cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Putative Substrate Recognition Loop of Escherichia coli Ribonuclease H Is Not Essential for Activity

Next Section Abstract The RNase H family of enzymes catalyzes the hydrolysis of RNA from RNA·DNA hybrids in a divalent metal-dependent fashion. To date, structure/function studies have focused on two members of this family: Escherichia coli RNase HI, a small monomeric protein; and human immunodeficiency virus, type I (HIV) RNase H, a domain of HIV reverse transcriptase. The isolated RNase H domain from HIV reverse transcriptase can be expressed independently and shares significant structural homology with its E. coli homologue; however, unlike the bacterial protein, it is inactive. The most notable difference between the inactive domain from HIV and the active E. coli protein is a basic helix/loop sequence, present in E. coli but absent from the HIV homologue. Substitution of this basic region into the HIV domain partially restores its activity and increases its thermodynamic stability. By deleting the basic helix/loop region, we have modeled the structural difference between these two polypeptides onto the E. coli homologue. Surprisingly, the resulting mutant protein is active in Mn2+-dependent fashion. Therefore, the basic helix/loop is not required for RNase H activity.
OpenGeoDa, open source software for the exploration and visualization of geospatial data

OpenGeoDa is the open source successor to GeoDa, a software package designed to introduce non-experts to spatial data analysis. GeoDa was developed under the auspices of the NSF funded Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science (CSISS) [4]. Since its release in 2003, "Legacy GeoDa" has gained over 40,000 individual users and has become a standard to teach introductory spatial data analysis. GeoDa (and Open GeoDa) was conceived as enabling researchers to move from geovisualization to exploratory data analysis, the study of spatial autocorrelation and ending up with spatial regression modeling.
Geologic Framework of a Groundwater System on the Margin of a Rift Basin, Pajarito Plateau, North‐Central New Mexico

The Pajarito Plateau is an important source of abundant potable groundwater for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the communities of Los Alamos and White Rock. Geologic investigations were undertaken as part of a plateau-wide hydrogeological investigation to develop conceptual models of the groundwater system as a framework for numerical simulations of groundwater flow. The Pajarito Plateau is located in the western part of the Espanola basin where rocks of the Jemez and Cerros del Rio volcanic fields overlie and interfinger with Neogene basin-fill sedimentary rocks. The vadose zone is about 200 m (600 ft) thick beneath mesas on the east side of the plateau and more than 375 m (1245 ft) thick on the west side. Groundwater occurs as shallow groundwater in canyon-floor alluvium, moderately deep groundwater perched in bedrock units of the vadose zone, and groundwater associated with the regional saturated zone. The most productive rocks of the regional aquifer occur in a westward-thickening wedge of coarse-grained, Miocene and Pliocene volcaniclastic rocks derived from the Jemez volcanic field. Eastern aquifer rocks consist of fine-grained, somewhat less productive Miocene sedimentary deposits derived from highland sources to the east and north. Intermediate and mafic lavas interbedded with the Miocene and Pliocene sedimentary deposits are components of the regional aquifer locally. The hydrogeology of the Pajarito Plateau is probably typical of groundwater systems along the margins of the Rio Grande rift where arid to semiarid, sediment-filled basins receive most of their recharge from adjacent mountainous areas.
Comparative sensitivities between different plasma B-type natriuretic peptide assays in patients with minimally symptomatic heart failure.

Abstract Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assays have become widely used to diagnose and manage patients with heart failure. However, differences in assay characteristics may have important implications when BNP is used as a screening test for heart failure at a specific cutoff value. We performed a prospective comparison of 2 commercially available assays—one that is a laboratory-based, microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) that uses EDTA plasma specimens and one that is a point-of-care (POC), single-use fluorescence immunoassay that uses EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood or plasma specimens—in patients with heart failure and healthy controls. Despite the overall concordance between different SNP assays for the diagnosis of heart failure, their sensitivities may differ when compared at the approved diagnostic cutoff value of 100 pg/mL. At this cutoff value, the MEIA on AxSYM® demonstrated greater sensitivity than POC Triage® BNP assay in minimally symptomatic patients with heart failure. Therefore, for screening purposes, cutoff values for plasma BNP or N-terminal pro-BNP levels should be specific for each assay to optimize test performance. These findings suggest that there is a relationship between the decision statistics used in screening for left ventricular dysfunction and the type of diagnostic assay used.
A Comparison of Residence Time Calculations Using Simple Compartment Models of the Altamaha River Estuary, Georgia

The residence and flushing times of an estuary are two different concepts that are often confused. Flushing time is the time required for the freshwater inflow to equal the amount of freshwater originally present in the estuary. It is specific to freshwater (or materials dissolved in it) and represents the transit time through the entire system (e.g., from head of tide to the mouth). Residence time is the average time particles take to escape the estuary. It can be calculated for any type of material and will vary depending on the starting location of the material. In the literature, the term residence time is often used to refer to the average freshwater transit time and is calculated as such. Freshwater transit time is a more precise term for a type of residence time (that of freshwater, starting from the head of the estuary), whereas residence time is a more general term that must be clarified by specifying the material and starting distribution. We explored these two mixing time scales in the context of the Altmaha River estuary, Georgia, and present a comparison of techniques for their calculation (fraction of freshwater models and variations of box models). Segmented tidal prism models, another common approach, have data requirements similar to other models but can be cumbersome to implement properly. Freshwater transit time estimates from simple steady-state box models were virtually, identical to flushing times for four river-flow cases, as long as boxes were scaled appropriately to river flow, and residence time estimates from different box models were also in good agreement. Mixing time estimates from box models, were incorrect when boxes were imporperly scaled. Mixing time scales vary nonlinearly with river flow, so characterizing the range as well as the mean or median is important for a thorough understanding of the potential for within-estuary processing. We are now developing an imporved box model that will allow the calculation of a variety of mixing time scales using simulations with daily variable river discharge.
Possible Mechanisms Underlying the Antiaging Actions of Caloric Restriction

Restricting the food intake of mice and rats to well below that of ad libitum-fed animals markedly slows the aging processes. This action is reflected in an increase in longevity, a decrease in the age-associated increase in age-specific mortality rate, the maintenance of the physiological processes in a youthful state even at advanced ages, and the delaying of the onset or slowing of the progression or both of most age-associated diseases. The dietary factor responsible is the reduction in energy (caloric) intake. Many hypotheses have been proposed regarding mechanisms underlying this antiaging action. Hypotheses relating the antiaging action to the retardation of growth and development, the reduction of adipose mass, and the reduction of metabolic rate have been found to be wanting. Two of the proposed hypotheses have some evidence in their support. One involves the altered metabolic characteristics of glucose fuel use and of oxidative metabolism. The other relates to the enhanced ability of the rodents restricted in food intake to cope with challenges, which in turn has been linked to the glucocorticoid system and to the heat-shock protein system.
Tracking unstable orbits in an experiment.

We present a continuation method for experimentally tracking unstable periodic orbits by slowly varying an available system parameter in a dynamical system. The method does not depend on an explicit model, but on the signal analysis of a measured time series. Unstable periodic orbits can be tracked through various bifurcations. We apply this to a Duffing-like circuit and compare the results to an approximate model of the circuit.
Production of antibodies against hepatitis-associated antigen in donkeys.

. The production of antisera to HAA in donkeys is described. The antiserum is produced by the injection of antigen-antibody complexes and is of use in diagnostic laboratories for detecting HAA-positive sera.
Key enabling technologies of 300mm 3DIC process integration

Process issues and challenges of three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC) using through-silicon-via (TSV) are extensively investigated. Key enabling process technologies in the TSV formation and thin wafer handling are discussed with a viewpoint of TSV process integration. Test element groups (TEG) are designed to characterize the process performance and optimizations of some key process modules are also provided as process guidelines.
An integrated approach to dynamic analysis of railroad track transitions behavior

Railway transitions like bridge approaches experience differential vertical movements due to variations in track stiffness, track damping characteristics, ballast settlement from fouling and/or degradation, as well as fill and subgrade settlement. Proper understanding of this phenomenon requires the integration of field instrumentation with analytical and numerical modeling. This paper introduces an integrated approach to dynamic analysis of the railway track transitions behavior using field instrumentation, analytical modeling, as well as numerical simulations using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). Several bridge approaches have been instrumented to monitor the track response on a problematic portion of the US North East Corridor (NEC), which is primarily a high-speed railway line with occasional freight traffic, carrying high-speed passenger trains operating up to a maximum speed of 241 km/h. Previous publications by the authors have focused on findings from geotechnical instrumentation of railroad track transitions, as well as the validity of a fully coupled 3-dimensional track dynamic model and image-aided discrete element models. The primary contribution of the current manuscript involves the combination of these three components to propose an integrated approach for studying the behavior of railroad track transitions. Track response data from instrumented bridge approaches were used to determine track substructure layer properties and calibrate a fully coupled 3-dimensional track dynamic model. Loading profiles generated from this model were then used as input for a discrete element based program to predict individual particle accelerations within the ballast layer. The importance of modeling the ballast layer as a particulate medium has been highlighted, and the particle to particle nature of load transfer within the ballast layer has been demonstrated.
Long-term antiarrhythmia therapy.

1989;95;939a-939 Chest B P Grubb Long-term antiarrhythmia therapy. http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/95/4/939a.citation can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services ) ISSN:0012-3692 http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. reserved. No part of this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed Chest Physicians, 3300 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights of been published monthly since 1935. Copyright1989by the American College is the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. It has Chest
Artificial Reefs, the Attraction-production Issue, and Density Dependence in Marine Ornamental Fishes

Artificial reefs may provide a useful tool to enhance production of marine ornamentals and to divert detrimental harvesting activities from sensitive natural habitat. The efficacy of this strategy depends, in part, on the extent to which artificial reefs contribute to new production (vs. attract fishes from natural habitat) and therefore benefit harvested populations on a local and regional basis. Here the attraction and production hypotheses and their application to marine ornamentals are presented. Specifically, it is discussed how the strength and timing of density dependence can affect the response of fish population dynamics to artificial reefs. In addition to this discussion, examples of density dependence in marine ornamentals and related reef fishes are provided. Based on this information, a simple conceptual model is presented to clarify the role of density dependence, and this is followed by a discussion on the use of artificial reefs in the management and production of marine ornamentals. Finally, unresolved scientific issues that remain to be addressed are provided.
Link level ARQ for satellite-mobile communications over blockage channels with memory

We consider communication from a geosynchronous satellite to a mobile ground terminal that suffers from an intermittent channel due to blockages by objects in its environment. Since the blockage has memory and the duration is potentially long, a selective-repeat ARQ scheme is employed to mitigate packet losses. The paper studies the amount of memory required to store packets for retransmission and the amount of delay induced. The blockage channel with memory is modeled by a two-state Markov model. We also assume error-free acknowledgments with a certain delay and Bernoulli arrivals at the satellite of packets intended for a single mobile ground terminal. We derive closed-form expressions for the distributions and averages of both the queue length and the delay. Interpretations are given in terms of how they are affected by channel statistics and design parameters. Numerical examples are given to provide additional intuitions.
Structural and magnetic phase transitions in EuTi1-xNbxO3

Here, we investigate the structural and magnetic phase transitions in EuTi1-xNbxO3 (0≤x≤0.3) with synchrotron powder x-ray diffraction, resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements. Upon Nb doping, the Pm$$\bar{3}$$m ↔ I4/mcm structural transition shifts to higher temperatures and the room temperature lattice parameter increases while the magnitude of the octahedral tilting decreases. In addition, Nb substitution for Ti destabilizes the antiferromagnetic ground state of the parent compound and long-range ferromagnetic order is observed in the samples with x≥0.1. Moreover, the structural transition in pure and doped compounds is marked by a dramatic step-like softening of the elastic moduli near TS, which resembles that of SrTiO3 and can be adequately modeled using the Landau free energy model employing the same coupling between strain and octahedral tilting order parameter as previously used to model SrTiO3.
Carcinosarcoma ex Non-Recurrent Pleomorphic Adenoma Composed of TTF-1 Positive Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma and Myofibrosarcoma: Apropos a Rare Case

We present a carcinosarcoma ex non-recurrent pleomorphic adenoma composed of a large cell neuroendocrine carcinomatous component and a spindle cell sarcoma with myofibroblastic differentiation. The tumor contained a hyalinized transition zone where the classical PA appeared to acquire two different histopathological patterns of malignant transformation of the epithelial component. The carcinomatous component was strongly and diffusely positive for low-molecular weight cytokeratins (AE1-3), synaptophysin, thyroid transcription factor-1 and focally positive for chromogranin A. All these markers were negative in the sarcomatous component. The sarcomatous component displayed immunoreactivity for smooth muscle actin with a predominantly linear, subplasmalemmal pattern. No expression of CD31, S100 protein, h-caldesmon, desmin, CD34, p63, myogenin, Myo D1 and c-kit was detected. Strong immunohistochemical expression of p53 was documented in both the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components as well as in the atypical epithelial component in the transition zone associated with the hyalinized pleomorphic adenoma.
Sidegating reduction for GaAs integrated circuits by using a new buffer layer

Side-gating effects relevant to GaAs digital, analog, and monolithic microwave integrated circuits have been significantly reduced or eliminated by using a high-resistivity GaAs buffer layer grown at low substrate temperatures by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The high resistivity of the low-temperature (LT) GaAs buffer is attributed to an arsenic excess of approximately 1 at.%. For analog ICs operating at intermediate frequencies, the LT GaAs buffer eliminates the resistive component of RF coupling. The higher the frequency, the smaller the improvement in performance afforded by the LT GaAs buffer, because capacitive coupling increasingly dominates resistive coupling. The dependence of drain current on the duty cycle of an adjacent digital signal is also eliminated by using the LT GaAs buffer. At microwave frequencies, the LT GaAs eliminates the variation of MESFET equivalent circuit parameters with side-gate bias. Thus the restrictions on device and circuit layout currently imposed by side-gating can be eliminated. >
Treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A role for early vincristine administration

Plasma exchange (PE) is considered first-line treatment for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) to the point that many clinicians regard it as definitive therapy. Studies have reported response rates to PE ranging from 39% to 78%. In our experience, a minority of patients have been cured solely by PE. While adjuvant therapies (e.g., vincristine, splenectomy) have proved effective in anecdotal reports, protocols using these therapies in the treatment of TTP have not been established. Management of TTP over a 15-year period was reviewed to evaluate (1) the rate of cure accomplished by PE alone, and (2) the potential benefit of additional therapies. The records of 29 consecutive patients with TTP treated by PE were reviewed and classified according to response to PE alone and the need for adjuvant therapy. Eight patients (28%) achieved remission and long-term survival with PE alone. With the addition of adjuvant therapy another 13 patients survived, bringing the total survival to 72%. Fifteen patients were treated with vincristine in addition to PE. Only three of seven patients receiving vincristine after failing to respond completely to PE survived, but survival increased to 88% (7 of 8) when vincristine was administered within 3 days of beginning PE. These data suggest that PE alone may not be sufficient therapy for most patients with TTP. Additional therapy is often needed to achieve long-term survival. While controlled trials will be necessary to prove the efficacy of vincristine, we believe that, given the minimal risk of vincristine toxicity and the grave consequences of ineffective therapy, routine administration of vincristine early in the course of PE should be considered.
An institutional commitment to pain management.

PURPOSETo share the development, implementation, and evaluation of a program called "An Institutional Commitment to Pain Management," which is based on the philosophy of organizational influence on pain management.METHODSA tested pain education model was disseminated to 32 physician/nurse teams in settings throughout California, after which the 64 professionals returned to their institutions to serve as role models and catalysts to change the practice of pain management. Each team member completed a 39-item survey about knowledge and attitudes related to pain, which was developed by B.R.F. and colleagues, and also identified three goals for the implementation of course information. Precourse data also included administration of the knowledge and attitudes survey to participating physicians' and nurses' colleagues (10 physicians and 20 nurses per institution). Each team completed five chart audits using the pain audit tool (PAT), which was developed by B.R.F. and colleagues at the City of Hope National Med...
Isoform specific differences in binding of a dual-specificity A-kinase anchoring protein to type I and type II regulatory subunits of PKA.

Dual-specificity AKAPs bind to type I (RI) and type II (RII) regulatory subunits of cAMP- dependent protein kinase A (PKA), potentially recruiting distinct cAMP responsive holoenzymes to a given intracellular location. To understand the molecular basis for this "dual" functionality, we have examined the pH-dependence, the salt-dependence, and the kinetics of binding of the A-kinase binding (AKB) domain of D-AKAP2 to the regulatory subunit isoforms of PKA. Using fluorescence anisotropy, we have found that a 27-residue peptide corresponding to the AKB domain of D-AKAP2 bound 25-fold more tightly to RIIR than to RIR. The higher affinity for RIIR was the result of a slower off-rate as determined by surface plasmon resonance. The high-affinity interaction for RIR and RIIR was pH-independent from pH 7.4 to 5.0. At pH 4.0, both isoforms had a reduction in binding affinity. Additionally, binding of the AKB domain to RIR was independent of solution ionic strength, whereas RIIR had an increased binding affinity at higher ionic strength. This suggests that the relative energetic contribution of the charge stabilization is different for the two isoforms. This prediction was confirmed by mutagenesis in which acidic mutations, primarily of E10 and D23, in the AKB domain affected binding to RIR but not to RIIR. These isoform-specific differences provide a foundation for developing isoform- specific peptide inhibitors of PKA anchoring by dual-specificity AKAPs, which can be used to evaluate the physiological significance of dual-specificity modes of PKA anchoring.
Gender Differences Between High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Intima Media Thickness Progression

To the Editor: Sander et al1 have performed an excellent study demonstrating a significant sex difference in early atherosclerotic progression using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). They have also showed that hsCRP failed to be associated with intima media thickness (IMT) progression, whereas in women, a significant association between IMT progression and hsCRP remained, even after adjustment for risk factors including statin treatment and HRT. Two decades ago, 246 risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) had already been identified, and the number now continues to grow.2 High-sensitivity tests for CRP now make possible the …
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Activation Triggers IL-4 Production and Necrotic Death of Double-Negative T Cells in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is recognized as a sensor of mitochondrial dysfunction and effector of T cell lineage development; however, its role in autoimmunity, including systemic lupus erythematosus, remains unclear. In this study, we prospectively evaluated mitochondrial dysfunction and mTOR activation in PBLs relative to the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) during 274 visits of 59 patients and 54 matched healthy subjects. Partial least square–discriminant analysis identified 15 of 212 parameters that accounted for 70.2% of the total variance and discriminated lupus and control samples (p < 0.0005); increased mitochondrial mass of CD3+/CD4−/CD8− double-negative (DN) T cells (p = 1.1 × 10−22) and FOXP3 depletion in CD4+/CD25+ T cells were top contributors (p = 6.7 × 10−7). Prominent necrosis and mTOR activation were noted in DN T cells during 15 visits characterized by flares (SLEDAI increase ≥ 4) relative to 61 visits of remission (SLEDAI decrease ≥ 4). mTOR activation in DN T cells was also noted at preflare visits of SLE patients relative to those with stable disease or healthy controls. DN lupus T cells showed increased production of IL-4, which correlated with depletion of CD25+/CD19+ B cells. Rapamycin treatment in vivo blocked the IL-4 production and necrosis of DN T cells, increased the expression of FOXP3 in CD25+/CD4+ T cells, and expanded CD25+/CD19+ B cells. These results identify mTOR activation to be a trigger of IL-4 production and necrotic death of DN T cells in patients with SLE.
Incorporation of 2-C14-Sodium Acetate into Sterol and Pentacyclic Triterpenes of Salvia officinalis

C14 from 2-C14-sodium acetate presented to S. officinalis L. by absorption into isolated leaves and into flowering stems devoid of leaves was incorporated into both sterol and acidic triterpenes of each plant section.
COMPARISON OF EFFECTS OF HALOPERIDOL ADMINISTRATION ON AMPHETAMINE-STIMULATED DOPAMINE RELEASE IN THE RAT MEDIAL PREFRONTAL CORTEX AND DORSAL STRIATUM

Research has shown that there are important neurochemical differences between the mesocortical and mesostriatal dopamine systems. The work reported in this paper has sought to compare the regulation of dopamine release in the medial prefrontal cortex and the anterior caudate-putamen. In vivo microdialysis was used to recover dialysate fluid for subsequent assay for dopamine concentrations. The responses to D2 antagonist (haloperidol) administration, which has been shown to increase impulse-dependent dopamine release, were compared. Results demonstrated a diminished effect of systemic haloperidol administration on dopamine efflux in the prefrontal cortex. The responses to systemic administration of a nonimpulse-dependent, transporter-mediated, dopamine releaser (d-amphetamine) were also contrasted. Results again demonstrated a diminished pharmacological effect in the cortex. The potential interaction of stimulation of these two types of dopamine release was examined by coadministration of these compounds. Haloperidol pretreatment dramatically potentiated the dopamine-releasing effect of amphetamine administration. This effect was observed in both the cortex and the striatum. Subsequent work demonstrated that this effect of haloperidol was mediated by D2-like receptors in the prefrontal cortex. These results are discussed in relation to other neurochemical and neuroanatomical studies demonstrating sparse densities of dopamine transporter sites and dopamine D2 receptors in the cortex compared with the striatum. They demonstrate a functional correlate to the recently reported, largely extrasynaptic localization of dopamine transporter sites in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, they demonstrate the existence of cortical D2-like autoreceptors that may normally be "silent" under basal conditions.
Differential Distribution of Proteins Regulating GABA Synthesis and Reuptake in Axon Boutons of Subpopulations of Cortical Interneurons

Subclasses of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons differentially influence cortical network activity. The contribution of differences in GABA synthesis and reuptake in axon boutons to cell type–specific functions is unknown. GABA is synthesized within boutons by glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) and GAD67, while GAT1 is responsible for GABA reuptake. Using an imaging methodology capable of determining the colocalization frequency of different immunocytochemical labels in the same bouton and the quantification of the fluorescence intensity of each label in these same structures, we assessed the bouton levels of GAD65, GAD67, and GAT1 in parvalbumin–expressing chandelier (PVch) and basket (PVb) neurons and cannabinoid 1 receptor–expressing basket (CB1rb) neurons in the monkey prefrontal cortex. We show that PVch boutons almost exclusively contained GAD67, relative to GAD65, whereas CB1rb boutons contained mostly GAD65. In contrast, both GAD65 and GAD67 were easily detected in PVb boutons. Furthermore, in comparison with PVch boutons, CB1rb boutons expressed low to undetectable levels of GAT1. Our findings provide a new basis for the distinctive functional roles of these perisomatic-innervating interneurons in cortical circuits. In addition, they strongly suggest that altered levels of GAD67 or GAD65, as seen in some psychiatric diseases, would have cell type–specific consequences on the modulation of GABA neurotransmission.
Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy on iron-pnictides

Abstract Tremendous excitement has followed the recent discovery of superconductivity up to T c = 56 K in iron–arsenic based materials (pnictides). This discovery breaks the monopoly on high- T c superconductivity held by copper-oxides (cuprates) for over two decades and renews hope that high- T c superconductivity may finally be theoretically understood and widely applied. Since scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) have been key tools in the investigation and understanding of both conventional and unconventional superconductivity, these techniques are also applied to the pnictides. While the field is still in its early stages, several important achievements by STM and STS have been reported on the pnictides. In this paper, we will review their contribution towards an understanding of superconductivity in this new class of materials.
B-MAPS: a self-adaptive resource scheduling framework for heterogeneous cloud systems

Future cloud systems will become increasingly complicated and highly heterogeneous. It is paramount to develop new techniques that can achieve high performance and low energy consumption in future cloud systems. However, this is not a trivial task because the dynamic nature of system status and user workloads requires that the system must be able to trade off performance and energy efficiency at real time. In this paper, we propose B-MAPS, a self-adaptive resource scheduling framework, which has the potential to improve the performance and energy-efficiency of multi-core or many-core based heterogeneous cloud systems.
Modal sound transmission loss of a single leaf panel: Asymptotic solutions

In a previously published paper [C. Wang, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 137(6), 3514-3522 (2015)], the modal sound transmission coefficients of a single leaf panel were discussed with regard to the inter-modal coupling effects. By incorporating such effect into the equivalent modal radiation impedance, which is directly related to the modal sound transmission coefficient of each mode, the overall sound transmission loss for both normal and randomized sound incidences was computed through a simple modal superposition. Benefiting from the analytical expressions of the equivalent modal impedance and modal transmission coefficients, in this paper, behaviors of modal sound transmission coefficients in several typical frequency ranges are discussed in detail. Asymptotic solutions are also given for the panels with relatively low bending stiffnesses, for which the sound transmission loss has been assumed to follow the mass law of a limp panel. Results are also compared to numerical analysis and the renowned mass law theories.
Review: Ed Bacon: Planning, Politics, and the Building of Modern Philadelphia by Gregory L. Heller; Insuring the City: The Prudential Center and the Postwar Urban Landscape by Elihu Rubin

Gregory L. Heller Ed Bacon: Planning, Politics, and the Building of Modern Philadelphia Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013, 320 pp., 25 b/w illus. $39.95 ISBN 9780812244908 Elihu Rubin Insuring the City: The Prudential Center and the Postwar Urban Landscape New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2012, 256 pp., 50 b/w illus. $30.00, ISBN 9780300170184 On 9–10 April 1956, the Harvard Graduate School of Design convened a landmark conference on urban design, the intention of which was “to be exploratory, not didactic, and to try to find a common basis for the joint work of the Architect, the Landscape Architect and the City Planner in the field of Urban Design. In the minds of its sponsors, Urban Design is wider than the scope of these three professions, though all have vital contributions to make.”1 Many argue that this convocation initiated urban design as a discipline distinct from both architecture and planning and that the conference solidified the notion that urban design is a radically interdisciplinary field in which foregrounding public needs takes precedence over issues of beauty and scale. One invitee to that conference was the executive director of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, Edmund N. Bacon, whose plangent call for a more humanistic and holistic approach to urban design underscored the need for a new specialization: “Planners have traditionally considered the design of physical structures as detail. Administrators almost invariably think in terms of specific projects and procedures rather than the underlying correlative relationships. What we need is the architect-planner-administrator, and if we ever get it we will then really have an urban designer.”2 Bacon’s prescient plea for comprehensive interpersonal cooperation in the success of urban renewal was consistent with the views of others at the conference, but Bacon remained isolated in the larger context of American postwar urban policy. He had a history of iconoclasm but also of advocating for community participation as a way of supplementing the work of professional planners with input from members of the public.3 He instinctively understood not only that people make cities but also that cities make people. As simple as that formulation may …
New CT treatment response score for predicting survival in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma: A pilot study

e15026 Background: To develop a methodology that results in an optimized CT Treatment Response Score (CTRS) for prediction of survival using quantified changing lesion features. Methods: We evaluated the overall survival (OS) predictive value of a new methodology to assess CT scan-based responses versus RECIST guidelines in a homogenous metastatic colorectal cancer population. All patients (pts) with MCRC treated with cetuximab and irinotecan (cet & irino) between 2005 and 2008 in our Center after failure of prior oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine were included in this analysis. Other inclusion criteria included: at least 6 weeks of cet & irino and serial CT scans on cet & irino including baseline performed in our Center. 38 pts (22 men, 16 women, mean age = 62, range = 28–91 ) were included. CT scans were interpreted by 2 trained physician assistants initially independently with differences resolved by consensus. Parameters evaluated included change in tumor size using standard RECIST and visual based (VB...
Can infection associated with rib distraction techniques be managed without implant removal

Study design Retrospective clinical cohort study of infections in patients treated using rib distraction techniques. Objective To determine if patients with early onset spinal deformity, who develop infection around their rib distraction implant, can be successfully managed without implant removal. Summary of background data Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR) has gained wide acceptance for the management of progressive complex spinal deformity in children. Many children in this population have significant comorbidities and low body mass index putting them at high risk for infection. Typically, the protocol for treating all but early infection recommends implant removal. The purpose of this study is to determine if a VEPTR infection can be managed effectively without implant removal. Methods This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective review of medical records of all patients who had VEPTR procedures and developed infections at PCMC from 2002 to 2008. Results Ninety-seven patients underwent 678 VEPTR procedures. Nineteen infections developed in 16 patients, with a 2% overall rate of infection per procedure. The average body mass index (16.2) and absolute neutrophil count (8.2) were predictably low for this population. The diagnosis was varied. Infection was associated with initial implantation (31%), expansion (47%), exchange (5%), and revision (21%). Seventeen of 19 infections followed a wound dehiscence. Thirteen infections were classified as superficial and six deep. All patients were treated with initial irrigation and debridement (I&D) and intravenous antibiotics. The average duration of intravenous therapy was 58 days, followed by oral suppressive therapy for 34 days (2-126). Three patients required more than one debridement to control the infection (range, 2-4 I&D). No patient has required VEPTR removal to resolve the infection. Conclusion These data suggest that infections involving VEPTR instrumentation without fusion procedures can be effectively managed without implant removal. Nutrition and improved soft tissue management may be significant in reducing the incidence of infection in this patient population.
Isolation and identification of aldosterone from adrenal venous blood.

SummaryA highly potent sodium-retaining steroid has been isolated from adrenal venous blood and demonstrated to be identical with aldosterone with regard to: 1) infra-red spectrum, 2) chromatographic behavior of the parent compound and 2 derivatives, 3) biological activity in inducing sodium retention in adrenalectomized rats, 4) ultraviolet absorption and 5) sulfuric acid chromogen.
Introduction to IEC TC 115 2nd Plenary and the Recent Work of SAC/TC 324

An overview of the 2nd plenary of International Electrotechnical Committee(IEC) 115th Technical Committee(TC 115) held in Seatle,USA in October,2010,is presented,and IEC TC 115 WG1 and WG2 meetings are also introduced in detail.Moreover,the recent work of the Standardization Technical Committee for HVDC power transmission project(SAC/TC 324) is summarized.
Addition of Everolimus Post VEGFR Inhibition Treatment Failure in Advanced Sarcoma Patients Who Previously Benefited from VEGFR Inhibition: A Case Series.

Background Patients with metastatic sarcoma who progress on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors (VEGFRi) have limited treatment options. Upregulation of the mTOR pathway has been demonstrated to be a means of resistance to targeted VEGFRi in metastatic sarcoma. Patients and methods Retrospective cohort study to evaluate the clinical benefit at four months of combining mTOR inhibition (mTORi) via everolimus with VEGFRi in patients who have derived benefit from single-agent VEGFRi but have progressed. Patients with recurrent, metastatic soft tissue or bone sarcomas who progressed after deriving clinical benefit to VEGFRi beyond 12 weeks were continued on VEGFRi with the addition of everolimus (5 mg daily). Progression free survival was measured from start of VEGFRi to disease progression on single agent VEGFRi as well as from the addition of everolimus therapy to disease progression or drug discontinuation due to toxicity. Clinical benefit was defined as stable disease or partial response at 4 months. Results Nine patients were evaluated. Two patients did not tolerate therapy due to GI toxicity and one elected to discontinue therapy. Of the remaining six patients, the clinical benefit rate at four months was 50%. Progression free survival (PFS) for these patients was 3.1 months ranging from 0.5 to 7.2 months with one patient remaining on combination therapy. Conclusion In this heavily pre-treated, advanced sarcoma population, the addition of mTOR inhibition to VEGFRi based therapy resulted in a clinical benefit for a subset of patients. Prospective studies will be needed to verify these results.
Cardiac Invasion by a Mixed Germ Cell Tumor

CASE PRESENTATION A 34-year-old man presented with acute-onset chest pain and respiratory distress. Electrocardiogram showed inferolateral ST elevation, and bedside echocardiogram revealed a moderate pericardial effusion. Emergent coronary angiogram did not demonstrate coronary lesions. Pericardiocentesis was performed and a bloody effusion was drained. Computed tomography angiography of the aorta was obtained to assess for aortic dissection as a cause of hemopericardium, but no dissection was identified. Instead, a 15-cm heterogeneous mediastinal mass was found, causing severe compression of the right atrium and right pulmonary artery. Figure A demonstrates the mass invading the right atrium and Figure B shows the compressed right pulmonary artery. The mass’s Hounsfield units ranged from 30-50, raising concern for mediastinal hematoma. Emergent surgical exploration revealed an actively bleeding anterior mediastinal mass invading the right atrium. Biopsy confirmed a mixed germ cell tumor with 85% nonseminomatous components. Alpha fetoprotein was 1,162 IU/mL. Testicular ultrasound and computed tomography scans of abdomen and pelvis showed
CDC Releases Updated Guidelines for Postexposure Prophylaxis After Sexual, Injection Drug, or Other Nonoccupational Exposures to HIV.

Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with anti-retroviral drugs to prevent transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) following sexual or injection drug use exposures (nonoccupational PEP or nPEP) is an essential intervention requiring a timely response. Updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide clinicians with guidance on assessing and managing exposures, new nPEP regimens, schedules for baseline and follow-up testing for HIV and associated infections, and longer-term prevention measures including preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Testing the Marshall-Lerner condition between the U.S. and other G7 member countries

Abstract This paper examines the Marshall-Lerner condition for the six bilateral trade balances between the U.S. and Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.K. from 1985 to 2016. The main contribution of this paper is that it tests for and incorporates nonlinearity into the balance of trade equation of Boyd, Caporale, and Smith (2001). My results indicate that price elasticities for exports and imports hardly satisfy the Marshall-Lerner condition in either of the two regimes. This means that higher real exchange rate depreciation may not necessarily improve the U.S. bilateral trade balance with all of the other G7 member countries.
Leakage Induced by the Influenza Virus Haemagglutinin Depends on Target Membrane Spontaneous Curvature

A recent cryo-electron microscopy investigation(Chlanda et al. (2016) Nat. Microbiol. 1:16050) of hemifusion structures mediated by the influenza virus haemagglutinin posited that there exist two pathways for hemi-fusion: hemifusion-stalk and rupture-insertion. Depending on target membrane material properties, such as spontaneous curvature, one pathway will be favored over the other. A prediction of this hypothesis is that leakage of soluble content will be greater through the rupture-insertion pathway. To test this prediction, we have developed a giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV)-based dye influx assay that provides a direct measure of leakage. Our results show that leakage (influx of soluble dye in GUV) induced by influenza virus changes from ∼ 80 % to ∼ 40 % as the spontaneous curvature is changed from −0.02 nm−1 to −0.30 nm−1, supporting the hypothesis that leakage is modulated by membrane spontaneous curvature. Surprisingly, with some lipid compositions, leakage was sub-maximal, i.e. there was a variable degree of GUV filling. This result raised the possibility of a transient target membrane damage induced by the influenza virus. It was also possible that the complete fusion of a leaky virus to a GUV was responsible for the filling of the GUV. To control for this possibility, we compared leakage induced by commercially prepared virus (containing significant damaged viral membrane, as evidenced by entry of a cell impermeant nucleotide-binding dye) with lab-grown virus (with apparently minimal damaged viral membranes).
Precise Visual Information And Throwing Accuracy Of Mentally Handicapped Subjects

The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Janet Kotyk for conducting the training sessions and Tom Edison for assisting in the data collection. Also acknowledged are Drs. Robert Stadulis and Stephen Langendorfer for their helpful suggestions on an earlier version of the manuscript. Appreciation is extended to the staff at Parma Developmental Center and the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Retardation/ Developmental Disabilities.
Primer effects of the honeybee, Apis mellifera, queen pheromone 9-ODA on drones

In many social insect species, pheromones coordinate defining features of social life. Queen-produced pheromones mediate many of these processes, and thus there is substantial interest in understanding both the mechanisms by which queen pheromones organize behaviour and how these chemical communication systems evolved. It is hypothesized that queen social pheromones evolved from sex pheromones found in their solitary ancestors. Here we begin to test this theory in the honeybee, where the queen-produced pheromone 9-ODA (9-oxo-2-decenoic acid) serves as both a social pheromone (priming physiological processes mediating worker behavioural maturation) and sex pheromone (attracting males during mating flights). While we expected the primer effects of 9-ODA on workers to represent a derived worker-specific function, we surprisingly found similar effects in drones. Exposure to 9-ODA resulted in a significant increase in expression levels of vitellogenin in drones. Since previous studies in workers found that vitellogenin levels regulate behavioural maturation, we investigated 9-ODA's effects on sexual maturation in drones. Drones exposed to 9-ODA initiated mating flights later and took fewer flights than control drones. Our results demonstrate that honeybee queen pheromone has primer effects on drone bees, and thus chemical communication systems involving honeybee drones are more complex than previously appreciated.
The impact of IVUS guidance in treating complex lesions; are all "complex" lesions the same?

The main reason for the application of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in guiding drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is because of its clinical benefit that has been shown in previous meta-analyses which included more than 30,000 patients across all coronary lesion subsets (1). Complex coronary lesions represent a unique subset which are more susceptible to adverse clinical events such as restenosis and thrombosis following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in the DES era and while IVUS guidance has been reported to be favorable in treating some classes of complex lesions (2-4), the lingering question remains: what is a complex lesion? Regarding chronic total occlusions (CTOs) for instance, they have been graded in their own complexity according to: long vs. short occluded segment, extent of calcification, etc. Thus, a very short and non-calcified lesion may not be as complex as a long and severely calcified one. Likewise, bifurcation lesions could be either true bifurcations or just simply involve the ostium of the side branch. These two scenarios pose different challenges that could be resolved via imaging, but eventually their long-term outcome will be greatly defined by the extension of the pre-existing disease. Additionally, the degree of shear stress, low flow velocity and presence of multiple layers of stent struts make bifurcation lesions vulnerable to stent thrombosis (ST) and thus surrogates of their complexity (5).