Asymptotic unconditionality in Banach spaces

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb. 20, 2010).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dissertation advisor: Professor Nigel J. Kalton.Vita.Ph. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2009.We show that a separable real Banach space embeds almost isometrically in a space [Upsilon] with a shrinking 1-unconditional basis if and only if lim [subscript n] [subscript arrow] [subscript infinity] [norms] [chi] [group of units] [plus][chi] [group of units] [subscript n] [norms] [equals] lim [subscript n] [subscript arrow] [subscript infinity][nearest integer function] [norms] [chi][group of units] [minus] [chi] [group of units] [subscript n] [norms] whenever [chi] [group of units] [element of][Chi] [group of units] ([chi][group of units][subscript n]) [superscript infinity] [subscript n[equals]₁ is a weak [group of units] - null sequence and both limits exist. If [Chi] is reflexive then [Upsilon] can be assumed reflexive. These results provide the isometric counterparts of recent work of Johnson and Zheng.Includes bibliographical reference

Survey of Cubic Fibonacci Identities When Cuboids Carry Weight

The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive survey of cubic Fibonacci identities, trying to uncover as many as possible. From the outset, our rationale for a very careful search on an apparently obscure problem was not only a matter of mathematical curiosity, but also motivated by a quest for 3D Fibonacci spirals. As we were not able to find any survey on the particular topic of cubic Fibonacci identities we decided to try to fill this void. We started by surveying many Fibonacci identities and recording cubic ones. Obviously, tracing all Fibonacci identities (for identifying a handful) is a daunting task. Checking several hundred we have realized that it is not always clear who the author is. The reason is that in many cases an identity was stated in one article (sometimes without a proof, e.g., as an open problem, or a conjecture) while later being proven in another article, or effectively rediscovered independently by other authors. However, we have done our best to present the identities chronologically. We have supplied our own proof for one identity, having tried, but failed, to find a published proof. For all the other identities, we either proved them on a computer, or else verified by hand their original published proofs. Somehow unexpectedly, our investigations have revealed only a rather small number of cubic Fibonacci identities, representing a tiny fraction of all published Fibonacci identities (most of which are linear or quadratic). Finally, out of these, only a handful of cubic Fibonacci identities are homogeneous

MRE11 facilitates the removal of human topoisomerase II complexes from genomic DNA

Topoisomerase II creates a double-strand break intermediate with topoisomerase covalently coupled to the DNA via a 5'-phosphotyrosyl bond. These intermediate complexes can become cytotoxic protein-DNA adducts and DSB repair at these lesions requires removal of topoisomerase II. To analyse removal of topoisomerase II from genomic DNA we adapted the trapped in agarose DNA immunostaining assay. Recombinant MRE11 from 2 sources removed topoisomerase IIalpha from genomic DNA in vitro, as did MRE11 immunoprecipitates isolated from A-TLD or K562 cells. Basal topoisomerase II complex levels were very high in A-TLD cells lacking full-length wild type MRE11, suggesting that MRE11 facilitates the processing of topoisomerase complexes that arise as part of normal cellular metabolism. In K562 cells inhibition of MRE11, PARP or replication increased topoisomerase IIalpha and beta complex levels formed in the absence of an anti-topoisomerase II dru

How Reliable are Compositions of Series and Parallel Networks Compared with Hammocks?

A classical problem in computer/network reliability is that of identifying simple, regular and repetitive building blocks (motifs) which yield reliability enhancements at the system-level. Over time, this apparently simple problem has been addressed by various increasingly complex methods. The earliest and simplest solutions are series and parallel structures. These were followed by majority voting and related schemes. For the most recent solutions, which are also the most involved (e.g., those based on Harary and circulant graphs), optimal reliability has been proven under particular conditions. Here, we propose an alternate approach for designing reliable systems as repetitive compositions of the simplest possible structures. More precisely, our two motifs (basic building blocks) are: two devices in series, and two devices in parallel. Therefore, for a given number of devices (which is a power of two) we build all the possible compositions of series and parallel networks of two devices. For all of the resulting twoterminal networks, we compute exactly the reliability polynomials, and then compare them with those of size-equivalent hammock networks. The results show that compositions of the two simplest motifs are not able to surpass size-equivalent hammock networks in terms of reliability. Still, the algorithm for computing the reliability polynomials of such compositions is linear (extremely effcient), as opposed to the one for the size-equivalent hammock networks, which is exponential. Interestingly, a few of the compositions come extremely close to size-equivalent hammock networks with respect to reliability, while having fewer wires.

Effect of Exercise Training and +Gz Acceleration Training on Men

Countermeasures for reduction in work capacity (maximal oxygen uptake and strength) during spaceflight and enhanced orthostatic intolerance during re-entry, landing and egress from the return vehicle are continuing problems. The purpose for this study was to test the hypothesis that passive-acceleration training; supine, interval, exercise plus acceleration training and exercise combined with acceleration training would improve orthostatic tolerance in ambulatory men; and that addition of the aerobic exercise conditioning would not alter this improved tolerance from that of passive-acceleration training. Seven men (24-38 yr) underwent "Passive" training on the Ames human-powered centrifuge (HPC) for 30 min, "Exercise" training on the cycle ergometer with constant +Gz acceleration; and "Combined" exercise training at 40% to 90% of the HPC +Gz(max) exercise level. Maximal supine exercise loads increased significant (P<0.05) by 8.3% (Passive), 12.6% (Exercise), and by 15.4% (Combined) after training, but their post-training maximal oxygen uptakes and maximal heart rates were unchanged. Maximal time to fatigue (endurance) was unchanged with Passive was increased (P<0.05) with Exercise and Combined training. Thus, the exercise in the Exercise and Combined training Phases resulted in greater maximal loads and endurance without effect on maximal oxygen uptake or heart rate. There was a 4% to 6% increase (P<0.05) in all four quadriceps muscle volumes (right and left) after post-Combined training. Resting pre-tilt heart rate was elevated by 12.9% (P<0.05) only after Passive training suggesting that the exercise training attenuated the HR response. Plasma volume (% Delta) was uniformly decreased by 8% to 14% (P<0.05) at tilt-tolerance pre- vs. post-training indicating essentially no effect of training on the level of hypovolemia. Post-training tilt-tolerance time and heart rate were increased (P<0.05) only with Passive training by 37.8% and by 29.1%, respectively. Thus, addition of exercise training appeared to attenuate the increased Passive tilt-tolerance

The key glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase is involved in resistance to antiplasmodial glycosides

ABSTRACT Plasmodium parasites rely heavily on glycolysis for ATP production and for precursors for essential anabolic pathways, such as the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. Here, we show that mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum glycolytic enzyme, phosphofructokinase (PfPFK9), are associated with in vitro resistance to a primary sulfonamide glycoside (PS-3). Flux through the upper glycolysis pathway was significantly reduced in PS-3-resistant parasites, which was associated with reduced ATP levels but increased flux into the pentose phosphate pathway. PS-3 may directly or indirectly target enzymes in these pathways, as PS-3-treated parasites had elevated levels of glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. PS-3 resistance also led to reduced MEP pathway intermediates, and PS-3-resistant parasites were hypersensitive to the MEP pathway inhibitor, fosmidomycin. Overall, this study suggests that PS-3 disrupts core pathways in central carbon metabolism, which is compensated for by mutations in PfPFK9, highlighting a novel metabolic drug resistance mechanism in P. falciparum. IMPORTANCE Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, continues to be a devastating global health issue, causing 405,000 deaths and 228 million cases in 2018. Understanding key metabolic processes in malaria parasites is critical to the development of new drugs to combat this major infectious disease. The Plasmodium glycolytic pathway is essential to the malaria parasite, providing energy for growth and replication and supplying important biomolecules for other essential Plasmodium anabolic pathways. Despite this overreliance on glycolysis, no current drugs target glycolysis, and there is a paucity of information on critical glycolysis targets. Our work addresses this unmet need, providing new mechanistic insights into this key pathway