cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive imaging of the photoreceptor mosaic response to light stimulation.

The vision process is initiated by phototransduction, which starts with the absorption of photons in the photoreceptor outer segments by photopigments. Impairments of phototransduction or photopigment regeneration lead to vision loss in numerous inherited retinal conditions, such as blue cone monochromacy and achromatopsia.
The spacing transform: Application and validation

Abstract The measurement of spacing via the linear intercept method is a stereology technique for quantifying microstructures. Spacing measurements have traditionally been acquired using manual or semi-automatic methods. However, in recent work, the stereology idea of spacing was shown to be closely related to the computer vision idea of distance. If the distance transform can be defined as providing the minimum distance required at a given location to reach the nearest edge, a spacing transform would be defined as providing the distance required at a given location to reach the desired number of nearest consecutive edges along a linear path. The resultant transformed image provides local spacing data which should be the same as those measured by an expert stereologist. This spacing transform addresses the problem of measuring spacing in an interpretable and easily validated fashion. In this paper, spacing transform is defined, applied to real world images, and validated against traditional stereology methods.
Epigenetic Regulation by Agonist-Specific Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Recruitment of Metastasis-Associated Protein 2 Selectively Induces Stanniocalcin 2 Expression.

The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates a plethora of target genes. Historically, the AhR has been studied as a regulator of xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme genes, notably cytochrome P4501A1 encoded by CYP1A1, in response to the exogenous prototypical ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). AhR activity depends on binding to the xenobiotic response element (XRE) in partnership with the AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt). Recent studies identified stanniocalcin 2 (Stc2) as a novel AhR target gene responsive to the endogenous AhR agonist, cinnabarinic acid (CA). CA-dependent AhR-XRE mediated Stc2 upregulation is responsible for cytoprotection against ER/oxidative stress induced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Significantly, CA but not TCDD, induces expression of Stc2 in hepatocytes. Conversely, CA in contrast to TCDD, is unable to induce the CYP1A1 gene thus revealing an AhR agonist-specific mutually exclusive dichotomous transcriptional response. Studies reported here provide a mechanistic explanation for this differential response by identifying an interaction between the AhR and the metastatic associated protein 2 (MTA2). Moreover, the AhR-MTA2 interaction is CA-dependent and results in MTA2 recruitment to the Stc2 promoter, concomitant with agonist-specific epigenetic modifications targeting histone H4 lysine acetylation. The results demonstrate that histone H4 acetylation is absolutely dependent on CA-induced AhR and MTA2 recruitment to the Stc2 regulatory region and induced Stc2 gene expression, which in turn, confers cytoprotection to liver cells exposed to chemical insults.
Inventory Sharing for Perishable Products: Application to Platelet Inventory Management in Hospital Blood Banks

Platelets are critical blood products. The management of platelet inventory is particularly challenging due to its perishable nature with a short shelf-life. Motivated by a platelet inventory management problem at a two-location hospital system, we study how the wastage of platelets, and more broadly perishable products, can be reduced through inventory sharing. In particular, we consider a system with two locations and a single product (e.g., a two-hospital system sharing blood products such as platelets). Each location faces a stochastic demand, and products can be transshipped from one location to the other after demand realization. At each location, products are used to meet demand (or shipped out) in a first-in first-out (FIFO) manner. Although the state of such a complex system consists of the inventory levels of different product ages at both locations, interestingly, we show that the direction of transshipment can be determined by simply comparing the age of the oldest products at each location after meeting demand. Based on this and other structural results, we then prove that a myopic transshipment policy is optimal for a two-period lifetime case and serves as a lower bound on the optimal transshipment quantity for longer lifetimes. Because of its competitive performance and simplicity, a variant of our proposed myopic transshipment policy has been implemented by our partner hospital system, which led to an approximately 20% reduction in platelet outdates.
Abstract 13445: Thrombin-Inhibiting Nanoparticle Treatment Focally Reduces NF-kB Activation and Tissue Factor Expression in Atherosclerotic Plaques

Introduction: Thrombin plays a significant role in atherogenesis through PAR-1 signaling on various cell types and downstream activation of NF-kB, a potent driver of inflammation and hypercoagulability via tissue factor (TF) production in plaques. Herein, we demonstrate the use of perfluorocarbon nanoparticles (NP) bound to the direct thrombin inhibitor D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-chloromethylketone (PPACK: 13650 per NP) for downregulation of NF-kB activity and inhibition of tissue factor (TF) production. Methods and Results: Cell surface TF expression was assessed in vitro using a functional assay of Xa generation on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and THP-1 monocytes following a six hour incubation with 1 U/ml and 4 U/ml thrombin and either saline, free PPACK, control NP or PPACK NP. Treatment with PPACK NP in both cell types at the two thrombin concentrations completely suppressed excess surface tissue factor expression over baseline levels, in contrast to cells treated with saline or control NP. Thrombin’s ability to activate NF-kB in HAECs via degradation of the cytoplasmic regulatory complex IkB was fully inhibited by PPACK NP as well. PPACK NP were evaluated in vivo in ApoE-/- mice fed a Western diet for a total of 4 months. The mice received 1 ml/kg saline, control NP or PPACK NP intravenously 3 times/week for the final month of feeding. Following treatment, aortas were sectioned for histological analysis of tissue factor expression and NF-kB activation. PPACK NP treatment resulted in a 25.95% decrease in plaque associated tissue factor (Figure, p = 0.027) and diminished phosphorylated-p65 staining compared to saline and control NP treatment. Clotting parameters and bleeding times normalized within 60 min of i.v. delivery of PPACK NP. Conclusion: Inhibition of thrombin and PAR-1 signaling with PPACK NP exhibits a sustained reduction in local NF-kB activation and tissue factor expression in atherosclerotic plaques without causing a bleeding diathesis.
Social engineering in cybersecurity: The evolution of a concept

Abstract This paper offers a history of the concept of social engineering in cybersecurity and argues that while the term began its life in the study of politics, and only later gained usage within the domain of cybersecurity, these are applications of the same fundamental ideas: epistemic asymmetry, technocratic dominance, and teleological replacement. The paper further argues that the term's usages in both areas remain conceptually and semantically interrelated. Moreover, ignorance of this interrelation continues to handicap our ability to identify and rebuff social engineering attacks in cyberspace. The paper's conceptual history begins in the nineteenth-century in the writings of the economists John Gray and Thorstein Veblen. An analysis of scholarly articles shows the concept's proliferation throughout the early to mid-twentieth century within the social sciences and beyond. The paper then traces the concept's migration into cybersecurity through the 1960s–1980s utilizing both scholarly publications and memoir accounts – including interviews with then-active participants in the hacker community. Finally, it reveals a conceptual array of contemporary connotations through an analysis of 134 definitions of the term found in academic articles written about cybersecurity from 1990 to 2017.
Usefulness of Total 12-Lead QRS Voltage as a Clue to Diagnosis of Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis Severe Enough to Warrant Orthotopic Heart Transplant.

Importance Severe heart failure caused by cardiac sarcoidosis is difficult to diagnosis without biopsy. Objective To assess whether total electrocardiographic 12-lead QRS voltage may be a clue to diagnosis. Design, Setting, Participants Case-series study with cases collected at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, from January 13, 2005, to January 24, 2017. The clinical records of 16 patients with severe heart failure caused by cardiac sarcoidosis were studied. Examination of total 12-lead electrocardiographic QRS voltage (peak of the R wave to the nadir of either the Q or S wave, whichever was deeper) was performed prior to orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). Gross and microscopic pathologic specimens of the native hearts were studied. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was to correlate the total 12-lead QRS voltage measurement with various morphologic features in the native diseased heart. Results The 16-patient study group consisted of 8 men and 8 women; 12 (75%) were white and 4 (25%) were black. At the time of OHT, patient age ranged from 50 to 67 years (mean, 57 years). Cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed by pre-OHT biopsy results in 2 (13%) patients and by examination of the native heart after OHT in 14 (87%) patients. Total nonpaced 12-lead QRS voltage mean was 117 mm (range, 52-155 mm) for 8 patients and total paced 12-lead QRS voltage was 90 mm (range, 67-161 mm) for 12 patients. These low mean values were similar to those of patients with carcinoid heart disease (mean [SD], 105 [40] mm), cardiac amyloidosis (104 [35] mm), and severe cardiac adiposity (120 [31] mm) studied at necropsy or after OHT. In contrast, mean (SD) values were 323 (109) mm in patients with massive cardiomegaly, 257 mm in patients with severe aortic stenosis, 272 (86) mm in patients with severe pure aortic regurgitation, 220 (67) mm in patients with severe pure mitral regurgitation, 197 (64) mm in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and 153 (40) mm in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusions and Relevance Most patients diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis causing severe heart failure and warranting OHT had low total 12-lead QRS voltage measurements despite having native hearts of increased weight. This finding may provide a clue to the diagnosis of this disease.
Lunar and Earth Sciences at the Time of the Apollo Landings

We will now focus in on the moon itself in particular on the origin of its surface features. If they are indeed giant impact craters they might account for lunar magnetism. We will also introduce the topic of paleomagnetism some other relevant ideas from mid 20th century geophysics and geochemistry which are key to our story.
Characterization of Fuzzy Measures by Classical Measures

In this paper we first recall L. A. Zadeh’s8 probability of a fuzzy event and the axiomatic definition of fuzzy probability measures given in ref. 5. It is shown that these fuzzy probability measures can be characterized uniquely either by a probability measure and a Markoff-kernel or by a probability measure on the product space measuring the area below the membership function of the fuzzy event.
Rationality and specialization

I discuss recent advances in the study of rationality properties of algebraic varieties, with an emphasis on the specialization method initiated by Voisin.
PTEN inhibitor VO-OHpic attenuates inflammatory M1 macrophages and cardiac remodeling in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy

Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC) is still a major issue in patients with cancer. These novel findings on the phosphatase and tensin homolog inhibitor VO-OHpic in DIC is the first report, as...
Using The Descending Aortic Wall Thickness Measured In Transesophageal Echocardiography As A Risk Marker For Aortic Dissection

Objective The aim of this study is to estimate whether aortic wall thickness is increased in patients with Aortic dissection (AD) compared to low risk control group and can be used in addition to aortic diameter as a risk marker of AD. Background AD occurs due to pathologies that may increase thickness of the aortic wall. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has the ability to visualize both the thoracic aortic wall and lumen. Aortic diameter has been used to predict aortic dissection and timing of surgery, but it is not always predictive of that risk. Methods In 48 patients with AD who underwent TEE were examined retrospectively and compared to 48 control patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). We measured aortic diameter at different levels, intimal/medial thickness (IMT) and complete wall thickness (CMT). Demographic data and cardiovascular risk factors were reviewed. The data was analyzed using ANOVA and student t test. Results (AD) patients were older [mean age 66 AD vs. 51 PFO], had more hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and Coronary artery disease. Both IMT and CMT in the descending aorta were increased in AD group [(1.85 vs. 1.43 mm; P=0.03 and 2.93 vs. 2.46 mm; p=0.01). As expected the diameter of ascending aorta was also greater in AD (4.61 vs. 2.92 cm; P=0.004). Conclusions CMT and IMT in the descending aorta detected by TEE is greater in patients with AD when compared to control and may add prognostic data to that of aortic diameter.
Clay minerals in the late Quaternary sediment of Tulare Lake, California: Implications for climate change, weathering, and erosion processes

Abstract The clay mineralogy of Tulare Lake sediment was examined to investigate hydroclimatic and environmental changes in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains (SNM) since the most recent glacial maximum. Evolution of clay mineral assemblages elucidates significant changes in weathering, erosion, and hydroclimatic condition in the catchment. During the last glacial period (24.4–15.1 cal ka BP), low illite content implies less physical erosion of the granitic batholith rocks and a cold and arid environment in the southern SNM. Abrupt increases of illite content at 21.8–20.8 and 17.6 cal ka BP resulted from the glacier advances to the ablation zone and illite-rich glacier flour was transported down to the lake. The gradual increase of smectite induced by progressive depletion of illite-rich glacier flour from 17.6 cal ka BP toward the end of this period indicates climate was beginning to get warm and wet. From 11.9 to 5.3 cal ka BP, two warm and wet periods (10.7–9.4 and 8.2–5.2 cal ka BP) were characterized by high smectite/illite content ratios and low illite crystallinity values, suggesting intensive rainfall precipitation and more physical erosion in the highland and lowland catchment as well as more smectite formation in the terrace soils. Since the last glacial period, physical erosion, in comparison to the chemical weathering, was the dominant process responding to the hydroclimatic change in the Tulare Lake catchment. Moderate to weak chemical weathering was signified by the mostly low illite chemical weathering index of the core sediments. Such results suggest that vegetation cover in the southern SNM was low and limited.
Anaphylactoid hypersensitivity reaction from intra-arterial cetuximab: Clinical considerations and management:

Intra-arterial infusion of drugs shows promising results in terms of safety and efficacy. Intra-arterial cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody treatment, is currently being tested for its use in head an...
Announcing the 2017 Toxins Travel Awards for Post-Doctoral Fellows and Ph.D. Students.

As Editor-in-Chief of Toxins, I am pleased to announce the winners of the Toxins Travel Awards for 2017.[...]
An optimization Approach Based on the Interior-Point Methodology for the Tertiary Control of Modernized Microgrids

With the rise in popularity of the modernized microgrids (MMGs), the addition of a controller to maximize economic efficiency while taking into account environmental impact is crucial. Tertiary control is at the highest control level, considering economic concerns related to the optimal operation of the microgrid and using a sampling time from minutes to hours; tertiary controls manage the flow of power between the microgrid and the connected grid. In MMGs’ tertiary controls, the use of optimization algorithms to minimize an objective function with equality and inequality constraints allows for powerful control over the system. In this paper, the interior-point algorithm is proposed and utilized in order to minimize the required objective. The suggested method is robust against weather conditions and accommodates varying demands in both ac and dc grids. To perform optimization and simulations, MATLAB outputs a lookup table, which can be easily implemented into any system. This is a 2-dimensional array with ac load requirements on the rows and dc load requirements on the columns. Furthermore, due to load capabilities, where the resolution of the system gets too fine, simple algebra can fill in the missing information. Visualization of these results is key to understand what MMG’s devices would output for a certain load.
Synergistic Efficacy of β-Lactam Combinations against Mycobacterium abscessus Pulmonary Infection in Mice.

Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging pathogen capable of causing invasive pulmonary infections in patients with chronic lung diseases. These infections are difficult to treat, necessitating prolonged multidrug therapy, which is further complicated by extensive intrinsic and acquired resistance exhibited by clinical M. abscessus isolates. Therefore, development of novel treatment regimens effective against drug-resistant strains is crucial. Prior studies have demonstrated synergistic efficacy of several β-lactams against M. abscessus in vitro; however, these combinations have never been tested in an animal model of M. abscessus pulmonary disease. We utilized a recently developed murine system of sustained M. abscessus lung infection delivered via an aerosol route to test the bactericidal efficacy of four novel dual β-lactam combinations and one β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination. All five of the novel combinations exhibited synergy and resulted in at least 6-log10 reductions in bacterial burden in the lungs of mice at 4 weeks compared to untreated controls (P = 0.038).
Measuring Joint Stimulus Control by Complex Graph/Description Correspondences

Joint stimulus control occurs when responding is determined by the correspondence of elements of a complex sample and a complex comparison stimulus. In academic settings, joint stimulus control of behavior would be evidenced by the selection of an accurate description of a complex graph in which each element of a graph corresponded to particular sentences and phrases in the description. The current research describes a test that detected various degrees of joint stimulus control by different combinations of elements, ranging from complete joint control by all elements to a lack of joint control by any elements.
Renal function in treated hypoparathyroidism. A possible direct nephrotoxic effect of vitamin D.

Vitamin D* intoxication is a well known hazard in the treatment of hypoparathyroidism. Impaired renal function in a patient receiving vitamin D is usually attributed to hypercalcemia (1), but even in the absence of this complication, the metabolic abnormalities of parathyroid hormone (PTH) deficiency are incompletely corrected by vitamin D. The plasma phosphate usually falls to within the normal range, but the mean value remains elevated. PTH increases the tubular reabsorption of calcium; vitamin D may have a similar effect (2), but normocalcemia can often only be maintained in the absence of PTH at the expense of hypercalciuria (3). Either persistent hyperphosphatemia or hypercalciuria might conceivably result in renal injury. Finally, as in the rat, vitamin D itself may have a direct nephrotoxic effect (4). In view of these uncertainties, a detailed study was undertaken of renal function in vitamin D treated hypoparathyroidism.
Regulation of Positive-Strand Accumulation by Capsid Protein During Brome mosaic virus Infection In Planta.

A hallmark feature of (+)-strand RNA viruses of eukaryotic cells is that progeny (+)-strands are accumulated 100-fold over (−)-strands. Previous experimental evidence suggests that, in Brome mosaic...
Regulation and Innovation: Approaching Market Failure from Both Sides

Across markets and disciplines, regulation is often claimed to be the enemy of socially desirable innovation because of factors including innovation’s unpredictability and regulation’s compliance costs. In this essay, we bring an intellectual property scholars’ perspective to bear on the question of regulation’s impact on innovation. We offer a novel, yet intuitive analytical framework that takes both market demand failures and failures of supplier appropriability into account. Traditionally, regulation seeks to mitigate market failures that create deviations between the demand portfolio perceived by suppliers and the socially optimal demand portfolio. Studies of the interplay between regulation and innovation have mostly taken this perspective, considering the impact of various regulatory transaction and compliance costs on innovation. Intellectual property law and competition law target a different sort of problem, where markets fail to supply products and services at competitive prices or to undertake innovative activities because of supplier appropriability issues. We argue that these demand misalignment and appropriability failures, though analytically distinct and commonly treated separately, work in parallel and in combination to determine the extent to which the market’s portfolio of innovative activity is socially sub-optimal. Discussing the relationship between regulation and innovation in terms of demand misalignment, appropriability failures, and the mutual influence they bear on each other, opens up a new way of understanding this years-long debate. The analysis shows the futility of sweeping general pronouncements about the relationship between regulation and innovation and highlights the crucial role of regulatory design.
On the analysis of last-mile relief delivery on a tree network: Application to the 2015 Nepal earthquake

The last mile delivery in humanitarian relief supply often happens on a tree or an almost-tree network allowing split deliveries. We present a relief delivery model incorporating a tree network for...
Don't Drive Blind: Driving Pressure to Optimize Ventilator Management in ECMO.

Driving pressure (DP) while on ECMO has been studied in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) but no studies exist in those on ECMO without ARDS. We aimed to study association of mortality with DP in all patients on ECMO and compare change in DP before and after initiation of ECMO. Consecutive patients placed on ECMO either veno-arterial ECMO or veno-venous ECMO between August 2010 and February 2017 were reviewed. The outcomes were compared based on DP before and after ECMO initiation. A total of 192 patients were included: 68 (35%) had ARDS while 124 (65%) did not. There were 70 individuals for whom DP was available, 33 (47%) had a decrease in DP, whereas 32 (46%) had an increase in DP and 5 (7%) had no change in DP after ECMO initiation. Those with an increase in DP had a higher initial PEEP (14 vs 9 cm H2O, p < 0.001) and a higher PEEP decrease after ECMO (6.4 cm H2O vs by 2.5 cm H2O, p < 0.001). Those with an increase in DP had a significantly longer stay on ECMO than those without (p = 0.022). On multivariable analysis, higher DP 24 h after ECMO initiation was associated with an increase in 30-day mortality (OR 1.15, 75% CI 1.07–1.24, p ≤ 0.001). A significant proportion of patients experienced an increase in driving pressure and decrease in compliance after initiation of ECMO. Higher driving pressure after initiation of ECMO is associated with increased adjusted 30-day mortality. Individualized ventilator strategies are needed to reduce mechanical stress while on ECMO.
Large deflections of folded cantilever: Experiments and elastica analysis

Abstract Folded cantilevers have been utilized in MEMS devices, particularly for suspension. The structures consist of a horizontal beam segment fixed at its left end, a short downward connector (joint) at the right end, and a lower horizontal segment under the upper one. Here, the left end of the lower segment is free and a downward concentrated load is applied there. Experiments are conducted on five folded cantilevers with different lengths of the lower segment. An elastica analysis is performed, allowing for large deflections and rotations. The self-weight of the segments is included in the analysis. The effects of the end load and the relative lengths of the segments are investigated. The experimental results compare well to those from the theory.
Isothermic Submanifolds

We propose an answer to a question raised by F. Burstall: Is there any interesting theory of isothermic submanifolds of ℝn of dimension greater than two? We call an n-immersion f(x) in ℝm isothermick if the normal bundle of f is flat and x is a line of curvature coordinate system such that its induced metric is of the form \(\sum_{i=1}^{n} g_{ii}\,\mathrm{d} x_{i}^{2}\) with \(\sum_{i=1}^{n} \epsilon_{i} g_{ii}=0\), where ei=1 for 1≤i≤n−k and ei=−1 for n−k<i≤n. A smooth map (f1,…,fn) from an open subset \({\mathcal{O}}\) of ℝn to the space of m×n matrices is called an n-tuple of isothermickn-submanifolds in ℝm if each fi is an isothermick immersion, \((f_{i})_{x_{j}}\) is parallel to \((f_{1})_{x_{j}}\) for all 1≤i,j≤n, and there exists an orthonormal frame (e1,…,en) and a GL(n)-valued map (aij) such that \(\mathrm{d}f_{i}= \sum_{j=1}^{n} a_{ij} e_{j}\,\mathrm {d} x_{j}\) for 1≤i≤n. Isothermic1 surfaces in ℝ3 are the classical isothermic surfaces in ℝ3. Isothermick submanifolds in ℝm are invariant under conformal transformations. We show that the equation for n-tuples of isothermickn-submanifolds in ℝm is the \(\frac{O(m+n-k,k)}{O(m)\times O(n-k,k)}\)-system, which is an integrable system. Methods from soliton theory can therefore be used to construct Christoffel, Ribaucour, and Lie transforms, and to describe the moduli spaces of these geometric objects and their loop group symmetries.
Fixing lymphatics improves glucose metabolism.

When the ability of lymphatic vessels to transport fluid and macromolecules is perturbed, local adipose tissue often expands. Cao et al. identify destabilized, leaky mesenteric lymphatic vessels in obesity and demonstrate that correcting this dysfunction with a lymphatic-targeting drug improves systemic glucose metabolism.
Applications of the Theory of Free Molecule Flow to Aeronautics

The breakdown of certain assumptions of conventional aerodynamics in the case of highly rarefied gas is shown to call for the use of the theory of free molecule flow in studying forces on bodies moving above 120-150 km. in the earth's atmosphere. A tentative standard table of atmospheric properties from 120-220 km. is computed. The parameter M oo, ratio of flight speed to most probable speed of air molecules, becomes useful in comparing free molecule flows. Techniques are developed for finding analytically or numerically the lift and drag coefficients of any object, based on two extreme opposite assumptions concerning the nature of reflection of molecules from surfaces. These methods are employed to find coefficients of a number of simple bodies. The drag of missiles is demonstrated to be negligibly small above 120 km. except at extremely high speeds. The possibility of aerodynamically sustained flight is discussed.
Insufficient hydrogen‐bond desolvation and prion‐related disease

A structuring and eventual exclusion of water surrounding backbone hydrogen bonds takes place during protein folding as hydrophobic residues cluster around such bonds. Taken as an average over all hydrogen bonds, the extent of desolvation is nearly a constant of motion, as revealed by re-examination of the longest all-atom trajectory with explicit solvent [Y. Duan & P. A. Kollman (1998) Science 282, 740]. Furthermore, this extent of desolvation is preserved across native soluble proteins, except for cellular prion proteins. Thus, a physico-chemical picture of prion-related disease emerges. The epitope for protein-X binding, the region undergoing vast conformational change and the trigger and locker for this change are inferred from the location of under-desolvated hydrogen bonds in the cellular prion protein.
All in the Ubiquitin Family

The job of a protein can be altered by addition of molecules such as ubiquitin or the related ubiquitin-like modifiers, which bring about changes in the protein's localization, conformation, or its interactions with other proteins. In a comprehensive Perspective, Hochstrasser brings us up to date with the many new members of the ubiquitin modifier family and their multitudinous and diverse protein targets.
Urban Development and Land Markets in Chennai, India

The metropolitan area of Chennai, India, presents an interesting case study on India’s transforming economy because it has a unique urban structure for an Indian city of its size. It has an extremely high population density at the city center that is becoming even more crowded. It is also experiencing rapid, but low-density, expansion at the periphery. This paper documents Chennai’s spatial development with detailed data on land use, population density, and land values. A hedonic regression on the price of land suggests that de facto policy differences between political jurisdictions have had a significant effect on land prices. However, the data presented in this paper suggest that land policy reforms in Chennai have been successful in reducing some of the sprawling urban development patterns evident in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Nevertheless, policymakers in Chennai continue to face the double challenge of an extremely dense urban core combined with extensive urban growth.
THE EFFECT OF SEX RATIOS ON SUICIDE

Whereas sex ratios are likely to affect the likelihood of marriage, how sex ratios affect health and survival is underexplored. This study uses suicide as a measure of mental health and examines how suicides are affected by sex ratios. As women tend to marry men older than themselves, shrinking populations will lead to higher sex ratios (i.e., higher proportions of men) in the marriage market. Using data from Japan, I find that high sex ratios, both early-life and current, are correlated with higher male suicide rates, whereas female suicide rates are generally not affected. The results of this study have important implications for public health in countries where imbalanced sex ratios are a concern.
Beta‐defensins: what are they REALLY doing in the oral cavity?

Initially identified as broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides, the members of the β-defensin family have increasingly been observed to exhibit numerous other activities, both in vitro and in vivo, that do not always relate directly to host defense. Much research has been carried out in the oral cavity, where the presence of commensal bacteria further complicates the definition of their role. In addition to direct antimicrobial activity, β-defensins exhibit potent chemotactic activity for a variety of innate immune cells, as well as stimulating other cells to secrete cytokines. They can also inhibit the inflammatory response, however, by the specific binding of microbe-associated molecular patterns. These patterns are also able to induce the expression of β-defensins in gingival epithelial cells, although significant differences are observed between different species of bacteria. Together these results suggest a complex model of a host-defense related function in maintenance of bacterial homeostasis and response to pathogens. This model is complicated, however, by numerous other observations of β-defensin involvement in cell proliferation, wound healing and cancer. Together, the in vitro, in vivo and human studies suggest that these peptides are important in the biology of the oral cavity; exactly how is still subject to speculation.
Impulsivity, risk-taking, and distractibility in rats exhibiting robust conditioned orienting behaviors

When a neutral cue is followed by a significant event such as food delivery, some animals become engaged with the cue itself and acquire cue-directed behaviors. One type of cue-directed behavior is observed following insertion of a lever used as a conditioned stimulus (CS). Rats showing robust approach behavior to the lever also display impulsivity and altered attention, as compared to rats showing behavior directed toward the reward delivery location. The current study used a light CS to categorize rats' propensity for cue-directed behavior, and assessed whether individual differences in impulsivity and related behaviors still emerged. During the light-food pairings, some rats displayed enhanced rearing or orienting to the light (Orienters) prior to showing food cup approach behavior, while other rats only showed food cup approach behavior (Nonorienters). Our results showed that Orienters made more impulsive and risky decisions in two different choice tasks, and were quicker to leave a familiar dark environment to enter a novel bright field. Orienters also showed less accurate target detection when a visual distractor was introduced during an attentional challenge. Our current study suggests that light CS-induced rearing/orienting behavior might not necessarily share an identical mechanism with lever CS-approach behavior in predicting impulsivity-related behaviors.
Neural mechanisms for spectral analysis in the auditory midbrain, thalamus, and cortex.

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the principles of spectral analysis and coding in the ascending central auditory system. The identifying key response properties of single neurons in the lemniscal divisions of the inferior colliculus (ICC), auditory thalamus (MGBv), and primary auditory cortex (AI) that can be related to the underlying anatomical architecture in these stations, are discussed. Starting with the divergent pathway from the cochlea to the brainstem nuclei, the ICC receives input from the cochlear nucleus (CN), superior olivary nuclei (SO), and the nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (NLL). This convergent pattern of innervating input from multiple brainstem nuclei plays a key role in refining the organization of spectral and temporal preferences in the ICC. The chapter explains the general principles of coding that serve as a functional and anatomical substrate for spectral analysis in the central auditory system, and also focuses on relating details of a single neuron activity to the underlying anatomical layout and connectivity at different levels of the lemniscal auditory pathway. Spectral response properties and selectivity are intimately related to binaural preferences and sound level dependence. The chapter further explores the specific relationships between different response attributes and the underlying local circuitry and global organization of the central auditory system. General properties of single neuron sensitivities are outlined whereas their relationship to the anatomical circuitry and the underlying functional transformation is described.
Modeled gait variations in human micro-doppler

Measurement of human motion is important for security applications. One would like to observe humans unobtrusively and without privacy issues, and using radar provides one method to detect abnormal activity without using images. In this paper we focus on modeling the characteristics of human walking parameters in order to determine signature differences that are distinguishable and to determine the variability of normal walking to be compared to armed or loaded walking. We extract micro-Doppler from motion-captured human gait models and verify the models with radar measurements. We then vary the model to determine extent of normal micro-Doppler variation in multiple dimensions of human gait. We also characterize the ability of radar to determine gender and suggest that alternative views to the frontal view may be more discriminative.
Prevalencia de Demodex sp. en Pacientes con Blefaritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Demodex sp. in the hair follicles of patient‘s lashes. Setting: Lima's Laboratory of Microbiology of the National Institute of Ophthalmology (INO), between December ‘97 and February ‘98. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational and cross-sectional study. We collected samples of lashes of 196 patients of both sexes, various ages and with symptoms of blepharitis. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of the patients studied had Demodex sp. in their lashes; 21% of these were between 61-70 year-old; 62% of the positive ones were women and 38% men. The more frequent signs and symptoms were itching (90%), secretion and flashing (80%), vision nuisances (74%), seborrhea (70%), burning (66%), tears shedding (63%), fall of lashes (60%), erithema (39%), chalazion (18%) and edema (11%); acari per field count was high between 5-10 acari per field (28%). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of Demodex sp. (51%) was high in the study and patient’s age is directly related with the infection.
Rethinking Regulation of Credit Rating Agencies: An Institutional Investor Perspective

This white paper was commissioned by the Council of Institutional Investors for the purpose of educating its members, policymakers, and the general public about important credit rating agency regulation proposals and their potential impact on investors. It offers an institutional investor perspective of the pros and cons of several proposals for redesigning credit rating agency regulation. It focuses on two areas of primary importance - oversight and accountability - and offers specific recommendations in both areas. First, Congress should create a new Credit Rating Agency Oversight Board (CRAOB) with the power to regulate rating agency practices, including disclosure, conflicts of interest, and rating methodologies, as well as the ability to coordinate the reduction of reliance on ratings. Alternatively, Congress could enhance the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to grant it similar power to oversee the rating business. Second, Congress should eliminate the effective exemption of rating agencies from liability and make rating agencies more accountable by treating them the same as banks, accountants, and lawyers. As financial gatekeepers with little incentive to “get it right,” credit rating agencies pose a systemic risk. Creating a rating agency oversight board and strengthening the accountability of rating agencies is thus consistent with the broader push by U.S. policymakers for greater systemic risk oversight. Over the long term, other measures for assessing credit risk may become more acceptable and accessible to regulators and investors. Meanwhile, a more powerful overseer and broader accountability would help reposition credit rating agencies as true information intermediaries.
Synthesis and separation of the atropisomers of 2-(5-benzo[b]fluorenyl)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl and related compounds

Abstract Several syn and anti atropisomers of 2-(5-benzo[b]fluorenyl)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl and related compounds were synthesized from 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diol (BINOL). It was possible to separate the syn and anti atropisomers by silica gel column chromatography. The syn atropisomers are potential hetero-bidentate ligands for complex formation with metals. By starting from enantiomerically pure (R)-(+)-BINOL and (S)-(−)-BINOL, four optically active syn atropisomers and two anti atropisomers with high enantiomeric purity were obtained. The structures of two syn atropisomers and one anti atropisomer were established by X-ray structure analyses.
Collective excitations in double-layer quantum Hall systems.

We study the collective excitation spectra of double-layer quantum-Hall systems using the single mode approximation. The double-layer in-phase density excitations are similar to those of a single-layer system. For out-of-phase density excitations, however, both inter-Landau-level and intra-Landau-level double-layer modes have finite dipole oscillator strengths. The oscillator strengths at long wavelengths for the latter transitions are shifted upward by interactions by identical amounts proportional to the interlayer Coulomb coupling. The intra-Landau-level out-of-phase mode has a gap when the ground state is incompressible except in the presence of spontaneous inter-layer coherence. We compare our results with predictions based on the Chern-Simons-Landau-Ginzburg theory for double-layer quantum Hall systems.
Effect of offspring distribution on population survival.

The survival probabilities of newly-formed colonies of organisms arising from the branching process formulation of individual reproduction are examined. Six types of 2-parameter discrete offspring distributions common to mathematical ecology are compared with respect to survival of newly formed colonies of offspring. It is found that the survival value of the distribution can be rank ordered in the following descending order: modified Poisson (highest) Neyman A, geometric Poisson, Polya-Aeppli, negative binomial and the modified geometric. Causal factors for these differences and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Rives-Stoppa incisional hernia repair combined with laparoscopic separation of abdominal wall components: a novel approach to complex abdominal wall closure

The Rives-Stoppa incisional hernia repair is the gold standard for mesh repair of complex incisional hernias. The risk of infection can be reduced if fascia is closed over the prosthetic mesh. Fascial closure in large defects may require extensive dissection and can result in devascularization of the overlying skin and denervation of the abdominal wall musculature. Laparoscopic components separation minimizes these risks while facilitating anterior fascial closure. The combined technique of Rives-Stoppa repair augmented by laparoscopic separation of abdominal wall components has not previously been reported. We retrospectively reviewed our initial experience with this combined technique for incisional hernia repair. A Rives-Stoppa incisional hernia repair is performed with mesh placed in the retromuscular position. If the anterior fascia cannot be closed, a laparoscopic separation of abdominal wall components is performed to facilitate fascial closure without creation of skin flaps. Six patients were identified. Three patients developed hernias following laparotomy from severe injuries sustained during combat. The other patients included hernia after esophagectomy, retroperitoneal liposarcoma resection, and complicated diverticulitis. Average defect size was 270 cm2. Complete primary fascial closure anterior to the mesh was achieved in 66% of the patients. No mortalities occurred and at short term follow-up no incisional hernia recurrences have developed. Early post operative complications included a superficial skin infection not involving mesh and a recurrent enterocutaneous fistula. The authors conclude that Rives-Stoppa repair augmented by laparoscopic components separation is an innovative method for reconstruction of complex abdominal wall defects. Laparoscopic components separation allows fascial closure to be achieved anterior to the mesh in large incisional hernias, which may reduce wound infection rates.
Step-wise changes in thermoregulatory responses to slowly changing thermal stimuli.

We report experiments on two species (sheep and squirrel monkeys) in which one local body temperature was slowly raised, while temperatures in the rest of the body were maintained as closely as possible to a steady state. The appropriate physiological or behavioral thermoregulatory response to the thermal stimulus often changed to new levels in discrete steps. When the stimulus changed at higher rates, the phenomenon was not observed. A step-change in the responses of both animal species occurred after a 0.8–1.0°C increase in the thermal stimulus. Our results indicate that the occurrence of the step response phenomenon depends upon a slow rate of change in one neural input to the central nervous system. Thus the basic step function response could be masked in more typical (normal) stimulusresponse relationships because several neural inputs vary concomitantly.
Self-diffusion within the cores of a dissociated glide dislocation in an fcc solid

This paper focuses on a detailed examination of the formation and migration energies of vacancies in dislocation cores. These features were determined by atomistic methods including molecular statics, elastic band, and kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) methods and an EAM potential for aluminum applied to a model of a discrete fcc atomic array containing a (a/2) glide dislocation that is dissociated into two Shockley partials separated by an intrinsic fault. The crystallographic orientation of the model is such that one partial is pure edge while the other is a 60{degree} mixed, mostly screw, partial. The results indicate that a vacancy in a dislocation core displays some unusual behavior even for this relatively simple case.
Calcium dependance of synaptic transmission in the hippocampal slice

‘Population’ afferent spike and ‘population’ EPSP were recorded with extracellular microelectrodes in slices of hippocampal tissue maintained in vitro. Calcium concentration was changed in the bathing solution, and calsium activity ([Ca2+]0) was measured in interstitial fluid of the slice with ion-selective microelectrodes. Synaptic transfer was a non-linear continous function of [Ca2+]0. Deviation of [Ca2+]0 by 0.1 mM from the 1.2 mM control level caused a change of approximately 15% in the slope of the input-output function.
Local metrics for rigid body displacements

One hundred years ago, Eduard Study introduced a very elegant method to describe a rigid body displacement in three-space. He mapped each position of a rigid body onto a point on a quadric, now called the Study quadric. This quadric is a six-dimensional rational hyper-surface, embedded in a seven-dimensional projective real space, called Study's soma space. More than half a century later Ravani and Roth reconfigured Study's soma space into a three-dimensional dual projective space, and defined a geometric metric for rigid body displacements. Here, approximately 20 years later, we again use Study's quadric and define a new metric for rigid body displacements based on an optimized local mapping of the quadric. The local mappings of the quadric are achieved using stereographic projections, resulting in an affine space where the Euclidean definition of a metric can be used for rigid body displacements and techniques from design of curves and surfaces can be directly utilized for motion design. The results are illustrated by examples.