cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AN ACTIVE DATABASE APPROACH TO CONSISTENCY MANAGEMENT IN DATA- AND KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS

Many AI and other applications populate their knowledge-bases with information retrieved from large, shared databases. This paper describes a new approach to maintaining consistency between objects in dynamic, shared databases and copies of those objects which are cached in an application knowledge-base. The approach relies on an intelligent interface to active databases that we call a Mediator for Approximate Consistency (MAC). The MAC has several unique features: (1) it permits applications to specify their consistency requirements declaratively, using a simple extension of a frame-based representation language, (2) it automatically generates the interfaces and database objects necessary to enforce those consistency requirements, shielding the knowledge-base developer from the implementation details of consistency maintenance, and (3) it provides an explicit representation of consistency constraints in the database, which allows them to be queried and reasoned about. The paper describes the knowledge-base/database consistency problem and previous approaches to dealing with it. It then describes our architecture for maintaining approximate knowledge-base/database consistency, including techniques for specifying, representing, and enforcing consistency constraints.
Intrathecal baclofen: A useful agent in the treatment of well-established complex regional pain syndrome

Background and Objectives We present 2 case reports that illustrate that chronic intrathecal (IT) baclofen administration may be efficacious in treating patients with long-standing complex regional pain syndrome, type I (CRPS I) who have failed treatment with multiple drugs and procedures. Case Reports Both cases presented were women who developed CRPS I following multiple lower extremity surgeries. One patient had had symptoms for 5 years and had continued symptoms despite multiple sympathetic blocks, sympathectomy, spinal cord stimulation, and various medication trials. The other patient had had chronic lower extremity pain for 30 years and symptoms of CRPS for about 5 years. Her symptoms continued despite multiple sympathetic blocks, sympathectomy, and many medications. Neither patient had motor dysfunction (dystonia, tremors, spasticity) associated with their painful disorder. One patient experienced good control of pain, allodynia, and autonomic dysfunction with a combination of IT baclofen and clonidine after failing treatment with IT morphine. Baclofen alone produced intolerable side effects at the doses required to produce adequate analgesia. The other patient experienced long-term control of pain, allodynia, and autonomic symptoms with IT baclofen alone. Conclusions IT baclofen appears to be an option for patients with intractable CRPS who have failed other modalities, including IT morphine.
Credit demand, credit supply, and economic activity

In this paper, we attempt to identify the separate contributions of credit demand, supply of financial intermediation, and supply of funds to fluctuations in indicators of credit conditions and to fluctuations in economic activity. We estimate a common factor model in which the six factors correspond to supply of funds, financial intermediation, credit demand, aggregate uncertainty, real economic activity, and inflation. We use a simple model of financial intermediation to motivate restrictions on the factor loadings designed to identify supply of funds, uncertainty, credit demand, and financial intermediation factors. We find that the supply of funds and financial intermediation factors explain most of the variation in interest rates spreads, while the financial intermediation and credit demand factors typically contribute to most of the fluctuations in credit quantity variables. For credit indicators, the 2008–2009 financial crisis appears to be largely due to a decline in the financial intermediation. However, this decline in financial intermediation seems to have originated from output and uncertainty shocks, rather than shocks to financial intermediation itself.
Characterization of the catalytic cycle of ATP hydrolysis by human P-glycoprotein. The two ATP hydrolysis events in a single catalytic cycle are kinetically similar but affect different functional outcomes.

Abstract P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a plasma membrane protein whose overexpression confers multidrug resistance to tumor cells by extruding amphipathic natural product cytotoxic drugs using the energy of ATP. An elucidation of the catalytic cycle of Pgp would help design rational strategies to combat multidrug resistance and to further our understanding of the mechanism of ATP-binding cassette transporters. We have recently reported (Sauna, Z. E., and Ambudkar, S. V. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 97, 2515–2520) that there are two independent ATP hydrolysis events in a single catalytic cycle of Pgp. In this study we exploit the vanadate (Vi)-induced transition state conformation of Pgp (Pgp·ADP·Vi) to address the question of what are the effects of ATP hydrolysis on the nucleotide-binding site. We find that at the end of the first hydrolysis event there is a drastic decrease in the affinity of nucleotide for Pgp coincident with decreased substrate binding. Release of occluded dinucleotide is adequate for the next hydrolysis event to occur but is not sufficient for the recovery of substrate binding. Whereas the two hydrolysis events have different functional outcomesvis a vis the substrate, they show comparablet for both incorporation and release of nucleotide, and the affinities for [α-32P]8-azido-ATP during Vi-induced trapping are identical. In addition, the incorporation of [α-32P]8-azido-ADP in two ATP sites during both hydrolysis events is also similar. These data demonstrate that during individual hydrolysis events, the ATP sites are recruited in a random manner, and only one site is utilized at any given time because of the conformational change in the catalytic site that drastically reduces the affinity of the second ATP site for nucleotide binding. In aggregate, these findings provide an explanation for the alternate catalysis of ATP hydrolysis and offer a mechanistic framework to elucidate events at both the substrate- and nucleotide-binding sites in the catalytic cycle of Pgp.
An annotation management system for relational databases

We present an annotation management system for relational databases. In this system, every piece of data in a relation is assumed to have zero or more annotations associated with it and annotations are propagated along, from the source to the output, as data is being transformed through a query. Such an annotation management system is important for understanding the provenance and quality of data, especially in applications that deal with integration of scientific and biological data. We present an extension, pSQL, of a fragment of SQL that has three different types of annotation propagation schemes, each useful for different purposes. The default scheme propagates annotations according to where data is copied from. The default-all scheme propagates annotations according to where data is copied from among all equivalent formulations of a given query. The custom scheme allows a user to specify how annotations should propagate. We present a storage scheme for the annotations and describe algorithms for translating a pSQL query under each propagation scheme into one or more SQL queries that would correctly retrieve the relevant annotations according to the specified propagation scheme. For the default-all scheme, we also show how we generate finitely many queries that can simulate the annotation propagation behavior of the set of all equivalent queries, which is possibly infinite. The algorithms are implemented and the feasibility of the system is demonstrated by a set of experiments that we have conducted.
GATA-2 and GATA-3 regulate trophoblast-specific gene expression in vivo

We previously demonstrated that the zinc finger transcription factors GATA-2 and GATA-3 are expressed in trophoblast giant cells and that they regulate transcription from the mouse placental lactogen I gene promoter in a transfected trophoblast cell line. We present evidence here that both of these factors regulate transcription of the placental lactogen I gene, as well as the related proliferin gene, in trophoblast giant cells in vivo. Placentas lacking GATA-3 accumulate placental lactogen I and proliferin mRNAs to a level 50% below that reached in the wild-type placenta. Mutation of the GATA-2 gene had a similar effect on placental lactogen I expression, but led to a markedly greater reduction (5- to 6-fold) in proliferin gene expression. Placentas lacking GATA-2 secrete significantly less angiogenic activity than wild-type placentas as measured in an endothelial cell migration assay, consistent with a reduction in expression of the angiogenic hormone proliferin. Furthermore, within the same uterus the decidual tissue adjacent to mutant placentas displays markedly reduced neovascularization compared to the decidual tissue next to wild-type placentas. These results indicate that GATA-2 and GATA-3 are important in vivo regulators of trophoblast-specific gene expression and placental function, and reveal a difference in the effect of these two factors in regulating the synthesis of related placental hormones.
Phylogeny of Drosophila and related genera inferred from the nucleotide sequence of the Cu,Zn Sod gene

The phylogeny and taxonomy of the drosophilids have been the subject of extensive investigations. Recently, Grimaldi (1990) has challenged some common conceptions, and several sets of molecular data have provided information not always compatible with other taxonomic knowledge or consistent with each other. We present the coding nucleotide sequence of the Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase gene (Sod) for 15 species, which include the medfly Ceratitis capitata (family Tephritidae), the genera Chymomyza and Zaprionus, and representatives of the subgenera Dorsilopha, Drosophila, Hirtodrosophila, Scaptodrosophila, and Sophophora. Phylogenetic analysis of the Sod sequences indicates that Scaptodrosophila and Chymomyza branched off the main lineage before the major Drosophila radiations. The presence of a second intron in Chymomyza and Scaptodrosophila (as well as in the medfly) confirms the early divergence of these two taxa. This second intron became deleted from the main lineage before the major Drosophila radiations. According to the Sod sequences, Sophophora (including the melanogaster, obscura, saltans, and willistoni species groups) is older than the subgenus Drosophila; a deep branch splits the willistoni and saltans groups from the melanogaster and obscura groups. The genus Zaprionus and the subgenera Dorsilopha and Hirtodrosophila appear as branches of a prolific "bush" that also embraces the numerous species of the subgenus Drosophila. The Sod results corroborate in many, but not all, respects Throckmorton's (King, R.C. (ed) Handbook of Genetics. Plenum Press, New York, pp. 421-469, 1975) phylogeny; are inconsistent in some important ways with Grimaldi's (Bull. Am. Museum Nat. Hist. 197: 1-139, 1990) cladistic analysis; and also are inconsistent with some inferences based on mitochondrial DNA data. The Sod results manifest how, in addition to the information derived from nucleotide sequences, structural features (i.e., the deletion of an intron) can help resolve phylogenetic issues.
A Comparative Assessment of the Broiler:Corn Ratio and Its Impact on Broiler Processors' Profitability

Input prices for broiler production, particularly corn, are becoming increasingly volatile due to increasing competition for corn from ethanol and biofuels production suggesting volatility in poultry profits will follow indicator of profits relating feed input prices and broiler meat output prices, such as a Broiler:corn ratios. Total chicken exports, total chicken ready-to-cook production, number of eggs set, number of chicks placed, and cold storage chicken inventory are used to estimate. Utilizing a distributed lag model, seventeen years of data for three Broiler:corn ratios, broiler exports, egg set, chick placements, cold storage stocks, and ready-to-cook broiler production were utilized to estimate stock share price for four major broiler producers.
Factors and outcomes associated with surgical treatment options of contralateral breast cancer.

Abstract Background The treatment for a contralateral breast cancer (CBC) presents a growing dilemma given the expanding number of long-term survivors. We hypothesize that there will be specific surgical treatment trends with demographic differences between the treatment groups. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer database was queried to identify CBC patients from 1998 to 2010. Relevant data were compared among the surgical treatment groups of lumpectomy, mastectomy, and mastectomy/reconstruction. Results Of 1,534 patients, 31% underwent lumpectomy and 69% underwent mastectomy [201 (21%) mastectomy/reconstruction; 748 (69%) mastectomy alone]. Older patients (age >80 years) were more likely to undergo lumpectomy; those with larger tumors (T4) or node-positive disease more often underwent mastectomy. Overall survival was significantly higher in the mastectomy/reconstruction group (P = .05). Conclusions Younger age, larger tumor size, and positive nodal disease were independently associated with mastectomy. As the number of long-term breast cancer survivors increases, factors contributing to CBC treatments must be studied to maximize survival potential.
Pollution prevention methods in the surface coating industry

Abstract The surface coating industry is rapidly changing to meet environmental and economic pressures. Some of the changes include new formulations which meet environmental regulations, higher performance finishes with improved properties, continued development of solventless technologies such as powder coatings and radiation curable coatings, and new application methods with improved transfer efficiencies. These changes will be accelerated by the 1990 amendments to the U.S. Clean Air Act. These new enviromnental laws will require industry through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local agencies to further reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are contributors to ozone formation in the lower atmosphere. The focus of this paper will be to examine the paints and coatings industry and those pollution prevention methods that are being applied to meet these environmental pressures. It will review the life cycle of paints and coatings; from its inception in the manufacturing facility to its ultimate application and disposal. It will also review developing low VOC technologies that are being considered worldwide to comply with increasing VOC regulations.
A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Presentation Formats for Instruction: Teaching First-Year Students

First-year experience (FYE) programs offer librarians opportunities to teach new students in a comprehensive fashion. However, large FYE programs can place demands on user education programs that are difficult to meet. Instruction librarians at the University at Albany sought to address this dilemma by developing a Web-based instructional module for one class session. The module was used by a segment of students in the Project Renaissance FYE program, whereas another segment received instruction by a librarian. The effectiveness of the two instructional methods was compared using pre- and post-tests, and was found to be equal. Analysis of the test scores also showed that instruction, regardless of format, makes a significant difference (p
High throughput synthesis of ceramic nanofibers

High yield nanomanufacturing is important to turning nanotechnology advances into industrial products. Electrospinning is a nanomanufacturing process that has been used to process advanced ceramic nanofibers suitable for functional applications in sensing and catalysis, yet it has been limited in its scalability thus far. In this study a novel design of the electrospinning process and related equipment that could produce large qualities of ceramic nanofibers is described. This scaled-up approach to traditional needle electrospinning allows the formation of 24 jets operating under the same conditions as those set in the single jet lab-based process. Due to a thin metallic disc design, with tiny (0.5mm) holes drilled at the bottom corner of the disc, all jets experience a uniform impact of the electrostatic field. Continuous replenishment of the source disk at higher flow rates allows for high yields of nanofibers.
Exact inference and learning for cumulative distribution functions on loopy graphs

Many problem domains including climatology and epidemiology require models that can capture both heavy-tailed statistics and local dependencies. Specifying such distributions using graphical models for probability density functions (PDFs) generally lead to intractable inference and learning. Cumulative distribution networks (CDNs) provide a means to tractably specify multivariate heavy-tailed models as a product of cumulative distribution functions (CDFs). Existing algorithms for inference and learning in CDNs are limited to those with tree-structured (non-loopy) graphs. In this paper, we develop inference and learning algorithms for CDNs with arbitrary topology. Our approach to inference and learning relies on recursively decomposing the computation of mixed derivatives based on a junction trees over the cumulative distribution functions. We demonstrate that our systematic approach to utilizing the sparsity represented by the junction tree yields significant performance improvements over the general symbolic differentiation programs Mathematica and D*. Using two real-world datasets, we demonstrate that non-tree structured (loopy) CDNs are able to provide significantly better fits to the data as compared to tree-structured and unstructured CDNs and other heavy-tailed multivariate distributions such as the multivariate copula and logistic models.
Bridging the Undergraduate Curriculum Using an Integrated Course-Embedded Undergraduate Research Experience (ICURE)

The traditional undergraduate program of study incorporates a selection of classes that represent a broad spectrum of subdisciplines. Unfortunately, few curricula successfully integrate concepts in all subdisciplines, giving undergraduates the misconception that there is a lack of application or connectedness between class subjects. An integrated course-embedded research experience (ICURE) was initiated to redress this problem by bridging classes within one discipline in an effort to engage undergraduates in a long-term analysis of biodiversity. The approach was both inclusive and longitudinal: 1) the ICURE bridge brought students from different classes and levels of instruction together with faculty members in a research project with a common goal—chronicling the changing face of the local environment in biological terms; and 2) research data collected were maintained and supplemented each semester and year in an online biodiversity database. Analysis of content and attitudinal gains suggested the integrated research protocol increased student comprehension and confidence. Results are discussed in terms of future amendments to instructional design and potential research applications. Though this program was concentrated on one discipline, there is no reason to assume other disciplines could not take advantage of similar research connections.
A robust stochastic identification algorithm in the presence of outliers

In this paper, an optimization-oriented approach is proposed for parameter identifications in the presence of outliers. The proposed approach assumes minimum statistical a priori information on the unknown outliers and is convergent. An efficient numerical algorithm is presented to implement the approach along with its convergence and complexity results.
Alternative distance/similarity measures for reduced ordering based nonlinear vector filters

Reduced ordering based nonlinear vector filters have proved successful in removing long-tailed noise from color images while preserving edges and fine image details. These filters commonly utilize variants of the Minkowski distance to order the color vectorswith the aim of distinguishing between noisy and noise-free vectors. In this paper, we review various alternative distance measures and evaluate their performance on a large and diverse set of images. The results demonstrate that there are in fact strong alternatives to the popular Minkowski metrics.
Fast geometry optimization using a modified extended Hu¨ckel method: results for molecules containing H, C, N, O, and F

A semiempirically parameterized version of the extended Huckel molecular orbital method has been combined with an efficient quasi-Newton Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shannon (BFGS) optimization algorithm to obtain accurate geometries for compounds containing H, C, N, O, and F. The requirement of only one matrix diagonalization per energy evaluation makes the EHNDO (Extended Huckel Neglect of Differential Overlap) method faster than semiempirical Hartree–Fock NDDO methods such as MNDO, AM1, and PM3. Geometrical results for EHNDO appear to be as good as or better than results for the widely used AM1 technique, and geometry optimization for EHNDO also requires only a fraction of the time. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Monitoring Maize (Zea mays L.) Phenology with Remote Sensing

Monitoring crop phenology is required for understanding intra-and interannual variations of agroecosystems, as well as for improving yield prediction models. The objective of this paper is to remotely evaluate the phenological development of maize (Zea mays L.) in terms of both biomass accumulation and reproductive organ appearance. Maize phenology was monitored by means of the recently developed visible atmospherically resistant indices, derived from spectral reflectance data. Visible atmospherically resistant indices provided significant information for crop phenology monitoring as they allowed us to detect: (i) changes due to biomass accumulation, (ii) changes induced by the appearance and development of reproductive organs, and (iii) the onset of senescence, earlier than widely used vegetation indices. Visible atmospherically resistant indices allowed the identification of the timing of phenological transitions that are related to the maize physiological development. They also allowed identification of the onset of the grain-fill period, which is important since maximum yield potential of maize plants depends on optimal environmental conditions during this period.
Combinatorial Control of Signal-Induced Exon Repression by hnRNP L and PSF

Cells can regulate their protein repertoire in response to extracellular stimuli via alternative splicing; however, the mechanisms controlling this process are poorly understood. The CD45 gene undergoes alternative splicing in response to T-cell activation to regulate T-cell function. The ESS1 splicing silencer in CD45 exon 4 confers basal exon skipping in resting T cells through the activity of hnRNP L and confers activation-induced exon skipping in T cells via previously unknown mechanisms. Here we have developed an in vitro splicing assay that recapitulates the signal-induced alternative splicing of CD45 and demonstrate that cellular stimulation leads to two changes to the ESS1-bound splicing regulatory complex. Activation-induced posttranslational modification of hnRNP L correlates with a modest increase in the protein's repressive activity. More importantly, the splicing factor PSF is recruited to the ESS1 complex in an activation-dependent manner and accounts for the majority of the signal-regulated ESS1 activity. The associations of hnRNP L and PSF with the ESS1 complex are largely independent of each other, but together these proteins account for the total signal-regulated change in CD45 splicing observed in vitro and in vivo. Such a combinatorial effect on splicing allows for precise regulation of signal-induced alternative splicing.
Global health education: a pilot in trans-disciplinary, digital instruction

Background: The development of new global health academic programs provides unique opportunities to create innovative educational approaches within and across universities. Recent evidence suggests that digital media technologies may provide feasible and cost-effective alternatives to traditional classroom instruction; yet, many emerging global health academic programs lag behind in the utilization of modern technologies. Objective: We created an inter-departmental University of Southern California (USC) collaboration to develop and implement a course focused on digital media and global health. Design: Course curriculum was based on core tenants of modern education: multi-disciplinary, technologically advanced, learner-centered, and professional application of knowledge. Student and university evaluations were reviewed to qualitatively assess course satisfaction and educational outcomes. Results: ‘New Media for Global Health’ ran for 18 weeks in the Spring 2012 semester with N=41 students (56.1% global health and 43.9% digital studies students). The course resulted in a number of high quality global health-related digital media products available at http://iml420.wordpress.com/. Challenges confronted at USC included administrative challenges related to co-teaching and frustration from students conditioned to a rigid system of teacher-led learning within a specific discipline. Quantitative and qualitative course evaluations reflected positive feedback for the course instructors and mixed reviews for the organization of the course. Conclusion: The development of innovative educational programs in global health requires on-going experimentation and information sharing across departments and universities. Digital media technologies may have implications for future efforts to improve global health education. Keywords: academic programs; digital media; education; global health; multimedia learning; technology (Published: 2 May 2013) Citation: Glob Health Action 2013, 6 : 20747 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/gha.v6i0.20747
Cyclic prefix length analysis for 4G OFDM systems

Channel rays outside the cyclic prefix (CP) interval (also known as the "guard interval") in orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM) are encountered due to excessively long channels and possibly due to timing errors. This causes inter-carrier and inter-symbol interference (ICI/ISI) and hence a loss in per-subcarrier signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR). As observed in prior works, there is a trade-off between ICI/ISI power and capacity when lengthening the CP; for some channel profiles it is advantageous to allow some of the weaker channel rays to "escape" the CP. In this paper we examine how OFDM symbol length, CP length, and timing mismatch of a certain variance, impact the expected SINR and capacity based on recently measured channel profiles in a 20 MHz band at 3.7 GHz in suburban and urban environments. Capacity for the measured channels is evaluated for two representative symbol lengths of 10 /spl mu/s and 40 /spl mu/s. For the measured channels, capacity is maximized for a CP of 1-3 microseconds. However, a CP of 4-5 microseconds has only slightly less capacity and is much more robust to timing errors.
The Patient-Physician Relationship: In Response

To the Editor: I read with keen interest the commentary by Dr. James T. C. Li entitled "The Patient-Physician Relationship: Covenant or Contract?" which appeared in the September 1996 issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings (pages 917 to 918). Although I wholeheartedly agree with most of Dr. Li's comments, I question the dichotomy between covenant and contract in regard to the patient-physician relationship. Why does it have to be either? Why can't it be both? Actually, the physician and the patient have two separate relationships. One is a relationship in which the physician, having superior knowledge about medicine, provides medical care to the patient, who assumes that the physician has his best interests at heart. A contract is also involved, however. The physician provides a service-that is, medical care-for which he is allowed to charge a fee if he has a license to practice medicine. I believe that the patient-physician relationship constitutes both a covenant and a contract and that these two relationships are not mutually exclusive.
Postsynaptic α -2 Adrenergic Receptors are Critical for the Antidepressant-Like Effects of Desipramine on Behavior

The antidepressant desipramine inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine (NE), leading to activation of both pre- and postsynaptic adrenergic receptors, including alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 subtypes. However, it is not clear which adrenergic receptors are involved in mediating its antidepressant effects. Treatment of mice with desipramine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) produced an antidepressant-like effect, as evidenced by decreased immobility in the forced-swim test; this was antagonized by pretreatment with the alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist idazoxan (0.1-2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Similarly, idazoxan, administered peripherally (0.5-2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or centrally (1-10 microg, i.c.v.), antagonized the antidepressant-like effect of desipramine in rats responding under a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) 72-s schedule, ie, decreased response rate and increased reinforcement rate. By contrast, pretreatment with the beta-adrenergic antagonists propranolol and CGP-12177 or the alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist prazosin did not alter the antidepressant-like effect of desipramine on DRL behavior. The lack of involvement of beta-adrenergic receptors in mediating the behavioral effects of desipramine was confirmed using knockout lines. In the forced-swim test, the desipramine-induced decrease in immobility was not altered in mice deficient in beta-1, beta-2, or both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. In addition, desipramine (3-30 mg/kg) produced an antidepressant-like effect on behavior under a DRL 36-s schedule in mice deficient in both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. As antagonism of presynaptic alpha-2 adrenergic receptors facilitates NE release, which potentiates the effects of desipramine, the present results suggest that postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenergic receptors play an important role in its antidepressant effects.
Observed and simulated LET spectra comparison for the CRaTER instrument on LRO

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was launched into lunar orbit in June 2009. Among its objectives are to find potential safe landing sites, locate potential resources, test new technologies, and characterize the lunar radiation environment. To accomplish the latter objective, the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation (CRaTER), a linear energy transfer (LET) spectrometer is mounted on the LRO. Its purpose is to measure the LET spectrum of the lunar radiation environment. LET is highly important in quantifying the biological and electronic effects of ionizing radiation. Although most of the particle fluence of importance consists of high energy protons from solar particle events (SPEs) and galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), the galactic cosmic ray spectrum also includes a significant component composed of high energy, heavy charged particles with high LET values. These particles are capable of fragmenting themselves and target materials, which causes large energy depositions capable of causing significant biological risk to lunar explorers. In this work, estimates of these LET values for the lunar environment, obtained using the HETC-HEDS (High Energy Transport Code — Human Exploration and Development in Space) are compared to observed CRaTER measurement results.
Relativistic Bound States

The Hamiltonian for Dirac's second-order equation depends nonlinearly on the potential V and the energy E. For this reason the magnetic contribution to the Hamiltonian for s-waves, which has a short range, is attractive for a repulsive Coulomb potential (V > 0) and repulsive for an attractive Coulomb potential (V 0 the attractive magnetic term and the repulsive linear term combine to support a bound state at E = 0.5 mc{sup 2} corresponding to a binding energy E{sub b} = -{var_epsilon} = 0.5 mc{sup 2}.
Protein Assembly on Membrane Surface alters the Dynamical Spectrum of Downstream Signaling Reactions

Protein-protein interactions have been well documented to give rise to an elaborated spatial pattern of signaling molecules during signal transduction. In the case of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, multivalent interactions at the linker for activation of T-cell (LAT) promote an assembly structure with downstream molecules on the membrane surface upon TCR activation. However, the perturbation of an assembly structure on the downstream dynamics remains largely unknown. We reconstituted the signaling geometry of LAT assembly with minimum components in TCR signaling on supported membranes. With single-molecule analysis, we directly observe the dynamic alteration of downstream signaling reactions by the assembly structure. The signaling consequence of altered kinetics is further analyzed with analytical calculations. Together, we propose an assembly-dependent mechanism for signal triggering, which can be a general statement for other receptors with multivalent interactions.
Environmental, public health, and safety assessment of fuel pipelines and other freight transportation modes

Abstract The construction of pipelines along high-throughput fuel corridors can alleviate demand for rail, barge, and truck transportation. Pipelines have a very different externality profile than other freight transportation modes due to differences in construction, operation, and maintenance requirements; labor, energy, and material input intensity; location and profile of emissions from operations; and frequency and magnitude of environmental and safety incidents. Therefore, public policy makers have a strong justification to influence the economic viability of pipelines. We use data from prior literature and U.S. government statistics to estimate environmental, public health, and safety characterization factors for pipelines and other modes. In 2008, two pipeline companies proposed the construction of an ethanol pipeline from the Midwest to Northeast United States. This proposed project informs our case study of a 2735-km $3.5 billion pipeline (2009 USD), for which we evaluate potential long-term societal impacts including life-cycle costs, greenhouse gas emissions, employment, injuries, fatalities, and public health impacts. Although it may take decades to break even economically, and would result in lower cumulative employment, such a pipeline would likely have fewer safety incidents, pollution emissions, and health damages than the alternative multimodal system in less than ten years; these results stand even if comparing future cleaner ground transport modes to a pipeline that utilizes electricity produced from coal. Monetization of externalities can significantly enhance the value of a pipeline to society. In this study, a pipeline with a construction cost of $1.37 million/km in 2014 USD and a NPV of revenue over 22.2 years of $1.85 million/km would be associated with $0.5–$1.3 million/km in avoided negative externalities—the majority of which are expected from avoided air pollution-related deaths ($0.26–$1.0 million/km) and avoided GHG emissions ($0.12–$0.19 million/km).
Cation-Exchange Properties of Natural Zeolites

Zeolite minerals are crystalline, hydrated aluminosilicates of alkali and alkaline earth cations characterized by an ability to hydrate/dehydrate reversibly and to exchange some of their constituent cations with aqueous solutions, both without a major change in structure. Because of their ion-exchange, adsorption, and molecular sieve properties, as well as their geographically widespread abundance, zeolite minerals have generated worldwide interest for use in a broad range of applications. Examples of these applications are discussed in other chapters of this book. Of particular interest in this chapter are the cation-exchange properties of zeolite minerals. Due to the favorable ion-exchange selectivity of natural zeolites for certain cations, such as Cs+, Sr2+, and NH4+, these minerals have been studied for potential use in the treatment of nuclear wastewaters (Howden and Pilot 1984; Baxter and Berghauser 1986; Robinson et al. 1995; Pansini 1996), municipal and industrial wastewaters (Kallo 1995; Pansini 1996), and acid mine drainage waters (Bremner and Schultze 1995; Zamzow and Schultze 1995). Natural zeolites have also been studied for potential use in the remediation of sites contaminated with fission products such as 90Sr and 135,137Cs (Leppert 1988; Valcke et al. 1997a; Valcke et al. 1997b) and in the remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals (Ming and Allen, this volume). Additional interest resulted from the potential siting of a high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, which is underlain by diagenetically altered, zeolite-rich (clinoptilolite, heulandite, and mordenite) rhyolitic tuffs (Broxton et al. 1986; Broxton et al. 1987) that could serve as barriers to radionuclide migration to the accessible environment. Zeolites consist of three-dimensional frameworks of (Si,Al)O4 tetrahedra where all oxygen ions of each tetrahedron are shared with adjacent tetrahedra. The presence of Al3+ …
Modeling of VUV radiation at high altitudes

Vacuum-ultraviolet radiation measurements have been shown to provide information about the concentration of atomic species in hypersonic flows. Broad band data were obtained for radiation from the atomic O system at 130.4 nm, and a model was successfully proposed. Instrumentation with better spectral resolution can be flown on future spacecraft flying at higher altitudes and faster speeds. This paper considers extensions to the O VUV radiation model and a new model for atomic N VUV radiation as well. The models are applied to the conditions for future flights at approximately 8 km/sec between the altitudes of 100 to 160 km. (Author)
P2-02-05: Molecular Mechanism for Src Homology Phosphotyrosyl Phosphatase 2 Regulation of Cell Motility and Migration.

Background: The Src homology phosphotyrosyl phosphatase 2 (SHP2) acts as a transducer of mitogenic and cell survival signaling downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases, cytokine receptors and integrins. As such, SHP2 promotes cell growth, transformation, survival, and motility, among other processes. Recent studies suggest that SHP2 is overexpressed in breast cancer and is essential for the maintenance of the transformed phenotype both in the HER2−positive and the basal-type/triple-negative breast cancer (BTBC) cells. Materials and Methods: The expression of SHP2 in BTBC cells was suppressed constitutively by lenti virus-mediated transduction of specific shRNA. Impact of SHP2 inhibition on cell migration was determined by the monolayer wound healing assay. The SHP2 substrate-trapping mutant was used to identify FAK as an SHP2 substrate. Site-directed mutagenesis, binding studies and phosphatase assays were employed to further characterize FAK as a bona fide SHP2 substrate. Immunofluorescence microscopy was conducted to visualize the amounts of phosphorylated FAK and its location in the cell after adhesion. Results: We demonstrate that SHP2 is essential for the migration of BTBC cells as evidenced by loss of the enhanced migratory behavior upon its inhibition. Using the SHP2 substrate-trapping mutant, FAK was identified as a biological substrate of SHP2. Site-directed mutagenesis, binding studies and phosphatase assays confirmed that SHP2 indeed associates with and dephosphorylates FAK at the pY397 site, a site known to promote the focal adhesion activity of FAK. Immunofluorescence of breast cancer cells with SHP2 inhibition were found to have higher levels of FAK pY397 further confirming that FAK is an SHP2 substrate. The increase in pY397 level correlated with loss of cell polarity, enhanced focal adhesion formation, and acquisition of non-transformed morphology. Discussion: These results suggest that dephosphorylation of pY397 of FAK by SHP2 is the major mechanism by which it is able to modulate cancer cell migration. Together with previous findings, the current studies show that SHP2 is a suitable target for therapeutic intervention to combat breast cancer metastasis. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-02-05.
Reply: Comparison of Postoperative Pain Control in Autologous Abdominal Free Flap versus Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND Women who undergo mastectomy and breast reconstruction are shown to express more pain than those who undergo mastectomy alone. The authors evaluated postoperative pain outcomes following breast reconstruction. METHODS Patients undergoing primary implant-based (n = 1038) or flap-based (n = 837) reconstructions from 2004 to 2012 at the University of California, Los Angeles, were evaluated. Postoperative pain was measured using the visual analogue scale, total narcotic use, and number of patient-controlled analgesia attempts. Narcotic dosage was standardized to morphine equivalents per kilogram. The authors modeled postoperative narcotic use, patient-controlled analgesia attempts, and visual analogue scale scores over time using spline graphs for comparison between the two reconstruction methods. RESULTS Both total narcotic use and patient-controlled analgesia attempts were higher in the implant-based group throughout the immediate postoperative period. Implant-based reconstruction patients had significantly higher visual analogue scale scores (p < 0.0001) and total narcotic use (p < 0.0001) through postoperative day 3 compared with autologous tissue-based reconstruction patients. When controlling for reconstruction method, bilateral procedures were more painful (visual analogue scale score and patient-controlled analgesia attempts, both p < 0.001). When controlling for laterality, unilateral implant-based and autologous reconstructions had comparable visual analogue scale scores (p = 0.38) and patient-controlled analgesia attempts. However, unilateral implant-based procedures required more narcotic use than unilateral autologous tissue-based procedures (p = 0.0012). CONCLUSION Although commonly perceived as a less distressing operation, implant-based breast reconstruction may be more painful during the immediate postoperative hospitalization than abdominally based free tissue transfer. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.
Ureteroarterial fistula: a case report.

AbstractWe report on a patient with a fistula between the right common iliac artery and the distal right ureter who had undergone pelvic exenteration for carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The patient also had received prior radiation therapy and was being treated with an indwelling ureteral stent at the time the fistula developed. Diagnosis was made by an occlusive ureterogram and the lesion was treated successfully with embolization of the common iliac artery.
An update on pharmacologic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a widespread disease process with important clinical and economic implications. This review will summarize new pharmacotherapy for the treatment of COPD. RECENT FINDINGS Several recent clinical trials have led to the approval of new inhaler therapies for COPD. Many of these are specifically targeting combination long-acting β-agonists and long-acting muscarinic antagonists for late stage COPD. SUMMARY Several new bronchodilators are available on the market, especially in combination form. The new drug combinations have positive data though clinical relevance, and comparisons to available and well established therapies are still needed. Specifically, translating improved forced expiratory volume into meaningful clinical outcomes remains challenging.
Secure Semantic Service-Oriented Systems

As the demand for data and information management continues to grow, so does the need to maintain and improve the security of databases, applications, and information systems. In order to effectively protect this data against evolving threats, an up-to-date understanding of the mechanisms for securing semantic Web technologies is essential. Reviewing cutting-edge developments, Secure Semantic Service-Oriented Systems focuses on confidentiality, privacy, trust, and integrity management for Web services. It demonstrates the breadth and depth of applications of these technologies in multiple domains. The author lays the groundwork with discussions of concepts in trustworthy information systems and security for service-oriented architecture. Next, she covers secure Web services and applicationsdiscussing how these technologies are used in secure interoperability, national defense, and medical applications. Divided into five parts, the book describes the various aspects of secure service oriented information systems; including confidentiality, trust management, integrity, and data quality. It evaluates knowledge management and e-business concepts in services technologies, information management, semantic Web security, and service-oriented computing. You will also learn how it applies to Web services, service-oriented analysis and design, and specialized and semantic Web services. The author covers security and design methods for service-oriented analysis, access control models for Web Services, identity management, access control and delegation, and confidentiality. She concludes by examining privacy, trust, and integrity, the relationship between secure semantic Web technologies and services, secure ontologies, and RDF. The book also provides specific consideration to activity management such as e-business, collaboration, healthcare, and finance.
Integral-differential Relationships in Thermal Analysis

Recent investigations of the pyrolysis of bituminous coals1 have shown that the TG/DTG data characterizing the overall complex thermal degradation obeys the well-known Kissinger equation2. The resulting global kinetic parameters are very close in magnitude to those given by other investigators for similar coals, using a statistical approach to the analysis of thermogravimetric data. The Kissinger equation has been used empirically by other workers in the fossil fuel field3. Is the Kissinger equation generally applicable to thermal reactions, irrespective of the form of the mathematical relationship used to describe the kinetic model? This paper is the author’s answer to this question. The caveats of Garn4, regarding the use of the Arrhenius kinetic equation, incorporating analytical degree of reaction functions encompassed by the Sestak-Berggren general equation5 in solid state reactions, are well taken, and should be borne in mind by all interested parties.
Double Palladium Catalyzed Reductive Cyclizations. Synthesis of 2,2'-, 2,3'-, and 3,3'-Bi-1H-indoles, Indolo[3,2-b]indoles, and Indolo[2,3-b]indoles

A palladium catalyzed, carbon monoxide mediated, double reductive cyclization of 1,4-, 1,3-, and 2,3-bis(2-nitroaryl)-1,3-butadienes to afford 2,2′-, 2,3′-, and 3,3′-biindoles, respectively, was developed. In contrast, reductive cyclizations of 1,2-bis(2-nitroaryl)ethenes were nonselective, affording mixtures of monocyclized indoles, indolo[3,2-b]indole, indolo[1,2-c]quinazolin-6(5H)-ones, and 5,11-dihydro-6H-indolo[3,2-c]quinolin-6-ones. Nonselective product formation was also observed from reductive cyclization of 1,1-bis(2-nitroaryl)ethenes, producing indolo[2,3-b]indoles and indolo[2,3-c]quinolin-6-ones. Carbon monoxide insertion to give the carbonyl containing products was the major or sole reaction path starting from 1,1- or 1,2-bis(2-nitroaryl)ethenes.