggregation and nuclear localization of these polypeptides, whereas mutations within the DNA binding domain and N terminus of GR abolished this activity. Surprisingly, deletion of a transcriptional regulatory domain within the GR N terminus markedly increased aggregation and nuclear localization of the expanded polyglutamine proteins. Thus, aggregation and nuclear localization of expanded polyglutamine proteins are regulated cellular processes that can be modulated by a well-characterized transcriptional regulator, the GR. Our findings suggest approaches to study the molecular pathogenesis and selective neuronal degeneration of polyglutamine expansion diseases.
Transition of Chaotic Flow in a Radially Heated Taylor-Couette System

Numerical simulations have been performed to study the stability of heated, incompressible Taylor-Couette flow for a radius ratio of 0.7 and a Prandtl number of 0.7. As Gr is increased, the Taylor cell that has the same direction of circulation as the natural convection current increases in size and the counterrotating cell becomes smaller. The flow remains axisymmetric and the average heat transfer decreases with the increase in Gr. When the cylinder is impulsively heated, the counterrotating cell vanishes and n = 1 spiral is formed for Gr = 1000. This transition marks an increase in the heat transfer due to an increase in the radial velocity component of the fluid. By slowly varying the Grashof number, the simulations demonstrate the existence of a hysteresis loop. Two different stable states with same heat transfer are found to exist at the same Grashof number. A time-delay analysis of the radial velocity and the local heat transfer coefficient time is performed to determine the dimension at two Grashof numbers. For a fixed Reynolds number of 100, the two-dimensional projection of the reconstructed attractor shows a limit cycle for Gr = −1700. The limit cycle behavior disappears at Gr = −2100, and the reconstructed attractor becomes irregular. The attractor dimension increases to about 3.2 from a value of 1 for the limit cycle case; similar values were determined for both the local heat transfer and the local radial velocity, indicating that the dynamics of the temperature variations can be inferred from that of the velocity variations.
Viscoelastic Analysis of Thermal Stresses in a Composite Sphere

Viscoelastic analyses of thermal stresses are presented for composite spheres in which the viscous phase constitutes either the core or the cladding. These results should offer a better approximation to the stresses caused by spherical inclusions than the isolated sphere solution. The viscoelastic solution provides a means of finding the appropriate setting temperature for the composite, and its dependence on the volume fraction of the elastic material. The setting temperature of an elastic core composite is also shown to be predictable from that for a sandwich seal of the same materials. A “fluid core” analysis is shown to provide a good approximation when the elastic phase constitutes the cladding. This type of seal is sensitive to the dilatational relaxation behavior of the glass.
Determination of the dynamic recrystallization kinetics model for SCM435 steel

The flow stress behavior of SCM435 steel was studied by using a MMS-200 thermal simulation machine, under the conditions with deformation temperatures of 1023–1323 K and strain rate of 0.01–10 s−1. The experimental results indicated that the critical strain would get smaller with the increment in temperature and the decrement in strain rate, leaving the dynamic recrystallization easier to occur. The peak stress constitutive equation of SCM435 steel under high temperatures was established by the form of hyperbolic sine, and the activation energy of deformation under high temperature was obtained by regression equation. The critical strain ɛ c for dynamic recrystallization was accurately derived from the θ-σ curve containing strain hardening rate θ and flow stress σ. Then the correlation between peak stress, peak strain, critical stress, critical strain and the parameter Z was further obtained. The Avrami kinetic equation of dynamic recrystallization for SCM435 steel was developed from stress-strain curve, and the Avrami exponent m was abstracted. Observations also indicated that the Avrami constants would decrease with increments in temperature, but increase with increments in strain rate. The Avrami constant took small influence from the deforming temperature, but significant influence from strain rate, and the correlation between Avrami constant and the strain rate was obtained by regression equation.
Subunit-specific mutational analysis of residue N348 in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

N348I in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) confers resistance to zidovudine (AZT) and nevirapine. Biochemical studies demonstrated that N348I indirectly increases AZT resistance by decreasing the frequency of secondary ribonuclease H (RNase H) cleavages that reduce the RNA/DNA duplex length of the template/primer (T/P) and diminish the efficiency of AZT-monophosphate (MP) excision. By contrast, there is some discrepancy in the literature in regard to the mechanisms associated with nevirapine resistance: one study suggested that it is due to decreased inhibitor binding while others suggest that it may be related to the decreased RNase H cleavage phenotype. From a structural perspective, N348 in both subunits of RT resides distal to the enzyme's active sites, to the T/P binding tract and to the nevirapine-binding pocket. As such, the structural mechanisms associated with the resistance phenotypes are not known. Using a novel modelled structure of RT in complex with an RNA/DNA T/P, we identified a putative interaction between the β14-β15 loop in the p51 subunit of RT and the RNA template. Substitution of the asparagine at codon 348 in the p51 subunit with either isoleucine or leucine abrogated the observed protein-RNA interaction, thus, providing a possible explanation for the decreased RNase H phenotype. By contrast, alanine or glutamine substitutions exerted no effect. To validate this model, we introduced the N348I, N348L, N348A and N348Q mutations into RT and purified enzymes that contained subunit-specific mutations. N348I and N348L significantly decreased the frequency of secondary RNase H cleavages and increased the enzyme's ability to excise AZT-MP. As predicted by the modelling, this phenotype was due to the mutation in the p51 subunit of RT. By contrast, the N348A and N348Q RTs exhibited RNase H cleavage profiles and AZT-MP excision activities similar to the wild-type enzyme. All N348 mutant RTs exhibited decreased nevirapine susceptibility, although the N348I and N348L mutations conferred higher fold resistance values compared to N348A and N348Q. Nevirapine resistance was also largely due to the mutation present in the p51 subunit of RT. This study demonstrates that N348I-mediated AZT and nevirapine resistance is due to the mutation in the p51 subunit of RT.
The Nebular Redshift

The possibility of an effect of the free electrons in a highly ionized gas on the frequency of light traversing it has been investigated. Electrons to a density of about 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{12}$ per cc were produced in a series of low voltage arcs. Light of wave-length 5461A was passed through the arcs and a frequency shift sought by means of an interferometer in vacuum. A shift of approximately two parts in ${10}^{10}$ could have been detected. A very satisfactory null result was obtained. This is interpreted with special reference to the possibility of explaining the nebular redshift by such a mechanism. It is concluded that the shift is not attributable to interstellar electrons.
Strategic Planning and Management in State Departments of Transportation

Abstract This article examines current strategic planning and management practices in state transportation departments based on information solicited through a survey and follow up telephone interviews. Several of these departments have developed comprehensive strategic management processes that drive decisions as they move into the future, but remaining challenges include the need for increased selectivity concerning strategic goals and objectives, the relation of agency strategic plans to transportation system plans, building ownership for strategic agendas, and institutionalizing strategic planning processes in order to survive transitions in top level administrations.
CVD of MgO from a Mg(β-ketoiminate)2: Preparation, Characterization, and Utilization of an Intramolecularly Stabilized, Highly Volatile, Thermally Robust Precursor

Dibutylmagnesium reacts with 2 equivalents of 5-N-(N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)-2,2,7-trimethyl-3-octanone in THF to afford the homoleptic bis(β-ketoiminate) compound 2. Its molecular structure, determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique, exhibits a six-coordinate magnesium atom surrounded by four nitrogen and two oxygen atoms in an octahedral environment. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, a = 9.3288(5) A, b = 9.8151(5) A, c = 10.4592(6) A, a = 65.2870(10)°, β= 85.524(2)°, γ = 83.568(2)°, V = 863.97(8) A 3 , Z = 1, D c = 1.075 g cm -3 . Refinement of 2436 independent reflections converged to residual values of R 1 = 3.16 % and R W = 8.05 %. Employment of 2 in CVD experiments carried out on a silicon substrate at a temperature of 450 °C under an inert atmosphere of argon resulted in the deposition of magnesium oxide, as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The films were granular in nature, as indicated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the effects of cocaine-paired contextual stimuli on impulsive decision making in rats.

Rationale Chronic cocaine exposure produces unconditioned enhancement in impulsive decision making; however, little is known about the effects of cocaine-paired conditioned stimuli on this behavior. Thus, this study explored the effects of cocaine-paired contextual stimuli on impulsive decision making and the contribution of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to this phenomenon.
Humoral Immune Response against Nontargeted Tumor Antigens after Treatment with Sipuleucel-T and Its Association with Improved Clinical Outcome

Purpose: Antitumor activity of cancer immunotherapies may elicit immune responses to nontargeted (secondary) tumor antigens, or antigen spread. We evaluated humoral antigen spread after treatment with sipuleucel-T, an immunotherapy for asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), designed to target prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP; primary antigen). Experimental Design: Serum samples from patients with mCRPC enrolled in the placebo-controlled phase III IMPACT study (evaluable n = 142) were used to assess humoral antigen spread after treatment with sipuleucel-T. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to self-antigens (including tumor antigens) were surveyed using protein microarrays and confirmed using Luminex xMAP. IgG responses were subsequently validated in ProACT ( n = 33), an independent phase II study of sipuleucel-T. Association of IgG responses with overall survival (OS) was assessed using multivariate Cox models adjusted for baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Results: In patients from IMPACT and ProACT, levels of IgG against multiple secondary antigens, including PSA, KLK2/hK2, K-Ras, E-Ras, LGALS8/PCTA-1/galectin-8, and LGALS3/galectin-3, were elevated after treatment with sipuleucel-T ( P P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Sipuleucel-T induced humoral antigen spread in patients with mCRPC. IgG responses were associated with improved OS in IMPACT. The methods and results reported may identify pharmacodynamic biomarkers of clinical outcome after sipuleucel-T treatment, and help in clinical assessments of other cancer immunotherapies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(16); 3619–30. ©2015 AACR . See related commentary by Hellstrom and Hellstrom, p. 3581
A multi-rater nonparametric test of agreement and corresponding agreement plot

In this note we develop a new method for testing agreement in both the two-dimensional and p-dimensional settings. Our approach takes advantage of some readily available tests of uniformity found in most statistical software packages. In addition, we develop a corresponding agreement plot and define the agreement region. We compare our approach to the concordance correlation coefficient and the intraclass correlation in two dimensions. We conclude that our new test of agreement is more suited towards examining the specific hypothesis of perfect agreement between raters, devices or other such types of measures as defined by points falling precisely on the line of concordance in terms of power and type I error control.
Inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation and DNA synthesis by Vasoprin — a biologic response modifier

The effect of Vasoprin, a biologic response modifier (BRM), on smooth muscle cell DNA synthesis and intimal proliferation was studied. In this report, we have measured DNA specific activity (SA) and intimal thickening following balloon injury (balloon de-endothelialization (BDE)) after administration of Vasoprin. Various dose schedules were employed to assess Vasoprin's effect post BDE. Forty-eight hours following vascular injury (the peak of SMC DNA synthesis), Vasoprin administered at various treatment schedules showed between 54% and 72.6% ± 9% (P < 0.0012) inhibition of DNA SA compared with vehicle controls. Vasoprin also diminished SMC intimal thickening following its administration. Seven days after vascular injury, at which time SMC neointimal proliferation reaches its peak, Vasoprin treated animals showed marked reduction in intimal thickening by 45.5% ± 6.6% (P < 0.008), compared with the BDE rats receiving an agent vehicle as controls. The results of this report demonstrate that a biologic response modifier (Vasoprin) has a profound effect on SMC proliferation, and that the immune system may be a component in the progression of intimal thickening and hence vascular closure.
The importance of forest type, tree species and wood posture to saproxylic wasp (Hymenoptera) communities in the southeastern United States.

Although the forests of the southeastern United States are among the most productive and diverse in North America, information needed to develop conservation guidelines for the saproxylic (i.e., dependent on dead wood) fauna endemic to the region is lacking. Particularly little is known about the habitat associations and requirements of saproxylic parasitoids even though these organisms may be even more vulnerable than their hosts. We sampled parasitoids emerging from dead wood taken from two forest types (an upland pine-dominated forest and a lowland hardwood-dominated forest), three tree species (Liquidambar styraciflua L., Pinus taeda L., and Quercus nigra L.) and two wood postures (standing dead trees (i.e., snags) and fallen logs) in South Carolina. Parasitoid abundance did not differ between forest types or among tree species, but did differ between wood postures, being higher in snags than logs. This difference may have been due to the logs being in contact with the ground or surrounding vegetation and therefore less accessible to parasitoids. Parasitoid abundance and density decreased with height on both snags and logs. Species richness did not differ between forest types, among tree species or between wood postures. According to analysis of similarities, parasitoid communities did not differ between forest types, but did differ among tree species. The wasp communities associated with the different tree species and posture combinations were distinct. In addition, communities associated with the upper boles and crowns of snags were distinct from those occurring lower on snags. These results emphasize the importance of maintaining tree diversity in managed forests as well as retaining or creating entire snags at the time of harvest.
Within-Host Genetic Diversity of Endemic and Emerging Parvoviruses of Dogs and Cats

Viral emergence can result from the adaptation of endemic pathogens to new or altered host environments, a process that is strongly influenced by the underlying sequence diversity. To determine the extent and structure of intrahost genetic diversity in a recently emerged single-stranded DNA virus, we analyzed viral population structures during natural infections of animals with canine parvovirus (CPV) or its ancestor, feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). We compared infections that occurred shortly after CPV emerged with more recent infections and examined the population structure of CPV after experimental cross-species transmission to cats. Infections with CPV and FPV showed limited genetic diversity regardless of the analyzed host tissue or year of isolation. Coinfections with genetically distinct viral strains were detected in some cases, and rearranged genomes were seen in both FPV and CPV. The sporadic presence of some sequences with multiple mutations suggested the occurrence of either particularly error-prone viral replication or coinfection by more distantly related strains. Finally, some potentially organ-specific host effects were seen during experimental cross-species transmission, with many of the mutations located in the nonstructural protein NS2. These included residues with evidence of positive selection at the population level, which is compatible with a role of this protein in host adaptation.
A simple technique to measure stem respiration using a horizontally oriented soil chamber

This paper introduces a simple technique, the horizontally oriented soil chamber (HOSC), to measure stem and branch respiration easily and accurately. We extend the function of the LI-6400-09 soil ...
Alternatives to pesticides in Southeastern United States.

Abstract A critical review of alternatives to the use of pesticides in agricultural practice in the Southeastern United States is presented. The methods, their stage of development and case histories are cited.
Beyond survival: recommendations from INTERMACS for assessing function and quality of life with mechanical circulatory support.

From the Division of Cardiac Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; Cardiovascular Division, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky; Division of Cardiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
A major dissolution event at the close of MIS 5e in the western equatorial Atlantic

Measurements of the CaCO3 content and the CaCO3 size index on a core from the equatorial Atlantic's Ceara Rise reveal a pronounced dissolution event associated with the transition between MIS 5e and 5d. We tentatively correlate this event with the dramatic drop in atmospheric CO2 content that occurred at the end of MIS 5e. Attempts to quantify the carbonate ion concentration drop associated with this event failed because the shells in this zone had been largely destroyed by dissolution. By leaving out the sonification step in our cleaning procedure, we were able to “rescue” enough shells to weigh, but they showed no dramatic weight loss. We attribute this to the survival of the hardiest shells.
Identifying suspicious URLs: an application of large-scale online learning

This paper explores online learning approaches for detecting malicious Web sites (those involved in criminal scams) using lexical and host-based features of the associated URLs. We show that this application is particularly appropriate for online algorithms as the size of the training data is larger than can be efficiently processed in batch and because the distribution of features that typify malicious URLs is changing continuously. Using a real-time system we developed for gathering URL features, combined with a real-time source of labeled URLs from a large Web mail provider, we demonstrate that recently-developed online algorithms can be as accurate as batch techniques, achieving classification accuracies up to 99% over a balanced data set.
Stimulatory effect of a sulfonylurea analogue and its polymer conjugate on insulin secretion from rat islets

A sulfonylurea with a polymerizable end group (a glyburide analogue) was synthesized. This monomer was copolymerized with N, N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm). In vitro bioactivity was evaluated by adding these sulfonylurea monomers and copolymers into normal rat islet cultures and measuring the insulin concentration in the supernatant. The sulfonylurea monomer showed a stimulatory effect on rat islets at glucose concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/dL, with equivalent stimulation indices for glyburide, the potent sulfonylurea drug, while no effect was observed at a glucose concentration of 200 mg/dL. The sulfonylurea polymer stimulated Langerhans islets to secrete insulin at a low glucose concentration of 50 mg/dL, with 80% bioactivity of its monomeric compound. However, at 100 and 200 mg/dL glucose concentrations, there was no significant stimulation in insulin secretion. Because it is suggested that the sulfonylurea receptors are located in the lipid phase on the ATP-sensitive K+ channels, the solubilization of sulfonylurea into, and its diffusion through, the lipid phase in the cell membrane may affect the interactions of sulfonylurea with its receptors. In the case of the sulfonylurea polymer, the sulfonylurea unit in the polymer can interact with its receptor as can be seen by the increased insulin secretion at a glucose concentration of 50 mg/dL, but its interaction would be interfered with to some extent by a large hydrophilic polymer backbone. Thus, less change in insulin secretion was observed at higher glucose concentrations by the addition of this particular sulfonylurea polymer.
Robust video object tracking based on multiple kernels with projected gradients

In kernel-based video object tracking, the use of single kernel often suffers from the occlusion. In order to provide more robust tracking performance, multiple inter-related kernels have thus been utilized for tracking in complicated scenarios. This paper presents an innovative method that uses projected gradient to facilitate multiple kernels in finding the best match during tracking under predefined constraints. The adaptive weights are also applied to the kernels in order to efficiently compensate the adverse effect introduced by occlusion. An effective scheme is also incorporated to deal with the scale changing issue during the object tracking. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can successfully track the video object under severe occlusion.
On the edge preserving smoothing filter

An improvement on the gradient inverse weighted (GIW) filter for digital image smoothing is proposed. The selection of the optimal homogeneous neighboring pixels for spatial smoothing is achieved through the integration of directional masks and the adaptation of the selected subregion based on local statistics of the image data. This adaptive approach is effective in smoothing images containing complex-shaped objects such as remotely sensed imagery. Experimental results and the comparison with Tomita's (1977) filter, Nagao's (1979) filter, and the GIW filter are also presented.
On the optimality of mutual information as an image registration objective function

We model images and the anatomy that they are derived from as stationary and jointly ergodic random processes. Using an empirically-observed property of anatomy, and data processing inequality arguments, we arrive at optimality criteria for mutual information in the ensemble domain. Using ergodicity, we transfer the criteria to single pairs of images in the spatial domain, where it applies to the popular mutual information-based registration approach that is used in practice.
A Class of Higher Order Algorithms for Computing Polynomial Zeros

A general framework for deriving multi-parameter classes of methods of any presribed order is presented. In particular, two classes of cubically and fourth order convergent iterative methods for simple zeros of polynomial equations are derived. As special cases, the cubically convergent class includes the one-parameter Hansen-Patricks family and other well-known Laguerre’s, Halley’s and Ostrowski’s methods. Additionally, methods of any order which are based on Taylor expansion of certain rational functions are developed. Modified methods for extracting multiple zeros are briefly discussed.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Coreceptor Switching: V1/V2 Gain-of-Fitness Mutations Compensate for V3 Loss-of-Fitness Mutations

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into target cells is mediated by the virus envelope binding to CD4 and the conformationally altered envelope subsequently binding to one of two chemokine receptors. HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (gp120) has five variable loops, of which three (V1/V2 and V3) influence the binding of either CCR5 or CXCR4, the two primary coreceptors for virus entry. Minimal sequence changes in V3 are sufficient for changing coreceptor use from CCR5 to CXCR4 in some HIV-1 isolates, but more commonly additional mutations in V1/V2 are observed during coreceptor switching. We have modeled coreceptor switching by introducing most possible combinations of mutations in the variable loops that distinguish a previously identified group of CCR5- and CXCR4-using viruses. We found that V3 mutations entail high risk, ranging from major loss of entry fitness to lethality. Mutations in or near V1/V2 were able to compensate for the deleterious V3 mutations and may need to precede V3 mutations to permit virus survival. V1/V2 mutations in the absence of V3 mutations often increased the capacity of virus to utilize CCR5 but were unable to confer CXCR4 use. V3 mutations were thus necessary but not sufficient for coreceptor switching, and V1/V2 mutations were necessary for virus survival. HIV-1 envelope sequence evolution from CCR5 to CXCR4 use is constrained by relatively frequent lethal mutations, deep fitness valleys, and requirements to make the right amino acid substitution in the right place at the right time.
Instability of rarefaction shocks in systems of conservation laws

It is well-known that rarefaction shocks are urtstable solutions of nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws. Indeed, for scalar equations rarefaction shocks are unstable in the class of smooth solutions, but for systems one can only say in general that rarefaction shocks are unstable in the larger class of weak solutions. (Here unstable refers to a lack of continuous dependence upon perturbations of the initial data.) Since stability in the class of weak solutions is not well understood, ([T, TE]), "entropy" considerations have played a leading role in ruling out shocks that violate the laws of physics. However, for non-strictly hyperbolic systems the analogy with the equations of gas dynamics breaks down, and general entropy or admissibility criteria for the variety of shocks which appear, (see, e.g., [IMPT]), are not known. In this paper we address the question of when the instability of a shock can be demonstrated within the class of smooth solutions alone. We show by elementary constructions that this occurs whenever there exists an alternative solution to the Riemann problem with the same shock data which consists entirely of rarefaction waves and contact discontinuities with at least one non-zero rarefaction wave. We show that for 2  2 strictly hyperbolic, genuinely nonlinear systems the condition is both necessary and sufficient. We show too that for the full 3  3 (Euler) equations of gas dynamics with polytropic equations of state, rarefaction shocks of "moderate" strength are unstable in the class of smooth solutions if and only if the adiabatic gas constant 7 satisfies 1 < )J < ~ (see Theorem 8). More precisely, there is a constant y,, 0 < y, < 1, depending only on ~,, such that if Y, Pt <= Pr <= Pl for 1-shocks, and if y,pr <= Pl ~ Pr for 3-shocks (where pr and Pt denote the pressures on both sides of the 5 rarefaction shock), then the shock is unstable if and only if 1 < ~ < -3-- Thus for such shocks, the theory of the Riemann problem for polytropic gases in the range 1 < y < ~ can be rigorously developed with a knowledge of the smooth solutions alone by using stability under smoothing as an admissibility criterion, rather than by using the classical entropy inequalities.
Service dog selection tests: Effectiveness for dogs from animal shelters

Abstract Assistance dogs are trained to help people with various physical and mental handicaps. These dogs are selected using a test comprising several behavioral components. Anecdotal reports have shown that only about 50% of the dogs so selected successfully complete training and become assistance dogs. Traditionally training centers had used puppies, but recently some trainers have begun to use dogs from animal shelters and pounds. This study randomly chose six males and three female adult dogs of appropriate breed types, from a shelter environment and conducted an 11-item selection test on each. The dogs were then trained in both basic obedience and a retrieval task. We found no correlation between an animals' overall performance on the selection test and its ability to complete the retrieval task. One behavior trait, fear/submission, however, was predictable from the selection phase.
The Influence of Online Comments on Perceptions of Antimarijuana Public Service Announcements on YouTube

Web-based media often present multiple sources of influence, such as mass media and peers, within one interface. When individuals identify with peers who are visually anonymous and with whom they do not directly interact, they should be susceptible to social influence from that group. This study examined the interplay among antimarijuana public service announcement (PSA) videos in a YouTube environment and adjacent message postings from other viewers about those videos. Results show that supportive or derisive comments affected PSA evaluations but not marijuana attitudes, whereas the interaction effect of identification and comment valence affected both PSA evaluations and marijuana attitudes. Other factors previously related to PSA evaluation such as message strength and perceivers' sensation-seeking did not interact with hypothesized factors.
Synthesis and energetics of Tp′Rh[P(OMe)3](R)H: a systematic investigation of ligand effects on C–H activation at rhodium

The thermal precursor Tp′Rh[P(OMe)3](Me)H was used to generate the active [Tp′Rh[P(OMe)3]] fragment, which activates C–H bonds of various hydrocarbons to form products of the type Tp′Rh[P(OMe)3](R)H (Tp′ = tris-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate). Only one single activation product was observed in each case. The structures of Tp′Rh[P(OMe)3](R)X (X = H, Br, Cl) have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. The kinetics of reductive elimination of RH from Tp′Rh[P(OMe)3](R)H as well as competition experiments between substrates allow measurement of the Rh–C bond strengths relative to the Rh–Ph bond strength. Two separate linear correlations of the Rh–C bond energies versus H–C bond energies were found based on whether the alkyl group is α-substituted or not. While the correlation for α-substituted substrates gives a slope of 1.45, smaller than the slope (1.55) for unsubstituted hydrocarbons, the Rh–C bond energies of the former group are higher by ∼7 kcal mol−1. In comparison with the analogous [Tp′Rh(PMe3)] and [Tp′Rh(CNneopentyl)] systems, replacing the spectator ligand with a more electronic donating group slightly increases metal–carbon bond strengths as the trend in slopes of the correlations follows an order of CNneopentyl < P(OMe)3 ≤ PMe3.
Term Structures, Shape Constraints, and Inference for Option Portfolios

The illiquidity of options at long horizons has made it dicult to study the long-run properties of several key option portfolios, including the volatility index (VIX) and related measures. This paper proposes a new nonparametric framework to aid in the estimation of option portfolios at arbitrary maturities (even sparsely traded ones) and develops an asymptotic distribution theory for those portfolios. The distribution theory is used to quantify the estimation error induced by computing integrated option portfolios from a finite sample of noisy option data. Moreover, by relying on the method of sieves, the framework is nonparametric, adheres to economic shape restrictions for arbitrary maturities, yields closed-form option prices, and is easy to compute. The framework also permits the extraction of the entire term structure of risk-neutral distributions in closed-form. Monte Carlo simulations confirm the framework’s performance in finite samples. An application to the term structure of the synthetic variance swap portfolio finds sizeable uncertainty around the swap’s true fair value, particularly when the variance swap is synthesized from noisy long-maturity options. A nonparametric investigation into the term structure of the variance risk premium finds growing compensation for variance risk at long maturities.
X-rays and magnetism

Magnetism is among the most active and attractive areas in modern solid state physics because of intriguing phenomena interesting to fundamental research and a manifold of technological applications. State-of-the-art synthesis of advanced magnetic materials, e.g. in hybrid structures paves the way to new functionalities. To characterize modern magnetic materials and the associated magnetic phenomena, polarized x-rays have emerged as unique probes due to their specific interaction with magnetic materials. A large variety of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques have been developed to quantify in an element, valence and site-sensitive way properties of ferro-, ferri-, and antiferromagnetic systems, such as spin and orbital moments, and to image nanoscale spin textures and their dynamics with sub-ns time and almost 10 nm spatial resolution. The enormous intensity of x-rays and their degree of coherence at next generation x-ray facilities will open the fsec time window to magnetic studies addressing fundamental time scales in magnetism with nanometer spatial resolution. This review will give an introduction into contemporary topics of nanoscale magnetic materials and provide an overview of analytical spectroscopy and microscopy tools based on x-ray dichroism effects. Selected examples of current research will demonstrate the potential and future directions of these techniques.
Human papillomavirus DNA is present in a subset of unselected breast cancers.

OBJECTIVE: The major molecular events in the genesis of most breast cancers are unknown. However, human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been reported to be found in a significant portion of breast cancers of women with concomitant cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III. To investigate a potential HPV-breast cancer link, we carried out a small survey to identify HPV in unselected, general breast cancer tissues. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was isolated from 17 breast cancer tissues (and one cervical swab) taken from our local, randomly selected patient population. Two different previously characterized broad-spectrum primer sets (targeting the E6/E7 or L1 regions) were used to amplify HPV DNA, and another primer set was used to amplify the ColE1/pBR322 origin of replication by polymerase chain reaction amplification. The polymerase chain reaction product DNA was analyzed by dot blot hybridization with HPV-16, -18, -31, or pRB322 DNA probes. Total cellular DNA was also analyzed by one- and two-dimensional Southern blot analysis. Finally, the E6/E7 polymerase chain reaction products were cloned, sequenced, and compared to previously cloned HPV types. RESULTS: Polymerase chain reaction/dot blot analysis by both the HPV E6-E7 and L1 primer sets identified the same 6 out of 17 (35%) breast cancers as being HPV positive. ColE1/pBR322 origin targeted polymerase chain reaction/dot blot analysis failed to identify plasmid contamination. One- and two-dimensional Southern blot analysis showed that the breast cancers specimens contained significant levels of HPV DNA and that the viral DNA was largely episomal. The sequences of the HPV clones demonstrated that HPV-16, -18, and possibly type 11 were present within the breast cancer specimens. Furthermore, the HPV sequences cloned from the cervical swab and breast cancer of the same patient were found to be identical. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that HPV may be associated with a significant subset of breast cancers, and further suggest that additional studies are warranted.
Theory of Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy

In materials that are not optically active the absorption of left and. right circularly polarised (CP) light is identical: $$ \begin{array}{l} {A_ + }{\mkern 1mu} = {\mkern 1mu} {A_ - }\\ A{\mkern 1mu} = {\mkern 1mu} {A_ - }{\mkern 1mu} - {\mkern 1mu} {A_ + }{\mkern 1mu} = {\mkern 1mu} 0 \end{array} $$ (1) where A is absorhance (optical density) and + and − denote right and left CP light respectively. In the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field (that is, parallel to the light propagation direction), however, the optical properties of materials need no longer be symmetrical with respect to left and right circular polarisations and, in particular, $$ \begin{array}{l} {A_ + }{\mkern 1mu} \ne {\mkern 1mu} {A_ - }\\ \Delta A{\mkern 1mu} \ne {\mkern 1mu} 0 \end{array} $$ (2) This is the phenomenon of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD).
On the Social Discourse of Cryptology

The object of cryptology has historically been the provision of tools (cryptosystems) by which communicating parties may achieve confidentiality over insecure channels. With the advent of public-key cryptography and large-scale computer networks, cryptology has shifted its gaze towards the replication of a number of trust-related activities into settings where information is not available in any tangible form. Much of this activity has been shielded from any critical appraisal by the political and cultural dramatization of cryptological research, and its mediatic staging as defender of electronic free speech. In this paper, I offer a critical examination of the discourse of cryptology from two separate vantage points: the first, afforded by cryptological artifacts such as digital signatures and cryptographic protocols, and the social arrangements they embody; the second, by the socio-technical texts of the cryptological research community. I argue that the design of cryptological technologies might be enriched by a better perspective on usage, as well as by a critical understanding of the power and limitations implicit in representational work. I conclude by suggesting that privacy has provided a misleading and conceptually poor framework for discussing cryptological artifacts, and that a better framework is afforded by considering social and interpersonal trust, and its management through law, accounting, and other social mechanisms.