cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TWO NEW TROPICAL AMERICAN SPECIES OF ADIANTUM

? Euadiantum; species pulchra rachibus paleis subulato-capillaceis divaricatis persistentibus numerosissimis ubique praeditis insignis, habitu A. pulverulento non dissimilis sed ut videtur A. glaucescenti affinis, quod differt: rachibus gracillimis lucidissimis paleis carentibus, segmentis tenuiter membranaceis mediocriter lobatis, soris vero lunatis valide discretis partem mediam late retusam loborum insidentibus. Rhizome short-creeping, 2-5 cm. long, 4-7 mm. thick, coarsely and unevenly nodose from the stout pseudopodia of old fronds, closely paleaceous, especially toward apex; scales tufted, light to dark brown, 4-5 mm. long, reticulate, lance-subulate, deciduously ciliate toward the base, remotely denticulate toward the long-attenuate tip. Fronds 2 or 3, approximate, laxly ascending, 40-90 cm. long; stipes somewhat longer than the blades, stout, atropurpureous, obtusely trigonous, deeply sulcate ventrally, lustrous, conspicuously shaggy with very numerous, wide-spreading, subulatefiliform scales (4-5 mm. long, mostly with appressed fimbriate-stellate base), these extending freely to the rachises throughout; blades impari-bipinnate (rarely 3-pinnate at base), 25-50 cm. long, 20-40 cm. broad; pinnae 7-i6 (22), 2-4 cm. broad, linear-oblong to elliptic-oblanceolate, alternate, spreading, simply pinnate or (exceptionally) the 2 or 3 lowermost pairs fully bipinnate at base; segments I5-30 pairs, distinctly petiolulate, non-articulate, oblique, the median ones rhombic-oblong from a subrectangular or broadly cuneate inequilateral base, straight or lightly falcate, rounded-obtuse or (if fertile) often muticous at apex, I.5-2.5 cm. long, 5-8 mm. broad, the basal ones reduced, short-rhombic to orbicular-flabelliform, the terminal ones lanceolate to narrowly and unequally lobate-hastate; sterile pinnae entire at lower margin, unequally serrulate at upper margin and apex; veins prominulous, rather close, mostly 2 or 3 times forked; leaf tissue membrano-herbaceous, dark green, lustrous, and striolate above, beneath glaucous, often conspicuously so; sori borne mostly on segments of the lower half of the pinnae, oblong or sometimes sublunate, 2-3 mm. long, occupying the upper margin and apex, adjacent, the reflexed marginal lobe very narrow, closely revolute, glabrous, the true indusium ample (o.s-o.8 mm. broad), brownish, membranous, glabrous, erose to coarsely dentate-fimbriate; spores triplanate, obtusely 3-lobed, about 35 ,u in diameter, yellowish, granular. 17 I65
Heat-stability of antibodies in tuberculous sera.

Summary1. Antibodies in the sera from a group of tuberculin-negative cattle were destroyed by heating at 70°C for 10 minutes, while heat-stable antibodies were detected in some tuberculous sera. 2. Experimental tuberculosis in rabbits was accompanied by the appearance of heat-stable agglutinins early in the course of infection, and later by heat-stable hemolysins. 3. Similar findings were observed in rabbits injected with B.C.G. and M. phlei. 4. Several injections of P.P.D. were required to stimulate the production of heat-stable antibodies.
Tropical ice core isotopes: Do they reflect changes in storm activity?

[1] The oxygen isotopic composition (H218O/H216O) of water vapor samples over the tropical oceans has been measured at three locations during distinct meteorological regimes. H218O concentrations were lowest in and downwind from the most highly organized precipitation systems and reflect the exposure of the air to extensive areas of rain. The tropical ice core record therefore reflects changes not only of temperature but also of average degree of organization of tropical rain systems during different climate regimes.
EXPERIMENTAL INITIATION OF HAUSTORIA IN AGALINIS PURPUREA (SCROPHULARIACEAE)

The initiation and early developmental stages of the haustorium were studied in Agalinis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae). Plants were grown in a O.9Wo agar inorganic medium with a 0.5% sucrose supplement. Root exudate collected from Lespedeza sericea induced the initiation of haustoria, with earliest stages evident in 6-12 hr. A 30-min exposure to exudate produced an increased frequency of haustoria and a 24-hr exposure yielded haustorial frequencies equal to the number that were initiated on control plants continuously exposed to root exudate for the 5-day growth period. The early cytological features of haustorial development are described and the possible significance of haustorial initiation in host recognition is discussed. AGALINIS PURPUREA (L.) Raf. is a chlorophyll-containing root parasite of the Scrophulariaceae. This plant is a widespread herbaceous annual of eastern North America. Like other hemiparasites in the subfamily Rhinanthoideae, it produces specialized root structures termed haustoria which form a morphological and physiological bridge between host and parasite. Haustorial structure has been described in numerous studies although the process of initiation and development has received little attention (Kuijt, 1977). The only experimental work on haustorial development has been that of Malcolm (1966) on Castilleja coccinea and Melampyrum lineare, Thurman (1966) on several species of Orthocarpus, and Atsatt (1973) who reported on agar cultures of Orthocarpus purpurascens. These studies did not focus on the cytological details of initiation. Developmental observations of early parasite contact by Striga asiatica (Rogers and Nelson, 1962) and with Alectra vogelii (Visser, Dorr, and Kollmann, 1977) concerned direct transformation of the root apex into a haustorium upon host contact. Other recent studies (Dobbins and Kuijt, 1973; Musselman and Dickison, 1975; Weber 1976a) are based on collections from field material.
Viral Resistance Evolution Fully Escapes a Rationally Designed Lethal Inhibitor

Viruses are notoriously capable of evolving resistance to drugs. However, if the endpoint of resistance evolution is only partial escape, a feasible strategy should be to stack drugs, so the combined effect of partial inhibition by several drugs results in net inhibition. Assessing the feasibility of this approach requires quantitative data on viral fitness before and after evolution of resistance to a drug, as done here with bacteriophage T7. An inhibitory gene expressed from a phage promoter aborts wild-type T7 infections. The effect is so severe that the phage population declines when exposed to the inhibitor but expands a billion-fold per hour in its absence. In prior work, T7 evolved modest resistance to this inhibitor, an expected result. Given the nature of the inhibitor, that it used the phage's own promoter to target the phage's destruction, we anticipated that resistance evolution would be limited as the phage may need to evolve a new regulatory system, with simultaneous changes in its RNA polymerase (RNAP) and many of its promoters to fully escape inhibition. We show here that further adaptation of the partially resistant phage led to complete resistance. Resistance evolution was due to three mutations in the RNAP gene and two other genes; unexpectedly, no changes were observed in promoters. Consideration of other mechanisms of T7 inhibition leaves hope that permanent inhibition of viral growth with drugs can in principle be achieved.
Surface reactions of TiCl4 and Al(CH3)3 on GaAs(100) during the first half-cycle of atomic layer deposition

Abstract GaAs(100) was exposed to pulses of trimethylaluminum (TMA, Al(CH 3 ) 3 ) and titanium tetrachloride (TiCl 4 ) to mimic the first half-cycle of atomic layer deposition (ALD). Both precursors removed the 9.0 ± 1.6 A-thick mixed oxide consisting primarily of As 2 O 3 with a small Ga 2 O component that was left on the surface after aqueous HF treatment and vacuum annealing. In its place, TMA deposited an Al 2 O 3 layer, but TiCl 4 exposure left Cl atoms adsorbed to an elemental As layer. This suggests that oxygen was removed by the formation of a volatile oxychloride species. A small TiO 2 coverage of approximately 0.04 monolayer remained on the surface for deposition temperatures of 89 °C to 135 °C, but no TiO 2 was present from 170 °C to 230 °C. The adsorbed Cl layer chemically passivated the surface at these temperatures and blocked TiO 2 deposition even after 50 full ALD cycles of TiCl 4 and water vapor. The Cl and As layers desorbed simultaneously at higher temperature producing peaks in the temperature programmed desorption spectrum in the range 237–297 °C. This allowed TiO 2 deposition at 300 °C in single TiCl 4 pulse experiments. On the native oxide-covered surface where there was a higher proportional Ga oxide composition, TiCl 4 exposure deposited TiO 2 .
Determination of SpO2/FiO2 thresholds to impute for PaO2/FiO2 ratios in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score

The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score is a well-validated and effective method by which to measure organ dysfunction in critically ill patients and is a good indicator of prognosis. However, repeated arterial blood gas data are often lacking for calculating the respiratory component of the SOFA score on a daily basis. The aim of this study was to derive SpO2/FiO2 (S/F) ratio correlations with the PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio in assessing the respiratory parameters of the SOFA score, incorporating the level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).
Three-Center Bond Index Profiles

Three-center two-electron bond index profiles of some simple molecules containing H, Li and B atoms have been calculated using suitable basis sets at the HF level. These profiles correspond to the formation of H3+ from H2 and H+, rotation of the BH2 units of B2H6 and variation of the HLiH angle of LiH3. The three-center bond index is found to be maximum near to the geometry of energy minimum. Higher three-center bond indices are observed for LiH dimer and B4+ at their equilibrium geometry than at an alternative structure.
Memoir, Social History and Commitment: Eric Hobsbawm's Interesting Times

The publications of Eric Hobsbawm's autobiography, Interesting Times, provides an opportunity to revisit and reassess his work as an historian. Doing so makes it clear that Hobsbawm's politics, registered most clearly in his long-time membership in the British Communist Party, was central to his achievements as a historian. His politics shaped his views and his choice of topics and provided him with unusual access to worlds most historians have rarely glimpsed. Inevitably, however, Hobsbawm's political loyalties also constrained and limited his treatment of phenomena or processes that conflicted with, or argued against, those commitments.
A comparison of risk factors for postoperative and spontaneous nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Background:Whether postoperative non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is caused by surgery is unsettled. To provide further evidence on this issue, it is useful to compare the characteristics of patients who develop NAION following intraocular surgery to those who develop NAION spontaneou
Efficacy of a prototype endoscope with two deflecting working channels for endoscopic submucosal dissection: a prospective, comparative, ex vivo study

Background Optimizing the visualization of the cutting line of the submucosal layer is essential to performing an effective and safe endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Objective To evaluate the prototype R-scope compared with a conventional, double-channel endoscope in time required for ESD of mucosal lesions in distinct anatomical locations of the stomach. Design A prospective, comparative, ex vivo study. Intervention ESD. Main Outcome Measurements Procedure time (primary end point measure), specimen size, submucosal injection frequency, en bloc resection rate, and perforation rate (secondary end point measures). Results In the subgroup of resections in the greater and lesser curvature, the mean (± SD) procedure time was significantly less in the R-scope group compared with the conventional endoscope group (8.4 ± 2.1 minutes vs 11.3 ± 2.1 minutes, respectively; P = .006), and the mean (± SD) submucosal injection frequency was significantly less in the R-scope group compared with the conventional endoscope group (1.9 ± 0.6 vs 2.5 ± 0.5, respectively; P = .025). There were no significant differences in procedure time, specimen size, submucosal injection requirements, en bloc resection rate, and perforation rate between the two endoscopic groups of all combined anatomic lesions. Limitations Small, ex vivo study. Conclusion ESD by using the R-scope may provide an improved platform for quicker ESD, especially in greater and lesser curvature anatomical lesions of the stomach.
Ceramics for restorative dentistry: Critical aspects for fracture and fatigue resistance

Development of non-metallic restorative materials is a high priority due to biocompatibility issues and environmental concerns associated with metals waste and disposal. Ceramics are an ideal candidate for replacing metal-based restorative materials. Ceramics provide excellent chemical durability, wear resistance, biocompatibility, environmental friendliness and esthetics. However, widespread all-ceramic restoration use has been hindered by concerns related to marginal fracture resistance and clinical longevity. The recent introduction of higher toughness materials, especially partially stabilized zirconia, has expanded the range of clinically acceptable applications for all-ceramic restorative systems. In addition, advanced fabrication techniques such as CAD/CAM have reduced some of the problems associated with processing-induced flaws that can lead to short-term catastrophic failures in vivo. Some current research is focused on surface modification techniques (thin films, coatings, advanced adhesives) intended to minimize the effects of fabrication-induced defects.
Transient Induction of Cyclin T1 during Human Macrophage Differentiation Regulates Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tat Transactivation Function

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat protein is essential for viral replication and stimulates transcription of the integrated provirus by recruiting the kinase complex TAK/P-TEFb, composed of cyclin T1 (CycT1) and Cdk9, to the viral TAR RNA element. TAK/P-TEFb phosphorylates the RNA polymerase II complex and stimulates transcriptional elongation. In this report, we investigated the regulation of TAK/P-TEFb in primary human macrophages, a major target cell of HIV infection. While Cdk9 levels remained constant, CycT1 protein expression in freshly isolated monocytes was very low, increased early during macrophage differentiation, and, unexpectedly, decreased to very low levels after about 1 week in culture. The kinase activity of TAK/P-TEFb paralleled the changes in CycT1 protein expression. RNA analysis indicated that the transient induction of CycT1 protein expression involves a posttranscriptional mechanism. In transient transfection assays, the ability of Tat to transactivate the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) in the late differentiated macrophages was greatly diminished relative to its ability to transactivate the HIV LTR in early differentiated cells, strongly suggesting that CycT1 is limiting for Tat function in late differentiated macrophages. Interestingly, lipopolysaccharide, a component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, reinduced CycT1 expression late in macrophage differentiation. These results raise the possibility that regulation of CycT1 expression may be involved in establishing latent infection in macrophages and that opportunistic infection may reactivate the virus by inducing CycT1 expression.
Experimental Simulation of Ducted Fan Acoustics at Very Small Scale

This study evaluated the feasibility of simulating the aerodynamics and acoustics of ducted fans using small-scale components (approximately 1/38 th scale). Enabling technologies include high-definition stereolithography and high-performance, compact DC brushless motors used in model aircraft. The 70-mm ducted fan featured a 14-bladed rotor and 24 stators, and operated at fan pressure ratio of 1.15 and rotor tip Mach number of 0.61. Its operation was thus representative of turbofan engines with very large bypass ratio. The far-field acoustics were surveyed in the downward and sideline planes. The acoustic results of the isolated ducted fan compare favorably with past large-scale experiments. In addition, the project provided initial data on the shielding of ducted-fan noise using a surface that approximated the shape of the blended wing body airplane. The BWB-shaped shield featured removable inboard fins and a moveable elevon, and translated axially to enable various positions of the nacelle relative to the elevon trailing edge. The EPNL reduction on the downward plane ranged from 7.6 dB with the engine at its nominal location to 10.4 dB with the engine moved forward by one fan diameter. Sideline EPNL reduction was marginal with the fins off and reached about 3.0 dB with the fins installed. Upward deflection of the elevon improved moderately the shielding.
Activation of Wnt signaling by chemically induced dimerization of LRP5 disrupts cellular homeostasis.

Wnt signaling is crucial for a variety of biological processes, including body axis formation, planar polarity, stem cell maintenance and cellular differentiation. Therefore, targeted manipulation of Wnt signaling in vivo would be extremely useful. By applying chemical inducer of dimerization (CID) technology, we were able to modify the Wnt co-receptor, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), to generate the synthetic ligand inducible Wnt switch, iLRP5. We show that iLRP5 oligomerization results in its localization to disheveled-containing punctate structures and sequestration of scaffold protein Axin, leading to robust β-catenin-mediated signaling. Moreover, we identify a novel LRP5 cytoplasmic domain critical for its intracellular localization and casein kinase 1-dependent β-catenin signaling. Finally, by utilizing iLRP5 as a Wnt signaling switch, we generated the Ubiquitous Activator of β-catenin (Ubi-Cat) transgenic mouse line. The Ubi-Cat line allows for nearly ubiquitous expression of iLRP5 under control of the H-2Kb promoter. Activation of iLRP5 in isolated prostate basal epithelial stem cells resulted in expansion of p63+ cells and development of hyperplasia in reconstituted murine prostate grafts. Independently, iLRP5 induction in adult prostate stroma enhanced prostate tissue regeneration. Moreover, induction of iLRP5 in male Ubi-Cat mice resulted in prostate tumor progression over several months from prostate hyperplasia to adenocarcinoma. We also investigated iLRP5 activation in Ubi-Cat-derived mammary cells, observing that prolonged activation results in mammary tumor formation. Thus, in two distinct experimental mouse models, activation of iLRP5 results in disruption of tissue homeostasis, demonstrating the utility of iLRP5 as a novel research tool for determining the outcome of Wnt activation in a precise spatially and temporally determined fashion.
Montane forest ecotones moved downslope in northeastern USA in spite of warming between 1984 and 2011.

Ecotones are transition zones that form, in forests, where distinct forest types meet across a climatic gradient. In mountains, ecotones are compressed and act as potential harbingers of species shifts that accompany climate change. As the climate warms in New England, USA, high-elevation boreal forests are expected to recede upslope, with northern hardwood species moving up behind. Yet recent empirical studies present conflicting findings on this dynamic, reporting both rapid upward ecotonal shifts and concurrent increases in boreal species within the region. These discrepancies may result from the limited spatial extent of observations. We developed a method to model and map the montane forest ecotone using Landsat imagery to observe change at scales not possible for plot-based studies, covering mountain peaks over 39 000 km(2) . Our results show that ecotones shifted downward or stayed stable on most mountains between 1991 and 2010, but also shifted upward in some cases (13-15% slopes). On average, upper ecotone boundaries moved down -1.5 m yr(-1) in the Green Mountains, VT, and -1.3 m yr(-1) in the White Mountains, NH. These changes agree with remeasured forest inventory data from Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH, and suggest that processes of boreal forest recovery from prior red spruce decline, or human land use and disturbance, may swamp out any signal of climate-mediated migration in this ecosystem. This approach represents a powerful framework for evaluating similar ecotonal dynamics in other mountainous regions of the globe.
Influence of Stress, Exertion, and Dietary Natural Source Vitamin E on Prostaglandin Synthesis, Hematology, and Tissue Fatty Acid Composition of Sunshine Bass

Abstract We evaluated the effect of dietary natural source vitamin E (NSVE) on hematology and tissue composition of sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) at rest and under the physical stress of exertion. Experimental diets were formulated to contain 1, 2, 5, or 30 times the dietary vitamin E requirement of sunshine bass as met by NSVE (22 mg NSVE/kg of feed, supplemental). After an 8-week feeding trial, dietary treatment groups were subdivided for experimental exertion (forced swimming at 0.12 m/s): Control (no exercise), short-term exertion (30 min), and long-term exertion (180 min). Short-term exertion induced the greatest plasma cortisol concentrations and depressed hematocrit. Dietary NSVE and exertion treatments were observed to affect eicosanoid synthesis via significant effects on cytosolic phospholipase (cPLA2) activity in adipose tissue but not white muscle or hepatic tissue. At rest, increasing NSVE was associated with increased adipose cPLA2 activit...
A unified fast channel change framework for IPTV networks

In this paper we introduce a distributed channel change framework that utilizes a dedicated server and session peers to support the fast channel change process. Support peers represent the prior choice to deliver the channel change packets to the zapping users. The dedicated server, which we refer to as the Channel Switch Coordinator (CSC), is essentially responsible for the coordination of the channel change requests. To minimize the average channel change delay for all the users connected to the same CSC server, CSC server is also responsible for the delivery of channel change and proactive repair packets, whenever peer-based delivery fails to achieve the desired performance results in terms of channel change latency. Because of the increased scalability offered by the use of support peers during the channel change process, the proposed approach allows the use of longer group-of-picture (GOP) sizes for the transmission of the IPTV content.
Olfactory and Sensory Attributes of the Nose

The human nasal cavity contains multiple sensory and olfactory structures. The nasal mucosa with its complex innervation detects the danger substances in the air and stimulates the protective reflexes. Healthy olfactory mucosa allows for appreciation of pleasant aromas and food flavors. The olfactory nerve, in concert with the trigeminal nerve, serves as a main interpreter and modulator of chemosensory information. The anatomy of the olfactory neuroepithelium, which occupies only a small portion of the nasal mucosa, is generally well understood, while the presence and distribution of the sensory/tactile receptors in the mucosa of the nasal cavity is still a subject of controversy. The nasal vestibule, lined with skin, contains receptors that can sense noxious stimuli and air-flow. The sensitivity of the nasal mucosa to air-flow still needs further research. Understanding the distribution of the air-flow receptors could help to guide nasal surgery for obstruction.
Reconsidering the science of scientific whaling

Scientific whaling is one of the most publicly contentious applications of marine ecolog- ical research today. An evaluation of the second phase of Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) program in the western North Pacific (JARPN II) is soon to be conducted under the auspices of the Scientific Committee (SC) of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Previous IWC SC reviews identified serious problems with the programs, yet reached inconsequential conclusions, and the JARPN II review is the first under a new format. The basic design of this study — forestomach sampling coupled with acoustic and trawl surveys for prey — is an unsophisticated approach to investigating the foraging ecology of Balaenoptera spp. Published results of the JARPN II feasibility study demonstrate problems with the execution of field work. Data analyses were simplistic. Non- lethal studies into the foraging ecology of Balaenoptera spp., using far fewer resources, have produced more definitive information. The recent changes in the IWC SC review process should result in unambiguous advice on how to improve the design of JARPN II. If the review recommends improvements that are not acted upon by the program's proponents, the IWC may need to decide whether the JARPN II program can be considered to be scientific research under Article VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.
Subspace system identification for CO 2 recovery processes

The development of amine scrubbing for coal and natural gas-fired power plants represents a key technology to reduce CO 2 emissions. Among the strategies required to maximize CO 2 capture during plant operations is the design of tailor-made dynamic models for optimal control. This paper presents a novel application of subspace system identification to a CO 2 recovery plant, where major decision variables are considered to develop a simple state space model that can estimate more than sixty process outputs. This model demonstrates to have a great predictive potential, which opens opportunities for the implementation of robust predictive controllers that can quickly adjust to power plant load changes.
First Principles Predictions of the Structure and Function of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors: Validation for Bovine Rhodopsin

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in cell communication processes and with mediating such senses as vision, smell, taste, and pain. They constitute a prominent superfamily of drug targets, but an atomic-level structure is available for only one GPCR, bovine rhodopsin, making it difficult to use structure-based methods to design receptor-specific drugs. We have developed the MembStruk first principles computational method for predicting the three-dimensional structure of GPCRs. In this article we validate the MembStruk procedure by comparing its predictions with the high-resolution crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin. The crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin has the second extracellular (EC-II) loop closed over the transmembrane regions by making a disulfide linkage between Cys-110 and Cys-187, but we speculate that opening this loop may play a role in the activation process of the receptor through the cysteine linkage with helix 3. Consequently we predicted two structures for bovine rhodopsin from the primary sequence (with no input from the crystal structure)—one with the EC-II loop closed as in the crystal structure, and the other with the EC-II loop open. The MembStruk-predicted structure of bovine rhodopsin with the closed EC-II loop deviates from the crystal by 2.84 Acoordinate root mean-square (CRMS) in the transmembrane region main-chain atoms. The predicted three-dimensional structures for other GPCRs can be validated only by predicting binding sites and energies for various ligands. For such predictions we developed the HierDock first principles computational method. We validate HierDock by predicting the binding site of 11-cis-retinal in the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin. Scanning the whole protein without using any prior knowledge of the binding site, we find that the best scoring conformation in rhodopsin is 1.1 ACRMS from the crystal structure for the ligand atoms. This predicted conformation has the carbonyl O only 2.82 Afrom the N of Lys-296. Making this Schiff base bond and minimizing leads to a final conformation only 0.62 ACRMS from the crystal structure. We also used HierDock to predict the binding site of 11-cis-retinal in the MembStruk- predicted structure of bovine rhodopsin (closed loop). Scanning the whole protein structure leads to a structure in which the carbonyl O is only 2.85 Afrom the N of Lys-296. Making this Schiff base bond and minimizing leads to a final conformation only 2.92 ACRMS from the crystal structure. The good agreement of the ab initio-predicted protein structures and ligand binding site with experiment validates the use of the MembStruk and HierDock first principles' methods. Since these methods are generic and applicable to any GPCR, they should be useful in predicting the structures of other GPCRs and the binding site of ligands to these proteins.
Scheduling Self-Suspending Real-Time Tasks with Rate-Monotonic Priorities

Recent results have shown that the feasibility problem of scheduling periodic tasks with self-suspensions is NP-hardin the strong sense. We observe that a variation of the problem statement that includes sporadic tasks instead ofperiodic tasks results in a simple characterization of the critical scheduling instant. This in turn leads to an exact characterization of the critical instant for self-suspending tasks with respect to the interference (preemption) from higher-priority sporadic tasks. Using this characterization, we provide pseudo-polynomial response-time tests for analyzing the schedulability of suchself-suspending tasks. Self-suspending tasks can also result in more worst-case interference to lower-priority tasks than their equivalent non-suspending counterparts with zero suspension intervals. Hence, we develop a dynamic slack enforcement scheme, which guarantees that the worst-case interference caused by suspending sporadic tasks is no more than the worst-case interference arising from equivalent non-suspending sporadic tasks without suspension intervals. The worst-case response time of self-suspending sporadic tasks themselves is also shown to be unaffected by dynamic slack enforcement, thereby making it optimal. In order to reduce the runtime complexity of slack enforcement, a static slack enforcement scheme is also developed. Empirical analysis of these schemes and the previously studied period enforcement algorithm shows that static slack enforcement achieves within 3% of the breakdown utilization of dynamic slack enforcement, while period enforcement achieves within 14% of dynamic slack enforcement. System designers can take advantage of these different execution control policies depending on their taskset utilizations and implementation constraints.
Let the Right 'One' Win: Policy Lessons from the New Economics of Platforms

Many of the leading controversies in competition policy in the last two decades, especially those surrounding the Microsoft case, reflect the challenges posed by platform industries. Unfortunately, too often economists and policymakers have drawn the wrong lessons when thinking about such industries. Central to our analysis is a more realistic view of the process of consumer coordination. Platforms often use “usage revenue later” strategies to ensure that consumers coordinate on their platform. This greatly mitigates the possibility of inefficient lock-in or excessive dominance by a leading platform, but it makes inefficient fragmentation a greater danger. Thus regulation, rather than competition policy, may be more appropriate in addressing potential market failures arising in platform industries.
Evaluation of Cytotoxicity Attributed to Thimerosal on Murine and Human Kidney Cells

Renal inner medullary collecting duct cells (mIMCD3) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) were used for cytoscreening of thimerosal and mercury chloride (HgCl2). Thimerosal and HgCl2 acted in a concentration-dependent manner. In mIMCD3 cells the 24-h LC50 values for thimerosal, thiosalicylic acid, 2,2-dithiosalicylic acid, and 2-sulfobenzoic acid were 2.9, 2200, >1000, and >10,000 μM, respectively. The 24-h LC50 value for HgCl2 in mIMCD3 cells was 40 μM. In HEK293 cells, the 24-h LC50 value for thimerosal was 9.5 μM. These data demonstrate that the higher cytotoxicity produced by thimerosal on renal cells with respect to similar compounds without Hg may be related to this metal content. The present study also establishes mIMCD3 cells as a valuable model for evaluation of cytotoxicity of nephrotoxic compounds.
Minimax robust decentralized detection

Decentralized detection problems are studied where the sensor distributions are not specified completely. The sensor distributions are assumed to belong to known uncertainty classes. It is shown for a broad class of such problems that a set of least favorable distributions exists for minimax robust testing between the hypotheses. It is hence established that the corresponding minimax robust tests are solutions to simple decentralized detection problems for which the sensor distributions are specified to be the least favorable distributions. >
Fundamental Moist Modes of the Equatorial Troposphere

Abstract Raymond's diabatic parameterizations are combined with a three-dimensional channel model on an equatorial beta plane. The equatorially symmetric moist modes of this model for an atmosphere initially at rest are “nonlinear WISHE” (wind-induced surface heat exchange) modes. These modes are driven by the enhanced sea–air fluxes of entropy produced by self-generated westerly winds. Two varieties of these modes are found, those which move to the east at 8 m s−1 and those which move to the west at 4 m s−1. In both modes heavy rain occurs in air that has been moistened by convection of low precipitation efficiency. This preconditioning introduces a phase shift of several days between strong surface entropy fluxes into an air column and the heaviest rainfall. This phase shift may be responsible for the relatively low modal propagation speeds compared to those seen in other models. The modes identified in simulations with uniform sea surface temperature play a fundamental role in a simulation with a warm-...
Long‐Read Single Molecule Real‐Time Full Gene Sequencing of Cytochrome P450‐2D6

The cytochrome P450-2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme metabolizes ∼25% of common medications, yet homologous pseudogenes and copy number variants (CNVs) make interrogating the polymorphic CYP2D6 gene with short-read sequencing challenging. Therefore, we developed a novel long-read, full gene CYP2D6 single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing method using the Pacific Biosciences platform. Long-range PCR and CYP2D6 SMRT sequencing of 10 previously genotyped controls identified expected star (*) alleles, but also enabled suballele resolution, diplotype refinement, and discovery of novel alleles. Coupled with an optimized variant-calling pipeline, CYP2D6 SMRT sequencing was highly reproducible as triplicate intra- and inter-run nonreference genotype results were completely concordant. Importantly, targeted SMRT sequencing of upstream and downstream CYP2D6 gene copies characterized the duplicated allele in 15 control samples with CYP2D6 CNVs. The utility of CYP2D6 SMRT sequencing was further underscored by identifying the diplotypes of 14 samples with discordant or unclear CYP2D6 configurations from previous targeted genotyping, which again included suballele resolution, duplicated allele characterization, and discovery of a novel allele and tandem arrangement. Taken together, long-read CYP2D6 SMRT sequencing is an innovative, reproducible, and validated method for full-gene characterization, duplication allele-specific analysis, and novel allele discovery, which will likely improve CYP2D6 metabolizer phenotype prediction for both research and clinical testing applications.
Uncertainty and Health-Related Quality of Life 1 Year After Coronary Angiography

BACKGROUND Little is known about illness-related uncertainty and decreased health-related quality of life in patients undergoing initial coronary angiography or about the long-term effects of uncertainty. OBJECTIVES To compare patients with and without high levels of uncertainty before angiography and to examine the influence of uncertainty on health-related quality of life 1 year after angiography. METHODS In a prospective, longitudinal study, measurements of perceived control, uncertainty, affective distress, and health-related quality of life were collected from 93 patients before angiography (baseline) and 1 year later. At baseline, patients were classified into high- and low-uncertainty groups by median split. At 1 year, analysis of variance was used to compare health-related quality of life and psychological outcomes in the 2 groups, and multiple linear regression with stepwise entry was used to identify independent determinants of health-related quality of life. RESULTS Compared with patients with low baseline uncertainty, patients with high baseline uncertainty had higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of perceived control and health-related quality of life 1 year after angiography. Baseline health-related quality of life, uncertainty, and life stress accounted for 54% of the variance in health-related quality of life, even when angiographic outcome was controlled for (P < .001). Baseline uncertainty was independently associated with health-related quality of life (beta = -0.25; 95% confidence interval, -9.40 to -0.05; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS At initial angiography, high levels of uncertainty about illness portend negative health-related quality of life outcomes up to 1 year later.
Methods for Approximating Loop Subdivision Using Tessellation Enabled GPUs

Subdivision surfaces provide a powerful alternative to polygonal rendering. The availability of tessellation supported hardware presents an opportunity to develop algorithms that can render subdivision surfaces in realtime. We discuss the performance of approximating Loop Subdivision surfaces using tessellation-enabled GPUs in terms of speed and quality of rendering for these methods as well as the implementation strategy. We also propose a novel one pass unified rendering setup for all three methods. Subdivision using the Loop method supports arbitrary triangle meshes and provides for easy transition from polygonal rendering of triangles to the parametric domain. Majority of graphics software applications, especially game engines, render polygons as triangles. The objectives of this paper are to evaluate the performance of smooth rendering algorithms developed to take advantage of tessellator enabled GPUs, provide an easy transition from polygonal to parametric rendering and propose an optimal way to achieve multi-level rendering dependent on performance and visual needs of the application.
Safe, Affordable, Convenient: Environmental Features of Malls and Other Public Spaces Used by Older Adults for Walking.

Background: Midlife and older adults use shopping malls for walking, but little research has examined mall characteristics that contribute to their walkability. Methods: We used modified versions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Healthy Aging Research Network (HAN) Environmental Audit and the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) tool to systematically observe 443 walkers in 10 shopping malls. We also observed 87 walkers in 6 community-based nonmall/nongym venues where older adults routinely walked for physical activity. Results: All venues had public transit stops and accessible parking. All malls and 67% of nonmalls had wayfinding aids, and most venues (81%) had an established circuitous walking route and clean, well-maintained public restrooms (94%). All venues had level floor surfaces, and one-half had benches along the walking route. Venues varied in hours of access, programming, tripping hazards, traffic control near entrances, and lighting. Conclusi...
Congenital murine polycystic kidney disease. II. Pathogenesis of tubular cyst formation.

In the current study, the pathogenesis of proximal tubular cyst formation was studied in an animal model of polycystic kidney disease, the CPK mouse. The specific roles of (a) sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na−K ATPase) activity, determined by an enzyme-linked kinetic microassay, (b) proximal tubular epithelial hyperplasia, determined by calculation of mitotic indices, and (c) altered proximal tubular basal lamina formation, determined by immunohistological localization of basal lamina glycoproteins, were investigated at progressive developmental stages of CPK proximal tubular cyst formation. Increases in renal Na−K ATPase were present at the earliest fetal stages of proximal tubular cyst formation, and subsequently paralleled the course of proximal tubular cyst progression. Proximal tubular epithelial hyperplasia, although not present at the earliest stages of cyst formation, was a consistent feature of progressive proximal tubular cystic enlargement. Abnormalities in basal lamina glycoprotein expression were not present at any stage of proximal tubular cyst development. We conclude that increased Na−K ATPase and tubular epithelial hyperplasia are significant features of proximal tubular cyst formation in the CPK mouse.
Visible Inverse Spectroscopic Optical Coherence Tomography Probe for Spatially Resolved Nanoscale Characterization

We propose a unique radial scanning achromatic visible probe design utilizing doublet lenses capable of obtaining spatially and spectrally resolved optical properties, enabling characterization of mass density fluctuations on nanometer length scales.
THE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLAGUE TOXIN

This chapter discusses the molecular biology of plague toxin. Studies on the chemical nature and biological action of plague toxin require adequately pure material. The chapter lists some pertinent properties of the best samples that have been subjected to various electrophoretic procedures. The most purified material contained approximately 95% protein and was found to be free of nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids and capsular material. It had an intravenous LD 50 for 16 gram to 18 gram Swiss albino mice of 0.1 μg of protein and exhibited one band in the sensitive Oudin and Ouchterlony gel diffusion precipitation reactions. To determine whether plague toxin possessed any unusual components that could account for its high toxicity, detailed elemental and amino acid analyses were performed on the most highly purified samples of toxin available. In the study, 18 amino acids and a number of elements were identified. On a dry weight basis, over 98% of the toxin molecule was accounted for by organic analysis including ammonia and ash content. There was nothing unusual about the toxin molecule aside from the high proportion of acidic amino acids, which verified the previously observed isoelectric point of the toxin of 4.7.
Influence Activities, Coalitions, and Uniform Policies

This paper examines the effects of endogenous coalition formation in a setting where agents lobby a policy-maker. Our motivating example is of insiders lobbying for weaker regulation to allow for privately beneficial but socially-wasteful diversion. Policy uniformity (e.g., one-size-fits-all rules) cause agents to free ride on each other's lobbying and gives them an incentive to form lobbying coalitions, i.e., lobbies. We show that the coalition formation mechanism influences whether lobbies are formed by similar or dissimilar agents. Additionally, endogenous lobby formation causes the effects of policy uniformity and lobbying costs on aggregate lobbying activity and policy strength to be non-monotonic.
Utilizing Indocyanine Green Dye Angiography to Detect Simulated Flap Venous Congestion in a Novel Experimental Rat Model.

BACKGROUND Venous congestion is a leading cause for free flap failure and still relies on clinical observation as the diagnostic gold standard. We sought to characterize blood flow in a variable venous congestion murine hind limb model using indocyanine green (ICG, SPY Pack, LifeCell, Branchburg, NJ) angiography. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats (Charles River, Hudson, NY) underwent bilateral partial amputation at the inguinal ligament, leaving only the femoral vessels and femur intact. Complete unilateral venous occlusion was achieved via suture ligation, while partial occlusion was achieved by surrounding the femoral vein with a synthetic microtube to achieve 25, 75, 85, or 92% occlusion. Relative blood flow of occluded and control limbs was tracked with ICG angiography throughout a 90-minute time course. RESULTS ICG angiography detected statistically significant (p < 0.05) reductions in limb blood flow 1 and 2 minutes following ICG injection in the 100, 92, and 85% occluded limbs when compared with contralateral control limbs. Dynamic tracking using the slope of ICG inflow for 45 seconds postinjection reflected this same significant difference. No statistically significant change in limb blood flow or dye influx rate was observed in the 25 and 75% occlusion groups. CONCLUSIONS ICG angiography can detect venous congestion in a rat lower extremity model reliably at occlusion rates ≥ 85%. This method may offer surgeons an intraoperative diagnostic tool to identify venous congestion at extremely early time points, allowing for immediate intervention. Further investigation and characterization is warranted in a larger animal model before clinical adaptation.
Gone in Seconds: Praxis, Performance, and Peculiarities of Ultrafast Chiral Liquid Chromatography with Superficially Porous Particles

A variety of brush-type chiral stationary phases (CSPs) were developed using superficially porous particles (SPPs). Given their high efficiencies and relatively low back pressures, columns containing these particles were particularly advantageous for ultrafast “chiral” separations in the 4–40 s range. Further, they were used in all mobile phase modes and with high flow rates and pressures to separate over 60 pairs of enantiomers. When operating under these conditions, both instrumentation and column packing must be modified or optimized so as not to limit separation performance and quality. Further, frictional heating results in axial thermal gradients of up to 16 °C and radial temperature gradients up to 8 °C, which can produce interesting secondary effects in enantiomeric separations. It is shown that the kinetic behavior of various CSPs can differ from one another as much as they differ from the well-studied C18 reversed phase media. Three additional interesting aspects of this work are (a) the first k...