cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Web Service Negotiation Management and QoS Dependency Modeling Framework

Information Management Systems that outsource part of the functionality to other (likely unknown) services need an effective way to communicate with these services, so that a mutually beneficial solution can be generated. This includes bargaining for their optimal customizations and the discovery of overlooked potential solutions. In this article, we present an automated negotiation framework for information systems (denoted as WebNeg) that can be used by both the parties for conducting negotiations. WebNeg uses a Genetic Algorithm (GA)-based approach for finding acceptable solutions in multiparty and multiobjective scenarios. The GA is enhanced using a new operator called Norm, which represents the cumulative knowledge of all the parties involved in the negotiation process. Norm incorporates the dependencies of different quality attributes of independently developed component services for the system composition. This enables WebNeg to find a better solution in the context of the current requirements. Experiment results indicate the applicability and improved performance of WebNeg (in comparison with existing similar works) in facilitating the negotiation management involved in a web service-based information composition process.
Soft Law and the Global Financial Crisis

We turn now from theory to address what is (quite literally) the trillion dollar question: what role did international financial law play in the financial crisis? Given the prominence of regulatory failures in the United States, many commentators answer, “very little.” After all, the financial crisis occurred in America's backyard, helped along by weak regulatory oversight by local officials. US financial authorities suppressed interest rates and, in the process, encouraged speculative real estate lending practices for subprime borrowers. Loans were pooled, sliced, and sold off to undercapitalized banks and financial institutions that relied on unregulated derivatives transactions like credit default swaps to hedge their risk. Credit-rating agencies, mired in significant conflicts of interest, barely scrutinized the underlying real estate risk posed by these complex derivatives. And in the absence of regulations concerning executive compensation, Wall Street bankers had perverse incentives to take outsized risks to maximize their pay. Bankers’ short-term goal of earning high annual salaries outstripped any concern for the long-term stability of the institutions for which they worked, and exacerbated the impending financial crisis. Even so, US rules and regulations were not solely responsible for the failure to anticipate or mitigate the financial crisis. Despite the plethora of widely publicized international codes and standards, the international regulatory community was unable to anticipate or avert the crisis. In fact, in some cases, it made the situation worse. And because of the limited effectiveness of international financial rules, the impact of the financial crisis, which originated in the United States, reverberated throughout the world. The international regulatory community was thus roused to brace itself against similar, future failures. An impressive array of global reforms was launched in the wake of the financial crisis to complement and support national efforts aimed at better regulation of cross-border systemic risks generated by increasingly interconnected financial markets. This chapter examines those responses in light of the preexisting gaps in the international regulatory architecture. It also draws on the crisis to tease out a fuller picture of some of the key limitations of international financial law as a mechanism of cross-border regulatory cooperation. Market Causes of the 2008 Financial Crisis The causes of the global financial crisis have been well rehearsed in the literature, so I offer only a brief summary of them.
Low quantum defect laser performance

Low quantum defect lasers are possible using near-resonant optical pumping. This paper examines the laser material performance as the quantum defect of the laser is reduced. A steady-state model is developed, which incorporates the relevant physical processes in these materials and predicts extraction efficiency and waste heat generation. As the laser quantum defect is reduced below a few percent, the impact of fluorescence cooling must be included in the analysis. The special case of a net zero quantum defect laser is examined in detail. This condition, referred to as the radiation balance laser (RBL), is shown to provide two orders of magnitude lower heat generation at the cost of roughly 10% loss in extraction efficiency. Numerical examples are presented with the host materials Yb:YAG and Yb:Silica. The general conditions, which yield optimal laser efficiency, are derived and explored.
PIWI Takes a Giant Step.

piRNA guides the action of PIWI proteins to silence deleterious transposons in animal reproductive tissues. Biogenesis of piRNA-induced silencing complex (piRISC) involves a multi-step process. In this issue, Matsumoto et al. report the first crystal structure of a PIWI-clade protein displaying a guide RNA, ready for action.
Retrospective Analysis of Post-Transplant Complications in Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Patients Receiving Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Abstract High-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (Auto-HCT) is an established therapy for patients with multiple myeloma and lymphomas. Post-transplant complications during the neutropenia phase include pancytopenia requiring transfusions and G-CSF support, mucositis and infectious complications. Previously, we have demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) given day 0 prior to transplant reduced erythropoietin (EPO) levels and improved engraftment in umbilical cord blood transplantation. Subsequently, we conducted a pilot trial to study HBO effects EPO levels and engraftment in Auto-HCT setting. Herein, we review HBO effects on Auto-HCT post-transplant complications. Methods: Charts of patient who underwent HBO treatment prior to Auto-HCT on our pilot study and matched historic controls were retrospectively reviewed for post-transplant transfusion requirements, G-CSF support, mucositis and infectious complications Results: Nineteen patients completed HBO therapy and were compared to 118 patients in our historic cohort. Basic patient characteristics are listed in table-1. Average days of G-CSF use was 6.2 days in our HBO cohort compared to 9.16 days in the historic cohort (P=0.0007). Average number of transfused packed red cells was 2.1 and 2.58 units (P=0.22), while average number of platelet unit transfusions was 2.5 and 3.2 (P=0.17) in the HBO and historic cohorts, respectively. Mucositis incidence was 26.3% in the HBO cohort compared to 59.3% in controls (P=0.008). Similarly, the rate of neutropenic fever was 47% in the HBO cohort vs. 65% in controls (P=0.11). The rate of admissions, on the other hand, was 31.5% in the HBO cohort compared to 23.7% in controls (P=0.31) with an average length of hospital stay of 6.6 days in the HBO cohort compared to 7.68 days in controls (P=0.31). Conclusions: HBO therapy prior to Auto-HCT is associated with lower G-CSF use and lower incidence of mucositis in our retrospective study. Prospective studies are needed to determine HBO effects on Auto-HCT post-transplant complications. Download : Download high-res image (54KB) Download : Download full-size image Download : Download high-res image (84KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures Ganguly: Onyx: Speakers Bureau; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Research Funding.
Factors associated with cesarean delivery rates: a single-institution experience.

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with variability in Cesarean delivery (CD) rates amongst providers at a single institution. A retrospective cohort analysis was carried out on all births at NYU Langone Medical Center from 2005–2013. Data was collected for subjects and linked to diagnosis codes for singleton and twin deliveries. Descriptive characteristics were generated for all deliveries, and inferential analysis was performed including multiple covariates for singleton deliveries in the 2010–2013 cohort, including both univariate and multivariate regression analyses to identify factors associated with higher CD rates. 37,692 deliveries were identified at our institution during the study period, performed by 88 unique providers. The mean CD rate was 29.6%, with a range for individual physicians from 9.9% to 75.6%. In multivariate regression analysis, CD rate was directly correlated with average patient age, physician male gender, proportion of high-risk deliveries, and Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialty, and it was inversely correlated with total number of deliveries by physician and forceps delivery rate. There was no significant difference in CD rates between group and solo practices. Within the same group practice, each member’s CD rate was strongly correlated with the average CD rate of the group. Our study demonstrates the wide range of CD rates for providers practicing within the same institution and reiterates the association of CD rates with patient age, high-risk pregnancy, and provider volume. Among operative vaginal deliveries, forceps delivery rate was associated with lower CD rates whereas vacuum delivery rate was not. Despite these findings, practice patterns within individual practices appear to contribute significantly to the wide range of CD rates.
Incidence of febrile neutropenia with use of docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide (TC) for breast cancer.

e12073Background: Incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) is reported as 5% in breast cancer patients receiving TC (Jones et al., JCO 2006), which would not justify the usage of prophylactic granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSF). We previously showed that the incidence of FN may be as high as 23% in a small study. (N = 130, Soni et al., ASCO 2011). In the current study, we determined the incidence of FN in a larger cohort (N = 415), and evaluated the usage of G-CSF and its relation to FN, age, stage, and hormonal status. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records from patients diagnosed with breast cancer who received at least one standard dose cycle of adjuvant TC between 2010-2016 at a university-based breast oncology practice. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess differences between groups. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using multiple logistic regression models. Results: We identified in total 415 patients who re...
Energy Storage and the Need for Flexibility on the Grid

Energy storage technologies provide valuable flexibility on the electric grid by making the grid more efficient and by absorbing the intermittent renewable resources of tomorrow’s grid. But realizing the full value of this new flexibility requires holistically optimizing the unique functionalities of an energy storage system across the full spectrum of grid operations, from generation, through transmission, and to the customer, including any self-generation and demand response. The control systems, communications infrastructure, and smart energy storage devices needed to do this are just beginning to meet needed economic and technical milestones to demonstrate how energy storage will function within a fully-optimized electric grid. This chapter describes how energy storage provides valuable flexibility resources to the grid and profiles several deployed energy storage systems.
Place attachment and spending preferences in a local public park system: The case of corporate sponsorship

In light of reduced public spending on local park and recreation services, corporate sponsorship has received attention as an effective, but potentially controversial, alternative funding strategy....
Late ordovician dasyclad algae of the eastern Great Basin

Dasyclad algae are present and locally abundant in the Upper Ordovician dolomite sequences in eastern Nevada and western Utah. Calcareous algae have been observed in more than 30 measured sections of Upper Ordovician rocks from the carbonate shelf of eastern Nevada and western Utah (Fig. 1). This paper is based on a pilot study in which collections of algae were made at two sections in order to develop a plan for a future comprehensive examination of the flora. The general pattern of algal distribution was examined from both a stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental mode. Silurian calcareous algae were first studied in the Great Basin by Rezak (1959), whereas the Ordovician algae described in this paper (Table 1) have not been studied previously except for a brief note by Johnson (1982). Most algae examined were silicified during diagenisis, and accordingly specimens were prepared by acid etching, a process which allows gross morphology to be examined. However, algal internal structures are often obscured by silicification.
The Structure of Legal Education and the Legal Profession, Multidisciplinary Practice, Competition, and Globalization

• The value that the marketplace for legal services assigns to an entrant's J.D. degree directly reflects the status of the degreeconferring institution as a national, regional, or local law school. The differences according to which law schools are sorted into these three categories have become more pronounced over time, contributing to an increasingly stratified legal profession. The identity of the institution from which a graduate receives the J.D. degree may be the single most important factor in the graduate's career path. • The disjunction between the legal academy and the profession continues to grow, especially at the national law schools. • The steady expansion of online education poses a threat to the economic viability of local law schools and some regional law schools.
Growth Hormone Therapy for a Child With Severe Cognitive Impairment

The expansion of growth hormone therapy over the last 3 decades has allowed for treatment of short stature for more children, resulting in increased height for many. However, treatment of idiopathic short stature remains controversial. Treatment decisions for disabled children with idiopathic short stature are even more complicated. We discuss a specific case of short stature in a disabled child and grapple with the ethical issues involved in the use of growth hormone.
Nicotine pre-treatment reduces sensitivity to the interoceptive stimulus effects of commonly abused drugs as assessed with taste conditioning paradigms.

Abstract Background Drug pre-exposure attenuates sensitivity to the interoceptive stimulus properties of additional subsequently administered drugs in drug-induced conditioned taste avoidance (CTA) and conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigms. Specifically, nicotine, commonly used in conjunction with other addictive substances, attenuates acquisition of ethanol and caffeine CTAs and morphine-induced CPP. Methods Because nicotine use is comorbid with a number of substance use disorders, we systematically examined the effects of nicotine pre-exposure on two different conditioning paradigms involving integration of the interoceptive stimulus properties of multiple commonly abused drugs, in male and female rats, designed to examine both the aversive and reinforcing properties of these drugs. Results Nicotine dose-dependently interfered with acquisition of CTA to passively administered morphine, ethanol, and cocaine, but not lithium chloride, demonstrating that the effects of nicotine are not simply a matter of reduced orosensory processing or an inability to learn such associations. Moreover, nicotine-treated rats required higher doses of drug in order to develop CTA and did not show increased acceptance of the taste of self-administered ethanol compared with saline-treated rats. Conclusions These data demonstrate that nicotine pre-exposure attenuates sensitivity to the stimulus effects of multiple drugs in two conditioning paradigms, in a manner which is consistent with a reduced ability to integrate the interoceptive properties of abused drugs. Through reducing these stimulus properties of drugs of abuse, concomitant nicotine use may result in a need to increase either the frequency or strength of doses during drug-taking, thus likely contributing to enhanced addiction liability in smokers.
Is Attentional Filtering Impaired in Schizophrenia

Recent evidence suggests that schizophrenia involves hyperfocusing, an unusually narrow but intense focusing of processing resources. This appears to contradict the classic idea that schizophrenia involves an impairment in the ability to focus on relevant information and filter irrelevant information. Here, we review one set of studies suggesting that attentional filtering is impaired in people with schizophrenia and another set of studies suggesting that attentional filtering is unimpaired or even enhanced in these individuals. Considerable evidence supports both conclusions, and we propose 3 potential ways of reconciling the conflicting evidence. First, impaired attentional filtering may occur primarily during periods of active psychosis, with hyperfocusing being a part of the broad pattern of cognitive impairment that persists independent of the level of positive symptoms. Second, schizophrenia may involve hyperfocusing in the visual modality and impaired attentional filtering in the auditory modality. Third, attention may be directed toward irrelevant inputs as a result of impaired executive control, and hyperfocusing on those inputs may be functionally equivalent to a failure of attentional filtering. Given the widespread clinical observations and first-person reports of impaired attentional filtering in schizophrenia, it will be important for future research to test these possibilities.
Punctuated equilibrium or incrementalism in policymaking: What we can and cannot learn from the distribution of policy changes:

Theories in political science are most commonly tested through comparisons of means via difference tests or regression, but some theoretical frameworks offer implications regarding other distributi...
Optimizing internal referrals within an academic breast oncology practice.

48Background: Improving new patient access to medical oncology clinics is a priority. Unlike external referrals which undergo a review process, internal referrals (from any Mayo department or commu...
Grades, grade component weighting, and demographic disparities in introductory physics

Current grading practices may not be reflecting what we, as instructors, value; it is important to investigate different policies and practices.
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and the Microbiome-What Is the Best Strategy for Moving Microbiome-based Therapies for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders into the Clinic?

There have been numerous human studies reporting associations between the intestinal microbiome and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), and independently animal studies have explored microbiome-driven mechanisms underlying FGIDs. However, there is often a disconnect between human and animal studies, which hampers translation of microbiome findings to the clinic. Changes in the microbiota composition of patients with FGIDs are generally subtle, whereas changes in microbial function, reflected in the fecal metabolome, appear to be more precise indicators of disease subtype-specific mechanisms. Although we have made significant progress in characterizing the microbiome, to effectively translate microbiome science in a timely manner, we need concurrent and iterative longitudinal studies in humans and animals to determine the precise microbial functions that can be targeted to address specific pathophysiological processes in FGIDs. A systems approach integrating multiple data layers rather than evaluating individual data layers of symptoms, physiological changes, or -omics data in isolation will allow for validation of mechanistic insights from animal studies while also allowing new discovery. Patient stratification for clinical trials based on functional microbiome alterations and/or pathophysiological measurements may allow for more accurate determination of efficacy of individual microbiome-targeted interventions designed to correct an underlying abnormality. In this review, we outline current approaches and knowledge, and identify gaps, to provide a potential roadmap for accelerating translation of microbiome science toward microbiome-targeted personalized treatments for FGIDs.
Can Assessment of the Tongue on Brain MRI Aid Differentiation of Seizure from Alternative Causes of Transient Loss of Consciousness

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transient loss of consciousness is commonly evaluated in the emergency department. Although typically caused by epileptic seizure, syncope, or psychogenic nonepileptic seizure, the underlying etiology is frequently misdiagnosed. Lateral tongue bites are reportedly a specific clinical finding of seizure. We have observed tongue signal abnormality suggesting bite injury on brain MR imaging after seizures. We hypothesized an association between tongue signal abnormality and seizure diagnosis among patients in the emergency department imaged for transient loss of consciousness. Our purposes were to determine the prevalence of tongue signal abnormality among this population and the predictive performance for seizure diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this retrospective study including 82 brain MR imaging examinations, 2 readers independently assessed tongue signal abnormality on T2-weighted and T2-weighted FLAIR images. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus, and interrater reliability (Cohen κ) was calculated. The final diagnosis was recorded. Proportions were compared using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Tongue signal abnormality was present on 19/82 (23%) MR imaging examinations. Interrater reliability was “substantial” (κ = 0.77). Seizure was diagnosed among 18/19 (95%) patients with tongue signal abnormality and 29/63 (46%) patients without it (P CONCLUSIONS: Tongue signal abnormality was observed in 23% of the study cohort and conveyed 97% specificity and 95% positive predictive value for seizure diagnosis. By assessing and reporting tongue signal abnormality, radiologists may facilitate a timely and accurate diagnosis of seizure among patients imaged for transient loss of consciousness.
Associations of Current and Remitted Cannabis Use Disorder With Health-related Quality of Life and Employment Among US Adults.

BACKGROUND The associations of current and remitted cannabis use disorder (CUD) with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and employment have not been studied, and we aim to address these gaps. METHODS The 2012-2013 National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions III (NESARC III) surveyed a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized civilian US adults (≥18 years) (n = 36,309 unweighted). Using DSM-5 criteria, adults with current CUD were compared with those with CUD in remission and no history of CUD on standard measures of the mental and physical component scores of HRQOL and of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) along with employment in the past 12 months. Multivariable-adjusted regression analyses were used to adjust for and examine the role of covariates. RESULTS Overall, 2.5% of the study sample, representing 6.0 million adults nationwide, met criteria for current CUD, and 3.7%, representing 8.8 million adults, met the criteria for CUD in remission. Adults with current or past CUD had lower mental HRQOL and QALYs, as compared to adults who never had CUD. However, these differences were no longer significant when adjusted for behavioral co-morbidities and personal histories. Current CUD was associated with lower odds of being employed (Adjusted odds ratio AOR = 0.76; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.60-0.96), but CUD in remission with a greater likelihood of employment (Adjusted odds ratio = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.23-1.91), both as compared to those never experiencing CUD. CONCLUSIONS Both current CUD and past CUD are adversely associated with HRQOL and current CUD with not being employed; Since CUD associations are not independent of comorbidities, treatment must take a wide-ranging approach.
Phytoremediation potential of three terrestrial plant species for removal of atrazine, azoxystrobin, and imidacloprid.

Pesticides can move off-target resulting in contamination of sensitive water bodies and causing adverse effects on inhabiting species. Through best management practices, such as the implementation of vegetative buffer strips, off-target movement of pesticides can be decreased, and compound degradation can be increased via phytoremediation. In this study, blueflag iris (Iris versicolor), broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) were planted in soil treated with one of three commonly used pesticides. At 28, 56 and 112 days after treatment (DAT), plants were destructively harvested and analyzed for pesticide residue in soil and above-ground and below-ground vegetation using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Relative to the amount of pesticide found in planted pots compared to non-planted pots, I. versicolor was found to reduce greater atrazine in soil compared to non-planted pots at 112 DAT by 58.7%. I. versicolor was also the most capable of reducing azoxystrobin, by 86.9% compared to non-planted pots, from the soil at 112 DAT. At the same sampling time, I. versicolor and P. virgatum reduced greater imidacloprid from soil by 62.5% and 64.3% compared to non-planted pots, respectively. This information supports the recommendation for establishment of diverse plant species for optimization of phytoremediation capacities. Novelty statement While research has found that plants can absorb and remediate synthetic chemicals, this practice is only sustainable if used with native plants that require low maintenance and are tolerant to the applied substances. Various previous studies observe plants that are fast-growing, tolerant to environmental conditions, require low-maintenance, and are hardy. However, these plant species are not always suitable for any location and are often considered invasive and/or weed-like. The present research initiates a list of plant species which can be used within the southeastern United States and similar areas to phytoremediate commonly used pesticides atrazine, azoxystrobin, and imidacloprid and prevent off-target movement.
A Knowledge-Based System for Integrated Freeway and Arterial Incident Management and Control: Implementation and Validation Results

Abstract This paper describes the process and the results or the evaluation of Traffic Congestion Manager (TCM), a knowledge-based system for Traffic Management Center operator assistance in real-time congestion management The process of evaluation included the validation of the correctness of the underlying knowledge base and the assessment of the system’s performance, through the definition of several simulation-based scenarios. The results demonstrate the ability of the system to effectively reduce driver travel time and stop time in the network under congested conditions, through the implementation of real-time traveler information and signal control. The results also provide insights into some of the weaknesses of the TCM approach, that will be addressed to fine-tune its reasoning capabilities and improve its performance.
Optical properties of quantum wells driven by a terahertz electric field

Summary form only given. A dc electric field oriented in the growth direction of a quantum well (QW) changes the optical absorption and thus enables electrically driven optical modulators. Though the electroabsorption change is intrinsically very fast mechanism (since it does not involve change in carrier density), the device operation speed is ultimately limited by its electronic components. To increase the operation speed, the modulation by a terahertz (THz) electric field, such as provided by a free-electron laser or table-top sources, can be used. Such a THz field tuned at resonance with the intersubband transitions can induce large changes in the interband optical absorption. Moreover, the modulation by a THz field gives rise to optical emission at frequencies that differ from the frequency of the incident optical field by an integer number of the THz frequencies. This nonlinear optical/THz photon mixing has potential application in frequency shifting devices.Recently, we studied the optical properties of a THz driven QW resolving several subbands, both in the conduction and valence bands, using the polarization semiconductor Bloch equations in the low density limit.
Characterization of the helicase and primase activities of the 63-kDa component of the bacteriophage T7 gene 4 protein.

Leading and lagging strand DNA synthesis at the replication fork of bacteriophage T7 DNA requires the helicase and primase activities of the gene 4 protein. Gene 4 protein consists of two colinear polypeptides of 56- and 63-kDa molecular mass. We have demonstrated previously that the 56-kDa protein possesses helicase but lacks primase activity (Bernstein, J. A., and Richardson, C. C. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 85, 396–400). The 63-kDa gene 4 protein has now been purified from extracts of T7-infected cells. The preparation contains 5–10% contaminating 56-kDa protein, as shown by Western analysis using polyclonal antibodies to the purified 56-kDa protein. The 63-kDa protein catalyzes DNA-dependent dTTP hydrolysis and has helicase activity; both specific activities are similar to those determined for the 56-kDa protein. The 63-kDa protein efficiently synthesizes sequence-specific di-, tri-, and tetraribonucleotides and stimulates the elongation of tetraribonucleotides by T7 DNA polymerase. Although the 56-kDa protein alone lacks primase activity, it enhances the primase activity of the 63-kDa protein 4-fold. This stimulation can be accounted for by a similar increase in the amount of primers synthesized by the 63-kDa protein in the presence of the 56-kDa protein.
A comparative evaluation of intrauterine contraceptive devices

Abstract 1. Two years' experience with 2,906 insertions of seven different types of IUCD are reported from the Sloane Hospital for Women. 2. The incidence of side effects and expulsions was found to be unacceptably high with coil 5. 3. The incidence of pregnancies and technical difficulties was found to be unacceptably high with bow 3 and bow 5. 4. Evidence thus far available suggests that loop 2 is superior to the other IUCD's tested.
Apoptosis, Chemoresistance, and Breast Cancer: Insights From the MCF-7 Cell Model System:

The MCF-7 cell line was derived from a patient with metastatic breast cancer in 1970. Since then it has become a prominent model system for the study of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. With this model as a focus, this review summarizes important studies addressing tumor necrosis factor-alpha as a prototypical apoptosis-inducing cytokine in MCF-7 cells. Both survival and death receptor signaling pathways are discussed in terms of their role in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis as well as in chemoresistance. Novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of breast cancer are proposed utilizing knowledge of these signaling pathways as targets. Specifically, ceramide metabolism is proposed as a novel target for chemosensitivity, perhaps combined with selective inhibitors of Bcl-2 or PI3K/Akt/nuclear factor-kappaB. Suggested areas of future research include translational studies manipulating candidate survival and death signaling pathways.
Pharmacological comparison of R(+), S(−) and racemic secobarbital in mice

Abstract Pharmacological tests in mice demonstrated differences in potency between the stereoisomers of secobarbital. The S(−) antipode was a more potent anesthetic than either the R(+) antipode or the racemic mixture. The S(−) isomer was also the most toxic and the R(+) the least toxic. As anticonvulsants both compounds were equipotent against pentylenetetrazol- and strychnine-induced seizures but the S(−) isomer protected the animals for a longer time interval than the R(+) isomer. The results obtained have been discussed upon the basis of the steric configurations of the compounds.
Circle boundaries of planar graphs

Letg be an infinite, connected, planar graph with bounded vertex degree, which obeys a strong isoperimetric inequality and which can be embedded in the plane so that each cycle surrounds only finitely many vertices. We investigate a certain class of compactifications ofg; one of which has boundary homemorophic to a circle. We shall show that ifg is a tree or, more generally, ifg is hyperbolic, then this circle boundary supports an integral representation of any given bounded harmonic function. We further show that in the specific case of a triangulation of the plane, the graph is hyperbolic and therefore the Martin boundary is a circle.
Increasing Response Rates in Mailed Questionnaires: Reply

Commentators (Brooks et al.) argue that a response rate of 73% achieved via persistence is sufficient. They do not demonstrate this proposition in their specific example nor in the general case. They further argue that it was the homogenity of the Wisconsin population sampled and not the procedure itself which produced the high response rate. Yet, the evidence indicates the contrary. My note was addressed to the question of nonresponse in mail questionnaires. It assumes that sampling mortality due to nonresponse is a serious source of bias in survey research and every effort should be made to secure as high a percentage of returns as possible. My purpose in writing the note was twofold. I report on a method of reducing nonresponse other than persistence, which worked well and may also work for others. Drawing the conclusion that Brooks et al. seem to find in my report would require a control group absent in both the Wisconsin and Indiana study. Based on evidence in either study, any conclusion that either personalization or persistence is preferable is at best tenuous. I had hoped to highlight the problem of nonresponse and to motivate further interest and reports of research procedures which can reduce it. There is currently little literature in the journals familiar to agricultural economists on this problem. The commentators seemed to have missed the
THE STRUCTURE AND ENERGETICS OF HELIX FORMATION BY SHORT TEMPLATED PEPTIDES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION. 3. CALCULATION OF THE HELICAL PROPAGATION CONSTANT S FROM THE TEMPLATE STABILITY CONSTANTS T/C FOR AC-HEL1-ALAN-OH, N = 1-6

From t/c values measured at 25 °C for the series Ac-Hel1-An-OH, n = 1−6 in D2O the helical propagation constant (s value) for alanine in this templated peptide series is 1.03; the corresponding value in 10 mol % trifluoroethanol−D2O is 1.47. An iterative least squares analysis for calculating s values from t/c ratios is developed, errors implicit in its application are discussed, and the s value is related to the degree of helical fraying.
MeeboMe! For Embedded Chat Reference: Patron-Initiated Encounters Without Downloads or Accounts

Virtual reference using chat or instant messaging clients (IM) has become an expected service offering for libraries seeking to cater to today's Web 2.0 patrons. The use of chat aggregators to moni...
Modal gating of NMDA receptors and the shape of their synaptic response

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) channels mediate the slow component of excitatory potentials at glutamatergic synapses. They have complex kinetic behavior, and much remains to be understood about NMDAR gating mechanisms and the molecular events that shape the synaptic current. Here we show that an individual NMDAR produces at least three stable patterns of activity. For all modes, channels gate by the same mechanism and can occupy either of two open states. The relative stability of the open states differs across modes because of a common perturbation to the NMDAR structure that may be subject to cellular control. Simulations indicate that native NMDAR-mediated synaptic responses arise mainly from the most common mode, and that the slow rise and decay of the current can be attributed to multiple transitions between fully liganded open and closed states rather than to agonist dissociation.
Grooming down the hierarchy: allogrooming in captive brown capuchin monkeys,Cebus apella

Observations of captive female brown capuchin monkeys in five groups revealed that grooming is primarily the occupation of dominant females at both the individual and dyadic levels. When categorized according to rank class, alpha females were the only class to perform significantly more grooming than they received. These results are inconsistent with reports on vervets, baboons and macaques, and suggest that grooming in capuchin monkeys may have different functions from those reported for cercopithecine primates. A dyadic analysis revealed, however, that grooming occurred more often between closely ranked females, similar to what is seen in several Old World monkey species. Therefore, some aspects of grooming in capuchins are similar to that seen in Old World monkeys, but the way they distribute grooming is different, which may prompt a re-evaluation of current theories regarding the social function of allogrooming in non-human primates.
Scalability of Semi-implicit Time Integrators for Nonhydrostatic Galerkin-Based Atmospheric Models on Large Scale Clusters

We describe our ongoing effort to optimize a next-generation atmospheric model based on the continuous Galerkin, or spectral element, method: the Nonhydrostatic Unified Model of the Atmosphere (NUMA), which is targeted towards large cluster architectures. The linear solver within a distributed memory paradigm is critical for overall model efficiency. The goal of this work-in-progress is to investigate the scalability of the model for different solvers and determine a set of optimal solvers to be used for different situations. We will describe our novel approach and demonstrate its scalability on a variety of clusters of multicore node clusters. We also present performance statistics to explain the scalability behavior.
Elevated stricture rate following the use of fully covered self-expandable metal biliary stents for biliary leaks following liver transplantation.

Background Biliary leaks and strictures are common complications after liver transplantation and can be managed surgically or endoscopically. Endoscopic management using fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) might provide some advantages over the commonly used plastic stents in the management of bile leaks after liver transplantation. Methods Between December 2006 and January 2009, 17 liver transplant recipients underwent placement of a FCSEMS for treatment of biliary leaks. Results FCSEMS were deployed at median of 18 days (range: 6 - 160) after liver transplantation and left in place for a median of 102 days (range: 35 - 427), with a median follow-up after FCSEMS removal of 407 days (range: 27 - 972). Long-term leak control was obtained in all but one patient. Complications included 6 clinically significant biliary strictures (35 %), which were treated with repeat stent placement, and two clinically insignificant strictures (12 %) which required no intervention. Additionally, three patients (18 %) had biliary ulcerations after stent removal, confirmed by choledochoscopy, and were managed conservatively. Two patients required repeat liver transplantation due to hepatic artery thrombosis, and one patient died from sepsis unrelated to FCSEMS stenting. Conclusions FCSEMS treat biliary leaks effectively, but carry a relatively high stricture risk in patients who have received liver transplants. FCSEMS cannot be recommended for management of biliary leaks following liver transplantation at this point.
In situ electrochemical stress measurements examining the oxygen evolution reaction in basic electrolytes.

In situ electrochemical stress measurements are used to interrogate changes in oxide structure before and during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) from Ir, Ni, Co, Au, and Pt electrodes in alkaline electrolyte. Stress evolution during potential cycling reports on changes in oxidation state and oxide forms. Hysteresis observed in the potential-dependent stress from Ir, Au, and Pt electrodes is associated with chemical irreversibility in electrode composition and roughness. Alternatively, Ni and Co exhibit reversible conversion between hydroxide and oxyhydroxide forms during cycling. From the experimentally determined stress, charge passed during electrode oxidation, and Young’s modulus, the change in strain exhibited by Ni and Co electrodes during hydroxide-oxyhydroxide conversion is calculated to be 7.0% and 8.4%, respectively. We also show that the magnitude of change in stress is proportional to the amount of material that is further oxidized.
Sex-Related Differences in Somatic Stored Energy Reserves of Pseudacris crucifer and Pseudacris triseriata during the Early Breeding Season

Abstract We examined how differences in the allocation of resources influence prebreeding somatic stored energy reserves (fat and glycogen) in males and females of the hylid frogs Pseudacris crucifer and Pseudacris triseriata. Males had shorter snout–vent lengths than did females but similar wet and dry carcass masses. Nonpolar lipid and glycogen contents of the carcass increased with carcass mass in males but not in females. Similarly, triglyceride and glycogen contents of the liver increased more acutely with increasing liver mass in males than in females. Ovarian mass in gravid females correlated with body size and in P. crucifer the gonadal-somatic index increased with increasing body size, indicating a greater than proportional increase in ovary mass with increasing body size. These findings suggest that, during the pre-reproductive period, larger males allocate more energy toward preparation for courtship activity than do smaller males, whereas larger females may allocate more energy toward producti...
The Effect of the Y-Set on Catheter Infection Rates in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

We hypothesized that catheter infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients may be reduced with a disconnect system. We examined this theory in 116 CAPD patients over a 2-year period. In CAPD patients who switched to the Y-set (n = 22), the catheter infection rate decreased from one per 13 patient-months to one per 26 patient-months (P = 0.05), whereas the catheter infection rate in matched controls (n = 22) remained unchanged. Patients who began CAPD using the Y-set (n = 36) had catheter infection rates of one per 14 patient-months versus one per 8 patient-months in matched controls (n = 36, P = 0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common cause of catheter infections in both groups of patients. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa replaced Staphylococcus epidermidis as the second most common cause of catheter infections in the patients using the Y-set. The number of catheters that had to be removed due to catheter infections, mainly those due to S aureus or P aeruginosa, was the same in the Y-set and control groups. We conclude that the Y-set system is associated with reduced numbers of catheter infections, but that catheter loss from catheter infections remains a serious problem.
Localization and diffusion in quasi-2D helium and hydrogen systems with corrugated boundaries

Abstract Localization length and diffusion coefficient are calculated for quantized quasi-2D low-temperature systems with randomly corrugated boundaries or substrates. Applications include electrons on helium or hydrogen surfaces, quasiparticles in capillaries and ultrathin films, surface states, ultracold neutrons in gravitational traps, etc.
Who Benefits from Portal Vein Embolization Prior to Major Hepatectomy for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is used to increase the volume and function of the liver that will remain after major hepatectomy (the future liver remnant, or FLR). This report summarizes evidence supporting the use of PVE in patients with colorectal liver metastases. The safe limits of resection define the indications for PVE based on underlying liver disease—the limit in patients with normal liver is 20% of the standardized total liver volume (TLV); with diseased liver, 30% of TLV; with compensated cirrhosis, 40% of TLV. PVE can convert an inadequate FLR to an FLR sufficient to ensure safe surgery, and the degree of FLR hypertrophy after PVE predicts post-resection liver function. PVE can be safely combined with chemotherapy, including biologic agents, without significant compromise to its efficacy.
Development of the Caltrans deterministic fault and earthquake hazard map of California

Caltrans has developed a deterministic fault and earthquake hazard map for California for use in engineering. The deterministic method avoids the problem of long recurrence in the probabilistic approach. Relating earthquake recurrence or probability to the design/economic/useful lifetime of a structure is not always a sound approach for safety considerations because earthquake cycles are largely unknown and lifetimes are conceptual and not fixed. Experience in California shows that the recurrence and temporal sequence of earthquakes are not related. The deterministic approach avoids these problems.
Repeat motions and backbone flexibility in designed proteins with different numbers of identical consensus tetratricopeptide repeats.

The tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) is a 34-residue helix-turn-helix motif that occurs as three or more tandem repeats in a wide variety of proteins. We have determined the repeat motions and backbone fluctuations of proteins containing two or three consensus TPR repeats (CTPR2 and CPTR3, respectively) using 15N NMR relaxation measurements. Rotational diffusion tensors calculated from these data for each repeat within each TPR protein indicate that there is a high degree of motional correlation between different repeats in the same protein. This is consistent with the prevailing view that repeat proteins, such as CTPR2 and CTPR3, behave as single cooperatively folded domains. The internal motions of backbone NH groups were determined using the Lipari−Szabo model-free formalism. For most residues, there was a clear separation between the influence of internal motion and the influence of global rotational tumbling on the observed magnetic relaxation. The local internal motions are highly restricted in most o...