cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proposal solicitation and selection for the 21st century

Writing, reviewing, and selecting the proposals which are to define the science program of any state-of-the-art observatory/space mission are all tasks which have grown in complexity, and as a consequence large amounts of time and effort are currently being invested in this process by proposers as well as reviewers. Viewed from the opposite vantage point, the currently used solicitation and selection process is a significant operational expense: mailing paper copies of proposals and gathering reviewers for panel meetings and a 'time allocation committee' involves a large amount of logistical support and time by the observatory staff. Finally, the batching of proposals into yearly cycles increases the time form concept of a scientific idea to receipt of actual data which decreases the ability to respond to new scientific developments and also increases the general operational overhead of handling a large batch of observations. In this paper we explore two experimental steps towards an optimal proposal selection process: streamlining the current process via 'paperless' and 'groupware' technologies, and use of a 'steady state' process which accepts submission of the reviews proposals continuously. The pros and cons of each approach are examined and we demonstrate that not only are the enabling technologies available, but when resources are considered in a global manner we can identify both major improvements to the current process and significant reductions in the expenditure of resources.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Grundlagen der Tumorschmerztherapie

Das zentrale Problem nahezu jeder fortgeschrittenen Tumorerkrankung ist der Schmerz. Ca. 40% der Karzinompatienten leiden darunter. In der terminalen Phase der Erkrankungen sind es bereits bis zu 80%. Angesichts dieser Zahlen wird deutlich, welche Bedeutung einer adaquaten Schmerztherapie zukommt.
BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF CLASS I AND CLASS II MHC ANTIGENS IN CYNOMOLGUS MACAQUES BY ONE-DIMENSIONAL ISOELECTRIC FOCUSING

: To obtain a better estimate of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism in the Old World macaque, Macaca fascicularis, class I and class II MHC proteins from 42 animals were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and one-dimensional isoelectric focusing (1D-IEF). The panel represented both related and unrelated animals with a total of at least 30 serologically distinct haplotypes. Cells were sequentially immunoprecipitated with monoclonal antibody (mAb) W6/32 for class I and with mAb L243 for class II molecules, followed by neuraminidase treatment. Both sets of immunoprecipitates yielded 5-7 major bands on IEF. All bands present in offspring were present in at least 1 parent. Siblings which were serologically identical for class I and which were non-stimulatory in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) yielded identical IEF patterns for both class I and class II; in other sibling pairs which were serologically identical for class I antigens (Ag), IEF produced convincing evidence that the siblings were indeed nonidentical, or helped to verify that recombination had occurred within the MHC. Specific bands were found which correlated with class I specificities A8, A24, and B25 previously defined by serology. Comparison of serological and biochemical data will broaden our understanding of the MHC in Macaca fascicularis and will increase the potential use of this species in transplantation research, as a model of disease, and for comparative studies.
Nonspecific phospholipase C of Listeria monocytogenes: activity on phospholipids in Triton X-100-mixed micelles and in biological membranes.

Listeria monocytogenes secretes a phospholipase C (PLC) which has 39% amino acid sequence identity with the broad-specificity PLC from Bacillus cereus. Recent work indicates that the L. monocytogenes enzyme plays a role during infections of mammalian cells (J.-A. Vazquez-Boland, C. Kocks, S. Dramsi, H. Ohayon, C. Geoffroy, J. Mengaud, and P. Cossart, Infect. Immun. 60:219-230, 1992). The homogeneous enzyme has a specific activity of 230 mumol/min/mg when phosphatidylcholine (PC) is dispersed in sodium deoxycholate. With phospholipid-Triton X-100 mixed micelles, the enzyme had a broad pH optimum between 5.5 and 8.0, and the rates of lipid hydrolysis were in the following order: PC > phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) > phosphatidylserine > sphingomyelin >> phosphatidylinositol (PI). Activity on PC was stimulated 35% by 0.5 M NaCl and 60% by 0.05 mM ZnSO4. When Escherichia coli phospholipids were dispersed in Triton X-100, PE and phosphatidylglycerol, but not cardiolipin, were hydrolyzed. The enzyme was active on all phospholipids of vesiculated human erythrocytes including PI, which was rapidly hydrolyzed at pH 7.0. PI was also hydrolyzed in PI-PC-cholesterol liposomes by the nonspecific PLC from L. monocytogenes and by the homologous enzyme from B. cereus. The water-soluble hydrolysis product was identified as inositol-1-phosphate. For the hydrolysis of human erythrocyte ghost phospholipids, a broad pH optimum was also observed. 32P-labelled Clostridium butyricum protoplasts, which are rich in ether lipids, were treated with PLC. The enzyme hydrolyzed the plasmalogen form of PE, its glycerol acetal, and cardiolipin, in addition to PE. I-, Cl- and F- stimulated activity on either PC- Triton X-100 mixed micelles or human erythrocyte ghosts, unlike the enzyme from B. cereus which is strongly inhibited by halides. Tris-HCl, phosphate, and calcium nitrate had similar inhibitory effects on the enzyme on the enzymes from L. monocytogenes and B. cereus. Images
Bridging the care continuum: patient information needs for specialist referrals.

Background Information transfer is critical in the primary care to specialist referral process and has been examined extensively in the US and other countries, yet there has been little attention to the patient's perspective of the information transfer process. This cross-sectional study examined the quality of the information received by patients with a chronic condition from the referring and specialist physician in the specialist referral process and the relationship of the quality of information received to trust in the physicians.
Effect of insect density, plant age, and residue duration on acetamiprid efficacy against Swede midge.

The Swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii Kieffer (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a common insect pest in Europe, is a newly invasive pest in North America that constitutes a major threat to crucifer vegetable and field crops. Chemical control of Swede midge with synthetic insecticides under laboratory conditions indicated that insecticides generally could provide very effective control; however, insecticide treatments in the field were rarely able to maintain damage levels within marketable limits. In the current study, factors affecting insecticide efficacy were investigated using a neonicotinoid insecticide, acetamipird, as a foliar spray on cauliflower plants. Our results indicated that Swede midge density did not affect the efficacy of acetamirpid, although it significantly increased the subsequent Swede midge population on the unsprayed cauliflower plants. Additionally, cauliflower plant age did not significantly affect spray coverage and acetamipird efficacy on Swede midge. However, acetamiprid only provided 6-d control of Swede midge and its efficacy was reduced by up to 50% 9 d after spraying. Implications of our results on the development of an overall integrated pest management (IPM) program for Swede midge also are discussed.
MORTALITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER TOTAL ABDOMINAL COLECTOMY

• We have reviewed the results of 107 consecutive total abdominal colectomies performed at our institutions during the past 10 years. Indications for surgery were carcinoma of the colon (60), multiple polyps (nine), diverticular disease (31), and other conditions (seven). Seven (6.5%) were emergency operations. All patients had anastomosis of the terminal ileum into the lower rectum or distal sigmoid colon no more than 25 cm above the anus. Thirty days after surgery, two patients (1.8%) had died of complications of anastomotic leaks. Both were poor candidates for primary reanastomosis. Morbidity was low, occurring in 11 patients (10.3%). Follow-up evaluation of bowel function revealed satisfactory results in 102 patients (95%). Five patients (5%) had experienced chronic debilitating diarrhea. Unfavorable results were more common with diverticular disease than with neoplasia. ( Arch Surg . 1990;125:1564-1566)
Cortical contributions to the stretch reflex response in biceps brachii

Long-latency components of the stretch reflex may aid in organizing multi-joint movements and posture. The aims of this study were to investigate if the M2 response in biceps brachii is mediated through a trans-cortical pathway. Ipsi-lateral and contra-lateral transcranial magnetic stimulation, combined with a variety of ramp-and-hold perturbations in which the subject was instructed to either intervene or not resist were applied to biceps brachii. The biceps M2 response modulates with task and can be facilitated through contra-lateral TMS. This is consistent with the existence of a trans-cortical pathway. Attempts to inhibit this pathway, possibly affecting the long-latency stretch reflex have not yet produced consistent results.
A new challenge for time-dependent density functional theory

Abstract The quantum defect is an excellent tool to study errors in excitation energies obtained with ab initio methods. We perform a quantum defect analysis of the s, p, and d Rydberg states of Be with accurate ground state Kohn–Sham potentials. The s- and p-quantum defects are well described by the ALDA, but it fails badly for the d-quantum defect. This failure is not clear from the excitation energies alone and it provides a new challenge for functional development in time-dependent density functional theory.
Simulation of Surface-Potential Driven ORR Kinetics on SOFC Cathode with Parallel Reaction Pathways

In this research, the polarization behavior and kinetic pathways of an SOFC cathode have been investigated with a 1-D continuum model incorporating material physical properties and surface potential effects into a multi-step ORR kinetic formalism. It is found that (1) Two different types of 3PB-to-2PB pathway transitions can be identified. A strong 2PB pathway contribution leads to an explicit transition, while an implicit transition implies more favorable 3PB kinetics. The predicted kinetic trends qualitatively agree with literature results on single-phase LSM cathodes in different configurations and operation conditions; (2) The explanation for the different transition modes concerns the fact that the mass transport limitation of the 3PB path is more easily reached (at lower overpotential) when incorporation kinetics are favored by the material properties; and (3) The surface potential is found to strongly control the oxygen adsorption by introducing a rate-limit for cathodes with lower oxygen coverage, and can drive the incorporation faster under 3PB-favorable states. © 2014 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.104403jes] All rights reserved.
Application of multiwavelet to the edge element method

A new approach of using multiwavelets in the edge element method for electromagnetic-wave problems is presented. In this approach, the multiscalets are employed as the basis functions. Because of the smoothness, completeness, compact support, and interpolation property of the multiscalets in terms of the basis function and its derivatives, fast convergence in approximating a function is achieved. The new basis functions are ∈ C1; that is, the first derivatives of the bases are continuous on the connecting nodes. Thus the divergence-free condition is satisfied at the end points. The multiscalets, along with their derivatives, are orthonormal in the discrete sampling nodes. Therefore no coupled system of equations in terms of the function and its derivative is involved, resulting in a simple and efficient algorithm. Numerical results demonstrate high efficiency and accuracy of the new method. For a partially loaded waveguide problem, a factor of 16 in memory reduction and 435 in CPU speedup over the linear edge element method has been achieved. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 96–100, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10384
Structural effect of the anticancer agent 6-thioguanine on duplex DNA

The incorporation of 6-thioguanine (S6G) into DNA is an essential step in the cytotoxic activity of thiopurines. However, the structural effects of this substitution on duplex DNA have not been fully characterized. Here, we present the solution structures of DNA duplexes containing S6G opposite thymine (S6G.T) and opposite cytosine (S6G.C), solved by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics. The data indicate that both duplexes adopt right-handed helical conformations with all Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding in place. The S6G.T structures exhibit a wobble-type base pairing at the lesion site, with thymine shifted toward the major groove and S6G displaced toward the minor groove. Aside from the lesion site, the helices, including the flanking base pairs, are not highly perturbed by the presence of the lesion. Surprisingly, thermal dependence experiments suggest greater stability in the S6G-T mismatch than the S6G-C base pair.
Regional trends in nitrate content of Texas groundwater.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compile, map, and evaluate regional patterns of nitrate occurrence in Texas groundwater. County-median nitrate levels were calculated from 7793 wells in a Texas Water Development Board database. A geographic information system was used to map and evaluate the data. Nitrate concentrations were substantially higher in the western half of the state. There were nine counties, all located in north-central and west-central Texas, in which more than 50% of the observations exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 44.27 mg/l (10 mg/l NO3–N). In one north-central Texas county, 77% of the observations surpassed the MCL. The highest nitrate concentrations were found in the Seymour Aquifer, which had a median value of 59.9 mg/l. This aquifer also has a substantially lower median well depth than the other eight aquifers, which likely contributes to the high nitrate values. In six of nine aquifers, there was a statistically significant, inverse association between nitrate concentration and well depth, suggesting a land-surface origin for the contamination. Agriculture is a predominant land use in the study area—soil organic nitrogen and fertilizers are probable sources of nitrate throughout west Texas. Denitrification in the wetter, more densely vegetated southeastern part of the state may account for low nitrate levels observed in that region.
The nature of the research-induced supply shift

Differences among firms in a competitive industry can affect the shape of the industry supply curve. It is necessary to know how both production costs and rents are affected by research. Industry response to research will be different depending upon whether entry occurs. If the effect of entry is ignored, then the price decline from research will be overstated. Industry marginal returns can be positive with purely yield-increasing research, even when industry demand is inelastic. Standard formulas for calculating producer surplus based on linear industry supply and demand curves are strictly valid only if the analysis is restricted to short-run equilibrium behaviour.
Fuzzy techniques for multiple criteria decision making in GIS

Spatial decision making is a fundamental function of contemporary geographic information systems (GIS). One of the most fertile GIS development areas is integrating multiple criteria decision models (MCDM) into GIS querying mechanisms. The classic approach for this integration has been to use Boolean techniques of MCDM with crisp representations of spatial objects (features) to produce static maps as query answers. This paper examines a prototype system, FOOSBALL which addresses many of the inherent weaknesses of these systems by implementing: 1) fuzzy set membership as a method for representing the performance of decision alternatives on evaluation criteria; 2) fuzzy methods for both criteria weighting and capturing geographic preferences; and 3) a fuzzy object oriented spatial database for feature storage. This makes it possible to both store and visually represent query results more precisely. The end result of all of these enhancements is to provide spatial decision makers with more information so that their decisions will be more informed, and thus, more correct.
Editorial: Scholarly Publishing

This PDF file contains the editorial “Editorial: Scholarly Publishing” for OE Vol. 33 Issue 05
Location of antigenic epitopes on antibody molecules

Abstract Using X-ray crystallographic co-ordinates of immunoglobulins, surface regions accessible to a large spherical probe, comparable in size to an antibody domain, were computed. Locations of these exposed regions were compared with those of experimentally determined antigenic sites, i.e. idiotypic, allotypic and isotypic serological markers. In all cases, an excellent agreement was found. The most prominent computed epitopes correspond to convex parts of antibody surface made by reverse turn segments of the polypeptide chain. The computed epitopes occur in homologous positions in all the immunoglobulin domains, and most of the β-sheet surfaces on the domains are poorly antigenic. The CH2 domain (Fc fragment) has many more antigenic sites than the Fab fragments (antigen-binding fragments). Variable domain epitopes (idiotypes) involve both hypervariable and framework residues, and only about 25% of the hypervariable residues are strongly antigenic. The results indicate that, in a vertebrate body, each antibody molecule may be recognized, and its concentration regulated, by at least 40 complementary antiimmunoglobulin antibodies; therefore, a possibility of an “immune network” with much higher connectivity than is generally assumed should be seriously contemplated.
WLC20-3: Channel Capacity and Fairness of SNR-Ranking-Based Parallel Multiuser Scheduling

We study the channel capacity and fairness performance of a generalized selection multiuser scheduling (GSMuS) scheme which ranks a total of L users awaiting transmission by their absolute or normalized signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and selects the Nc number of users for channel access. Compared to the selective multiuser scheduling (SMuS) scheme which chooses a single user with the largest SNR for channel access, the proposed GSMuS achieves both higher capacity and improved fairness.
Variable solar irradiance as a plausible agent for multidecadal variations in the Arctic-wide surface air temperature record of the past 130 years

[1] This letter offers new evidence motivating a more serious consideration of the potential Arctic temperature responses as a consequence of the decadal, multidecadal and longer-term persistent forcing by the ever-changing solar irradiance both in terms of total solar irradiance (TSI, i.e., integrated over all wavelengths) and the related UV irradiance. The support for such a solar modulator can be minimally derived from the large (>75%) explained variance for the decadally-smoothed Arctic surface air temperatures (SATs) by TSI and from the time-frequency structures of the TSI and Arctic SAT variability as examined by wavelet analyses. The reconstructed Arctic SAT time series based on the inverse wavelet transform, which includes decadal (5–15 years) and multidecadal (40–80 years) variations and a longer-term trend, contains nonstationary but persistent features that are highly correlated with the Sun's intrinsic magnetic variability especially on multidecadal time scales.
Proposal strategies for joint state-space tracking with particle filters

A proposal function determines the random particle support of a particle filter. When this support is distributed close to the true target density, the filter's estimation performance increases for a given number of particles. A proposal strategy for joint state-space tracking using particle filters is given. The state-spaces are assumed Markovian and not-exact; however, each state-space is assumed to describe the underlying phenomenon sufficiently. Joint tracking is achieved by carefully placing the random support of the joint filter to where the final posterior is likely to lie. Computer simulations demonstrate the improved performance and robustness of the joint state-space through the proposed strategy.
Enhanced methanol oxidation and CO tolerance using CeO2-added eggshell membrane-templated Pd network electrocatalyst

Macroporous Pd and CeO2-added Pd network catalysts have been synthesized using eggshell membrane (ESM) as a template for enhanced methanol oxidation and CO tolerance. The microstructural characterization revealed a hierarchically ordered macroporous network of Pd reproducing the fibrous structure of ESM for a Pd-only catalyst, and a flower-like CeO2-decorated Pd morphological architecture for the CeO2-added Pd catalyst synthesized by a precipitation method. XRD patterns indicated Pd and CeO2 phases with good crystallinity. The cyclic voltammetry studies showed an enhanced electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation in acidic aqueous medium. Because of the preferential formation of Ce–CO bonds over Pd–CO bonds, the incorporation of CeO2 into Pd-based catalysts results in an increased CO tolerance, making it a robust catalyst for methanol oxidation in direct methanol fuel cells.
The response of an intertidal bivalve heart to hypo-osmotic and ionic stress at high pressure☆

Abstract 1. 1. Recovery of beating in ventricles of the bivalves Modiolus demissus demissus (Mdd) and Modiolus demissus granosissimus (Mdg), arrested by hypoosmotic seawater, is accelerated by 340 atm. 2. 2. Pressure does not accelerate recovery of rhythmicity by accelerating the volume regulatory amino acid efflux. 3. 3. Pressure greater than 200 atm accelerates onset of quiescence in Mdd exposed to Ca-Mg-free artificial seawater. 4. 4. Tachycardia, induced by divalent ion-free seawater at 1 atm, is suppressed by 340 atm.
Using the exception from informed consent regulations in research

This article reflects the proceedings of a breakout session, "Using the Regulations in Research" at the 2005 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference, "Ethical Conduct of Resuscitation Research." There have been two organized studies, and a number of anecdotal reports, describing the decline in cardiac arrest resuscitation research in the United States since the implementation of the Final Rule. Paradis and colleagues found that the volume of human cardiac arrest research published in the United States was significantly less in a four-year period after the Final Rule was adopted as compared to the earlier period. Nichol and colleagues reported that both the absolute number of US-based randomized cardiac arrest trials and the proportion of US-based trials (vs. foreign trials, based on the mailing address of the first author) decreased by about 15% annually. Despite the concern about a negative impact, there are at least five published trials, one in progress and one in planning that have been or are being conducted under the regulations. Those completed include the Diaspirin Cross-Linked Hemoglobin, Public Access Defibrillation, Multicenter Vest CPR, Brain-CPR, and Pre-Hospital Treatment of Status Epilepticus trials. Reports of how investigators met the regulations and their experience in doing so are reviewed. A summary table of the federal regulations is provided. Participants discussed what additional information and research about using the regulations would be helpful for the promotion of quality resuscitation and emergency care research in the United States. Areas suggested for further investigation include: impact on the quality as well as quantity of such research; current level of understanding of the regulations by investigators, regulatory/IRB personnel and potential subjects (the general public); costs incurred: additional time required for preparation, approval and conducting community consultation and public disclosure; impact on research on non-life-threatening conditions; value and cost of a registry; use of a standard reporting template for issues regarding meeting the requirements in individual clinical trials; whether more specific guidance would be helpful or restrictive; what constitutes effective community consultation and public disclosure; and whether titration of community consultation and public disclosure based on the risk of the proposed intervention to subjects is feasible and acceptable.
Feedback control resource management using a posteriori workload characterizations

Certain real-time applications must operate in highly dynamic environments, thereby precluding accurate characterization of the applications' workloads by static models. Thus, guarantees of real-time performance based on a priori characterizations are not possible. However, potential benefits of a posteriori approaches are significant, including the ability to function correctly in dynamic environments (through adaptability to unforeseen conditions), and higher actual utilization of computing resources. In this paper, we consider a control theoretic framework that is appropriate for systems which experience large variations in workload. The goal is to manage a distributed collection of computing resources by continuously computing and assessing QoS and resource utilization metrics that are determined a posteriori. Potential benefits of developing a control theoretic framework for resource management include: reuse of the large body of results in control theory, focus on problem characteristics instead of control infrastructures, and stability analysis.
Comparison of Nutrition Standards and Other Recommended Procurement Practices for Improving Institutional Food Offerings in Los Angeles County, 2010–2012

National, state, and local institutions that procure, distribute, sell, and/or serve food to employees, students, and the public are increasingly capitalizing on existing operational infrastructures to create healthier food environments. Integration of healthy nutrition standards and other recommended practices [e.g., energy (kilocalories) postings at point-of-purchase, portion size restrictions, product placement guidelines, and signage] into new or renewing food service and vending contracts codifies an institution’s commitment to increasing the availability of healthful food options in their food service venues and vending machines. These procurement requirements, in turn, have the potential to positively influence consumers’ food-purchasing behaviors. Although these strategies are becoming increasingly popular, much remains unknown about their context, the processes required to implement them effectively, and the factors that facilitate their sustainability, especially in such broad and diverse settings as schools, county government facilities, and cities. To contribute to this gap in information, we reviewed and compared nutrition standards and other best practices implemented recently in a large school district, in a large county government, and across 10 municipalities in Los Angeles County. We report lessons learned from these efforts.
Are input prices irrelevant for make-or-buy decisions?

The 1996 Telecommunications Act requires incumbent providers to lease network inputs to rivals at cost-based prices in order to jump-start competition. Sappington (Sappington, D. (2005). American Economic Review, 95(5), 1631–1638) uses the Hotelling model to show that input prices are irrelevant for an entrant’s decision to make or buy an input required for downstream production. We show that this result depends upon the particular model of competition employed. Specifically, input prices are not necessarily irrelevant in the Bertrand vertical differentiation model and are not irrelevant in the Cournot model. It follows that departures from cost-based input prices may distort entrants’ make-or-buy decisions in settings of practical interest.
What is the Emerging Domestic Market

In the early 1980’s, Antoine W. van Agtmael of the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank coined the term “emerging market” to describe nations with low-to-middle per capita incomes and that are instituting economic development and reform programs that allow them to “emerge” into the arena of global economic competitiveness. Since that time, the phrase has gained popularity and has been used to describe nations and even regions within and across nations. Scholarly and practical interest in understanding the factors that lead to rapid growth in these markets has proliferated, and investment activity has increased accordingly. One key element of nearly all usage is the notion of rapid economic transition and burgeoning investment opportunity in formerly overlooked areas.
Cost-Effective Optical Millimeter Technologies and Field Demonstrations for Very High Throughput Wireless-Over-Fiber Access Systems

The broadband penetration and continuing growth of Internet traffic among residential and business customers are driving the migration of today's end user's network access from cable to optical fiber and superbroadband wireless systems The integration of optical and wireless systems operating at much higher carrier frequencies in the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) range is considered to be one of the most promising solutions for increasing the existing capacity and mobility, as well as decreasing the costs in next-generation optical access networks. In this paper, several key enabling technologies for very high throughput wireless-over-fiber networks are reviewed, including photonic mm-wave generation based on external modulation or nonlinear effects, spectrum-efficient multicarrier orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing and single-carrier multilevel signal modulation. We also demonstrated some applications in wireless-over-fiber trials using these enabling techniques. The results show that the integrated systems are practical solutions to offer very high throughput wireless to end users in optically enabled wireless access networks.
The Power and Utility Of Morphological Characters In Systematics: A Fully Resolved Phylogeny of Xenosaurus and Its Fossil Relatives (Squamata: Anguimorpha)

Abstract Xenosaurus is an enigmatic clade of Mexican and Central American lizards distinguished by knob-like scalation and flattening of the head and body associated with living in cracks within cliff faces. The position of Xenosaurus within the larger clade Anguimorpha is difficult to determine owing to a combination of primitive features and a unique, highly modified anatomy that obscures useful characters. Evidently, the phylogenetic stem of Xenosaurus represents a long independent history of evolution. Fortunately, several fossil taxa exist that can elucidate this history. These taxa include the extinct Exostinus lancensis (Cretaceous), Exostinus serratus (Oligocene), and Restes rugosus (Paleocene), the latter two known from substantial, cranial material (Bhullar, 2007; 2010). Using osteological and alcohol-preserved specimens, fossils, and high-resolution x-ray CT scans thereof, I attempted to reconstruct the relationships of the three fossil taxa and the six extant species of Xenosaurus that are ava...
Review of the Impacts of Distributed Generation on Distribution Protection

Distribution protection practices have undergone many changes in recent years due to higher penetration of distributed generation (DG) and advanced control systems on distribution systems. To help utilities prepare to meet these evolving challenges it is very useful to learn from the practices and experiences of others in the industry. Accordingly, EPRI has conducted a review of participating utilities to gather information on distribution protection practices. The ultimate goal of this review was to learn about existing protection practices and determine what lessons have been learned from experiences with protection of distribution systems with DG.
New string vacua from twistor spaces

We find a new family of AdS{sub 4} vacua in IIA string theory. The internal space is topologically either the complex projective space CP{sup 3} or the ''flag manifold'' SU(3)/(U(1)xU(1)), but the metric is in general neither Einstein nor Kaehler. All known moduli are stabilized by fluxes, without using quantum effects or orientifold planes. The analysis is completely ten-dimensional and does not rely on assumptions about Kaluza-Klein reduction.
HyperNEAT-GGP: a hyperNEAT-based atari general game player

This paper considers the challenge of enabling agents to learn with as little domain-specific knowledge as possible. The main contribution is HyperNEAT-GGP, a HyperNEAT-based General Game Playing approach to Atari games. By leveraging the geometric regularities present in the Atari game screen, HyperNEAT effectively evolves policies for playing two different Atari games, Asterix and Freeway. Results show that HyperNEAT-GGP outperforms existing benchmarks on these games. HyperNEAT-GGP represents a step towards the ambitious goal of creating an agent capable of learning and seamlessly transitioning between many different tasks.
A proline-rich sequence unique to MEK1 and MEK2 is required for raf binding and regulates MEK function.

Mammalian MEK1 and MEK2 contain a proline-rich (PR) sequence that is absent both from the yeast homologs Ste7 and Byr1 and from a recently cloned activator of the JNK/stress-activated protein kinases, SEK1/MKK4. Since this PR sequence occurs in MEKs that are regulated by Raf family enzymes but is missing from MEKs and SEKs activated independently of Raf, we sought to investigate the role of this sequence in MEK1 and MEK2 regulation and function. Deletion of the PR sequence from MEK1 blocked the ability of MEK1 to associate with members of the Raf family and markedly attenuated activation of the protein in vivo following growth factor stimulation. In addition, this sequence was necessary for efficient activation of MEK1 in vitro by B-Raf but dispensable for activation by a novel MEK1 activator which we have previously detected in fractionatedfibroblast extracts. Furthermore, we found that a phosphorylation site within the PR sequence of MEK1 was required for sustained MEK1 activity in response to serum stimulation of quiescentfibroblasts. Consistent with this observation, we observed that MEK2, which lacks a phosphorylation site at the corresponding position, was activated only transiently following serum stimulation. Finally, we found that deletion of the PR sequence from a constitutively activated MEK1 mutant rendered the protein nontransforming in Rat1fibroblasts. These observations indicate a critical role for the PR sequence in directing specific proteinprotein interactions important for the activation, inactivation, and downstream functioning of the MEKs. The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases or extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), a family of conserved serine/threonine kinases, are implicated in the control of cell growth and division and cell differentiation (8, 12, 13, 66). MAP kinases are dependent on tyrosine and threonine phosphorylation for activity (3, 56), reactions that are catalyzed by a family of dual-specificity kinases called MAP kinase kinases or MEKs (MAP kinase or ERK kinases). MEKs are regulated by reversible serine/threonine phosphorylation (24), and a numberofkinasesthatcanfunctionasMEKactivatorsinvitro have been described. These include MEK kinases, isolated by virtue of their homology to the yeast proteins Ste11 and Byr2 (41),c-Mos(57),andanumberofunidentifiedMEKactivators
Controlling a Jail Population by Partially Closing the Front Door An Evaluation of a “Summons in Lieu of Arrest” Policy

This study reports on an evaluation of a strategy designed to reduce crowding of a county jail. The local judiciary sought to reduce the jail population by ordering local police agencies to issue a summons rather than arrest individuals accused of seven misdemeanor offenses. The study compares all cases booked during the first 8 months of the policy with all cases booked during the same months in the previous year. The results indicate that the policy was implemented, that it did reduce the intake population, and that there were minimal side effects; however, the potential impact was considerably overestimated in the planning stage.
SEDATIVES, ANALGESICS, ANTIDOTES, AND THEIR INTERACTION: A REVIEW.

Dans ce travail, j’ai tâche de faire la lumiere sur un bon nombre de nouveaux medicaments, dont plusieurs ont ete mis a ľessai en anesthesie, j’ai exprime ľidee que nous pouvons maintenant associer un certain nombre de ces medicaments afin de realiser une anesthesie plus agreiable et plus sore, tout en diminuant ľatteinte physiologique et metabohquC chez nos operes.
Protective effect of renal denervation on normotensive endotoxemia-induced acute renal failure in mice

Acute renal failure (ARF) contributes substantially to the high morbidity and mortality observed during endotoxemia. We hypothesized that selective blockade of the renal nerves would be protective ...
Direct method for reconstructing shape from shading

A new approach to shape from shading is described based on a connection with a calculus of variations/optimal control problem. The approach leads naturally to an algorithm for shape reconstruction that is simple, fast, provably convergent, and, in many cases, provably convergent to the correct solution. In particular, if the surface is known to be locally concave (or convex) at a singular point in the image, then the algorithm provably reconstructs the correct surface in a region around the singular point. The algorithm is robust against noise and, in contrast with standard variational algorithms, does not require regularization. An explicit representation is given for the surface: its height is expressed as the minimal cost for an optimally controlled trajectory. This representation makes the convergence analysis for the algorithm transparent, and allows it to be easily adapted to different situations in practice. Uniqueness of the reconstruction (under suitable conditions) is an immediate consequence. We focus primarily on the case of illumination from the camera direction. For this case, if the singular points at which the surface is locally concave have been identified, and their heights are known, then the algorithm provably reconstructs the original imaged surface. For general direction of illumination, there is a representation of the surface in terms of a differential game, and a slightly modified surface reconstruction algorithm. Finally, given a continuous image, the algorithm can be proven to converge to the continuous surface solution as the image sampling frequency is taken to infinity.
Clavulanic acid enhances glutamate transporter subtype I (GLT-1) expression and decreases reinforcing efficacy of cocaine in mice

The β-lactam antibiotic ceftriaxone (CTX) reduces cocaine reinforcement and relapse in preclinical assays through a mechanism involving activation of glutamate transporter subtype 1 (GLT-1). However, its poor brain penetrability and intravenous administration route may limit its therapeutic utility for indications related to CNS diseases. An alternative is clavulanic acid (CA), a structural analog of CTX that retains the β-lactam core required for GLT-1 activity but displays enhanced brain penetrability and oral activity relative to CTX. Here, we tested the hypothesis that CA (1, 10 mg/kg ip) would enhance GLT-1 expression and decrease cocaine self-administration (SA) in mice, but at lower doses than CTX. Experiments revealed that GLT-1 transporter expression in the nucleus accumbens of mice treated with repeated CA (1, 10 mg/kg) was enhanced relative to saline-treated mice. Repeated CA treatment (1 mg/kg) reduced the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine (0.56 mg/kg/inf) in mice maintained on a progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement but did not affect acquisition of cocaine SA under fixed-ratio responding or acquisition or retention of learning. These findings suggest that the β-lactamase inhibitor CA can activate the cellular glutamate reuptake system in the brain reward circuit and reduce cocaine's reinforcing efficacy at 100-fold lower doses than CTX.
Dilemmas in Palliative Care Education

79 Editor’s Note: Do you tell a patient’s family that their loved has “died?” “Departed,” “Passed”? How do you approach the family about organ donation? What do you document in the chart? What did it feel like the first time you “pronounced” a patient? These and other topics are addressed as part of a 90-minute workshop for first-year family practice residents on death pronouncement. Marchand and colleagues have been offering this annual workshop since 1995 and have refined their approach to include multiple mediums (e.g., videotape, poetry, prose), methods (e.g., role play, discussion) and presenters (e.g., experienced internist, faculty members, senior residents). They have also reflected on their workshop relative to the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies and recognized that end-of-life educational interventions require instruction in all six domains: patient care, medical knowledge, communication and interpersonal skills, practice-based learning, and systems-based practice.
Antimicrobial prophylaxis for surgery

Infection of the surgical wound or deep structures violated during surgery account for a major portion of postoperative morbidity. The medical consultant should have an understanding of the principles of antimicrobial prophylaxis for postoperative infection in order to manage this complication in the postoperative period. This article assesses the risks for infection, patient preparation for surgery, and antibiotic usage in frequently performed surgeries.
Canine copro-immunoglobulins.

Coproantibodies [1] in experimental cholera have been investigated to assess the effectiveness of oral vaccination [1-3], but the levels of intestinal antibody have been difficult to measure and to correlate with protective effects of the cholera vaccine. Recently, the canine species has been used as an animal model for experimental cholera because the syndrome of fluid and electrolyte loss can be produced [4]. Also, the lack of demonstrable gastrointestinal histopathology in this canine model [5] makes further analogy with the human illness possible. Since the dog is a useful experimental model and is subject to many of the diseases that occur in man, we have been interested in the canine immunological system, particularly in describing the immunoglobulins in serum [6, 7] and in external secretions [8, 9]. This paper will include a discussion of the immunoglobulin content of normal canine intestinal secretions and will quantitate the concentrations of these copro-immunoglobulins. An isolation procedure for recovery of the copro-immunoglobulins, particularly secretory IgA, will be outlined; in addition, some of the physical properties of the IgA molecule and its polypeptide-chain components will be examined.
Catalytic, Cascade Ring‐Opening Benzannulations of 2,3‐Dihydrofuran O,O‐ and N,O‐Acetals

An Al(OTf)3 -catalyzed intramolecular cascade ring-opening benzannulation of 2,3-dihydrofuran O,O- and N,O-acetals is described. The cascade sequence involves the dihydrofuran ring-opening by acetal hydrolysis, an intramolecular Prins-type cyclization, and aromatization to generate an array of benzo-fused (hetero)aromatic systems in up to 95 % yield. This method represents the first example of dihydrofuran acetal usage in benzannulation reactions. The approach provides excellent regiocontrol based on the choice of alkenes used to form the requisite dihydrofuran acetals.
Design and research of the new type of target flowmeter

Aimed at the defects of the existing target flowmeter,a new type of target flowmeter based on magnetostrictive displacement sensor and microprocessor system is designed and manufactured. The experimental results show that the new type of target flowmeter has many advantages,such as wide measurement range,high sensitivity,higher practicability,and so on.
Use of microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for aorta-pulmonary shunts in infants with complex cyanotic heart disease: A report of seven cases

Seven cyanotic infants in our institution have undergone central aorta--pulmonary artery shunt operations with a microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethlene (PTFE) graft. All of these patients have had pulmonary atresia, in four cases associated with endocardial cushion type defects. Four patients have had excellent palliation for up to 13 months. Congestive heart failure and kinking of the pulmonary artery, frequently seen with other types of central aorta-pulmonary shunts, have not been a problem. Until further experience is gained with this procedure, however, we reserve its use to the occasional cyanotic infant in whom neither open-heart repair or the Blalock-Taussig shunt is feasible.
The PharmD/MD Dual-Degree Program and Its Potential Value in the Pharmaceutical Industry:

The first dual-degree program combining both the doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) and the doctor of medicine (MD) degrees was designed and launched by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in academic year 2013-2014. This joint effort was led by the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (EMSOP) and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) to combine expertise in both diagnostic and treatment facets of health care and to prepare graduates for leadership roles in providing and managing comprehensive patient care in a variety of settings. One area of potential value of these skill sets is the drug development industry. A survey was conducted among pharmaceutical executive stakeholders associated with a postdoctoral training program to assess the perceived value of this new dual-degree skill set and to identify particular functions where the combined training has its best fit. Results indicate that the combined nature of this training is highly valued in this setting, especially in the areas of clinical pharmacology, drug safety and pharmacovigilance, medical affairs/strategy, and medical science liaisons. Future monitoring of graduates will further define the value of this dual degree in this and other health care settings.
Heparin-Binding Proteins in Lipoprotein Metabolism

Many of the lipoprotein-cell interactions involve the receptor-mediated binding of the lipoproteins to cell surface receptors. In some cases, these receptors require the presence of heparan sulfate proteoglycan as a receptor, or a co-receptor. Thus, in addition to the typical protein receptors that are involved in endocytosis, heparan sulfate proteoglycan plays a co-receptor role in recognition and binding of both lipoproteins and lipases. Multicomponent lipoprotein complexes are intermediates in an elaborate series of metabolic conversions. This heterogeneity is a result of the dynamic process in which the metabolic changes in the lipid components are accompanied by transfer of both lipids and apolipoproteins to other lipoproteins. High density lipoproteins (HDLs) are secreted by the liver and the intestine. They may also be assembled from their components in the plasma or on cell surfaces. They usually assimilate cholesterol transferred from other lipoproteins or released as a result of membrane turnover. They also serve as a site for fatty acylation of the cholesterol by lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) and at the same time, transport cholesterol esters to peripheral tissues or to the liver for final excretion. Chylomicrons enter the circulation without apolipoproteins (apoC or apoE), but they acquire these apolipoproteins from HDL.