cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic preparation of both enantiomers of 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(indole-3-)butyric acid, a novel plant growth regulator

Abstract Efficient optical resolution of both enantiomers of 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(indole-3-)butyric acid (TFIBA), a novel plant growth regulator, was achieved by two enzyme-catalyzed steps using lipase AK (a lipase from Pseudomonas sp.). S-(+)-TFIBA and R-(−)-TFIBA ethyl ester were prepared with 98% e.e. by the first step of lipase-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis in a 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 5.0) containing 10% t-BuOH at 55°C for 45 h. the % e.e. in S-(+)-TFIBA was further improved to >99% e.e. by lipase-catalyzed enantioselective esterification with ethanol in heptane and subsequent hydrolysis using PLE-A (an esterase from pig liver). R-(−)-TFIBA was prepared with >99% e.e. by the second step of lipase-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis under the same conditions as described above and subsequent hydrolysis using PLE-A. The root growth-promoting activity of S-(+)-TFIBA was about 10-fold higher than that of R-(−)-TFIBA for black matpe, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, and rice plants (Ohgonbare and Tan-ginbozu).
Traumatic brain injury: Endocrine consequences in children and adults

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of death and disability in young adults with consequences ranging from physical disabilities to long-term cognitive, behavioral, psychological and social defects. Recent data suggest that pituitary hormone deficiency is not infrequent among TBI survivors; the prevalence of reported hypopituitarism following TBI varies widely among published studies. The most common cause of TBI is motor vehicle accidents, including pedestrian-car and bicycle car encounters, falls, child abuse, violence and sports injuries. Prevalence of hypopituitarism, from total to isolated pituitary deficiency, ranges from 5 to 90 %. The time interval between TBI and pituitary function evaluation is one of the major factors responsible for variations in the prevalence of hypopituitarism reported. Endocrine dysfunction after TBI in children and adolescents is common. Adolescence is a time of growth, freedom and adjustment, consequently TBI is also common in this group. Sports-related TBI is an important public health concern, but many cases are unrecognized and unreported. Sports that are associated with an increased risk of TBI include those involving contact and/or collisions such as boxing, football, soccer, ice hockey, rugby, and the martial arts, as well as high velocity sports such as cycling, motor racing, equestrian sports, skiing and roller skating. The aim of this paper is to summarize the best evidence of TBI as a cause of pituitary deficiency in children and adults.
Distribution of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on processes of isolated retinal cells.

Binding of propylbenzilylcholine mustard, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, to isolated retinal cells was examined with light microscopic autoradiography. Dissociation of the adult tiger salamander retina yielded identifiable rod, cone, horizontal, bipolar, amacrine/ganglion, and Muller cells. Preservation of fine structure was assessed with conventional electron microscopy. For all cell types, the plasmalemma was intact and free of adhering debris; in addition, presynaptic ribbon complexes were present in photoreceptor and bipolar axon terminals indicating that synaptic structures were retained. Specific binding to cell bodies and processes was analyzed separately by using morphometric and statistical techniques. The highest grain densities occurred on processes of amacrine/ganglion cells and axons and 2 degrees and 3 degrees dendrites of bipolar neurons. Bipolar cells, however, seemed to be a heterogeneous population because there was great variation in the density of binding sites on both their axons and distal dendrites. Intermediate levels of binding were found on bipolar 1 degree dendrites and horizontal cells. No specific binding was detected on Muller cells and most parts of photoreceptors. Comparisons between cells showed that grain densities were similar for bipolar axons and amacrine/ganglion cell processes but bipolar dendrites were richer in binding sites than horizontal cell dendrites. Thus, muscarinic receptors in the salamander retina are located on amacrine/ganglion, bipolar, and horizontal cells and primarily confined to the processes which compose the two synaptic layers. In the inner plexiform layer, muscarinic receptors reside on processes from all three inner retinal neurons: in the outer synaptic layer, receptors are only on second-order cells and are more numerous along bipolar than horizontal cell dendrites.
HRT1 modulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Abstract The Notch signaling pathway plays vital roles in vascular development and homeostasis. However, the functional role of HRT1, a primary downstream effector of Notch signaling in VSMC, is poorly characterized. In the present study, we postulated that HRT1 plays fundamental roles in modulating VSMC fate. To test the hypothesis that HRT1 is coupled to growth regulation, we generated VSMC lines constitutively overexpressing HRT1 (HRT1SMC) and demonstrated an exaggerated growth behavior compared to its control cell line. The lack of cell cycle arrest at confluence in HRT1SMC was associated with an attenuated up-regulation of the cell cycle inhibitor, p21 WAF1/CIP1 . We further established that both transient and constitutive HRT1 signaling promoted VSMC survival in response to serum deprivation and pro-apoptotic Fas ligand. Resistance to apoptosis was associated with the induction of Akt expression/activity, a well-described anti-apoptotic mediator. Overall, these findings provide initial evidence that HRT1 functions as a critical determinant of VSMC proliferation and survival.
Evaluation of curved crystals for cosmic x-ray spectroscopy

We describe a spectrometer used to evaluate curved crystals, crystals originally intended for cosmic x-ray spectroscopy on the AXAF satellite. The most important feature of the AXAF instrument was the high-resolution spectra (λ/Δλ as high as 2000) that could be obtained from astronomical objects over the λ range 1.2 to 100 A. The crystals are formed into narrow cylindrical facets and assembled into a pseudotoroidal surface. The spectral resolution is degraded by a number of effects, which we describe. The primary effect over which we have control is the figure of each cylindrical segment. We measure deviations from the nominal cylindrical shape, which we call Δθ slope using a laboratory x-ray spectrometer. We present spectrometer data for several crystal samples, evaluated at different energies. We compare these results with similar tests performed at optical wavelengths. Our results indicate that the Δθ slope error can be controlled, and that curved crystals with the desired resolving power can be fabricated.
Ineffectiveness of Nitroglycerin as an Antiadrenergic Agent on the Cat Heart

The possibility that nitroglyoerin modifies the metabolic effects of the sympathomimetic amines was tested in cats. Changes in the heart rate, blood pressure, height of the electrocardiographic T-wave and myocardial oxygen consumption following the injection of epinephrine or l-arterenol were compared with changes in these indices after nitroglycerin was given with these sympathomimetic amines. The conclusion is reached that nitroglycerin does not significantly influence the effects of epinephrine or l-arterenol on the heart rate, the height of the electrocardiographic T-wave or myocardial oxygen consumption. There is no evidence in these experiments to support the concept that nitroglycerin metabolically neutralizes the myocardial anoxating properties of the sympathomimetic amines.
THE SITE SELECTION PROCESS OF SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS

Builders are pivotal actors in the suburban residential development process, which includes other landowners, facilitators, and governments. Builders select sites for new housing in three stages. First, they establish the general nature and scale of the project; second, they examine large areas to determine the probability of finding suitable sites in those areas; and finally they evaluate specific sites in the highlighted areas. At each stage, builders are concerned with whether or not housing they build will sell for a profit, financing will be available, and legal authorization to build will be granted. The criteria used at each stage of the site selection process are appropriate to the scale of analysis at that stage. Which criteria are used and how they are evaluated differ considerably depending on the project and the builder, as illustrated in an examination of single-family houses built in the northwestern Minneapolis suburbs.
Kim Jong‐Il of North Korea: in the shadow of his father

This paper explores the political personality of North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-Il, particularly in the context of his succession from his father, the founding leader Kim Il-Sung. Drawing upon what is known of Kim Jong-Il's childhood and family life, the paper examines the key personality formations that have shaped his political persona and leadership style, particularly his narcissism, paranoia and lack of empathy. Eccentric, reclusive and self-indulgent, Kim is depicted as an emotionally volatile, narcissistic personality who indulges in hedonistic behavior while ignoring the privations of his people. Copyright © 2004 Cornell University Press.
Circulation over the continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract More than 750 surface drifters were deployed over the northern continental shelf in the Gulf of Mexico (gulf) from 1993 through 1998. Drifters were mostly air-deployed on a schedule giving continuous data over much of the Texas–Louisiana and west Florida shelves for an entire year. The drifter data are analyzed to give descriptive, statistical, and dynamical views of the northern gulf circulation on synoptic to seasonal scales. Circulation on both the Texas–Louisiana and west Florida shelves is characterized by coherent along-shore and across-shore modes which explain more than 50% of the variance. A pronounced seasonal cycle exists on the Texas–Louisiana shelf, but not the west Florida shelf. Both shelves display synoptic signals due to local wind forcing. Strong connectivity between the shelves occurs during isolated period of strong winds associated with the passage of tropical storms. Eddies impinging upon the shelf are responsible for moving drifters cross-shore. Offshore flows generally occur prior to reversals in the along-shore direction. Regions with near zero mean velocities but large total energy exist. Drifters leave these areas and move thorough much of the Gulf and into the Atlantic within 90 days despite negligible annual mean Eulerian velocities.
Idolatry and Its Enemies: Colonial Andean Religion and Extirpation, 1640-1750

List of Illustrations Introduction Ch. 1 Valverde to Villagomez Ch. 2 Huacas Ch. 3 Chancas and Conopas Ch. 4 Specialists Ch. 5 Villagomez and After Ch. 6 Reformation Ch. 7 Deception and Delusion Ch. 8 Colonial Andean Religion Ch. 9 Extirpation Glossary Bibliography Index
Discontinuous pulmonary arteries do not preclude good Fontan outcomes.

Objective. Discontinuous pulmonary arteries are believed to portend poor outcomes for a single ventricle palliation leading to Fontan's operation. This is a single institutional review of patients with single ventricle and discontinuous pulmonary arteries who underwent pulmonary artery centralization as part of staged surgical palliation. Design. The study is a retrospective case series. Patients. From November 1997 to December 2005, 12 centralization procedures were performed on 12 single ventricle patients with discontinuous pulmonary arteries. The diagnoses at surgery were as follows: heterotaxy 67%, pulmonary atresia 75%, a single morphologic right ventricle 58%, a single morphologic left ventricle 33%, and functional single ventricle with atrial situs inversus 8%. Outcome Measures. The outcome was assessed by hospital survival, actuarial survival, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification at follow-up. Results. The overall actuarial survival following centralization is 100% (95% confidence interval = 0.698 to 1). Seventy-five percent of the patients have undergone a Fontan procedure. Median McGoon ratio pre-Fontan = 1.65 (range: 1–2.1). Median follow-up after Fontan = 4.4 years (range: 1.2–9 years). Overall actuarial survival following Fontan is 100% (95% confidence interval = 0.428–0.911). Following the Fontan, there have been no thromboembolic complications, protein-losing enteropathy, nor Fontan takedowns. One hundred percent of the Fontan patients are NYHA class I. Conclusions. This experience indicates that a resuscitative strategy for discontinuous pulmonary arteries can result in good outcomes after the Fontan procedure. The presence of discontinuous pulmonary arteries in patients with single ventricle physiology should not preclude a management strategy with the goal of Fontan candidacy.
The study to enhance the accuracy of FIB repair on mask pattern of DRAM

As pattern size is shrinking, required mask specification is tighter and defect on mask is easily transferred to wafer. It is difficult to distinguish a defect what it is and where it is from, even though high NA optic lens is used. According to small pattern size and attenuated PSM material of ArF area, image quality of FIB (focused ion beam microscopy) to repair defect is getting worse. But, recently, SEM (Secondary Electron Microscopy) review tool is used to overcome the limited resolution of optic microscope such as review mode of inspection tool. To use this higher image quality of SEM compared to FIB process, we introduce image processing and replacement to enhance the accuracy of FIB repair on mask pattern. As the image of ion beam generally shows speckle noise, we adopted AND (anisotropic nonlinear diffusion) technology to remove noise without loss of pattern, by different diffusion along pattern edge. Using this AND technique, we enhanced the image quality of FIB and SEM, and productivity of FIB.
A General Theory of Turbulent Combustion

A further stage in the development of the ESCIMO theory of turbulent combustion is presented. (ESCIMO stands for engulfment, stretching, coherence, interdiffusion, moving observer.) Specifically, whereas earlier publications described only the “birth” and “stretching” of the gaseous eddies, consisting of interleaved hot and cold (or fuel-rich and fuel-lean) components, the present one describes a mechanism for their “death” in addition. The ESCIMO theory is explained as having “biographical” (Lagrangean) and “demographical” (Eulerian) aspects, which are almost independent of one another. It is illustrated by discussions of several fluid-dynamically simple systems: the stirred reactor, the free turbulent jet, the buoyant plume, and the confined premixed flame.
The effect of cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency on caudal cruciate ligament morphology: An experimental study in dogs.

Objectives— To investigate the effect of cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) insufficiency on morphology of the canine caudal cruciate ligament (CdCL). Study Design— In vivo experimental study. Animals— Five adult foxhounds. Methods— Two years after CrCL transection, the histologic appearance of CdCLs from CrCL-deficient and unoperated contralateral control (CrCL-intact) stifle joints were evaluated using light and transmission electron microscopy. Results— CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints had extracellular matrix changes, characterized by chondroid metaplasia and disruption of cell architecture. Percent of small-diameter fibrils in CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints was significantly greater (P <.05) than that in CdCLs from CrCL-intact joints. Collagen fibril density in CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints (41.09 ± 5.39%) tended to be less than that in CdCLs from CrCL-intact joints (52.96 ± 6.92%); however, this difference was not significant (P= .056). Mean eccentricity (ratio of minor to major diameters) of collagen fibrils was significantly (P < .0001) lower for CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints (0.85 ± 0.016) when compared with that for CdCLs from CrCL-intact joints (0.87 ± 0.015). Conclusions— Significant alterations were found in the morphology of CdCLs from CrCL-deficient joints. These changes may be associated with repetitive microtrauma to the CdCL secondary to instability or enzymatic degradation in the hostile synovial environment of an unstable joint. Clinical Relevance— Regardless of the cause, the switch to a predominantly small-diameter collagen fibril profile may reflect compromised material properties of the CdCL. This should be taken into account when considering surgical techniques that rely on the CdCL to stabilize CrCL-deficient stifles.
Self-Aligned Wafer-Level Integration Technology with an embedded faraday cage for substrate crosstalk suppression

A modification to a recently developed chip/wafer inte- gration technology has proven to be very effective in suppressing the substrate crosstalk for mixed signal systems. In this implementation, an- alog and digital chips are fabricated on separate dies, and then inte- grated on a single Si substrate using a Self-Aligned Wafer-Level Inte- gration Technology. A truly grounded faraday-cage structure is realized by sidewall metallization around each die resulting in an ultimate sub- strate noise reduction. Any planar chip with any thickness can be used in this technology. Simulation and measurement results show that when a high-resistivity silicon substrate as an integration medium is used along with grounded faraday cage, substrate coupling is suppressed to less than 60 dB for frequencies up to 25 GHz. For a low-resistivity silicon substrate, the substrate coupling is a dominant mechanism in generating mixed-signal noise, however, when sidewall metallization as
A REST derived gene signature stratifies glioblastomas into chemotherapy resistant and responsive disease

Glioblastomas are the most common central nervous system neoplasia in adults, with 9,000 cases in the US annually. Glioblastoma multiformae, the most aggressive glioma subtype, has an 18% one-year survival rate, and 3% two year survival rate. Recent work has highlighted the role of the transcription factor RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor, REST in glioblastoma but how REST function correlates with disease outcome has not been described. Using a bioinformatic approach and mining of publicly available microarray datasets, we describe an aggressive subtype of gliomas defined by a gene signature derived from REST. Using this REST gene signature we predict that REST function is enhanced in advanced glioblastoma. We compare disease outcomes between tumors based on REST status and treatment regimen, and describe downstream targets of REST that may contribute to the decreased benefits observed with high dose chemotherapy in REM tumors. We present human data showing that patients with “REST Enhanced Malignancies” (REM) tumors present with a shorter disease free survival compared to non-REM gliomas. Importantly, REM tumors are refractory to multiple rounds of chemotherapy and patients fail to respond to this line of treatment. This report is the first to describe a REST gene signature that predicts response to multiple rounds of chemotherapy, the mainline therapy for this disease. The REST gene signature may have important clinical implications for the treatment of glioblastoma.
Role of nrf2 in oxidative stress and toxicity.

Organismal life encounters reactive oxidants from internal metabolism and environmental toxicant exposure. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species cause oxidative stress and are traditionally viewed as being harmful. On the other hand, controlled production of oxidants in normal cells serves useful purposes to regulate signaling pathways. Reactive oxidants are counterbalanced by complex antioxidant defense systems regulated by a web of pathways to ensure that the response to oxidants is adequate for the body's needs. A recurrent theme in oxidant signaling and antioxidant defense is reactive cysteine thiol–based redox signaling. The nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an emerging regulator of cellular resistance to oxidants. Nrf2 controls the basal and induced expression of an array of antioxidant response element–dependent genes to regulate the physiological and pathophysiological outcomes of oxidant exposure. This review discusses the impact of Nrf2 on oxidative stress and toxicity and how...
Estimating surface coverage of gold nanoparticles deposited on MEMS

Commercialization of a whole spectrum of useful MEMS is still hindered by surface phenomena that dominate at the micron scale. Altering the roughness and surface chemistry of MEMS surfaces by depositing nanoparticles on them is being considered by the MEMS community as a useful strategy to address tribological issues. Although, gold nanoparticle monolayer is reported to reduce adhesion in MEMS, determining its surface coverage still remains a challenge [1]. A technique to determine the surface coverage of deposited gold nanoparticles is needed, so that its effect on the tribology of MEMS surfaces can be studied.
Loss of Hox-A1 (Hox-1.6) function results in the reorganization of the murine hindbrain

Targeted disruption of the murine hox-A1 gene results in severe defects in the formation of the hindbrain and associated cranial ganglia and nerves. Carbocyanine dye injections were used to trace afferent and efferent projections to and from the hindbrain in hox-A1-/hox-A1- mutant mice. Defects were observed in the position of efferent neurons in the hindbrain and in their projection patterns. In situ hybridization was used to analyze the transcription pattern of genes expressed within specific rhombomeres. Krox-20, int-2 (fgf-3), and hox-B1 all display aberrant patterns of expression in hox-A1- mutant embryos. The observed morphological and molecular defects suggest that there are changes in the formation of the hindbrain extending from rhombomere 3 through rhombomere 8 including the absence of rhombomere 5. Also, motor neurons identified by their axon projection patterns which would normally be present in the missing rhombomere appear to be respecified to or migrate into adjacent rhombomeres, suggesting a role for hox-A1 in the specification of cell identity and/or cell migration in the hindbrain.
Characterization of in-process substrate warpage of underfilled flip chip assembly

In the flip chip on board assembly process, the CTE mismatch among the materials inevitably causes substrate warpage. The substrate warpage introduces undesired residual stresses in the silicon chip and underfill materials. Detrimental residual stresses reduce the reliability of flip chip systems. Severe warpage of a substrate after the flip chip assembly process may lead to fracture of solder joints, underfill delamination or underfill cracks. In this research, an experimental approach is developed to investigate the assembly process-induced stresses in flip chip assembly as well as the associated substrate warpage. Flip chip test vehicles with build-in piezoresistive stress sensors are utilized to quantitatively characterize the residual stresses on silicon flip chips during the assembly process. The in-process substrate warpage is measured by a shadow moire system. The characteristics of process-induced stresses in flip chip systems and substrate warpage are discussed in detail in this paper.
Moxifloxacin Ameliorates Oleic Acid-induced Acute Lung Injury by Modulation of Neutrophilic Oxidative Stress in Rats

Background: Based on the known immunoregulatory functions of moxifloxacin on phagocytes, the therapeutic effect of moxifloxacin on oleic acid (OA)-induced acute lung in jury (ALI) was investigated. Methods: Moxifloxacin (10 mg/kg) was given to male Sprague-Dawley rats that had been given oleic acid (OA, 30 μL) intravenously. Five hours after OA injection, parameters demonstrating ALI were assessed to measure the effects of moxifloxacin on acute lung injury. Results: The pathological findings of OA-induced ALI's was diminished by moxifloxacin. Through ultrastructural and CeCl3 EM histochemistry, moxifloxacin was confirmed to be effective in decreasing oxidative stress in the lung as well. Indices of ALI, such as lung weight/body weight ratio, protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lung myeloperoxidase were decreased by moxifloxacin. In diaminobenzidine immunohistochemistry, fluorescent immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting of the lung, moxifloxacin had decreased the enhanced expression of secretory phospholipase A 2 (sPLA 2) by OA. Conclusion: We concluded that moxifloxacin was effective in lessening acute inflammatory pulmonary edema caused by OA, by inhibiting the neutrophilic respiratory burst, which was initiated by the activation of sPLA2.
Lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adoptive parents' experiences in preschool environments

Little research has examined the school experiences of lesbian/gay (LG) parent families or adoptive parent families. The current exploratory study examined the experiences of 79 lesbian, 75 gay male, and 112 heterosexual adoptive parents of preschool-age children with respect to their (a) level of disclosure regarding their LG parent and adoptive family status at their children's schools; (b) perceived challenges in navigating the preschool environment and advocating on behalf of their children and families; and (c) recommendations to teachers and schools about how to create affirming school environments with respect to family structure, adoption, and race/ethnicity. Findings revealed that the majority of parents were open about their LG and adoptive family status, and had not encountered challenges related to family diversity. Those parents who did experience challenges tended to describe implicit forms of marginalization, such as insensitive language and school assignments. Recommendations for teachers included discussing and reading books about diverse families, tailoring assignments to meet the needs of diverse families, and offering school community-building activities and events to help bridge differences across families.
Clustering Tags in Enterprise and Web Folksonomies

Tags lack organizational structure limiting their utility for navigation. We present two clustering algorithms that improve this by organizing tags automatically. We apply the algorithms to two very different datasets, visualize the results and propose future improvements.
Chronic alcohol consumption in mice increases the proportion of peripheral memory T cells by homeostatic proliferation.

This study examined the mechanism underlying the increase of peripheral memory phenotype T cells that occurs during chronic alcohol consumption in mice. Female C57BL/6 mice were given 20% (w/v) alcohol in the drinking water for 2 weeks to 6 months. Chronic alcohol consumption significantly induced peripheral T cell lymphopenia; up-regulated expression of CD44 on T cells and increased the percentage of CD4+CD44int/hi and CD8+CD44int/hi Ly6C+ T cells; up-regulated the expression of CD43 on CD8+ T cells; increased the percentage of interferon--producing T cells; decreased the percentage of CD8+CD28+ T cells; and down-regulated the expression of CD28 on CD4+ T cells. Expression of CD25 and CD69 on peripheral CD8+ T cells was not affected and inconsistently expressed on CD4+ T cells. Neither cell type showed altered expression of CD137 or CD153. Alcohol withdrawal did not abrogate the increase in CD8+Ly6C+cells induced by alcohol consumption. In vivo bromodeoxyuridine incorporation experiments demonstrated that chronic alcohol consumption decreases naive T cells that are presumed to have emigrated from the thymus and increases proliferation of memory T cells, but accelerates peripheral T cell turnover. Together these results indicate that chronic alcohol consumption results in T cell lymphopenia, which in turn induces T cell homeostatic proliferation that increases the proportion of peripheral memory T cells relative to naive T cells.
Unusual radiographic appearance of drug-induced pharyngeal angioedema and differential considerations

SUMMARY: A 59-year-old woman treated chronically with enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) presented with difficult swallowing and speaking. Although her symptoms were clinically consistent with an adverse angioedema reaction to the ACE-I, initial imaging was not entirely consistent with our conceptual understanding of angioedema. This case report will discuss the myriad possible imaging presentations of this disease, as well as the differential diagnosis for this atypical manifestation of ACE-I–induced angioedema.
Decentralized Cooperative Trajectory Optimization for UAVs with Coupling Constraints

Motivated by recent research on cooperative UAVs, this paper introduces a new decentralized trajectory optimization approach for systems with independent dynamics but coupled constraints. The primary objective is to improve the performance of the entire fleet by solving local optimization problems and without reproducing the global optimization problem for each agent. To achieve cooperation, the approach exploits the sparse structure of active couplings that is inherent in the trajectory optimization. This enables each local optimization to use a low-order parameterization of the other agents' states, thereby facilitating negotiation while keeping the problem size small. The key features of this approach include: (a) no central negotiator is required; and (b) it maintains feasibility over the iterations, so the algorithm can be stopped at any time. Furthermore, the local optimizations are shown to always decrease the overall cost. Simulation results are presented to compare the distributed, centralized and other (non-cooperative) decentralized approaches in terms of both computation and performance
Aerospace Fuels from Nonpetroleum Raw Materials

Recycling human metabolic and plastic wastes minimizes cost and increases efficiency by reducing the need to transport consumables and return trash, respectively, from orbit to support a space station crew. If the much larger costs of transporting consumables to the Moon and beyond are taken into account, developing waste recycling technologies becomes imperative and possibly mission enabling. Reduction of terrestrial waste streams while producing energy and/or valuable raw materials is an opportunity being realized by a new generation of visionary entrepreneurs; several relevant technologies are briefly compared, contrasted and assessed for space applications. A two-step approach to nonpetroleum raw materials utilization is presented; the first step involves production of supply or producer gas. This is akin to synthesis gas containing carbon oxides, hydrogen, and simple hydrocarbons. The second step involves production of fuel via the Sabatier process, a methanation reaction, or another gas-to-liquid technology, typically Fischer-Tropsch processing. Optimization to enhance the fraction of product stream relevant to transportation fuels via catalytic (process) development at NASA Glenn Research Center is described. Energy utilization is a concern for production of fuels whether for operation on the lunar or Martian surface, or beyond. The term green relates to not only mitigating excess carbon release but also to the efficiency of energy usage. For space, energy usage can be an essential concern. Another issue of great concern is minimizing impurities in the product stream(s), especially those that are potential health risks and/or could degrade operations through catalyst poisoning or equipment damage; technologies being developed to remove heteroatom impurities are discussed. Alternative technologies to utilize waste fluids, such as a propulsion option called the resistojet, are discussed. The resistojet is an electric propulsion technology with a powered thruster to vaporize and heat a propellant to high temperature, hot gases are subsequently passed through a converging-diverging nozzle expanding gases to supersonic velocities. A resistojet can accommodate many different fluids, including various reaction chamber (by-)products.
Mitigating Self-Interference Among IEEE 802.22 Networks: A Game Theoretic Perspective

In this paper, we use game theory to mitigate self-interference among cognitive radio based IEEE 802.22 networks such that these networks can efficiently co-exist. When a network experiences interference, it can adopt either one of two choices-switch to a new band hoping to find a non-interfering one, or stay with its current band hoping that the interfering network(s) will move away to a new band. We model the spectrum band switching process as an infinite horizon repeated game where the aim of each network (player) is to find a channel void of interference from it's neighboring networks incurring minimal cost. We investigate both pure and mixed strategy solution space of the game and show that pure strategy solution of the game is infeasible. Thus a mixed strategy is proposed which achieves subgame-perfect Nash Equilibrium. Simulation results reveal that using the proposed strategies, each network can find a clear channel quickly and at the same time incur a low cost.
New aspects of the inverse source problem with far-field data

The time-dependent inverse source problem with far-field data is investigated within a limited-view Radon inversion framework, analogous to that of a limited-view computed tomography reconstruction problem. We investigate the domains in the Radon and Fourier spaces within which data are available for the reconstruction of the space–time structure of the source. Using a linear inversion formalism we derive a filtered backprojectionlike procedure to reconstruct the minimum-energy source consistent with prescribed far-field data. The source inversion technique developed in the paper is illustrated with a numerical example. The paper also contains a new description of nonradiating sources in the time domain.
Giving effective feedback to medical students: a workshop for faculty and house staff.

Medical school faculty members and house officers often feel uncomfortable giving direct, behaviorally based feedback on performance to medical students. This paper describes a structured approach to teaching faculty members to give effective feedback to medical students, using an interactive workshop format. Starting with six key principles for effective feedback, participants practise giving feedback to 'standardized students' and develop strategies for framing the feedback in terms which are useful for students.This paper also describes the development of the workshop scenarios and provides the authors'specific strategies for giving effective feedback in various situations.
Efficient transmission of periodic that follows a consistent daily pattern

Performance management is an essential part of network management. Part of the performance management application is the task of monitoring network resources and periodically transmitting the performance statistics from all the managed nodes in the network to the operation and management center. As networks increase in size and complexity and provide a richer set of services, network operators demand more performance statistics to help them manage their networks. These demands in return increase the burden of the periodic transmission task on the network resources. In this paper we will show that most of the daily performance data of a node within a wireless network follows a consistent pattern with minor changes from one day to the next. Using this behavior, we introduce an algorithm that would reduce the amount of data transmitted daily by 53% with no loss of information and by 63% with a 10% threshold on information loss. Our work has been applied to a commercially deployed wireless network.
Fuerzas sociales, estados y órdenes mundiales: Más allá de la Teoría de Relaciones Internacionales | Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory

En este articulo Cox plantea como a lo largo del desarrollo de la disciplina de las Relaciones Internacionales se han ido enfrentando las distintas percepciones sobre el estado y la sociedad civil. Continua el texto presentando como los enfoques criticos, inicialmente inspirados en el marxismo, mas adelante en los conceptos de hegemonia y contra hegemonia y, luego, a traves de las teorias del sistema mundo, sirve para retomar la relevancia del poder material en el analisis de los procesos de creacion de nuevos ordenes mundiales. Cox propone la diferenciacion ideologica, teorica y practica entre la pax britannica y la pax americana como procesos historicos especificos, creadores de distintas estructuras sociales, politicas y economicas. Ademas, enfatiza las diversas practicas de internacionalizacion de la produccion a traves de sus diversos canales como, agencias estatales, interestatales, clases directivas de corporaciones multinacionales, e instituciones internacionales, entre otros, para generar las estructuras base que componen y generan las fuerzas de poder a finales del siglo XX.” In this article, Cox poses how through the development of International Relations theory different perspectives on state and civil society had face each other. He continues presenting how Critical approaches, inspired firstly by Marxism, continuing with concepts as hegemony and counterhegemony, and then through World System theories, serves to retake material power relevance on new world orders creation processes. Cox proposes the ideologically, theoretical and practical differentiation between the pax britannica and pax americana taking both as specific historical processes, engenders of different social, political and economical structures. Moreover, emphasizes on the various practices of production internationalization through different actors as state agencies, interstate agencies, multinational corporations managing classes, and international institutions, among others, in order to produce the basic structures that form and generate late-Twentieth Century power forces.
Comparative study of the optical and heat generation properties of IR820 and indocyanine green.

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores are the focus of extensive research for combined molecular imaging and hyperthermia. In this study, we showed that the cyanine dye IR820 has optical and thermal gen...
Optimal Multilevel Matching in Clustered Observational Studies: A Case Study of the School Voucher System in Chile

A distinctive feature of a clustered observational study is its multilevel or nested data structure arising from the assignment of treatment, in a non-random manner, to groups or clusters of individuals. Examples are ubiquitous in the health and social sciences including patients in hospitals, employees in firms, and students in schools. What is the optimal matching strategy in a clustered observational study? At first thought, one might start by matching clusters of individuals and then, within matched clusters, continue by matching individuals. But, as we discuss in this paper, the optimal strategy is the opposite: first match individuals and, once all possible combinations of matched individuals are known, then match clusters. In this paper we use dynamic and integer programming to implement this strategy and extend optimal matching methods to hierarchical and multilevel settings. In particular, our method attempts to replicate a paired clustered randomized study by finding the largest sample of matched pairs of treated and control individuals within matched pairs of treated and control clusters that is balanced according to specifications given by the user. We illustrate our method on a case study of the comparative effectiveness of public versus private voucher schools in Chile, a question of intense policy debate in the country at the present.
Effect of repeated eight-minute muscle loading on the angle of straight-leg raising

The right lower extremities of 10 experimental subjects were passively loaded for 8 minutes on three consecutive days to determine the effects of such loading on the angle of straight-leg raising. The angle was determined cinematographically each day after loading for 15 seconds, every 30 seconds thereafter during 8 minutes of loading, and 10 minutes and 24 hours after loading. Twenty-four hours after three days of loading, the straight-leg-raising angle of the Experimental Group was an average of 4.4 degrees greater than it was initially. This increase was not statistically significant. The comparable angle of 10 control subjects increased an average of 0.6 degrees. The 4.4 degree increase suggests that muscle lengthens slowly in response to 8 minutes of stretching applied on three consecutive days.
Air Pollutant Transport Within The Mexico CityBasin

To better understand the factors that contribute to high ozone and particulate concentrations in Mexico City, a meteorological and aerosol field campaign was conducted over a four-week period in the winter of 1997 that measured vertical profiles of wind, temperature, and humidity at several locations. A coupled mesoscale-chemistry model is employed along with wind profiler and sounding measurements to examine how thermally-driven circulations contribute to the spatial distribution of ozone across the basin. Results from the modeling system demonstrate that recirculation patterns are often formed by the interaction of local thermally-induced flows and regional ambient winds. Layers of ozone and ozone precursors are produced by these recirculation patterns and are subsequently entrained into the growing convective boundary layer.
Intrinsic Absorption "Edge" in II-VI Semiconducting Compounds with the Wurtzite Structure

The intrinsic optical absorption due to longitudinal optical phonon-assisted creation of "direct" excitons is calculated for semiconductors having the wurtzite structure, and consequently anisotropic energy bands. The results are compared with the absorption-"edge" data for CdS. There is good agreement between these data and the results calculated using only experimentally determined parameters. Satisfactory accord between the ZnO data and the calculated absorption is achieved for a range of reasonable hole effective mass tensors (the only undetermined parameter). From a study of the behavior of the measured absorption for $\mathcal{E}\ensuremath{\perp}C$ around the one-phonon threshold, it is concluded that Thomas's original identification of the "$A$" reflectivity structure as a manifestation of an intrinsic exciton is correct and, concomittantly, that there is presently no compelling reason for disputing his valence assignments. This is contrary to the suggestion based on an interpretation of the "$A$" structure as an effect due to a crystal imperfection. The absorption coefficients for CdSe, ZnS, and ZnSe, the other II-VI compounds which have the wurtzite structure, have been calculated for a range of values of the presently undetermined parameters ${m}_{{h}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}}$.
GROUP SELECTION, SEX, AND FOSSILS.

The first use of natural selection to explain the differences among the faunas and floras of different geological times (by means of differential extinction) was in 1832, six years before Darwin discovered its applicability to the origin of species. Charles Lyell (1832, chap. 8-11, e.g., p. 176) was still an anti-evolutionist, for good reasons, but like Darwin he had insights that are still being rediscovered. One of these insights was group selection. This term is applied (Wright, 1945, as "intergroup selection") to selection of populations below, at, and above the species level. It is clearly one of the most important processes of human evolution, although it is usually not recognized (e.g., Thompson, 1972). Different human populations have different rates of increase and decrease for diverse and interacting cultural reasons. Culture is necessarily a group character. This group selection has obviously led to important changes in the composition of the human species, and continues to do so today. Man is probably the best species for the study of group selection within a species. We are not exempt from nature but anesthetized.
Options to dissociate CO2 and H2O for sustainable sunlight-to-fuel pathways: Comparative assessment of current R&D hurdles and future potential

The IPCC's 5th assessment report has heightened the urgency of steep reductions in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The transportation sector contributes 22% of global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. Solar-to-fuel technologies thus offer tremendous potential to contribute significantly to such reductions. Engineering offers a multitude of pathways to produce liquid hydrocarbon fuels starting from CO2 and H2O. In these pathways, downstream processes such as fuel synthesis are generally well understood and often commercially available. In contrast, upstream processes such as the dissociation of CO2 and H2O are usually less mature (exception: low temperature water electrolysis). Here, we first analyze recent research on various CO2 and H2O dissociation technologies and then assess their future potential to be used at scale. The dissociation technologies range from thermolysis, to thermochemical cycling, low and high temperature electrolysis, photo-electro-chemical splitting, and artificial photosynthesis. In addition to the state-of-the-art of these technologies, we compare their inherent disadvantages and advantages as well as key future R&D requirements. For completion, other steps of the pathways, namely CO2 capture, providing water, and fuel synthesis, are addressed briefly as well. We conclude with a discussion of the relative future potential of the various pathways and an R&D outlook.
A Study of the Comparative Structure of Guilt and Shame in a Chinese Society

ABSTRACT On the basis of previous theoretical and empirical analyses of the comparative structures of guilt and shame, the authors hypothesized that antecedent condition (personal inadequacy vs. moral norm violation), audience presence, and personal responsibility attribution would distinguish shame from guilt. Although the subject population was Hong Kong Chinese, evidence from previous studies suggests that the comparative structures of guilt and shame are quite similar across cultures. The subjects were asked to recall either a guilt or a shame incident, and their responses were then coded into the predictor variables. The results of the study indicated that guilt was most likely to emerge when individuals had violated a moral norm and held themselves responsible for their conduct. In contrast, shame emerged more frequently when subjects felt personally inadequate than when they had violated moral norms. Moreover, when a guilt incident was reported, an audience was rarely mentioned, whereas subjects wh...
Pure-Rotational fs/ps CARS Measurements of Temperature and Concentration using a Second-Harmonic Bandwidth-Compressed Probe.

1 Figure 1. Energy level diagram for the fs/ps rotational CARS process: broadband femtosecond preparation pulses centered near 800 nm, and represented by thick red lines, prepare a Raman coherence at time t = 0. A frequency-narrow picosecond probe centered near 400 nm, and shown as a narrow blue line, probes the coherence at time delay t = , to yield CARS/CSRS signal shown as a thick blue line. Pure-Rotational fs/ps CARS Measurements of Temperature and Concentration using a Second-Harmonic BandwidthCompressed Probe
Metastatic Calcification of the Shoulder in Chronic Renal Failure

Figure 1. Metastatic Calcification of the Shoulder in Chronic Renal Failure. A 32-year-old man with chronic renal failure (from IgA nephropathy) being treated with maintenance hemodialysis began to take his phosphate-binding medications irregularly, and swelling of the right shoulder developed over a period of two months. The calcium-phosphate product (in milligrams per deciliter) was more than 90, and the serum N-terminal parathyroid hormone level was elevated. A biopsy of the shoulder mass (arrow) revealed hydroxyapatite. The patient underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy and was referred for renal transplantation.