cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Actavis and Multiple ANDA Entrants: Beyond the Temporary Duopoly

This paper examines the economics of litigation and settlement of patent disputes arising from Paragraph IV ANDA filings under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act (“Hatch-Waxman Act”) within the framework set out in FTC v. Actavis. Recent economic analyses of reverse payment settlements are based upon a monopoly-to-duopoly model that assumes a single generic entrant. These analyses have been used to support antitrust rules that would enjoin reverse payments that exceed the cost of litigation. We demonstrate that the simple monopoly-to-duopoly models providing the analytical basis for the litigation cost benchmark for analyzing reverse payment settlements is incomplete. Our key institutional insight is the fact that entry by multiple firms follows the invalidation of a patent. Accounting for this critical institutional detail in a more generalized monopoly-to-duopoly model results in important and different implications for patent settlements, welfare, and application of the rule of reason pursuant to Actavis. The result is a broader settlement range than under the monopoly-to-duopoly model that yields robust incentives for the brand and generic entrant to settle the case. This broad settlement range makes attempts to regulate the size of patent settlements ineffective at achieving consumer welfare increasing settlements, or inducing the invalidation of “bad” patents through higher litigation rates. Incorporating multiple serial entrants also decouples the litigation-adjusted expected value of the patent and the consumer welfare standard, and further weakens the relationship between patent strength and the size of the settlement which has motivated numerous calls to deem presumptively unlawful all payments greater than anticipated litigation costs.
Deriving Efficient Graph Algorithms (Summary)

Ten years ago Hopcroft and Tarjan discovered a class of very fast algorithms for solving graph problems such as biconnectivity and strong connectivity. While these depth-first-search algorithms are complex and can be difficult to understand, the problems they solve have simple combinatorial definitions that can themselves be considered algorithms, though they might be very inefficient or even infinitary. We demonstrate here how the efficient algorithms can be systematically derived using program transformation steps from the initial definitions. This is the first occasion that these efficient graph algorithms have been systematically derived.
Effects of courtship on brain gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone and plasma steroid concentrations in a female amphibian (Taricha granulosa)

Courtship-induced changes in plasma steroid and brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) concentrations in Taricha granulosa were determined with respect to changes in female sexual receptivity. Females were sacrificed at several times after courtship initiation. Concentrations of GnRH (determined by RIA) in the anterior telencephalon were high at courtship initiation (females unreceptive), but decreased by sperm transfer (females receptive). Courtship had no affect on GnRH concentrations in any other brain region examined. Furthermore, courted, receptive females had higher plasma levels of estradiol than did uncourted controls, and estradiol levels remained elevated above control levels 24 hr after courtship initiation. Courtship had no influence on plasma progesterone or corticosterone levels. To determine if the observed changes in GnRH concentrations in the telencephalon were localized to the nervus terminalis, courted females and controls were sacrificed after 5, 20, or 60 min of courtship. Nervus terminalis GnRH concentrations were higher in courted females than in uncourted controls. These results may represent the first documentation of a naturally occurring physiological change in the nervus terminalis.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner: avionics and electronic flight bag

As the airline industry continues to adapt to high oil prices and ongoing security issues, new technologies continue to create opportunities for aircraft manufacturers. Continental Airlines will take delivery of ten Boeing 787 aircraft starting in 2007. This paper focuses on two key technical areas. First, the state-of-the-art Rockwell/Collins avionics systems for the 787 are described. The flight deck overview includes displays, flight controls, security, data and communications systems supporting 787. Second, the 'electronic flight bag', which replaces the large black case that pilots typically carry, is reviewed and the reasons for one carrier's decision for choosing a specific configuration are presented.
Energetics using DFT: comparions to precise ab initio and experiment

Abstract Density functional theory (DFT) has been used to analyze a large number of small molecules and to assess the quality of the energies using local and non-local functionals. The absolute DFT energies are compared to very precise ab initio results and the relative(atomization and dissociation) energies are compared to ab initio and experiment. The local approximation yield very poor energies; nevertheless, the errors follow an interesting linear trend with respect to the total energies that provides a trivial way to get corrected results. The non-local procedure used in this work yields acceptable energies and constitutes a very promising method for energetics studies.
Current-induced magnetization reversal in nanopillars with perpendicular anisotropy

In the present article, we describe our experiment demonstration of magnetic reversal and domain wall motion in driven by spin-currents in devices and wires with both the reference and free layer possessing perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.Two types of multilayer structures were designed such that the magnetic layers had perpendicular anisotropy. These were (bottom lead/ [Co/Pt]/[Co/Ni]/Cu/[Co/Ni]/ top lead) and (bottom lead/ [Co/Pt] Cu/[Co/Pt]/ top lead) sample structures. For the Co/Ni structure, the reference layer is a composite Co/Pt and Co/Ni multilayer to enhance the anisotropy and the free layer is a Co/Ni multilayer. E-beam lithography was used to define nanopillars with different shape (circle, hexagon and square) and different size. (diameters ranging from 1600 nm to 50 nm).The minor hysteresis loop shows the reversal of only the free layer, which is offset by 650 Oe from the origin due to the average dipolar field from the lower layer that favors parallel alignment.
Configuration of l-γ-ethylideneglutamic acid from Guilandina crista

Abstract Using an NMR shift reagent, it has been established that the configuration about the double bond in naturally occurring l -γ-ethylideneglutamic acid is cis .
Halogen discharge on graphite electrodes from silver halide solid electrolytes

Halogen ion discharge from the solid electrolytes AgI, AgBr, and 2Me4NI · 13 AgI on pressed-powder graphite electrodes at room temperature was examined by cyclic voltammetry on Ag¦AgX¦C solid state cells. Iodine discharge from AgI occurs rapidly, reversibly, and with a moderate ‘undervoltage’ ascribable to iodine monolayer buildup. Bromine discharge from AgBr is strongly irreversible and was seen to occur in two stages; a small, permanently saturable discharge attributed to direct formation of bromine-graphite ‘residue’ compounds, and a steady-state main discharge attributed to formation and fast diffusion of bromine in interlamellar graphite compounds. Iodine discharge from 2Me4NI · 13 AgI appears to occur via the formation of Me4NI3. On continuous 0–500mV voltammetric cycling, incomplete electrolyte recombination leads first to a new iodine discharge reaction and finally to cessation of Faradaic activity.
Cultural concepts of distress and psychiatric disorders: literature review and research recommendations for global mental health epidemiology

Background Burgeoning global mental health endeavors have renewed debates about cultural applicability of psychiatric categories. This study’s goal is to review strengths and limitations of literature comparing psychiatric categories with cultural concepts of distress (CCD) such as cultural syndromes, culture-bound syndromes, and idioms of distress. Methods The Systematic Assessment of Quality in Observational Research (SAQOR) was adapted based on cultural psychiatry principles to develop a Cultural Psychiatry Epidemiology version (SAQOR-CPE), which was used to rate quality of quantitative studies comparing CCD and psychiatric categories. A meta-analysis was performed for each psychiatric category. Results Forty-five studies met inclusion criteria, with 18 782 unique participants. Primary objectives of the studies included comparing CCD and psychiatric disorders (51%), assessing risk factors for CCD (18%) and instrument validation (16%). Only 27% of studies met SAQOR-CPE criteria for medium quality, with the remainder low or very low quality. Only 29% of studies employed representative samples, 53% used validated outcome measures, 44% included function assessments and 44% controlled for confounding. Meta-analyses for anxiety, depression, PTSD and somatization revealed high heterogeneity (I2 > 75%). Only general psychological distress had low heterogeneity (I2 = 8%) with a summary effect odds ratio of 5.39 (95% CI 4.71-6.17). Associations between CCD and psychiatric disorders were influenced by methodological issues, such as validation designs (β = 16.27, 95%CI 12.75-19.79) and use of CCD multi-item checklists (β = 6.10, 95%CI 1.89-10.31). Higher quality studies demonstrated weaker associations of CCD and psychiatric disorders. Conclusions Cultural concepts of distress are not inherently unamenable to epidemiological study. However, poor study quality impedes conceptual advancement and service application. With improved study design and reporting using guidelines such as the SAQOR-CPE, CCD research can enhance detection of mental health problems, reduce cultural biases in diagnostic criteria and increase cultural salience of intervention trial outcomes.
The reaction of cellulose acetate with acetic acid and water

Reaction curves for the simplest of cellulose acetylation systems; namely, the homogeneous reaction of secondary cellulose acetates with acetic acid and water, were studied. These reactions were found to be slow and complex, consisting of two interdependent simultaneous reversible second-order processes. The faster process represented the reaction of primary hydroxyl and acetyl groups, while the slower process represented the reaction of the two secondary hydroxyl and acetyl groups. Equilibrium and rate constants and initial and final concentrations of hydroxyl and acetyl groups were calculated for the two simultaneous reactions. Equilibrium constants for the primary groups favored acetylation, while equilibrium constants for the secondary groups favored deacetylation. Final equilibrium was not affected by the presence of sulfuric acid. On the other hand, rate of reaction was increased in the presence of sulfuric acid, indicating catalysis by this reagent. The reaction mechnanism outlined above was confirmed by comparing primary hydroxyl group contents calculated from acetylation results with primary hydroxyl group contents measured by means of the tritylation reaction. Energies of reaction and energies of activation were calculated. Energies of reaction were low, indicating that equilibrium for this process is very nearly temperature independent. Energies of activation were in agreement with energies of activation for esterifications of simple alcohols, from which it was concluded that the acetylation and deacetylation of secondary cellulose acetates in homogeneous solution is but another example of general acid catalyzed esterification with carboxylic acids and general acid catalyzed hydrolysis of fatty acid esters. Degradation of the cellulose chain molecule was followed throughout these studies and energies of activation for this reaction were calculated. These energies of activation were higher than those for the acetylation reactions. It was concluded that degradation is more severe at higher temperatures for a given change in acetyl group substitution. Initial determination of equilibrium and rate constants for acetic acid acetylation of cellulose acetate has been carried out. It is suggested that through use of such procedures as tritylation analysis, which isolates the reaction of the primary groups from the secondary groups, improved values for these constants may be achieved.
INTRODUCTION: PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOTHERAPY, AND PSYCHOANALYSIS IN THE THIRD REICH

In this special issue we present a rainbow of reflections on riveting histories in our time: psychoanalysis and psychiatry, the Third Reich, and the Holocaust. This linkage was forged before, during, and after World War II, or up to and after the event that dramatically changed world history: Hitler’s seizure of power in 1933. Before I introduce the contributions, let me tell how the issue came about. I lived my childhood during those times, as a refugee from Hitler in Russia, and later as psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in the United States. After surviving the war I emigrated to Israel where, in my medical school days, I was getting my first exposure to psychoanalysis and Freud by avidly reading Wilhelm Reich’s books, The Function of the Orgasm (1927, 1942) and Character Analysis (1949). During the 1996 meeting of the International Association of the History of Psychoanalysis in Paris, in which I participated with a presentation on Sabina Spielrein, I met Drs. Eileen and James Goggin, who told me about their work and later sent me a thick manuscript: “From the Berlin Psychoanalytic Institute to
An Optimal Tracking Approach to Formation Control of Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems

Formation control of network of multi-agent systems with heterogeneous nonlinear dynamics is formulated as an optimal tracking problem and a decentralized controller is developed using the framework of ‘adaptive critics’ to solve the optimal control problem. The reference signal is assumed available only in online implementation so its dynamics is unavailable for offline training of the neurocontroller. However, this issue is resolved by using a re-optimizatio n of the network output through retraining of the neurocontroller online. Finally, the developed controller is applied to the formation control of multispacecraft orbiting the Earth at different orbits and seeking consensus on their position to dock. I. Introduction HE formation control of network of multi-agent systems with heterogeneous nonlinear dynamics has many application and benefits compared to single agent systems; designing a decentralized controller for such a network of agents though is a challenging problem. Using a decentralized controller, each agent is supposed to have access to its neighbors only while the mission for the whole system is to achieve a desired formation. Solutions to the network of linear agents have been developed by several different authors. A method developed in Ref. 1, called behavior-based decentralized control, performs the multi-agent control for network of agents with ring-wise communication topology by considering two desired behaviors: formation keeping and goal seeking. The role of the communication topology in the formation’s stability is shown in Ref. 2 through the appearance of the eigenvalues of Laplacian matrix of the communication graph in the dynamics of the formation. In Ref. 3 also, the stability of the formation/consensus is shown to be related to the eigenvalues of the Laplacian matrix and for the double-integrator system, the authors of Ref. 3 have designed a controller based on the eigenvalues of this matrix. Minimization of some performance index to reach a consensus is the approach used in Ref. 4 and Ref. 5 for single integrator and double integrator dynamics, respectively. Many of the developed methods in the literature are
A Mechanistic Study on the Nucleation and Growth of Au on Pd Seeds with a Cubic or Octahedral Shape

This article reports a systematic study on the seed-mediated growth of Pd–Au bimetallic nanocrystals with a variety of controlled morphologies. The key to the success of this synthesis is to manipulate the reaction kinetics by controlling a set of experimental parameters, which include the amount of ascorbic acid used as a reductant, the amount of HAuCl4 as a precursor to elemental Au, the reaction temperature, and the type of seeds employed. Starting from Pd nanocubes of 18 nm in edge length, Pd–Au bimetallic nanocrystals with a number of morphologies, which includes hybrid dimers, core–shell nanocubes with flat faces, and core–shell nanocubes with concave faces could all be obtained by simply speeding up the reduction of HAuCl4. The same synthesis and control could also be extended to seeds based on Pd octahedrons. For the first time, it was possible to generate Pd@Au core–shell nanocubes and octahedrons with concave faces. The Pd@Au core–shell nanocubes with concave faces exhibited enhanced activity in catalyzing the oxidization of ascorbic acid relative to their counterparts with flat faces or the cubic Pd seeds.
Children and violence

In this “information ear” it can no longer be said that children are being raised in Eden or in a gentle environment of kindness and love. However rural their home, children will undoubtedly see depictions of violence on television, in the movies, or in newspapers, or hear about it on the radio or while at school or on classroom computers. All children require safety education in order to learn how to protect themselves from harm at home, at school, or in the neighborhood. This article outlines how violence may impact today's children who seek medical care.
Towards fault tolerant parallel prefix adders in nanoelectronic systems

Future nanoelectronics based arithmetic components will enjoy abundant hardware, yet at the same time confront severe unreliability challenges. We focus on the fault tolerance of high performance parallel prefix adders (PPA), and exploit the inherent redundancy in PPAs to develop efficient fault tolerance approaches. We show that the internal invariant inherent in the parallel prefix adders provides support for online fault detection and fault masking. Furthermore, based on the particular regular structure of PPAs, an online diagnosis scheme can be developed, thus enabling the application of reconfigurability of nanoelectronics for the highly flexible online repair approaches. In contrast to traditional fault tolerance techniques that rely solely on significant external overhead, the proposed approach opens up a new genre of efficient fault tolerance techniques for arithmetic components in the nanoelectronic environment.
Ovine Fetal Adrenal Synthesis of Cortisol: Regulation by Adrenocorticotropic Angiotensin II and Transforming Growth Factor-β

An increase in Cortisol production by the fetal adrenal cortex is an important prepartum event. The increase in ovine fetal adrenal synthesis of Cortisol appears to rely in part on the ACTH induction of 17α-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-45017α) which occurs before parturition. In the present study we examined the effect of ACTH treatment on Cortisol production and P-45017α expression using primary cultures of ovine fetal adrenal cells. In addition, we examined the effects of angiotensin II (A-II) and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) on ACTH-treated cells. We have demonstrated previously that these factors modulate P-45017α levels in adult ovine and bovine adrenal cells. Fetal ovine adrenal cells were isolated from 126-to 130-day fetuses (term = 144 ± 3 days) and placed in monolayer cell culture. After 1 day in culture the cells were treated with ACTH (10 nM) with or without A-II (0.1–100 nM) or TGFβ (1-100 pM). Medium content of Cortisol was low under basal conditions, whereas ACTH-stimulated Cortiso...
Identification of ultraviolet-induced thymine dimers in DNA by absorbance measurements

— The irradiation of native DNA's by ultraviolet radiation of different wave lengths changes their absorption spectra. The changes are similar to those found for the formation of dimers between adjacent thymines in polynucleotide chains. The decreases in absorbance at 270 mµ produced by 280 mµ irradiation are reversed to a large extent by subsequent 239 mµ irradiation. The magnitude of the absorbance changes produced by large doses of 280 mµ correspond to the formation of dimers between approximately 50 per cent of all the TT sequences in the DNA. An incident dose of 100 erg/mm2 of 280 mµ radiation forms about one dimer per molecule of calf thymus DNA of molecular weight 6 times 106. The irradiation of heat-denatured DNA produces larger absorbance changes than are observed in native DNA. The absorbance changes in denatured DNA arise in part from a heat-reversible reaction, presumably involving cytidine, part from the formation of thymine dimers, and part from some unknown photoproducts. The reversal of thymine dimers by short wave length irradiation does not pioduce an equivalent change in the melting temperature of the DNA.
A 4-Phase 30–70 MHz Switching Frequency Buck Converter Using a Time-Based Compensator

A high switching frequency multi-phase buck converter architecture using a time-based compensator is presented. Efficiency degradation due to mismatch between the phases is mitigated by generating precisely matched duty-cycles by combining a time-based multi-phase generator (MPG) with a time-based PID compensator (T-PID). The proposed approach obviates the need for a complex current sensing and calibration circuitry needed to implement active current sharing in an analog controller. It also eliminates the need for a high resolution analog-to-digital converter and digital pulse width modulator needed for implementing passive current sharing in a digital controller. Fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS process, the prototype multi-phase buck converter occupies an active area of 0.32 mm $^{2}$ , of which the controller occupies only 0.04 mm $^{2}$ . The converter operates over a wide range of switching frequencies (30–70 MHz) and regulates output to any desired voltage in the range of 0.6 V to 1.5 V from 1.8 V input voltage. With a 400 mA step in the load current, the settling time is less than 0.6 $\mu$ s and the measured duty-cycle mismatch is less than 0.48%. Better than 87% peak efficiency is achieved while consuming a quiescent current of only 3 $\mu$ A/MHz.
The estrous cycle surpasses sex differences in regulating the transcriptome in the rat medial prefrontal cortex and reveals an underlying role of early growth response 1

Background Males and females differ in cognitive functions and emotional processing, which in part have been associated with baseline sex differences in gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex. Nevertheless, a growing body of evidence suggests that sex differences in medial prefrontal cortex-dependent cognitive functions are attenuated by hormonal fluctuations within the menstrual cycle. Despite known genomic effects of ovarian hormones, the interaction of the estrous cycle with sex differences in gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex remains unclear and warrants further investigations.
A Reason for Doubting the Existence of Consciousness

I was asked, as a philosopher, to address an audience primarily of psychobiologists about the nature of consciousness. Many people—among them, quite likely, many readers of the present volume—might find this a little strange: After all, would a conference of physicists really invite a philosopher to address them on the nature of matter? Or of biologists on the nature of life? Perhaps; but why not? Let me first say something about the sort of thing a philosopher may legitimately have to say, before going on to make what I hope will be some useful, substantive claims of my own.
Duty and Goodness

To the question “Why ought we to do certain acts?” most moral philosophers since Plato have answered “Because by doing these acts we produce something that is good.” For such philosophers we have duties only because certain things have value; it is our duty to promote the good and eschew the evil. In this chapter I shall examine the appeal to goodness as a justification for moral obligation, by asking the questions, Can this appeal provide a good reason in support of our beliefs about what we ought to do? Can any knowledge about the goodness of anything yield us any knowledge about the reality of duty in general or of our duties in particular?
Mining Strongly Correlated Intervals with Hypergraphs

Correlation is an important statistical measure for estimating dependencies between numerical attributes in multivariate datasets. Previous correlation discovery algorithms mostly dedicate to find piecewise correlations between the attributes. Other research efforts, such as correlation preserving discretization, can find strongly correlated intervals through a discretization process while preserving correlation. However, discretization based methods suffer from some fundamental problems, such as information loss and crisp boundary. In this paper, we propose a novel method to discover strongly correlated intervals from numerical datasets without using discretization. We propose a hypergraph model to capture the underlying correlation structure in multivariate numerical data and a corresponding algorithm to discover strongly correlated intervals from the hypergraph model. Strongly correlated intervals can be found even when the corresponding attributes are less or not correlated. Experiment results from a health social network dataset show the effectiveness of our algorithm.
Paleoarchean ocean crust and mantle excavated by meteor impact: Insight into early crustal processes and tectonics

Two major features of Earth’s geochemical evolution include (1) the extraction of continental crust from the mantle to produce a depleted upper mantle, and (2) the onset of plate tectonics and shallow melting of the upper mantle to produce oceanic crust (mid-ocean-ridge basalt, MORB). Prior studies have suggested that continental crust extraction and/or plate tectonics began prior to 4 Ga or were not initiated until as late as the Neoproterozoic. Earth’s geological record is very incomplete prior to ca. 3 Ga, and the limited terrains available for study have left the nature of the earliest tectonics and crustal compositions unresolved. Here we show that a meteor impact at 3.24 Ga excavated basaltic crust and depleted mantle material. We use high field strength elements and other immobile elements to model the composition of the target rock and meteor and compare it to analyses of spherules condensed from the vaporized meteor and impact target rock. This provides insight into otherwise unpreserved Archean crust. A simple mixture of 15% CV group carbonaceous chondrite, 65% ocean basalt, and 20% depleted MORB mantle (DMM) fully replicates the field results. A significant proportion of this basalt is MORB like, distinctly different from the tholeiitic rocks that dominate in Archean greenstone belts, and consistent with seafloor spreading. The presence of DMM implies that a significant volume of continental crust was extracted before 3.24 Ga. However, no granite or tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite can be incorporated into the model and replicate field results, consistent with the lack of any observed shocked zircons in any of the Paleoarchean impact layers to date.
“Grow the Beard, Wear the Costume”: Resisting Weight and Sexual Orientation Stigmas in the Bear Subculture

Being gay and being overweight are two stigmatized statuses in the United States. A range of work has considered the experience of being stigmatized and the consequences of stereotypes for overweig...
62 THE THROMBOPHILIC FACTOR V LEIDEN GENE MUTATION: A COMMON, SIGNIFICANT, TREATABLE ETIOLOGY FOR SPORADIC MISCARRIAGE

We hypothesized that the thrombophilic G1691A Factor V Leiden gene mutation was a common, significant, treatable cause of sporadic miscarriage. We used PCR techniques to characterize thrombophilic (G1691A V Leiden [FV], G20210A prothrombin, C677T/A1298C MTHFR) and hypofibrinolytic (plasminogen activator inhibitor activity [PAI-1] 4G4G) gene mutations. We carried out serologic measures of thrombophilia (homocysteine, ACLA IgG and IgM, lupus anticoagulant, Factor VIII, Factor XI, protein C, total and free protein S, antithrombin III) and hypofibrinolysis (plasminogen activator inhibitor activity [PAI-Fx]), Lp[a]). We compared thrombophilia-hypofibrinolysis in 89 women (83 white, 4 black, 2 other) with ≥ 1 pregnancy and 1 miscarriage (139 live births, 89 miscarriages) and in 363 women (338 white, 21 black, 4 other) with ≥ 1 pregnancy and 0 miscarriages (901 live births). Of the 363 women in the 0 miscarriage group, 8 (2.2%) had FV heterozygosity vs 11 heterozygous and 2 homozygous FV women in the sporadic miscarriage group (14.6%), p 150%) was more common in cases (11/33, 33%) than controls (3/28, 11%), p = .04.There were no other group differences (p>0.05) in measures of thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis. After unexplained sporadic miscarriage, we suggest that measurements be done of the FV mutation, PAI-Fx, and Factor VIII. Recognition of FV heterozygosity-homozygosity or high Factor VIII after sporadic miscarriage allows prospective thromboprophylaxis with enoxaparin (60-80 mg/day) to optimize live birth outcomes in subsequent pregnancies. High PAI-Fx can often be lowered with Glucophage (2.5 g/day) to further optimize live birth outcomes.
Current treatment guidelines for postoperative surgical site infection: clinical considerations in the surgical care improvement project era.

The Surgical care Improvement Project (SCIP) has standardized the choices and timing of use of prophylactic antibiotics for elective cardiovascular, gynecological, orthopedic (hip/knee arthroplasty), and colorectal operations with the goals being to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and also limit indiscriminate and overly lengthy use of antibiotics to avoid the development of resistant organisms We examined the results of the application of the SCIP regimen on SSI rates, microbiology, and outcomes after elective colorectal operations at our institution. We also compared the microbiology of the infections against the empiric regimens recommended by the Surgical Infection Society/Infectious Disease Society of America (SIS/IDSA) guidelines to assess for any emerging trends that would be useful for further study on a larger scale such as could be performed using the American College of Surgeons–National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) data set.
STAT1 is Constitutively Activated in the T/C28a2 Immortalized Juvenile Human Chondrocyte Line and Stimulated by IL-6 Plus Soluble IL-6R

T/C28a2 immortalized juvenile human chondrocytes were employed to determine the extent to which activation of Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription-1 (STAT1) occurred in response to recombinant human interleukin-6 (rhIL-6) or rhIL-6 in combination with the soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R). Two forms of STAT1, STAT1A and STAT1B, were identified on SDS-PAGE and western blotting with anti-STAT1 antibody. Western blotting revealed that STAT1 was constitutively phosphorylated (p-STAT1). Although incubation of T/C28a2 chondrocytes with rhIL-6 (50 ng/ml) increased p-STAT1A by Δ=22.3% after 30 min, this percent difference failed to reach significance by Chi-square analysis. Similarly, no effect of rhIL-6 (Δ=+10.7%) on p-STAT1B was seen at 30 min. In contrast, although the combination of rhIL-6 plus sIL-6R had no effect on p-STAT1A, rhIL-6 plus sIL-6R increased p- STAT1B by Δ=73.3% (p<0.0001) after 30 min compared to the control group and by Δ=56.7% (p<0.0001) compared to rhIL-6 alone. Janex-1, a Janus kinase-3-specific inhibitor (100 μM) partially reduced the effect of rhIL-6 on p- STAT1B by Δ=27.7% (p<0.05). The results of this study showed that STAT1A/STAT1B was constitutively activated in T/C28a2 chondrocytes. Although rhIL-6 increased p-STAT1B to a small extent, the combination of rhIL-6 plus sIL-6R was far more effective in stimulating STAT1B phosphorylation compared to controls or rhIL-6 alone. These data support the likelihood that although JAK3-mediated activation of STAT1 in T/C28a2 chondrocytes may involve the IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 pathway, these results indicated that STAT1 activation in response to IL-6 preferentially involved IL-6 trans-signaling via sIL-6R.
Adaptive Management and Monitoring as Fundamental Tools to Effective Salt Marsh Restoration

Adaptive management as applied to ecological restoration is a systematic decision-making process in which the results of restoration activities are repeatedly monitored and evaluated to provide guidance that can be used in determining any necessary future management actions (Salafsky et al. 2001; SER International 2004). In the setup phase, stakeholders agree upon the overall goals of the restoration project, plan restoration activities, and develop conceptual models that describe expected responses to the management actions (fig. 14.1). After implementation of management measures, the project enters an iterative phase with a focus on monitoring and assessment of ecological responses. These determine whether adjustments to management measures or the conceptual models are warranted. As applied to restoration of salt marshes and other estuarine habitats, an adaptive management framework should include targets for specific structural and functional components (e.g., vegetation and hydrology), a schedule for management and restoration activities, a monitoring plan to assess the progress of the project, interim criteria with triggers, and a commitment to alter the conceptual models, monitoring plan, and even project goals if interim criteria are not met.
Optimization Models for a Real-World Snow Plow Routing Problem

In cold weather cities, snowstorms can have a significant disruptive effect on both mobility and safety, and consequently the faster that streets can be cleared the better. Yet in most cities, plans for snowplowing are developed using simple allocation schemes that while easy to implement can also be quite inefficient. In this paper we consider the problem of optimizing the routes of a fleet of snow plowing vehicles, subject to street network topology, vehicle operating restrictions, and resource (salt, fuel) usage and replenishment constraints. We develop and analyze the performance of three different optimization models: a mixed-integer programming (MIP) model, a constraint programming (CP) model, and a constructive heuristic procedure that is amplified by an iterative improvement search. The models are evaluated on a set of snow plow routing problems of various sizes, constructed using Open Streets map data of Pittsburgh PA. Experimental results are presented that illustrate the differential strengths and weaknesses of each model, and suggest an alternative hybrid solution approach.
Long-Term Field Rutting and Moisture Susceptibility Performance of Warm-Mix Asphalt Pavement:

Although warm-mix asphalt (WMA) has been used in pavement construction in recent years, the long-term field performance of WMA pavements has not been studied extensively. In response, this study investigated 28 pavement projects in the United States, covering different climate zones, WMA technologies, service years, pavement structures, and traffic volume levels. The long-term field rutting performance between WMA pavements and hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements was compared. Field samples were extracted for laboratory experiments. Significant determinants (engineering or material properties) that correlate with rutting performance also were investigated. A simple rutting resistance index obtained from the Hamburg wheel-tracking test was found to be the significant determinant (material property) that correlates best with field rutting performance. The significant mix design parameters that affect the rutting resistance index were analyzed to suggest a better rutting-resistant mix design. In addition, no moi...
Varianten des Simplexalgorithmus

Unter einer Variante der Simplexmethode soll in diesem Kapitel ein Algorithmus verstanden werden, der aus einer Folge von Pivot-Operationen in dem primalen System besteht, bei dem aber andere Auswahlregeln fur den Pivot benutzt werden. Ursprunglich wurden diese Varianten entwickelt, um eine Situation auszunutzen, bei der eine unzulassige Basislosung des primalen Problems erhaltlich ist. Z.B. ergaben sich oft bei den Anwendungen eine Menge von Problemen, die voneinander nur in bezug auf die konstanten Ausdrucke und die Kostenfaktoren abwichen. In solchen Fallen empfiehlt es sich, die Phase I auszulassen und die optimale Basis eines Problems als Anfangsbasis fur das nachste Problem zu benutzen.
Sulfate-Centered Sodium-Icosahedron-Templated Uranyl Peroxide Phosphate Cages with Uranyl Bridged by μ-η1:η2 Peroxide.

Two novel hybrid uranyl peroxide phosphate cage clusters, designated U20P6 and U20P12, contain peroxide bridges between uranyl in an unusual μ–η1:η2 configuration, as well as the common μ–η2:η2 configuration. These appear to be the only high-nuclearity metal peroxide complexes containing μ–η1:η2 peroxide bridges, and they are unique among uranyl peroxide cages. Both clusters contain 20 uranyl polyhedra, and U20P6 and U20P12 contain 6 and 12 phosphate tetrahedra, respectively. The 20 uranyl polyhedra in both cages are arranged on the vertices of distorted topological dodecahedrons (20 vertex fullerenes). Each cage is completed by phosphate tetrahedra and is templated by a sulfate-centered Na12 cluster with the Na cations defining a regular convex isocahedron. Whereas μ–η2:η2 peroxides are essential features of uranyl peroxide cages, where they form equatorial edges of uranyl hexagonal bipyramids, the μ–η1:η2 peroxide groups in U20P6 and U20P12 are associated with strong distortions of the uranyl polyhedra....
The Influence of Nanoparticles on SNARE-Mediated Membrane Fusion

Due to their unique electrical, optical, and thermal properties, nanoparticles have attracted significant research interest for biomedical applications [1-3]. A recent study showed that nanoparticles can affect synaptic transmission by disrupting lipid composition and Ca2+ homeostasis [4]. To further elucidate the effects of nanoparticles on the molecular mechanism of synaptic transmission, we utilized in vitro fusion assays based on proteoliposomes reconstituted with SNAREs. The v- and t-SNARE proteins are reconstituted in two independent populations of liposomes that are labeled with acceptor (DiD) and donor (DiI) fluorophores. Upon fusion, lipid molecule mixing results in FRET between donor and acceptor molecules [5].1. Diao, J.J. and Chen, G.D. J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 34, L79 (2001).2. Diao, J.J. and Chen, H. J. Chem. Phys. 124, 116103 (2006).3. Chen, Y. et al. J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 59, 548 (2007).4. Bramini, M. et al. ACS Nano 10, 7154 (2016).5. Brunger, A.T. et al. Crit. Rev. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 50, 231 (2015)
Spirituality and Hospice Social Work: New York, NY, Columbia University Press, 2017, 232 pp., $35 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-23-117173-1

Currently, the number of hospice patients in the United States has risen to 1.7 million, growing every year. Of these, almost half receive hospice care, which is available 24/7 to meet the needs of...
Myosin-X knockout is semi-lethal and demonstrates that myosin-X functions in neural tube closure, pigmentation, hyaloid vasculature regression, and filopodia formation

Myosin-X (Myo10) is an unconventional myosin best known for its striking localization to the tips of filopodia. Despite the broad expression of Myo10 in vertebrate tissues, its functions at the organismal level remain largely unknown. We report here the generation of KO-first (Myo10 tm1a/tm1a ), floxed (Myo10 tm1c/tm1c ), and KO mice (Myo10 tm1d/tm1d ). Complete knockout of Myo10 is semi-lethal, with over half of homozygous KO embryos exhibiting exencephaly, a severe defect in neural tube closure. All Myo10 KO mice that survive birth exhibit a white belly spot, all have persistent fetal vasculature in the eye, and ~50% have webbed digits. Myo10 KO mice that survive birth can breed and produce litters of KO embryos, demonstrating that Myo10 is not absolutely essential for mitosis, meiosis, adult survival, or fertility. KO-first mice and an independent spontaneous deletion (Myo10 m1J/m1J ) exhibit the same core phenotypes. During retinal angiogenesis, KO mice exhibit a ~50% decrease in endothelial filopodia, demonstrating that Myo10 is required to form normal numbers of filopodia in vivo. The Myo10 mice generated here demonstrate that Myo10 has important functions in mammalian development and provide key tools for defining the functions of Myo10 in vivo.
Psychological Universals, True and False

The fact that psychological phenomena are sociohistorical does not preclude the existence of universal features. However, the nature of these universals is quite different from the way they are ordinarily construed by mainstream psychologists. Universals are ordinarily conceived as a separate class of phenomena from variable features, originating in psychobiological properties of the human organism in contrast to variations which reflect socially mediated experience. Sociohistorical psychology rejects this dichotomy and argues that universal features of psychological phenomena have a social basis just as variations do. The social basis of psychological universals lies in common features of social life. What Rosaldo said about emotions—that they are similar to the extent that societies are alike—holds true for all psychological phenomena. Whereas socially relative aspects of psychology reflect differences in social life, psychological universals reflect uniformities of social existence. Some of these commonalities were described in Chapter 1 where universal aspects of social existence such as division of labor, social organization, cooperation, language, and tool use were shown to generate universal aspects of psychology such as symbolization, thought, logic, self-concept, mnenomic strategies for remembering information, volition, self-control, a broad sensitivity to things, and comprehension of things’ essential features and interrelationships which are invisible to sense experience.
Cannabinoid treats as adjunctive therapy for pets: gaps in our knowledge

Cannabidiol (CBD)-infused pet treats are becoming a huge market for pet owners as they turn to this supplement for a non-traditional therapeutic option. However, CBD's short-term or long-term effec...
Do Constituents Influence Issue-Specific Bill Sponsorship?:

Bill sponsorship is a valuable form of legislative activity in which all legislators are free to signal priorities, stake out positions, and influence legislative agendas. However, decisions to hone in on specific issues have been mostly overlooked, resulting in drivers of issue-specific sponsorship remaining unclear. A reasonable place to look for drivers is constituent preferences, given the representational responsibilities underlying most legislative behavior. To address this question, I leverage advances in opinion estimation to generate a new fine-grained measure of constituent issue preferences at the district level. By keeping the focus on issues, this approach is preferable to other measures of constituent preferences, in that it assumes nothing about constituents’ ideology. Through numerous tests across several issues spanning the 109th to 113th Congresses, I find a largely indirect effect of preferences on sponsorship through employment proxies, yet no consistent direct impact from constituents...
Utilizing the Systematic Literature Review in Aviation: A Case Study for Runway Incursions

This research presents the process for a systematic literature review, and demonstrates the application of this process using a case study that investigates the factors that contribute to runway incursions (RIs). Runway safety is a top priority in aviation ( Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] , 2012a). One factor that threatens runway safety is RIs. In the United States, an average of three RIs occurs daily. Although the reduction of RIs has been a topic of interest for many years, the number of RIs has been increasing since 2012. In this paper, a systematic literature review approach was used to synthesize the results of previous studies in a systematic way, identify contributing factors for RIs , and provide insight regarding the causes for RIs . One hundred and thirty-four articles were identified in the initial literature search from 22 databases, and 22 articles were analyzed after using filtering criteria. As a result of this analysis, six categories of contributing factors to RIs were identified: human factors, airport geometry, technical factors, airport characteristics, environmental factors, and organizational factors. Recommendations for reduction of RIs and suggestions for further studies were presented based on these factors.
Word Formation at the Syntax-Morphology Interface: Denominal Adjectives in Bulgarian

A major goal in the study of the interface between syntax and morphology (understood as part of the PF component) is to understand mismatches between syntactic representations and the corresponding...
Diagnosis and Management of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome Antiphospholipid antibodies can induce endothelial-cell, complement, platelet, neutrophil, and monocyte activation, leading to thrombosis, renal failure, heart valve disea...
Non-response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment option for therapy-refractory mild to severe heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction and left ventricular (LV) conduction delay. Multiple clinical trials have shown that CRT improves cardiac function and overall quality of life, as well as reduces HF hospitalizations, health care costs, and mortality. Despite its effectiveness, the “non-response” rate to CRT is around 30%, remaining a major challenge that faces electrophysiologists and researchers. It has been recently suggested that the etiology of CRT non-response is multifactorial, and it requires a multifaceted approach to address it. In this focused review, we will summarize the definitions of CRT non-response, identify key factors for CRT non-response, and offer a simplified framework to address CRT non-response with the main goal of improving CRT outcomes.
Proceedings of the Sixth ACM Symposium on Cloud Computing

The stated scope of SoCC is to be broad and encompass diverse data management and systems topics, and this year's 34 accepted papers are no exception. They touch on a wide range of data systems topics including new architectures, scheduling, performance modeling, high availability, replication, elasticity, migration, costs and performance trade-offs, complex analysis, and testing. The conference also includes 2 poster sessions (with 30 posters in addition to invited poster presentations for the accepted papers), keynotes by Eric Brewer of Google/UC Berkeley and Samuel Madden of MIT, and a social program that includes a banquet and a luncheon for students and senior systems and database researchers. The symposium is co-located with the 41st International Conference on Very Large Databases, VLDB 2015, highlighting the synergy between big data and the cloud.
Selenium Deficiency Is Associated with Pro-longevity Mechanisms

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element because of its presence in selenoproteins in the form of selenocysteine residue. Both Se deficiency, which compromises selenoprotein functions, and excess Se, which is toxic, have been associated with altered redox homeostasis and adverse health conditions. Surprisingly, we found that, although Se deficiency led to a drastic decline in selenoprotein expression, mice subjected to this dietary regimen for their entire life had normal lifespans. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved, we performed systemic analyses at the level of metabolome, transcriptome, and microRNA profiling. These analyses revealed that Se deficiency reduced amino acid levels, elevated mononucleotides, altered metabolism, and activated signaling pathways linked to longevity-related nutrient sensing. The data show that the metabolic control associated with nutrient sensing coordinately responds to suppressed selenoprotein functions, resulting in normal lifespan under Se deficiency.