cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Annexins in Antiphospholipid Syndrome

In conclusion, annexin A5 is a potent anticoagulant protein that forms an antithrombotic shield over anionic phospholipids containing bilayers. Autoantibodies may interfere with this shielding function via high affinity antibodies that recognize phospholipid binding proteins that are capable of interfering with the assembly of the annexin A5 shield on phospholipid surfaces or via direct recognition of annexin A5 functional epitopes by autoantibodies. Antibody mediated interference with the integrity of the two-dimensional annexin A5 crystal shield may be a mechanism for thrombosis and for pregnancy complications, including recurrent spontaneous pregnancy losses, in APS.
Plasticity of Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons

A selective degeneration of mesencephalic dopaminergic (DA) neurons occurs in Parkinson’s disease (Parkinson, 1917; Lieberman, 1974). Thus, the study of the DA neurons is very important for gaining insights in the underlying causes of this neurodegenerative disease.
Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Antireflux Procedures

Antireflux surgery was originally developed as an open operation. With the advent of laparoscopic cholestectomy, fundoplications have been modified to the laparoscopic approach. There have been at least 11 non-randomized comparisons and 6 randomized clinical trials comparing laparoscopic and open antireflux surgery. Overall, these studies have shown that symptomatic relief is similar between these approaches. Short-term quality of life appears superior for the laparoscopic approach. However, the laparoscopic approach may also have a slightly higher complication and side effect rate. Nevertheless, patient satisfaction appears dependent of symptomatic relief, not the type of approach. Therefore, type of approach should be determined by patient and surgeon factors, not dogmatically applied to all patients. Rudolph Nissen published in 1956 the landmark article pertaining to the fundoplication which now bears his name [1]. Since that time the Nissen fundoplication has become the standard by which all other anti-reflux operations are compared. Most variations of anti-reflux operations have some component of either a partial or complete fundoplication. Up until recently, the two main approaches have been the trans-abdominal approach, through some type of laparotomy, or a trans-thoracic approach, through a left posterior lateral thoracotomy. 1991 ushered in a new era of anti-reflux surgery with the first Nissen fundoplication performed through a laparoscopic approach [2]. Although the laparoscopic fundoplication has rightfully taken its place as a standard of care for gastroesophageal reflux disease, the open approach is still a valuable alternative to the minimally invasive approach. The purpose of this chapter will be to review the comparative data pertaining to laparoscopic and open anti-reflux surgery, and to make recommendations with respect to these approaches.
The RAD17 Promoter Sequence Contains a Potential Tail-Dependent G-Quadruplex That Downregulates Gene Expression upon Oxidative Modification.

Our laboratory has recently proposed that the oxidation of guanine (G) to 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (OG) in G-rich promoter regions of DNA repair genes can serve as a regulatory mechanism of gene transcription. These regions also have the potential to fold into G-quadruplexes (G4). The human RAD17 promoter sequence has such a region in the template strand of the gene. In this work, the potential G-quadruplex sequence (PQS) of the RAD17 gene promoter was analyzed in different sequence contexts. With two extra nucleotides of the native sequence on either side of the G4, the structure was found to fold into a hybrid-like G4, similar to the hybrid-1 fold that the human telomere sequence can adopt. With only one nucleotide on either side of the PQS, the topology of the structure was observed to be mixed, and without extra nucleotides on the ends, the sequence adopted a parallel fold. Next, the sequence was studied with synthetic incorporation of the oxidative modification OG into specific sites and installed in...
SUBGRADIENT PROJECTION OVER DIRECTED GRAPHS USING SURPLUS CONSENSUS

In this paper, we propose Directed-Distributed Projected Sub-gradient (D-DPS) to solve a distributed constrained optimization problem over a sensor network. Sensors collaboratively minimize a sum of convex functions, which are only locally known and constrained to some commonly known convex set. D-DPS is based on surplus consensus, which overcomes the information asymmetry caused by directed communication and has a convergence rate of $O\left ({ {\frac {\ln k}{\sqrt {k} }} }\right )$.
An Intramolecular Prins Double Cyclization Catalyzed by Silyl Triflates1

Several intramolecular Prins double cyclizations are reported. The 2-alkyl 5-hepten-1,2-diols and their analogues, 9−11, were prepared and oxidized to the aldehydes 6−8 under Swern conditions. Treatment of these α-hydroxy aldehydes with TBSOTf and a hindered base gave the products of an intramolecular Prins double cyclization, namely the 7-(silyloxy)-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes, 17−19, in 84−92% yield. These compounds were formed as single diastereomers with only the anti silyl ethers being obtained. The cyclizations occur when five-membered rings are being formed and when the initially formed cation is highly stabilized. Other substrates do not cyclize, e.g., when the α-hydroxy aldehydes 20−22, prepared from 26−28, are treated under similar conditions, none of the corresponding cyclization products, 23−25, were obtained.
Combination of Parent–Child Closeness and Parent Disapproval of Teen Sex Predicts Lower Rates of Sexual Risk for Offspring:

Effective parenting processes during offspring’s adolescence can reduce sexual risk behavior for those offspring in emerging adulthood. Few studies consider how mothers’ and fathers’ parenting proc...
903-P: Unique Cardiovascular Risk Stratification Using Prediabetes Metrics in High-Risk South Asian Cohort

Background: Elevated 1 hour plasma glucose (>155mg/dl) and glucose curve shape are predictive markers of diabetes risk. We evaluated varying patterns of impaired glucose tolerance and associated CVD risk. Methods: At Stanford’s South Asian Translational Heart Initiative, 260 patients were evaluated for diabetic and CVD risk: OGTT with insulin, lipid panel, HbA1c, blood pressure, BMI, QRisk2 (10-year CVD risk), inflammatory markers, and FHx. Glucose curve “shape” was categorized by phase changes and time of curve peak. Results: Classification showed 78.3% of patients were prediabetic and 5.2% had normal glucose tolerance (NGT) but elevated 1 hour glucose. These subgroups also exhibited more unclassified and monophasic 60 min glucose peak (Mono60) shapes compared to the total population (83.8% vs. 51.9%, p Conclusion: Mono60 glucose patterns exceed the CVD risk stratification of prediabetes alone and may indicate a need for more aggressive medical therapy to prevent diabetes and CVD progression. Disclosure J.L. Shearer: None. K. Josan: None. A. Khandelwal: None. S. Nallamshetty: None. F. Abbasi: None. R. Dash: None.
Characterization of Patients With Poor-Risk Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma: Results From a Pooled Clinical Trials Database.

Abstract Background Poor-risk patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma remain poorly characterized in prospective clinical trials. Therefore, we sought to provide a comprehensive analysis of this patient population, defined by 3 widely used prognostic models, treated with targeted therapy. Patients and Methods We conducted a pooled retrospective analysis of 4736 metastatic renal-cell carcinoma patients treated on phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. Poor-risk patients were defined according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC), and Hudes risk models. Baseline characteristics, overall survival, progression-free survival, objective response rate, and adverse events were reported in poor-risk patients defined by each of the 3 models. The concordance (C)-index was used to assess the prognostic performance of the models. A subset of poor-risk patients who continued to receive treatment for > 12 months was characterized. Results Overall, we identified 1145 (24%), 904 (19%), and 1901 (40%) poor-risk patients by the IMDC, MSKCC, and Hudes models, respectively. Median overall survival was 8.5 months, 7.5 months, and 10.6 months; and median progression-free survival was 3.7 months, 3.5 months, and 4.2 months in the IMDC, MSKCC, and Hudes models, respectively. The objective response rate ranged between 10% and 14%. Additionally, 9% to 14% of poor-risk patients continued to receive treatment for > 12 months. Most importantly, the C-index was 0.826, 0.830, and 0.825 in the IMDC, MSKCC, and Hudes risk models, respectively. Conclusion We demonstrate that poor-risk patients continue to have dismal outcomes and warrant alternative treatment strategies to help improve outcomes. A subset of patients experienced prolonged clinical benefit and should be further explored.
Subordinated Autonomy and the Political Inclusion of Women in Indigenous Mexico

This article explores the tension between multicultural legal reforms and the liberal state-building project in present-day Mexico. Specifically, it traces the process by which the Mexican state challenged and eventually forced changes to customary restrictions on women in public life in some indigenous communities in the southern state of Oaxaca. The study argues that the act of formalizing autonomy for indigenous communities, in the context of Mexico’s homogenizing neoliberal state, had the unanticipated effect of exposing exclusionary practices to state scrutiny, which eventually forced those communities to recognize women’s political rights. Thus the effort to protect indigenous practices facilitated the territorial and juridical expansion of the Mexican state into formerly autonomous areas of the countryside.
Fever of Unknown Origin in a 17-Year-Old Girl

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is defined as fever (>101 degrees F) that lasts more than three weeks and fur which a cause is not found within seven days of hospital evaluation FUO has a broad list of differentials - infection, inflammatory diseases, and malignancy A detailed history and meticulous clinical examination with thorough and stepwise investigations lead to a diagnosis in only two-thirds of cases In this article, we present a 17-year-old adolescent girl, with no significant past medical history, who presented with FUO during the COVID pandemic A high index of suspicion and extensive investigations revealed the final diagnosis
Abstract 14412: Activation of Autophagic Flux Maintains Mitochondrial Homeostasis During Cardiac Ischemia/reperfusion Injury

Background and Hypothesis: Reperfusion injury accounts for ~50% of myocardial infarct size, and clinically efficacious therapies are lacking. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition enhances cardiomy...
Prevalence of Anterior Inferior Iliac Spine Dysmorphism and Development of a Novel Classification System: An Anatomic Study of 1,797 Cadaveric Specimens

Purpose: Subspine impingement occurs due to a morphologically abnormal anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS), capable of causing impingement against the distal femoral neck. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of AIIS dysmorphism based on specimen sex, race, and age, while introducing a novel anatomic-based classification system. Methods: A total of 1,797 adult cadaveric specimens (n = 3,594 hemipelvises) were analyzed. AIIS with the potential for subspine impingement (SSI) was recorded in each specimen by two independent authors. Specimens with AIIS dysmorphism were then reexamined to determine SSI subtype using a novel descriptive anatomic classification system. Results: AIIS dysmorphism was present in 6.4% (n = 115 of 1,797 specimens) of specimens and 5.2% (n = 186 of 3,594) of hemipelvises. Dysmorphism was significantly more common in male specimens (p = 0.04) and African-American specimens (p = 0.04). No significant overall difference in prevalence was appreciated based on specimen age (p = 0.89). Subtype classification found that 67% of hemipelvises possessed a columnar type AIIS, 30% were bulbous and 3% hook type. Males possessed a significantly higher prevalence of columnar type AIIS dysmorphism (p < 0.001). No significant overall differences in anatomic classification were appreciated based on race (p = 0.12) or when analyzed based on age (p = 0.34). Conclusion: AIIS dysmorphism was present in 6.4% of the 1,797 cadaveric specimens evaluated. African-American and male specimens possessed significantly higher prevalence of AIIS dysmorphism, with no significant difference based on specimen age. Columnar type AIIS dysmorphism was most common. Anatomic classification was not significantly different based on specimen race or age. Level of Evidence: Case Series, Level IV.
Continuous assessment of metabolic activity of mitochondria using resonance Raman microspectroscopy

Dysfunctional mitochondrial activity can lead to a variety of different diseases. As such, there exists a need to quantify changes in mitochondria function as it relates to these specific diseased states. Here, resonance Raman spectroscopy is used as a tool to determine changes in isolated mitochondrial activity. This tool gives real‐time information on the rise and fall of the amount of reduced cytochrome c within the mitochondrial sample, providing a method for rapid assessment of mitochondrial metabolism that has broad applications in both basic science and medical research.
Foreign Direct Investment Outflows and Business-cycle Fluctuations*

This paper investigates business-cycle effects for a country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) outflows. Ordinary least squares and panel regressions show that volatility in economic growth has a negative and significant impact on FDI outflows. Furthermore, we find different types of shocks have asymmetric impacts on FDI outflows. In other words, fluctuations of the same magnitude in a boom and a recession have different effects on FDI outflows. This relationship is more evident in OECD countries. We also include exchange rate volatility, lagged business-cycle measure, and control for potential endogeneity problems as robustness checks. Our findings are robust across different specifications.
Unifying community detection across scales from genomes to landscapes

Biodiversity science encompasses multiple disciplines and biological scales from molecules to landscapes. Nevertheless, biodiversity data are often analyzed separately with discipline‐specific methodologies, constraining resulting inferences to a single scale. To overcome this, we present a topic modeling framework to analyze community composition in cross‐disciplinary datasets, including those generated from metagenomics, metabolomics, field ecology and remote sensing. Using topic models, we demonstrate how community detection in different datasets can inform the conservation of interacting plants and herbivores. We show how topic models can identify members of molecular, organismal and landscape‐level communities that relate to wildlife health, from gut microbes to forage quality. We conclude with a future vision for how topic modeling can be used to design cross‐scale studies that promote a holistic approach to detect, monitor and manage biodiversity.
Production, purification and availability of 211At: Near term steps towards global access.

Abstract The promising characteristics of the 7.2-h radiohalogen 211At have long been recognized; including having chemical properties suitable for labeling targeting vectors ranging from small organic molecules to proteins, and the emission of only one α-particle per decay, providing greater control over off-target effects. Unfortunately, the impact of 211At within the targeted α-particle therapy domain has been constrained by its limited availability. Paradoxically, the most commonly used production method – via the 209Bi(α,2n)211At reaction – utilizes a widely available natural material (bismuth) as the target and straightforward cyclotron irradiation methodology. On the other hand, the most significant impediment to widespread 211At availability is the need for an accelerator capable of generating ≥28 MeV α-particles with sufficient beam intensities to make clinically relevant levels of 211At. In this review, current methodologies for the production and purification of 211At – both by the direct production route noted above and via a 211Rn generator system – will be discussed. The capabilities of cyclotrons that currently produce 211At will be summarized and the characteristics of other accelerators that could be utilized for this purpose will be described. Finally, the logistics of networks, both academic and commercial, for facilitating 211At distribution to locations remote from production sites will be addressed.
Negligence, Responsibility, and the Clumsy Samaritan: Is There a Fairness Rationale for the Good Samaritan Immunity?

The Good Samaritan immunity has been roundly criticized for failing in its instrumental goal of encouraging physicians and laypersons to volunteer assistance in emergencies. Yet in the half century since its inception, the immunity has been adopted in one form or another by all fifty states and shows no sign of disappearing any time soon. This Article represents the first serious attempt in the literature to evaluate a rarely-discussed non-instrumental rationale for the immunity which may explain its persistence: that it is unfair to impose negligence liability on the clumsy Samaritan, i.e., someone who, without obligation, altruistically comes to the aid of another in an emergency, but does so ineptly. Based on a close examination of different types of voluntary rescue cases, I conclude that fairness does require an immunity, but only in narrow circumstances: where a lay rescuer’s act of ordinary negligence leaves the victim no worse off than she would have been absent the intervention (i.e., where the gravamen of the action is that a lay rescuer negligently failed to alleviate the pre-existing peril). Outside of these circumstances, principles of fairness support holding the clumsy Samaritan liable for negligence in performing the rescue. This, I argue, has an important and unappreciated implication for negligence theory. My analysis presents a novel challenge to the view of corrective justice theorists like Ernest Weinrib, who contend that the duty to repair an injury caused by negligence rests on the culpable disrespect the injurer evinces in failing to act with due care. Because, in the paradigm case of voluntary rescue, the rescuer acts selflessly and out of a profound respect for the physical integrity of the imperiled person, the intuition that liability may nevertheless be appropriate if the rescuer fails to exercise reasonable care supports a competing view of the moral basis for negligence liability. The case of the clumsy Samaritan shows in a compelling way that the moral basis for negligence liability has to be the injurer’s moral responsibility for the consequences of her dangerous, even if non-culpable, conduct.
Propertizing Environmental Attributes

Tangible environmental resources such as land and water have been the object of property rights and traded in markets for millennia. In a development largely unnoticed by legal scholars, technology now allows a new class of environmental resources that are much harder to see and touch to be measured, and potentially sold—environmental attributes. Some of these resources have already been partially packaged into property rights for sale by some governments and private actors, such as actual and avoided carbon emissions, and the environmental benefits of renewable power and electric cars. Other resources, such as avoided water use, remain unpropertized. Trading environmental attributes can help to achieve important societal objectives, such as decarbonizing the energy system, although there are also criticisms of using markets for these goals. This article emphasizes that property rights need to be created in environmental attributes if policymakers and private actors wish to enlist markets to achieve societal goals. The article explains the steps involved in creating property rights in environmental attributes. Drawing on the approaches already used to create property rights in some of these attributes, the article identifies a menu of options for establishing property rights in attributes that currently can be measured and those that technology will allow to be isolated in the future. In addition, it applies this menu to recommend a first in time rule for establishing property rights in avoided electricity use from energy efficient appliances and other energy saving measures, a prominent example of the newer class of environmental attributes. A resource that policymakers have been seeking to harness for decades, energy efficiency is currently traded in some jurisdictions and trading could expand if the rules for initially allocating energy efficiency were clarified.
A novel de novo KDM5C variant in a female with global developmental delay and ataxia: a case report

Background Pathogenic variants in KDM5C are a cause of X-linked intellectual disability in males. Other features in males include short stature, dysmorphic features, seizures and spasticity. In some instances, female relatives were noted to have learning difficulties and mild intellectual disabilities, but full phenotypic descriptions were often incomplete. Recently, detailed phenotypic features of five affected females with de novo variants were described. (Clin Genet 98:43-55, 2020) Four individuals had a protein truncating variant and 1 individual had a missense variant. All five individuals had developmental delay/intellectual disability and three neurological features. Case presentation Here we report a three-year-old female with global developmental delay, hypotonia and ataxia. Through whole exome sequencing, a de novo c.1516A > G (p.Met506Val) variant in KDM5C was identified. This missense variant is in the jumonji-C domain of this multi domain protein where other missense variants have been previously reported in KDM5C related disorder. The KDM5C gene is highly intolerant to functional variation which suggests its pathogenicity. The probands motor delays and language impairment is consistent with other reported female patients with de novo variants in KDM5C. However, other features reported in females (distinctive facial features, skeletal abnormalities, short stature and endocrine features) were absent. To the best of our knowledge, our proband is the first female patient reported with a diagnosis of ataxia. Conclusions This case report provides evidence for an emerging and phenotypic variability that adds to the literature of the role of KDM5C in females with neurodevelopmental disorders as well as movement disorders.
Analysis of Media Bias—Glenn Beck TV Shows: A Content Analysis

This study provides an overview of the media’s role in shaping public discourse and belief through framing news stories in a biased perspective and setting an agenda that is in keeping with the int...
Etiology of hemorrhage in placenta previa.

Abstract The generally accepted theory that hemorrhage in placenta previa results purely from mechanical separation of the placenta following the development and formation of the lower uterine segment, effacement or dilation of the cervix, or following intravaginal manipulation must be disregarded. This is evident because many a patient presents symptoms during the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy before these mechanical factors become apparent. Many other factors must be considered. Faulty implantation of the placenta, endometritis, or neoplastic formation must be included as possible etiological factors in the production of uterine hemorrhage. Careful prenatal supervision will help to reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia and may thus help to carry more patients closer to maturity before the unavoidable bleeding of placenta previa occurs.
MO-F-CAMPUS-J-02: Commissioning of Radiofrequency Tracking for Gated SBRT of the Liver Using Novel Motion System

Purpose: Tracking soft tissue targets has recently been approved as a new application of the Calypso radiofrequency tracking system allowing for gated treatment of the liver based on the motion of the target volume itself. As part of the commissioning process, an end-to-end test was performed using a 3D diode array and 6D motion platform to verify the dosimetric accuracy and establish the workflow of gated SBRT treatment of the liver using Calypso. Methods: A 4DCT scan of the ScandiDos Delta4 phantom was acquired using the HexaMotion motion platform to simulate realistic breathing motion. A VMAT plan was optimized on the end of inspiration phase of the 4DCT scan and delivered to the Delta4 phantom using the Varian TrueBeam. The treatment beam was gated by Calypso to deliver dose at the end of inspiration. The expected dose was compared to the delivered dose using gamma analysis. In addition, gating limits were investigated to determine how large the gating range can be while still maintaining dosimetric accuracy. Results: The 3%/3mm and 2%/2mm gamma pass rate for the gated treatment delivery was 100% and 98.4%, respectively. When increasing the gating limits beyond the known extent of planned motion from the 4DCT, the gamma pass rates decreased as expected. The 3%/3mm gamma pass rate for a 1, 2, and 3mm increase in gating limits were measured to be 96.0%, 92.7%, and 78.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Radiofrequency tracking was shown to be an effective way to provide gated SBRT treatment of the liver. Baseline gating limits should be determined by measuring the extent of target motion during the respiratory phases used for planning. We recommend adding 1mm to the baseline limits to provide the proper balance between treatment efficiency and dosimetric accuracy.
Short-chain acylcarnitines: identification and quantitation.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses identification and quantitation of short-chain acylcarnitines. With the development of a gas chromatographic technique, it was shown that mammalian tissues and human urine contain small amounts of short-chain, aliphatic acylcarnitines. Recently, two new approaches for identification and separation of short chain acylcarnitines have been presented: (1) an enzymatic exchange of radioactive carnitine into an acylcarnitine pool, providing a very sensitive covalent stage that can be used both for detection and quantitation, and (2) the use of fast atom bombardment (FAB) to identify and potentially quantitate acylcarnitines. The designation of a fraction as long-chain and short-chain acylcarnitine is arbitrary. It does not account for the medium-chain acylcarnitines and the partial solubility of some acylcarnitines which can partition both into the long-chain acylcarnitine fraction and also into the short-chain acylcarnitine fraction. Similarly inadequate washing of the protein precipitate containing the long-chain acylcarnitine fraction can cause significant quantitation errors. When radioactive carnitine is exchanged to isotopic equilibrium and the acylcarnitines separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), picomole quantities of individual acylcarnitines can be detected and quantitated. This method has been used to detect short-chain acylcarnitines on thin-layer chromatograms, paper chromatograms, and column effluents. Acetylcarnitine can be accurately quantitated using a coupled enzyme assay in which the acetylcarnitine is converted to acetyl-CoA and the acetyl-CoA quantitated enzymatically with citrate synthase and malate dehydrogenase. It is possible to put a quantitative “handle” onto individual acylcarnitines by exchanging labeled L-carnitine into an acylcarnitine pool using purified carnitine acyltransferases.
Vibrational analyses of N-substituted aziridines. III. 1-Aziridinyl carboxamide- d 0 and-N,N- d 2

Abstract The infrared, far-infrared, and Raman spectra of 1-aziridinyl carboxamide- d o and - N , N - d 2 have been recorded and analyzed. The spectra are consistent with a C s structure in which the C-C(O)NH 2 framework is planar. The spectra of these molecules parallel those of previously studied aziridines in that many of the CH 2 and ring vibrations are relatively unshifted from molecule to molecule.
Computer technology and the marketing organization

Abstract The utilization of computers in competitive organizations has long been believed to provide significant benefits. However, the sources and impacts of these advantages remain generally unsubstantiated. In order to examine these sources and impacts, this study investigates the utilization of computers by managers in marketing. The study's specific focus is how computer systems improve and integrate marketing operations, effective decisions, and marketing strategies through improving organization communications and the productivity of work. Responses by 176 marketing managers and executives to a national mail survey provide the data for the empirical study. The results indicate that the responding managers perceptually have two different sets of managerial responsibilities-operational and strategic. Additionally, these results imply that computer use is a force for integration of these different managerial responsibilities thereby providing a common thread between operations and strategies.
Optimizing Supply Shortage Decisions in Base Stock Distribution Operations

This paper addresses policies and agreements between suppliers and customers for handling supply shortages in base-stock systems under uncertain demand. We investigate the impacts that backlogging and expediting decisions have on inventory and transportation costs in these systems and develop a model for deciding whether a supplier should completely backlog, completely expedite, or employ some combination of backlogging and expediting shortages. Our results indicate that practical cases exist where some combination of both expediting and backlogging supply shortages outperforms either completely expediting or backlogging all shortages. Including transportation costs in our model provides incentive to employ `hybrid' policies that partially expedite and partially backlog excess demands within a given period. Our model demonstrates how inventory policy decisions directly impact transportation costs and provides a heuristic approach for jointly minimizing expected inventory and transportation costs.
Diversity and freedom: a fundamental tradeoff in multiple antenna channels

Multiple antennas can be used for increasing the amount of diversity or the number of degrees of freedom in wireless communication systems. We propose the point of view to study the tradeoff between the two types of gains. In this paper, we present the complete results on the optimal tradeoff, and give a brief discussion on the techniques used to get the results.
An introduction to ‘Late Quaternary climates: Data syntheses and model experiments’

Abstract Simulation of the large changes in Quaternary climates provides a critical test for global climate models. Evaluation of the model results has opened many new opportunities for interdisciplinary Quaternary research and stimulated (a) the compilation of data sets that are global in scope and (b) the development of increasingly sophisticated methods for paleoenvironmental analysis. These data sets and analyses are being used to check the performance of the continually improving climate models. Their expansion into earth system models, which simulate hydrological variations and biome distributions, is making the evaluations with paleohydrological and paleoecological data just that much more straightforward. By showing how the models perform under conditions drastically different from today, the evaluations have provided critical tests for the models and have indicated model components that need improvement. The model results, in turn, have increased understanding of the causes of Quaternary environments and environmental change and shown features and linkages within the climate system that are difficult to infer directly from the data.
The future of distributed groups and their use of social media

Distributed team field research has shown that shared group awareness, coordination and informal communication are the most common ways for teams to inform each other of progress. In addition, we have observed that poorly documented, informal communication causes a fragmented workday due to frequent interruptions and knowledge loss due to the passage of time and team attrition. Because informal communication has both advantages and disadvantages for information sharing, it merits deeper study to allow any proposed solution to preserve the good while reducing the bad. Over the past several years, we have conducted a series of studies at Microsoft Corporation and beyond to document the nature of group conversations and communications. Based on surveys, lab studies, field studies and interviews, we have begun to develop a suite of tools that allow groups, both co-located and distributed, to stay more aware of their colleagues' actions, get on board to a new team more efficiently, and engage with each other at the most optimal times. Examples of many of these tools will be discussed, as will our progress in transitioning these ideas into real products.
Chapter 3 Membrane Area Changes Associated with Proton Secretion in Turtle Urinary Bladder Studied Using Impedance Analysis Techniques

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of impedance analysis techniques in the study of ionic transport processes in epithelia. It discusses how these techniques are used to separate transepithelial measurements into properties of each of the different membrane constituents of the tissue. Later, the measurement of membrane capacitance, and how capacitance can be used as an indirect measure of the membrane area are discussed. Finally, preliminary results from current studies of turtle bladder, in an attempt to quantify changes in membrane area associated with the proton secretion process in this tissue are presented. The transepithelial electrical properties of turtle bladder, under conditions in which sodium transport is inhibited, are well represented by a simple distributed equivalent-circuit model. Using impedance analysis techniques, the values of the different circuit parameters (resistors and capacitors) can be determined, which can then be related to the membrane parameters. The values determined from the impedance analyses are in close agreement with those obtained by direct current microelectrode techniques and micrographic studies of the tissue, under similar experimental conditions.
Technology and the US Congress: Looking back and looking forward

The US Congress with its almost forty years of utilizing information and communications technology (ICT) serves as an appropriate vehicle for studying the degree to which information ICT has a revolutionary, minimalist or only potential impact on the politics and procedures of a significant political institution. As the "core technology" of political institutions, information processing stands out as a likely change facilitator. The inherent characteristics of new technologies tend to represent processes which are inconsistent with Congress' historical behavior patterns. Using historical, impressionistic and empirical data, the following analysis attempts to raise the key questions for assessing impact and determining the degree to which the inherent characteristics of the technology and patterns of usage bear out the various predictions. The generic nature of key aspects of Congress, and of the technologies in question, increase the possibility that findings from this realm will have wider applicability to other political and social institutions.
Blast injury of the ear: clinical update from the global war on terror.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of blast exposure on hearing status. This study retrospectively analyzed hearing thresholds and otologic complaints for >250 patients with blast-related injuries from the global war on terror. Of patients who received full diagnostic evaluations, 32% reported a history of tympanic membrane perforation, 49% experienced tinnitus, 26% reported otalgia (ear pain), and 15% reported dizziness. Expected hearing thresholds were computed by applying age-correction factors to hearing tests performed earlier in the service members' careers and before their most recent deployment. Expected hearing thresholds were significantly better than actual postdeployment thresholds, indicating that significant changes occurred in the patients' hearing that could not be accounted for by age. Results from this study underline the need for documentation of preand postdeployment hearing tests and prompt otologic evaluation for the blast-exposed population.
A multidimensional measure of participation for adults with serious mental illnesses

AbstractPurpose: The aims of this study were to (1) construct a multidimensional measure of participation (the Community Participation Domains Measure (CPDM)) based on a conceptual model of participation and (2) test the construct validity of the CPDM in adults with serious mental illnesses (SMI). Methods: The sample consisted of 235 adults with SMI who completed the Temple University Community Participation Measure (TUCP), Community Participation Indicators (CPIs), Colorado Symptom Index (CSI), along with other scales. A conceptual model, descriptive analysis and expert reviews were employed to select a subset of items to include in the measure. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis were used to test the item and model fit for each scale. Results: Based on the conceptual model, the items of the CPDM were divided into three domains: Productive Activities, Social Participation and Recreation/Leisure. This 3-factor model showed good model-fit (CFI = 0.940, TLI = 0.933, RMSEA = 0.048) in CFA ...
Quick House Sales: Seller Mistake or Luck?

Abstract Real estate brokers in the housing market are typically required to enter their listings into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system within a short period of time. Some houses sell immediately after being listed with a broker but before entering the MLS system. Given the role of the broker in the transaction process and the possible incentive to urge the seller to accept suboptimal offers, are these houses mispriced? This paper examines the price of houses that sell quickly. A thorough analysis reveals no significant differences between the equilibrium price function for houses that sell quickly when compared with those exhibiting a normal marketing time. In addition, we provide evidence that owners of vacant housing will set lower reservation prices to reflect comparatively higher holding costs vis-a-vis those occupied by owners. The results provide additional evidence that the MLS and real estate broker and mortgage markets are, as an interrelated system, efficient enough to protect buyers and sellers from abnormal pricing.
Altered Kinetics of CD4+T Cell Proliferation and Interferon-γ Production in the Absence of CD8+T Lymphocytes in Virus-Infected β2-Microglobulin-Deficient Mice

Abstract CD8 + T cells are the major mediators of cytotoxic T cell activity controlling viral infections in normal mice. CD8 + T cells have also been implicated in regulating the activity of other immune cells. We have examined the possible regulatory role of CD8 + T cells on CD4 + T cells by comparing immune responses in mice expressing normal CD8 + T cell responses and in CD8 + T cell-deficient β2-microglobulin “knockout” mice. In normal mice, infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) results in a biphasic T cell immune response. First, CD8 + T cells proliferate and produce interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and then 2 to 4 days later CD4 + T cells proliferate and produce IFN-γ. CD8 + T cell activity is not detected during LCMV infection in β2-microglobulin-deficient mice. However, in β2-microglobulin-deficient mice the CD4 + T cell expansion is exaggerated and occurs 2 days earlier than observed in normal mice. Furthermore, the CD4 + T cells have substantial cytotoxic activity, which is not observed in the CD4 + T cell population in normal mice. However, CD4 + T cell IFN-γ production in β2-microglobulin-deficient mice lags behind the proliferative response, resulting in a relative delay in overall T cell IFN-γ production compared to normal mice. Taken together, these data suggest that CD8 + T cell activation peaks at an earlier time point than CD4 + T cell activation during the primary immune response to LCMV and that CD8 + T cells may inhibit CD4 + T cell proliferation and the development of CD4 + T cell cytotoxic activity.
Combined troponin I Ser-150 and Ser-23/24 phosphorylation sustains thin filament Ca2+ sensitivity and accelerates deactivation in an acidic environment

Abstract The binding of Ca 2 + to troponin C (TnC) in the troponin complex is a critical step regulating the thin filament, the actin–myosin interaction and cardiac contraction. Phosphorylation of the troponin complex is a key regulatory mechanism to match cardiac contraction to demand. Here we demonstrate that phosphorylation of the troponin I (TnI) subunit is simultaneously increased at Ser-150 and Ser-23/24 during in vivo myocardial ischemia. Myocardial ischemia decreases intracellular pH resulting in depressed binding of Ca 2 + to TnC and impaired contraction. To determine the pathological relevance of these simultaneous TnI phosphorylations we measured individual TnI Ser-150 (S150D), Ser-23/24 (S23/24D) and combined (S23/24/150D) pseudo-phosphorylation effects on thin filament regulation at acidic pH similar to that in myocardial ischemia. Results demonstrate that while acidic pH decreased thin filament Ca 2 + binding to TnC regardless of TnI composition, TnI S150D attenuated this decrease rendering it similar to non-phosphorylated TnI at normal pH. The dissociation of Ca 2 + from TnC was unaltered by pH such that TnI S150D remained slow, S23/24D remained accelerated and the combined S23/24/150D remained accelerated. This effect of the combined TnI Ser-150 and Ser-23/24 pseudo-phosphorylations to maintain Ca 2 + binding while accelerating Ca 2 + dissociation represents the first post-translational modification of troponin by phosphorylation to both accelerate thin filament deactivation and maintain Ca 2 + sensitive activation. These data suggest that TnI Ser-150 phosphorylation induced attenuation of the pH-dependent decrease in Ca 2 + sensitivity and its combination with Ser-23/24 phosphorylation to maintain accelerated thin filament deactivation may impart an adaptive role to preserve contraction during acidic ischemia pH without slowing relaxation.
Pre-Exertion Perceptions of Musculoskeletal Overexertion Injury Risk: An Assessment of Age, Gender, Anthropometric, and Lifting Task Factors:

Manual materials handling safety training programs typically encourage workers to make judgments regarding manual material handling risk prior to making attempts to perform the task. The objectives of this effort were to determine if: a) perceptions of MMH tasks are consistent with consensus-based lifting hazards, and b) judgments are materially affected by observer age and or gender. Photographs of orthogonally varied levels of horizontal and vertical origin and final position of a 20 Kg box lift at 0.2, 2 and 5 lifts per minute were presented to 50 males and 50 females who were distributed among age decades between 20 and 70 years. Subjects were asked to rate their perceived risk of musculoskeletal injury using magnitude estimation methods. Results showed that subjects, regardless of age, were unable to spatially perceive consensus-based biomechanical indexes of musculoskeletal hazard; this finding held regardless of age group, gender, stature, body mass, prior safe lifting practices training, or histor...
On the first breakdown in AA7075-T6

Abstract The first breakdown in AA7075-T6 was studied by an in situ observation system in which a combination of a magnified image of the surface and the instantaneous polarization curve allowed determination of the corrosion process as a function of potential. As-polished (to 1 μm) AA7075-T6 clearly exhibited dissolution of a thin surface layer corresponding to a sharp increase of current just above the first breakdown potential. No surface layer dissolution was observed for samples that were either ion milled or chemically etched to remove the effects of polishing. This susceptible surface layer was apparently the result of the mechanical polishing process. The surface microstructure of an as-polished sample was analyzed by TEM and several distinct features were found: (1) a unique thin layer with thickness of 100 nm on average; (2) many fewer fine hardening particles in the thin surface layer than in the bulk matrix, which suggests that the fine particles were destroyed and eliminated by polishing; (3) high aspect ratio nano-grains elongated along the final polishing direction; (4) a high concentration of Zn and Mg at the nano-grain boundaries. The attack of the surface layer might initiate at the active nano-grain boundary followed by nano-grain dissolution.
Crime and criminal justice issues in Taiwan

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), lies off the southeastern coast of mainland Asia across the Taiwan Straits from Mainland China. It consists of a main island and numerous is...
Adenylyl Cyclases 1 and 8 Initiate a Presynaptic Homeostatic Response to Ethanol Treatment

Background Although ethanol exerts widespread action in the brain, only recently has progress been made in understanding the specific events occurring at the synapse during ethanol exposure. Mice deficient in the calcium-stimulated adenylyl cyclases, AC1 and AC8 (DKO), demonstrate increased sedation duration and impaired phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA) following acute ethanol treatment. While not direct targets for ethanol, we hypothesize that these cyclases initiate a homeostatic presynaptic response by PKA to reactivate neurons from ethanol-mediated inhibition. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we have used phosphoproteomic techniques and identified several presynaptic proteins that are phosphorylated in the brains of wild type mice (WT) after ethanol exposure, including synapsin, a known PKA target. Phosphorylation of synapsins I and II, as well as phosphorylation of non-PKA targets, such as, eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF-2) and dynamin is significantly impaired in the brains of DKO mice. This deficit is primarily driven by AC1, as AC1-deficient, but not AC8-deficient mice also demonstrate significant reductions in phosphorylation of synapsin and eEF-2 in cortical and hippocampal tissues. DKO mice have a reduced pool of functional recycling vesicles and fewer active terminals as measured by FM1-43 uptake compared to WT controls, which may be a contributing factor to the impaired presynaptic response to ethanol treatment. Conclusions/Significance These data demonstrate that calcium-stimulated AC-dependent PKA activation in the presynaptic terminal, primarily driven by AC1, is a critical event in the reactivation of neurons following ethanol-induced activity blockade.