cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Submodularity of energy storage placement in power networks

This paper studies the problem of optimally placing energy storage devices in power networks. We explicitly model capital and installation costs of storage devices because these fixed costs account for the largest cost component in most grid-scale storage projects. Finding an optimal placement strategy is a challenging task due to (i) the discrete nature of such placement problems, and (ii) the spatial and temporal transfer of energy via transmission lines and distributed energy storage resources. To develop an efficient placement framework with performance guarantees, we investigate the structural properties of the optimal value function for the multi-period economic dispatch problem with storage dynamics, and an analytical characterization of optimal storage controls and locational marginal prices. In particular, we provide a tight condition under which the optimal placement value function is submodular and an efficient computational method to certify the condition. When this condition is valid, a modified greedy algorithm for maximizing a submodular function subject to a knapsack constraint provides a (1 – 1/e)-optimal solution.
Feeding-modulatory effects of mu-opioids in the medial prefrontal cortex: a review of recent findings and comparison to opioid actions in the nucleus accumbens

Rationale Whereas reward-modulatory opioid actions have been intensively studied in subcortical sites such as the nucleus accumbens (Acb), the role of cortical opioid transmission has received comparatively little attention.
Hearing aid technology: model-based concepts and assessment

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” This statement made by Arthur C. Clarke is known as his third law. The developers of hearing aid technology set out to accomp...
ROOM AND LOW TEMPERATURE SPECTRAL IDENTIFICATION OF THE COBALT BINDINGS SITES IN LIVER ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE

Publisher Summary The optical properties of the cobalt substituted alcohol dehydrogenases have been monitored in an effort to definitely establish the correlation between the fast and slow exchanging metal with the catalytic and structural sites. The visible spectra of the substituted enzyme and the binary and ternary complexes of the enzyme with coenzymes and substrate inhibitors were measured as a function of the cobalt ions incorporated in the enzyme. Optical spectra were recorded at 77° in addition to 298° to increase the spectral resolutions, and were compared to spectra of model compounds involving cobalt (II) in order to make specific spectral assignments and to predict the geometry and composition of the ligand field of the metal ions. This chapter discusses kinetics of the exchange of cobalt ions for zinc ions in alcohol dehydrogenase and effect of differing cobalt levels on optical spectra at 77°.
Elementary Education Majors’ Stories About Math: An Analysis of Students’ Mathematics Autobiographies

This paper analyzes 52 preservice elementary education majors’ mathematical autobiographies. Participants wrote about their previous experiences with mathematics. Three themes emerged: (1) My previous teachers have played a significant role in the formation of my mathematical identity. (2) I want to help my future students understand, enjoy, and appreciate mathematics. And (3) Mathematics has its ups and downs. Although directed to define mathematics, many participants did not do so. The remaining participants described mathematics as needed for everyday life, as problem solving, or as a study.
Categorical Foundations for System Engineering

In this paper, we argue that category theory (CT), the mathematical theory of abstract processes, could provide a concrete formal foundation for the study and practice of systems engineering. To provide some evidence for this claim, we trace the classic V-model of systems engineering, stopping along the way to (a) introduce elements of CT and (b) show how these might apply in a variety of systems engineering contexts.
Digit Tip Regeneration: Merging Regeneration Biology with Regenerative Medicine

Regeneration Biology is the study of organisms with endogenous regenerative abilities, whereas Regenerative Medicine focuses on engineering solutions for human injuries that do not regenerate. While the two fields are fundamentally different in their approach, there is an obvious interface involving mammalian regeneration models. The fingertip is the only part of the human limb that is regeneration-competent and the regenerating mouse digit tip has emerged as a model to study a clinically relevant regenerative response. In this article, we discuss how studies of digit tip regeneration have identified critical components of the regenerative response, and how an understanding of endogenous regeneration can lead to expanding the regenerative capabilities of nonregenerative amputation wounds. Such studies demonstrate that regeneration-incompetent wounds can respond to treatment with individual morphogenetic agents by initiating a multi-tissue response that culminates in structural regeneration. In addition, the healing process of nonregenerative wounds are found to cycle through nonresponsive, responsive and nonresponsive phases, and we call the responsive phase the Regeneration Window. We also find the responsiveness of mature healed amputation wounds can be reactivated by reinjury, thus nonregenerated wounds retain a potential for regeneration. We propose that regeneration-incompetent injuries possess dormant regenerative potential that can be activated by targeted treatment with specific morphogenetic agents. We believe that future Regenerative Medicine-based-therapies should be designed to promote, not replace, regenerative responses. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2018;7:262-270.
Criterial modeling of field-husbandry technological processes service backup

Abstract Soil cultivation, seed sowing, crop care and harvesting - these are the main technological processes in the field – husbandry of mechanized agriculture, the qualitative and effective performing of that depends on highly professional, organized and modern service backup, determined by its main result - to obtain a high-quality harvest. The service of agricultural technological processes in the first line provides their provision with the corresponding necessary and serviceable technical means, both in power generating and technology systems [ 1 , 2 ]. In addition, to carry out these processes in a strictly defined agro technical terms, their continuous provision with material and technical means (fuel and lubricants, spare parts, etc.) and professional engineering and technical departments is necessary.
Characterization of genetic changes associated with daptomycin nonsusceptibility in Staphylococcus aureus

The extensive use of daptomycin (DAP) for treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in the last decade has led to the emergence of DAP non-susceptible (DNS) Staphylococcus aureus strains. A better understanding of the molecular changes underlying DAP-non-susceptibility is required for early diagnosis and intervention with alternate combination therapies. The phenotypic changes associated with DNS strains have been well established. However, the genotypic changes-especially the kinetics of expression of the genes responsible for DAP-non-susceptibility are not well understood. In this study, we used three clinically derived isogenic pairs of DAP-susceptible (DAP-S) and DNS S. aureus strains to study gene expression profiles with the objective of identifying the potential genotypic changes associated with DAP-nonsusceptibility. We determined the expression profiles of genes involved in cell membrane (CM) charge, autolysis, cell wall (CW) synthesis, and penicillin binding proteins in DAP-S and DNS isogenic pairs. Our results demonstrate characteristic expression profiles for mprF, dltABCD, vraS, femB, and pbp2a genes, which are common to all the DNS S. aureus strains tested. Whole genome sequencing of DAP-S and DNS clinical isolates of S. aureus showed non-synonymous mutations in all DNS strains in genes involved in CM charge, CM composition, CW thickness and CW composition. To conclude, this study unravels some of the complex molecular changes involved in the development of DAP-nonsusceptibility by demonstrating distinct differences in gene expression profiles and mutations in the DNS S. aureus strains. This knowledge will aid in rapid identification of DNS S. aureus in clinical settings.
What Urban Parents Want: A Parent Network's Negotiation of School Choice and Advocacy Efforts in Underserved City Schools.

This community-based participatory research study examined the perspectives of parent participants in an organized parent network in Detroit seeking the best school options for their children enter...
Establishment of an in-house ELISA and the reference range for serum amyloid A (SAA): complementarity between SAA and C-reactive protein as markers of inflammation.

Abstract Introduction Serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are both acute-phase reactants synthesized by the liver upon stimulation by proinflammatory cytokines reflecting both the acute and chronic inflammatory states. Methods We have established a one-step, sandwich ELISA on microplate for SAA using commercial antibodies for coating and detection. Results This in-house ELISA has a sensitivity of 0.12 mg/l. Both within-day and between-day CVs were r = 0.95). We also established the reference range for apparently healthy Chinese. Statistically higher SAA values were found in those > 50 years old. No difference was found between genders. We found only slightly increased levels of SAA in early stage of type 2 diabetics, but highly increased levels of SAA were detected in patients with acute myocardial infarction, generally associated with intense inflammation. At the early stage of type 2 diabetes associated with low inflammation, SAA was found to be complementary to CRP in test sensitivity. Conclusions Based on our data and reports from the literature we believe that SAA responds differently than CRP in inflammatory diseases such as in type 2 diabetes and acute myocardial infarction, and is complementary to CRP in test sensitivity.
PLD Based Design

This chapter gave an overview of mechanisms, tools, and processes used for taking a design from the design stage to an FPLD implementation. This overview contained information that will become clearer in the chapters that follow. We tried to make this information as generic as possible and not bound to a specific tool or environment. However, as a typical environment, specific references to the terminologies used by Quartus II were made.
Consistent proteinaceous organic matter partitioning into mineral and organic soil fractions during pedogenesis in diverse ecosystems

Proteinaceous compounds are critical in soil organic matter (SOM) formation and persistence, but the partitioning into mineral-associated and organic forms during hundreds and thousands of years of pedogenesis are poorly understood across multiple climates and vegetation types. We investigated the partitioning of amino acids (AA) into mineral-bound (MB) and non-mineral associated organic (NMO) soil fractions to discern whether consistent patterns during ecosystem development were observed across two different climates (cool temperate continental, USA; and moist oceanic forests, New Zealand). Although each ecosystem retained unique soil AA signatures, consistent patterns in both systems were observed with three main findings. (1) Regardless of differences in climate and vegetation between the two ecosystems, AA consistently partitioned in similar ways into MB and NMO soil fractions. For example, Thr, Ser, and Asx were relatively more dominant in the NMO fraction while Arg, Lys, Cys, and Met were relatively more dominant in the MB soil fraction. (2) AA change, showed similar trends related to chemical groupings of positively-charged, polar aromatic, sulfur containing, and non-polar AAs across both ecosystems consistent with changing patterns of soil Fe and Al bearing minerals, such as an increasing weathering index (WI; Fe dithionite/total Fe) and losses of Fe and Al from surface soils during ecosystem development. (3) The pedogenic patterns of AA change, in each system paralleled biological transitions in bacterial communities, suggesting a linkage between the AA sources and the soil sink that contributes to soil organic N. This latter point contrasts with the potential for complete change in soil AA composition that could occur upon processing and binding in soil. Overall, the consistency in the types of AAs that partition into either MB or NMO soil fractions across locations provide evidence of similar processes that contribute to soil organic N accrual across soils. Some AA also appeared to be retained in soil by electrostatic forces, and AA–organic matter interactions, that need further study. Mineral–metal complexation of AAs with sulfur side chain groups, and non-polar interactions, respectively, provide examples of these potential mechanisms for study. The results not only support mechanisms of soil proteinacous organic matter chemistry being driven by the interactions with the soil matrix, acting as a “sink”, but also draw attention to the sources of organic matter (microbes, plants) in determining the composition of organic N in soil during pedogenesis.
Tumor stem cells show characteristics of embryonic stem cells unable for cytodifferentiation

1010 Here, we examine the molecular and genetic characteristics of tumor cell populations which may underlie the immortal potential and phenotypical heterogeneity of human cancer. By using a modified neurosphere culture system we isolated tumor stem cells (TSCs) from primary cultures of glial tumors and cell lines derived from breast cancer and osteosarcoma. In suspended clones generated by TSCs, AC133, a well established marker of neural and epithelial stem cells, was expressed in concert with the transcription factors Nanog, Stat3 and OCT4, the key determinants of self-renewal and pluripotency of stem cells in embryonic settings. Their expression and nuclear localization correlated with a potential of TSCs to generate clones in culture system, sustain constitutively DNA synthesis and express a wide spectrum of transcripts specific for multiple cell lineages of all three embryonic layers. By contrast, in substrate-attached clones the expression of OCT4 and Nanog was extinguished or significantly decreased, which correlated with cytoplasmic localization of the OCT4-positive material versus nuclear localization of Nanog protein. These novel findings link the molecular and genetic machanisms of tumorigenesis to developmental attributes of immortal pluripotent stem cells of the early embryogenesis. They indicate that TSCs provide a new model system for studying human cancer.
A Unique Epigenomic Landscape Defines Human Erythropoiesis

Mammalian erythropoiesis yields a highly specialized cell type, the mature erythrocyte, evolved to meet the organismal needs of increased oxygen-carrying capacity. To better understand the regulation of erythropoiesis, we performed genome-wide studies of chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation, and transcriptomics using a recently developed strategy to obtain highly purified populations of primary human erythroid cells. The integration of gene expression, DNA methylation, and chromatin state dynamics reveals that stage-specific gene regulation during erythropoiesis is a stepwise and hierarchical process involving many cis-regulatory elements. Erythroid-specific, nonpromoter sites of chromatin accessibility are linked to erythroid cell phenotypic variation and inherited disease. Comparative analyses of stage-specific chromatin accessibility indicate that there is limited early chromatin priming of erythroid genes during hematopoiesis. The epigenome of terminally differentiating erythroid cells defines a distinct subset of highly specialized cells that are vastly dissimilar from other hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell types. These epigenomic and transcriptome data are powerful tools to study human erythropoiesis.
A Continuing Career in Biocatalysis: Frances H. Arnold

On the occasion of Professor Frances H. Arnold’s recent acceptance of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, we honor her numerous contributions to the fields of directed evolution and biocatalysis. Arnold pioneered the development of directed evolution methods for engineering enzymes as biocatalysts. Her highly interdisciplinary research has provided grounds not only for understanding the mechanisms of enzyme evolution but also for developing commercially viable enzyme biocatalysts and biocatalytic processes. In this Account, we highlight some of her notable contributions in the past three decades in the development of foundational directed evolution methods and their applications in the design and engineering of enzymes with desired functions for biocatalysis. Her work has created a paradigm shift in the broad catalysis field.
Towards Grey Box Modeling in Modelica

A dynamic system model of a motorcycle is described that has been implemented in the modeling language Modelica. Particular mathematical relations therein are learned by feedforward artificial neural networks which are trained using simulation data generated from the original model. These trained models are then used to replace the original relations in new models. This emulates a situation in which the original relations (e.g. those of a real system) are unknown but measurements indicate an interdependence between variables. The simulation results of those derived models are then evaluated and an approach to detect unreliable extrapolation of the artificial neural networks is proposed.
Finite, fiber-preserving group actions on elliptic 3-manifolds

In two previous papers the author presented a general construction of finite, fiber- and orientation-preserving group actions on orientable Seifert manifolds. In this paper we restrict our attention to elliptic 3-manifolds. A proof is given that orientation-reversing and fiber-preserving diffeomorphisms of Seifert manifolds do not exist for nonzero Euler class, in particular elliptic 3-manifolds. Each type of elliptic 3-manifold is then considered and the possible group actions that fit the given construction. This is shown to be all but a few cases that have been considered elsewhere. Finally, a presentation for the quotient space under such an action is constructed and a specific example is generated.
Management of Atrial Fibrillation

This chapter discusses the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients. About 16% of all ischemic strokes occur in patients with nonvalvular AF, with the frequency increasing directly with the mean age of the stroke population. Stroke due to AF is a frequent cause of disabling strokes in the elderly, particularly in elderly women. Most ischemic strokes in patients with AF are due to embolism of thrombi forming in the left atrium and particularly its appendage. Based on clinical studies, about 70% of ischemic strokes in AF patients are presumed to be cardioembolic. Chronic hypertension, present in about half of AF patients, increases the risk for both cardioembolic and noncardioembolic ischemic strokes in AF patients. For management, warfarin is highly efficacious for preventing stroke in AF patients and appears to be relatively safe for selected patients. Aspirin offers substantially less benefit, possibly by decreasing more minor, noncardioembolic strokes. The key to selection of antithrombotic prophylaxis is risk stratification. Most people with nonvalvular AF will not experience stroke even if untreated; blanket recommendations to treat all people with AF with life-long warfarin are not ideal.
Suppression of nano-hydride growth on Nb(100) due to nitrogen doping

Niobium superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities enable the operation of modern superconducting accelerator facilities. These cavities do not approach the theoretical performance limits of Nb due to the deleterious effects of surface defects and chemical inhomogeneities such as Nb hydrides. Nitrogen doping is known to consistently increase the cavity performance and inhibit Nb hydride growth, but a comprehensive understanding of Nb hydride growth and suppression is not yet realized. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations presented herein elucidate the real-time, nanoscale structural and electronic evolution of undoped, hydrogen doped, and hydrogen and nitrogen doped Nb(100) due to the growth and suppression of Nb nano-hydrides. DFT calculations in agreement with the experimental data found unique near-surface phases stabilized upon dopant incorporation. The experimental STM and STS results and DFT calculations reported herein provide the first in situ and real-time nanoscale visualization and characterization of the effects of nitrogen doping on Nb hydride suppression and growth. Such information allows for further optimization of nitrogen doping procedures and advances in the performance of SRF materials for next-generation SRF-based accelerators and free electron lasers.
The Role of Frontline Employees’ Competitive Intelligence and Intraorganizational Social Capital in Driving Customer Outcomes:

Grounded in social capital theory, this study explores the influence of intraorganizational social capital on frontline employees’ (FLEs) competitive intelligence activities and the subsequent effe...
Local exhaust ventilation systems for the gross anatomy laboratory

The inability to exhaust airborne formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds from a gross anatomy laboratory is an impediment to gross anatomical education. Despite the importance of removing harmful airborne chemicals, there is scant information regarding how to build effective local exhaust ventilation systems. In this study, various exhaust systems were built and assessed for exhaust flow, airborne formaldehyde removal, and noise production with the aim of identifying inexpensive and simple exhaust systems that can create a healthy and quiet exhaust flow from a downdraft dissection table. The results of the study include details regarding 11 local exhaust ventilation systems, including an exhaust system that produces an exhaust flow of 777cfm, allows no detectable airborne formaldehyde (0ppm) despite a 1000mL pool of formalin (composed of 37% formaldehyde) positioned directly beneath a formaldehyde-meter, and operates at a very low noise level (maximum of 69.2dBA with coexisting baseline room noise of 38.6dBA). Furthermore, the aforementioned local exhaust ventilation system costs less than $400 (USD) to build and can be assembled in a matter of minutes with minimal know-how. The local ventilation systems assessed in this study were capable of down-drafting air away from the breathing zone; therefore, the utilization of such local ventilation systems may have the additional benefit of decreasing the person-to-person transmission of aerosolized pathogens. This information marks an improvement in laboratory health and safety measures, facilitates the creation of gross anatomy laboratories, and improves access to gross anatomical education.
Let’s Chat: Development of a Family Group Chat Cancer Prevention Intervention for Vietnamese Families:

Vietnamese Americans are disproportionately affected by preventable late-stage cancers. This study capitalizes on the protective role of family networks to develop an online social media family group chat intervention promoting cancer screening among Vietnamese American families. A feasibility study was conducted to assess implementing Let's Chat, a 4-week intergenerational family group chat intervention to increase cancer screenings. Vietnamese American young adults were trained to act as family health advocates on their private family group chats and share cancer screening messages. The intervention covered material on recommended screenings for colonoscopy for those aged 45+ years, HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for young adults, and Pap testing for women. Ten families (n = 41) participated. Family group chat content analysis resulted in (a) sharing personal screening experiences, (b) family members being prompted to schedule cancer screening appointments after discussions in the chat, and (c) family members expressing a sense of urgency to follow up with cancer screening. Postintervention survey results revealed that 48% of participants received screening/vaccination, 77% reported intent to schedule an appointment to discuss recommended screenings, 61% reported discussing cancer screenings outside their group chat, 84% felt comfortable discussing screenings with family after the intervention, and 68% agreed that the group chat facilitated comfort around cancer screening discussions. Family members reported feeling closer to their family and greater comfort discussing cancer and cancer screening. Results from the Let's Chat feasibility study indicate promise for implementing a randomized trial conditional on grouping family chats by age and gender to increase cancer screenings among Vietnamese American families.
Social media use, social anxiety, and loneliness: A systematic review

Abstract Background Social media use (SMU) has become highly prevalent in modern society, especially among young adults. Research has examined how SMU affects well-being, with some findings suggesting that SMU is related to social anxiety and loneliness. Socially anxious and lonely individuals appear to prefer and seek out online social interactions on social media. Objective This systematic review examines social anxiety (SA) and loneliness (LO) in the context of SMU. Methods A multi-database search was performed. Papers published prior to May 2020 relevant to SMU and SA and/or LO were reviewed. Results Both socially anxious and lonely individuals engage online more problematically and seek out social support on social media, potentially to compensate for lack of in-person support. SA and LO are associated with problematic SMU; LO appears to be a risk factor for engaging problematically online. Conclusions LO is a risk factor for problematic SMU. More research on the relationship between SA and SMU is needed. To date, problematic SMU has been defined in terms of frequency rather than pattern of use. Most research has relied on self-report cross-sectional examinations of these constructs. More experimental and longitudinal designs are needed to elucidate potential bidirectional relationships between SA, LO, and SMU.
Morphometric Analyses of Modern and Subfossil Macronycteris (Family Hipposideridae) Refine Groups from Anjohibe Cave, Northwestern Madagascar

Extant Malagasy members of the genus Macronycteris are broadly distributed across the island and vary in size with respect to sex, bioclimatic zone, and intraspecific clade affinity. An extinct Quaternary species, M. besaoka, was considered morphologically distinct from modern Macronycteris based on its robust mandibles and wider molars. Since its description, taxonomic and phylogenetic revisions have reshaped our understanding of Malagasy Macronycteris. This included the discovery of the cryptic species M. cryptovalorona and the recognition of two clades within M. commersoni. Recent augmentation of museum cranial collections of Malagasy members of the genus has permitted renewed investigation into morphological trends. Herein, we examine craniodental morphology of modern Malagasy Macronycteris spp., and investigate the validity of M. besaoka through nonparametric multivariate methods. The results of this study support M. besaoka as a valid species. Further, some specimens previously diagnosed as M. besaoka are best associated with modern M. commersoni from the dry bioclimatic zone. These results have implications for the history of the bat community at Anjohibe Cave, as well as the identification of other Macronycteris subfossils from dry western Madagascar.
Rab GTPase Expression Changes in α-Synucleinopathy and Tauopathy Disorders (P3.8-041)

Objective: Determine Rab GTPase expression changes in α-synucleinopathy and tauopathy disorders. Background: Alterations in Rab GTPase function are increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disease pathology. In Lewy body disorders, Rab proteins interact with α-synuclein and several are substrates of PINK1 and LRRK2 kinases, supporting a potential role in Parkinson disease (PD). Expression of specific Rabs (e.g., Rab1, 3a, 8a) rescues α-synuclein associated trafficking deficits, vesicle accumulation, and toxicity. Rab proteins have similarly been linked to tau disorders such as Alzheimer disease (AD). However, little is known about the role of Rab GTPases in other tau disorders and expression patterns in neurodegenerative disease. Design/Methods: We examined expression levels of several Rab GTPase proteins (Rab 3a, 5, 7, 8a, 10, 11a, and 35) in postmortem human brain samples from multiple tauopathy (AD, PSP, CBD), Lewy body (α-synucleinopathy) disorders (PD, DLB, MSA), and matched controls. Tissues from select brain regions including frontal and temporal cortex, striatum, cerebellum, and white matter were analyzed. Frozen brain samples were homogenized in high salt buffer and analyzed by Western blot with specific Rab antibodies. Results: Rab3a expression was significantly increased in the striatum of DLB and MSA, but not PD. Rab8a levels were decreased in frontal and temporal cortex in atypical parkinsonian disorders (APD) compared to control. Rab11a was similarly decreased in frontal cortex in APD’s, but increased in the striatum and white matter of PSP and CBD. Rab35, recently implicated as potential PD biomarker, appeared unchanged in PD but was significantly decreased in the striatum in APD’s. Conclusions: These findings represent the first comprehensive analysis of Rab GTPase expression in neuropathological tissues and demonstrate differential expression patterns for Rab proteins in disease-affected regions of tau and α-synuclein disorders. Further studies are needed to determine the potential impact and role of Rab proteins in neurodegenerative disease pathology. Disclosure: Dr. Parmar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bae has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jadvani has nothing to disclose. Dr. McFarland has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Novartis.
Higher-Order Defeat and Withholding Judgment

Defeat by higher-order evidence needs defending. Maria Lasonen-Aarnio argues powerfully for the conclusion that higher-order evidence does not have an unlimited capacity to defeat justification. While developing her main argument Lasonen-Aarnio poses two other problems for unlimited higher-order defeat. Some theories of higher-order defeat are not subject to the main argument. The other problems threaten those theories too. The problems will be developed with the aim of finding and evaluating optimal versions. The first offers a reductio argument. The argument will be criticized as employing an unjustifiable assumption. The second problem poses a dilemma. The dilemma will be avoided by supplementing plausible higher-order defeat theories with a view of what justifies withholding judgment.
Mind Wars: Brain Research and National Defense

Why would one think of neuroscience as a fertile field of medical ethics and national security? That is the question J answer in my recent book, Mind Wars (Dana 2006).
Ras-GTP dimers activate the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway

Rat sarcoma (Ras) GTPases regulate cell proliferation and survival through effector pathways including Raf-MAPK, and are the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer. Although it is well established that Ras activity requires binding to both GTP and the membrane, details of how Ras operates on the cell membrane to activate its effectors remain elusive. Efforts to target mutant Ras in human cancers to therapeutic benefit have also been largely unsuccessful. Here we show that Ras-GTP forms dimers to activate MAPK. We used quantitative photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) to analyze the nanoscale spatial organization of PAmCherry1-tagged KRas 4B (hereafter referred to KRas) on the cell membrane under various signaling conditions. We found that at endogenous expression levels KRas forms dimers, and KRasG12D, a mutant that constitutively binds GTP, activates MAPK. Overexpression of KRas leads to formation of higher order Ras nanoclusters. Conversely, at lower expression levels, KRasG12D is monomeric and activates MAPK only when artificially dimerized. Moreover, dimerization and signaling of KRas are both dependent on an intact CAAX (C, cysteine; A, aliphatic; X, any amino acid) motif that is also known to mediate membrane localization. These results reveal a new, dimerization-dependent signaling mechanism of Ras, and suggest Ras dimers as a potential therapeutic target in mutant Ras-driven tumors.
Shark tagging: a review of conventional methods and studies

The tagging of sharks using conventional tags has long been recognized as a valuable means for studying various aspects of their life history, migrations and movements, and population structure. Conventional tags are defined as those that can be identified visually without the use of special detection equipment. Tagging studies specifically targeting sharks began in the late 1920’s, and today numerous cooperative shark tagging programs exist worldwide. Cooperative programs depend on the joint participation of scientists and public volunteers to accomplish research objectives. Benefits and problems of these programs are discussed using the tagging methodologies, protocols, and results of the National Marine Fisheries Service Cooperative Shark Tagging Program. An additional 63 shark tagging studies and programs of all types are reviewed. Information useful for behavioral, biological, and fishery management studies can be derived from data resulting from these studies, including species and size composition, sex ratios, spatial and temporal distribution, migrations, movement patterns, rates of travel, delineation of pupping grounds, distribution of maturity intervals, indices of relative abundance, and recognition of individuals. Specific tagging experiments can be designed to provide additional data on age and growth, homing and site fidelity, dispersal rate, residence time, movement rates, tag shedding, and population parameters (e.g. size, mortality, recruitment, exploitation, interaction rates, and stock identity). Sources of bias inherent in tagging and recapture data include mortality, variation in tagging effort and fishing pressure, non-recovery and non-reporting of tags, and tag shedding. Recent advances in tagging methodologies that complement and extend conventional tagging studies will further our knowledge on shark movements and migrations, particularly in the areas of resource utilization and management, space utilization, and population dynamics.
Recruiter Opinion of Hospitality Programs: An Assessment of Selected Programs

Abstract This study investigates recruiters' opinions of hospitality programs, their students and faculty, and the services provided to them related to the recruitment process in the United States. Recruiters were asked to identify preferred schools of their choice based on the quality of students, overall academic program, and how well students meet their corporate expectations. Study results were compared to findings from previous research, some of which identified the characteristics of hospitality programs based on the opinions of educators and opinions of industry leaders.
The Martingale Method for Mean-Field Disordered Systems at High Temperature

We review some martingale techniques for the study of meanfield disordered systems at high temperature, including the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model, the Hopfield model, and more general associative memory models. We describe the log-normal limit of the partition function in term of a Brownian motion, and we give another proof of self-averaging for pressure. In the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick case we show that the law of the product of two independent configurations is close to uniform at very high temperature, but this does not persist in the whole high-temperature region.
Demostration of the existence of the Σ0 hyperon and a measurement of its mass

Three events, demonstrating the existence of the Σ0 hyperon, have been found in a propane bubble chamber. TheQ-value for the decay Σ0 → Λ0+γ+Q has been measured to be (73.0 ± 3.5) MeV.
Using Genetic Algorithms to Find Technical Trading Rules: A Comment on Risk Adjustment

Allen and Karjalainen (1999) used genetic programming to develop optimal ex ante trading rules for the S&P 500 index. They found no evidence that the returns to these rules were higher than buy-and-hold returns but some evidence that the rules had predictive ability. This comment investigates the risk-adjusted usefulness of such rules and more fully characterizes their predictive content. These results extend Allen and Karjalainen's (1999) conclusion by showing that although the rules' relative performance improves, there is no evidence that the rules significantly outperform the buy-and-hold strategy on a risk-adjusted basis. Therefore, the results are consistent with market efficiency. Nevertheless, risk-adjustment techniques should be seriously considered when evaluating trading strategies.
The role of awake craniotomy in reducing intraoperative visual field deficits during tumor surgery.

Objective: Homonymous hemianopia due to damage to the optic radiations or visual cortex is a possible consequence of tumor resection involving the temporal or occipital lobes. The purpose of this review is to present and analyze a series of studies regarding the use of awake craniotomy (AC) to decrease visual field deficits following neurosurgery. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed using the Medline and PubMed databases from 1970 and 2014 that compared various uses of AC other than intraoperative motor/somatosensory/language mapping with a focus on visual field mapping. Results: For the 17 patients analyzed in this study, 14 surgeries resulted in quadrantanopia, 1 in hemianopia, and 2 without visual deficits. Overall, patient satisfaction with AC was high, and AC was a means to reduce surgery-related complications and cost related with the procedure. Conclusion: AC is a safe and tolerable procedure that can be used effectively to map optic radiations and the visual cortices in order to preserve visual function during resection of tumors infiltrating the temporal and occipital lobes. In the majority of cases, a homonymous hemianopia was prevented and patients were left with a quadrantanopia that did not interfere with daily function.
Assessment of fetal maturation by the foam test

Abstract The foam test, performed in 66 high-risk pregnancies, has been shown to diagnose fetal maturity reliably only when it was “positive.” When the test was negative, the fetus, in 73.3 per cent of the cases, was premature, and the incidence of hyaline membrane disease was similar to that observed in premature fetuses of similar gestational age. An intermediate result in the test detected fetal maturity in 80 per cent of the cases and was not associated with hyaline membrane disease. Although a positive foam test correlated significantly with the concentration of amniotic fluid lecithin, tests with positive, intermediate, and negative results were found at lecithin concentrations lower than 180 μg per cent. This observation opens to question the validity of the test as an indirect measurement of lung surfactant material. The foam test, being economical, reliable, and fast, should replace the lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio test.
Schedulability analysis of real-time systems using timing constraint Petri nets

Timing constraint Petri nets (TCPNs) to facilitate the modeling and analysis of real-time systems are presented. The schedulability analysis capabilities of TCPNs are discussed. Through modeling, analysis, and iterative refinement, the software developer can verify whether an underlying specification will be schedulable with respect to the given timing requirements, all via the token game played in TCPNs. The schedulability of real-time systems against the imposed timing constraints is analyzed. >
Chlamydia protease-like activity factor (CPAF): characterization of proteolysis activity in vitro and development of a nanomolar affinity CPAF zymogen-derived inhibitor.

During infection of epithelial cells, the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis secretes the serine protease Chlamydia protease-like activity factor (CPAF) into the host cytosol to ...
Research for a Uniform Quality Grading System for Tires. IV. Tread Wear

Abstract This research had as its objective the development of a test procedure for rating tires for tread wear. The results of preliminary experiments on roads of different composition and severity are discussed. The authors conclude that the course on which tires are to be rated should include several different pavements and a variety of maneuvers of unequal severity. Two courses, one near Bryan, Texas, and the other near San Antonio, Texas were designed on this principle. Eighteen brands of tires including bias, radial, and G78 belted bias tires were run on each course. The tires ranked in order of decreasing projected mileage on each course were highly correlated, although the mileages were not equal.
Fundamental characteristics of plasma-related matrix-effect cross-over points in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

The dependence of matrix-effect cross-over locations on plasma operating conditions (central-channel gas flow, plasma forward power, and dry/wet plasma), excitation potentials of emission lines, and matrix properties was explored. Improving plasma robustness either by lowering the central-channel gas flow rate, by increasing the plasma forward power or by employing a plasma torch with a larger injector diameter either does not significantly reduce or occasionally only slightly reduces the depressive matrix effect in the normal analytical zone (NAZ) of the plasma caused by matrix elements with a low second ionization potential. Aqueous aerosols were found to have a large impact on the location of the cross-over point; cross-over locations can be 7 mm apart when dry and wet plasma conditions are used. Further, the location of a cross-over point is sandwiched between the peak emission locations of “soft” and “hard” emission lines, which correspond to thermal and non-thermal regions of the plasma, respectively. Cross-over points were found to shift downward almost linearly with increasing first ionization potentials of the matrices. The first ionization potential of the matrix was found also to be the prime parameter that defines the magnitude of emission enhancement low in the plasma. In contrast, it is the second ionization potential of the matrix element that dictates the magnitude of signal depression high in the plasma. The locations of cross-over points correlate strongly with the magnitude of the depression in the normal analytical zone of the plasma. In addition, the mechanism(s) responsible for this depressive effect was found to be operative at all vertical heights in the plasma, including the emission enhancement region low in the discharge.
Long-term potentiation in the hippocampus.

Long-term potentiation of field and single neuronal responses recorded in various hippocampal fields is described on the basis of author's and literary data. Most of intrahippocampal and extrinsic connections in both in vivo and in vitro hippocampal preparations show this phenomenon after one or several conditioning trains of comparatively short duration (20 s or less) at various frequencies (from 10 to 400 Hz). Properties of hippocampal potentiation are described. The properties include long term persistence (hours and days) of the potentiated response, its low frequency depression, self-restoration after the depression, specificity of the potentiation for the tetanized pathway, necessity of activation of a sufficient number of neuronal elements (‘cooperativity’) to produce the potentiation, possible involvement of ‘reinforcing’ brain structures during conditioning tetanization. These properties are distinct from those of ‘usual’ short-term post-tetanic potentiation and lead to the suggestion that the neuronal mechanisms underlying long-term potentiation are similar to those underlying memory and behavioralconditioned reflex. Neurophysiological mechanisms of long-term potentiation are discussed. The main mechanism consists in an increase in efficacy of excitatory synapses as shown by various methods including intracellular recording and quantal analysis. The latter favours presynaptic localization of the changes of synaptic efficacy showing increase in the number of transmitter quanta released per presynaptic impulse. However, changes in the number of subsynaptic receptors or localized changes in dendritic postsynaptic membrane are not excluded. Biochemical studies indicate the increase in transmitter release and calcium-dependent phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase after tetanization. Instances of persistent response facilitations at other levels of the vertebrate central nervous system (especially at neocortical level) are considered and compared with hippocampal long-term potentiation. It is suggested that modifiable excitatory synapses necessary for learning have been identified in studies of long-term potentiation. These synapses are presumably modified as a result of close sequential activation of the following three structures: excitatory presynaptic fibers, the postsynaptic neuron and a ‘reinforcing’ brain system.
Invited Address: “The Times They Are A-Changin’” Gene Expression, Neuroplasticity, and Developmental Research

For good reason, social scientists have a long history of being suspicious of biological explanations of human behavior. Importantly, however, recent paradigmatic shifts in the life sciences have largely obviated these longstanding concerns. We highlight the changes that have occurred in genetics with its movement away from genetic determinism to an emphasis on epigenetics and in neuroscience with its switch from a fixed to a neuroplastic view of the brain. We describe these new developments noting the way they recognize, indeed place a premium upon, the role of the environment. The remainder of the paper focuses upon the challenges and opportunities for social scientists, especially those involved in developmental work, proffered by these paradigmatic shifts. The evidence clearly shows that nature and nurture are inextricably interlinked. Importantly, however, it also indicates that they are connected in a manner that honors the priority that the social sciences place upon the environment. We contend that incorporating biological processes into our developmental work will sharpen our theories and enhance their significance. We argue that such biologically integrated models will provide a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of how nurture influences behavior across the life course.
Are crossings of energy levels and charge exchange really quantum phenomena

Electron terms in the field of two stationary Coulomb centers (TCC) of charges $Z$ and ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ can have crossings and quasicrossings. A quasicrossing, by enhancing charge exchange, can result in a dip in the spectral line profile emitted by a $Z$ ion from a plasma consisting of both $Z$ and ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ ions. The paradigm is that all of the above are inherently quantum phenomena. Here we disprove this paradigm. Based on first principles without model assumptions, we present a purely classical description of both the level crossings in the TCC problem and the dips in the spectral line profiles.