cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alterations of visual cortical connections in cats following early removal of retinal input

The major afferent pathways to the visual cortex were studied in cats enucleated at postnatal days 0, 15, 30 and 60 using the retrograde tracer wheat germ agglutin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP). Following enucleation at days 0 and 15, the lateral gyrus was shrunken and cortical thickness was decreased, but the thickness of layer I was increased relative to normal adult cats. The laminar portion of the lateral geniculate complex occupied only half its normal volume, but the pathway from the intralaminar nuclei to visual cortex was doubled in volume. The ipsilateral and contralateral claustrum and ipsilateral medial septal nucleus also provided increased input to visual cortex. The changes in these projection patterns were not as dramatic in the cats enucleated at days 30 and 60. The callosal pathway between areas 17 and 18 was also significantly altered in cats enucleated on the day of birth and at day 15. Callosal cells were found in the infragranular layers throughout area 18. The number of supragranular callosal cells in the medial half of area 18 and in area 17 was reduced to approximately one third the normal adult number, but the mediolateral extent of this zone was not reduced. In the infragranular layers, the callosal cell number was approximately twice that in adult cats, and they occupied at least twice their normal mediolateral extent. Following bilateral enucleation at days 30 and 60, the cell numbers and mediolateral extent of the callosal cell zones approximated those in normal adult cats. Taken together, these results indicate that early deafferantiation of a cortical area can alter the thalamic, extrathalamic and callosal connections of that area.
SOUSA: sketch-based online user study applet

Although existing domain-specific datasets are readily available, most sketch recognition researchers are forced to collect new data for their particular domain. Creating tools to collect and label sketched data can take time, and, if every researcher creates their own toolset, much time is wasted that could be better suited toward advanced research. Additionally, it is often the case that other researchers have performed collection studies and collected the same types of sketch data, resulting in large duplications of effort. We propose, and have built, a generalpurpose sketch collection and verification tool that allows researchers to design custom user studies through an online applet residing on our group's web page. By hosting such a tool through our site, we hope to provide researchers with a quick and easy way of collecting data. Additionally, our tool serves to create a universal repository of sketch data that can be made readily available to other sketch recognition researchers.
Standing on the brink

Despite some recovery of the Arctic summer sea ice this year, the signs suggest the transition to a seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean is underway.
What Do We Say about Ourselves and What Does It Mean? Yet Another Look at Economics Department Research

Statistical and programming techniques are used to examine economics department quality rankings and how resources and research output are related. Four questions are asked using the National Research Council's 1993 survey. Are there significant differences in department quality scores? How are quality scores related to publications, citations and numbers of Ph.D.s produced? What is the relation between research output and department resources? How well do departments generate research in comparison with other departments with similar levels of resources? What I find is that resources determine outputs, outputs determine opinions (which are generally diffuse) and most departments efficiently use their resources.
Pregnancy increases reactivity of mice to phenobarbital

Compared to nonpregnant controls, pregnant mice injected with phenobarbital had lower concentrations of the drug in the plasma but equivalent concentrations in the brain. In spite of the similar concentrations in the brain, the behavioral response to phenobarbital was greater for pregnant than nonpregnant mice. These results suggest that the concentration of phenobarbital in the plasma, which is commonly used as a basis for adjusting phenobarbital dosage during pregnancy, is not an appropriate indicator of the dynamics of the drug.
Distributed client-server assignment

For many Internet systems, clients (users) interact with each other indirectly via intermediate servers. In such systems, it is crucial to assign users to servers based on the interaction patterns among the users, in such a way to reduce communication costs and to balance loads among the servers. Finding the optimal client-server assignment has been previously shown to be NP-complete, and approximate centralized solutions have been proposed. In this paper, we present a distributed scheme for finding an approximately optimal client-server assignment in which the servers exchange and update information about their loads iteratively among themselves. Based on these, they make decisions to reassign their users to others iteratively so that final client-server assignment is approximately optimal. Theoretical results on the convergence rate and complexity of the proposed algorithm are presented. Simulations results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for different patterns of user interactions.
Properties of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections

Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) originating from closed field regions on the Sun are the most energetic phenomenon in the heliosphere. They cause intense geomagnetic storms and drive fast mode shocks that accelerate charged particles. ICMEs are the interplanetary manifestations of CMEs typically remote-sensed by coronagraphs. This paper summarizes the observational properties of ICMEs with reference to the ordinary solar wind and the progenitor CMEs.
Molecular imaging of EGFR/HER2 cancer biomarkers by protein MRI contrast agents

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2 are major prognosis biomarkers and drug targets overexpressed in various types of cancer cells. There is a pressing need to develop MRI contrast agents capable of enhancing the contrast between normal tissues and tumors with high relaxivity, capable of targeting tumors, and with high intratumoral distribution and minimal toxicity. In this review, we first discuss EGFR signaling and its role in tumor progression as a major drug target. We then report our progress in the development of protein contrast agents with significant improvement of both r1 and r2 relaxivities, pharmacokinetics, in vivo retention time, and in vivo dose efficiency. Finally, we report our effort in the development of EGFR-targeted protein contrast agents with the capability to cross the endothelial boundary and with good tissue distribution across the entire tumor mass. The noninvasive capability of MRI to visualize spatially and temporally the intratumoral distribution as well as quantify the levels of EGFR and HER2 would greatly improve our ability to track changes of the biomarkers during tumor progression, monitor treatment efficacy, aid in patient selection, and further develop novel targeted therapies for clinical application.
6 TESTOOSTERONE (T) THERAPY FOR BOYS WITH CONSTITUTIONAL DELAY OF PYBERTY (CD)

Six boys with CD ranging in age from 14 5/12 to 16 2/12 yrs. were evaluated with measurements of 24 hr. integrated concentrations (IC) of LH, T, and androstenedione (Δ), the LH and FSH response to LH-RH, and growth hormone (GH) concentration following arginine-insulin (AITT). Each boy was treated with 3 monthly injections of 200 mg T enanthate and the same studies were repeated 2 months after the last injection of T. The mean growth rate was 3.75 cm/5 mo. and there was no significant increase in bone age. All boys had a progression in sexual development to Tanner Stage II or III with appropriate increase in testicular volume. Following T therapy, all boys had significant increase (p < .01) in the IC of LH, testosterone and Δ, especially the nocturnal IC LH. There was no significant difference in the IC GH. After T therapy, all boys had significantly increased concentrations of LH and FSH following LH-RH (p < .01). There was no significant difference in GH concentrations during AITT following T therapy. In the 8 months following T therapy, 5 of 6 boys have continued their pubertal maturation and increased statural growth with appropriate skeletal maturation. One boy has not had the expected pubertal progression. Further longitudinal studies are needed but small doses of T may be safe and beneficial in the treatment of CD.
A plan to keep carbon in check

This article focuses on ways to control the emission of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. The article claims that humanity can emit only so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere before the climate enters a geologic state unknown to history. Climate scientists see the risks growing rapidly as CO2 levels are near to double what they were before the 18th century. The required reduction in emissions can be broken down into "wedges," an incremental reduction of a size that matches available technology.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Behavioral Symptoms Associated With Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), including autistic disorder (autism), Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS), are neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood onset. These disorders persist throughout the lifespan of affected individuals and are characterized by impaired social behavior and communication, along with repetitive, stereotypic behaviors. Early diagnosis and subsequent behavioral therapy have been shown to improve outcomes for these individuals. Risperidone and aripiprazole have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of irritability associated with autism in children and adolescents. Despite their efficacy, use of these medications is limited by their side effects. In individuals with severe irritability, the first-line treatment is often risperidone. Because of its relatively lower risk of weight gain and metabolic side effects, aripiprazole may be used initially if there is a personal or family history of obesity or diabetes. Monitoring of body mass index and metabolic profiles is indicated with both medications. Stereotypic behaviors associated with autism, though clearly driven by neurobiologic processes, can also be understood as coping mechanisms used to decrease anxiety. From this perspective, therapies targeting reduction of these symptoms may be contraindicated. However, when these symptoms are severe and interfering, pharmacotherapy may be necessary. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are of limited efficacy in children and adolescents, but risperidone and aripiprazole have been shown to reduce these symptoms. There remains a need for further safety and efficacy research in this area. Hyperactivity and inattention are currently treated with a variety of medications, including guanfacine, which has a relatively benign side effect profile. Stimulant medications are generally avoided as first-line treatment for hyperactivity because of concerns about increased irritability. Currently, social impairment is best addressed through behavioral therapy and social skills training. Novel pharmacotherapies to improve social impairment are in the early stages of research.
The dust around the carbon star IRC +10216

Mass loss from late-type stars is important both in the evolution of these objects and for replenishment of the interstellar medium with processed material. Because the outflows are cool and dense, grains form. The present investigation is concerned with the nature of the extinction of the grains in the carbon star IRC+10216. The basic method employed involves the study of the extinction as a function of wavelength around IRC+10216. By a comparison with different models, it is then possible to infer which grain model is more likely to be correct. It is concluded that the dust around IRC+10216 is composed of relatively small grains. The grains are either amorphous carbon or graphite similar to that described by Mezger et al. (1982), but not like the graphite described by Mitchell and Robinson (1980). In particular, the grains around IRC + 10216 are relatively efficient emitters in the infrared. If this result is true of carbon stars in general, it means that the carbon grains present in the interstellar medium are much cooler than often believed.
Remote C–H bond functionalization reveals the distance-dependent isotope effect

Abstract Iodination of remote aryl C–H bonds has been achieved using palladium acetate as the catalyst and iodoacetate (IOAc) as the oxidant. Systematic kinetic isotope studies imply a mechanistic regime shift as the number of bonds separating the directing heteroatom and the target C–H bond increases. Both isotope and electronic effects observed in remote C–H bond activation are consistent with an electrophilic palladation pathway in which the initial palladation is slower than the C–H bond cleavage.
Determination of rotations in three dimensions using two-dimensional portal image registration.

The relative relationships among anatomic features visualized on planar radiographicimages change due to rotations of the patient out of the imaging plane. These changes can be predicted a priori from a three-dimensional radiographic model of the patient. In this study we assess the feasibility of using that information together with a planar image feature alignment tool to account for out-of-plane rotations in the evaluation of subsequent clinical patient images. A series of digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) with known patient rotations was generated from a computed tomography scan of an anthropomorphic head phantom. Fixed anatomic features were extracted, as seen in the DRRs of rotated anatomy and entered into a database. Alignment of features from test radiographs with those from an entry in this database yielded an estimate of rotation out of plane (database entry that resulted in the best fit via planar transformation) along with the planar components of setup errors in the rotated plane. Tests using DRRs and films show that it is possible to select anatomic features in AP skull radiographs with position and orientation sensitive to out-of-plane rotation.
Getting started: Charles Darwin's early steps toward a creative life in science

Charles Darwin's original and important contributions to science resulted from commitment, persistence, and hard work throughout his adult life. How, when, and where Darwin developed these prerequisites for creative thinking is the focus of this paper. Using a cognitive case study approach to examine the rich record of Darwin's life and work indicates that the 1 ½ years he spent in Edinburgh as a medical student when he was 16–18 years old was the major turning point in his transformation from a hobbyist into a scientist. Darwin first found hisvoice in science in Edinburgh during late adolescence.
Methodology for evaluating candidate geometric reference scaffolds

Along with the ASTM Division IV subcommittee on Tissue Engineered Medical Products, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is developing a geometric reference scaffold. This paper describes the methodology applied to the three different types of candidate reference scaffolds to quantify their structure and rank them according to quality metrics. In this work, we detail this methodology using the candidate reference scaffold produced by stereolithography. We perform X-ray micro-computed tomography on three of the manufactured scaffolds and compute total porosity, pore size distribution, and pore length for each. We compare these quantities to those of the model scaffold using statistical measures of variational distance, relative uncertainty, and uniformity. Through this evaluation, we find that the scaffold produced by stereolithography agrees well with its model and merits further consideration as a reference scaffold.
Insulin containing polyethylenimine-dextran sulfate nanoparticles

An aqueous nanoparticle delivery system has been developed which employs the oppositely charged polymers polyethylenimine (PEI) and dextran sulfate (DS) with zinc as a stabilizer. It is found that the pH of PEI solutions, the weight ratio of the two polymers, and zinc sulfate concentrations all play significant roles in controlling particle size. Spherical particles of 250 nm mean diameter were produced under optimal conditions which have a zeta potential of approximately +30 mV. Up to 90% drug entrapment efficiency was observed when insulin was used as a model protein drug. No degradation products were detected during in vitro dissolution or in potency studies. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra showed no significant conformational changes compared to free insulin under optimized formulation conditions. Rapid release characteristics were observed in in vitro dissolution studies. Biological activity in steptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, however, exhibited a prolonged hypoglycemic effect. This system offers the following advantages: (1) ease of manufacturing under mild preparation conditions; (2) employment of completely aqueous processing conditions; (3) use of biocompatible polymers which can be prepared aseptically; (4) ability to control particle size; (5) a high level of drug entrapment and (6) an ability to preserve protein secondary structure and biological activity.
Biobased epoxy/clay nanocomposites as a new matrix for CFRP

The mechanical and thermophysical properties of biobased epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with organo-montmorillonite clay and PAN-based carbon fibers are investigated. A sonication technique was utilized to process the organically modified clay into glassy biobased epoxy networks. This process resulted in clay nanoplatelets being homogeneously dispersed and completely exfoliated in the matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was conducted and that yielded an increase of 0.9 GPa for the storage modulus of biobased epoxy at 30 °C with the addition of 5.0 wt% exfoliated clay nanoplatelets. The glass transition temperature, however, decreased with addition of the organo-clay nanoplatelets. To completely understand the role of clay nanoplatelets in biobased epoxy nanocomposites, the microstructure of clay nanoplatelets were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) were processed using the new biobased epoxy/clay nanocomposites as the matrices. Flexural modulus and strength values did not change regardless of the use of different epoxy matrices. This response is normal for a fiber dominated mechanical test. It was, however, observed that the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of CFRP improved by adding 5.0 wt% intercalated clay nanoplatelets.
Minimizing Stress Levels in Piezoelectric Media Containing Elliptical Voids

In this paper we present an analytical solution to calculate the stress concentrations around an elliptical void in a piezoelectric medium subjected to electrical loading. We show that the stress concentrations can be eliminated if the material properties satisfy a certain mathematical relation. While a trivial solution exists for this problem, we demonstrate that other families of solutions exist (optimal) to minimize/eliminate the stresses. The optimal families are shown to be independent of geometry and therefore are universally applicable to a specific material system. The optimal families do not limit the deformation profile and represent admissible solutions to the problem. Numerical studies demonstrate that the entire stress field in the medium vanishes and not just at the critical locations as dictated by the mathematics. Finally, we numerically demonstrate that the optimal properties are also applicable to the crack problem.
Reevaluating the Theoretical Reasoning Regarding Market-Entry Position from a Service-Dominant Logic Perspective

Research on order of entry has been primarily evaluated from a good-dominant perspective. With the increasing acceptance and emphasis placed on the service-dominant logic, it is necessary to evaluate if the order-of-entry assumptions that were made previously should continue. In response to this important issue, this research evaluates how the type of resource (operant versus operand) that dominates the competitive environment might alter the optimal market-entry position for the firm. The study concludes with managerial implications along with future research topics.
Have attitudes toward homosexuals been shaped by natural selection

Abstract In a series of four surveys administered either to college students or adults, reactions toward homosexuals were found to vary as a function of (1) the homosexual's likelihood of having contact with children and (2) the reproductive status (either real or imagined) of the respondent. These results are consistent with the hypothesis advanced by Gallup and Suarez (1983) that because parents have a reproductive interest in the sexual orientation of their offspring, reactions to homosexuals might be expected to vary as a function of their likelihood of having contact with children. The strong form of this hypothesis holds that the expression of homophobia should be context specific and that most people (including homosexuals) should exhibit homophobic reactions under certain conditions.
Structure of RGS4 Bound to AlF4−-Activated Giα1: Stabilization of the Transition State for GTP Hydrolysis

RGS proteins are GTPase activators for heterotrimeric G proteins. We report here the 2.8 A resolution crystal structure of the RGS protein RGS4 complexed with G(i alpha1)-Mg2+-GDP-AlF4 . Only the core domain of RGS4 is visible in the crystal. The core domain binds to the three switch regions of G(i alpha1), but does not contribute catalytic residues that directly interact with either GDP or AlF4-. Therefore, RGS4 appears to catalyze rapid hydrolysis of GTP primarily by stabilizing the switch regions of G(i alpha1), although the conserved Asn-128 from RGS4 could also play a catalytic role by interacting with the hydrolytic water molecule or the side chain of Gln-204. The binding site for RGS4 on G(i alpha1) is also consistent with the activity of RGS proteins as antagonists of G(alpha) effectors.
Safety of Recombinant Activated Factor VII in Patients With Warfarin-Associated Hemorrhages of the Central Nervous System

Background and Purpose— Recombinant Factor VIIa decreases hematoma growth after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and rapidly decreases international normalized ratios in patients on warfarin but is also associated with an increased risk for thromboembolic complications. In this study, we assessed the risk of thromboembolic events in patients receiving recombinant Factor VIIa after ICH associated with warfarin treatment. Methods— We reviewed the medical charts, laboratory data, and radiological findings of consecutive patients with anticoagulation-related hemorrhages of the central nervous system who received recombinant Factor VIIa at Mayo Clinic Rochester and Mayo Clinic Florida between 2002 and 2009. The primary end point was the frequency of new thromboembolic events, including myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, ischemic stroke, and pulmonary embolism. Results— We identified 101 patients; 54% had ICH and 30% subdural hematomas. The most common indications for anticoagulation were at...
ROD AND FRAME IN IMMEDIATE PERCEPTION

A version of the rod-and-frame test was developed in which subjects' initial perceptions of rod orientation were assessed without asking them to make veridical judgments. 49 women were shown rod-an...
In a staphylococcal nuclease mutant the side-chain of a lysine replacing valine 66 is fully buried in the hydrophobic core

The crystal structure of the staphylococcal nuclease mutant V66K, in which valine 66 is replaced by lysine, has been solved at 1.97 A resolution. Unlike lysine residues in previously reported protein structures, this residue appears to bury its side-chain in the hydrophobic core without salt bridging, hydrogen bonding or other forms of electrostatic stabilization. Solution studies of the free energy of denaturation, delta GH2O, show marked pH dependence and clearly indicate that the lysine residue must be deprotonated in the folded state. V66K is highly unstable at neutral pH but only modestly less stable than the wild-type protein at high pH. The pH dependence of stability for V66K, in combination with similar measurements for the wild-type protein, allowed determination of the pKa values of the lysine in both the denatured and native forms. The epsilon-amine of this residue has a pKa value in the denatured state of 10.2, but in the native state it must be 6.4 or lower. The epsilon-amine is thus deprotonated in the folded molecule. These values enabled an estimation of the epsilon-amine's relative change in free energy of solvation between solvent and the protein interior at 5.1 kcal/mol or greater. This implies that the value of the dielectric constant of the protein interior must be less than 12.8. Lysine is usually found with the methylene groups of its side-chain partly buried but is nevertheless considered a hydrophilic surface residue. It would appear that the high pKa value of lysine, which gives it a positive charge at physiological pH, is the primary reason for its almost exclusive confinement to the surface proteins. When deprotonated, this amino acid type can be fully incorporated into the hydrophobic core.
A Note on the Xunzi's Explanation of Xing 性

[This] sentence is often taken to mean that xing is how we are from birth, but that is not what it says. The Chinese is clear: xing is that by which sheng is as it is (sheng zhi suoyi ran 生之所以然), not anything that sheng gives rise to or explains. Further, sheng cannot be birth here, for Xunzi is certainly not saying that xing explains the process of being born. Rather, sheng must be growth, and Xunzi is saying that a thing’s xing explains why it grows the way it does. (Robins 2011: 37. Cf. also Robins 2001–2002: 131 and Robins 2001: 27)
A C-terminal Region of Signal Peptide Peptidase Defines a Functional Domain for Intramembrane Aspartic Protease Catalysis

Intramembrane proteolysis is now firmly established as a prominent biological process, and structure elucidation is emerging as the new frontier in the understanding of these novel membrane-embedded enzymes. Reproducing this unusual hydrolysis within otherwise water-excluding transmembrane regions with purified proteins is a challenging prerequisite for such structural studies. Here we show the bacterial expression, purification, and reconstitution of proteolytically active signal peptide peptidase (SPP), a membrane-embedded enzyme in the presenilin family of aspartyl proteases. This finding formally proves that, unlike presenilin, SPP does not require any additional proteins for proteolysis. Surprisingly, the conserved C-terminal half of SPP is sufficient for proteolytic activity; purification and reconstitution of this engineered fragment of several SPP orthologues revealed that this region defines a functional domain for an intramembrane aspartyl protease. The discovery of minimal requirements for intramembrane proteolysis should facilitate mechanistic and structural analysis and help define general biochemical principles of hydrolysis in a hydrophobic environment.
Validation of evolutionary activity metrics for long-term evolutionary dynamics

As artificial life systems grow in number and sophistication, it is becoming increasingly important that the field agree on principled metrics for evaluating them. This report describes a series of experiments validating the evolutionary activity statistics developed by Bedau and his colleagues [2, 3, 4]. The work described herein was motivated by a feeling that the 'null hypothesis'---that is, that the evolutionary activity statistics fail to exclude intuitively unlifelike systems from Class 3 dynamics [3]---had not been sufficiently disproved in the existing literature. We conducted a series of experiments applying the statistics to such systems, attempting to 'break' the scheme by measuring Class 3 dynamics in an intuitively unlifelike system. The evolutionary activity measurement scheme has so far proved robust to our attempts to break it, but we believe that this work is still valuable in advancing the validity of the scheme, and that this does not mean the scheme is without shortcomings.
Thermodynamic properties of strong electrolyte solutions from correlation functions

General relations are presented to relate the fluctuation thermodynamic properties of multicomponent electrolyte solutions (concentration derivatives of the chemical potential, partial molar volume, and compressibility) to integrals of the total correlation function (Kirkwood-Buff solution theory) and of the nondivergent portion of the direct correlation function. Detailed expressions are given for the single-salt, single-solvent system. It appears that the direct correlation function expressions may be of more practical use in developing correlations for solution properties because, unlike the total correlation functions, terms exist which distinguish between cation and anion interactions with water and with other ions.
Cementation and burial history of a low-permeability quartzarenite, Lower Cretaceous Travis Peak Formation, East Texas

Fine-grained quartzarenites (and subar-koses) in the Lower Cretaceous Travis Peak Formation were extensively modified during burial diagenesis. Timing of diagenetic events can be constrained by combining petrographic and geochemical data with data on subsidence and thermal history. The geothermal gradient in the East Texas study area is 38 °C/km now, but it may have been as high as 44 °C/km when the Travis Peak was deposited because of elevated heat flow caused by crustal stretching associated with rifting of the Gulf of Mexico. Illite rims and dolomite were the first authigenic minerals to precipitate in Travis Peak sandstones. Dolomite probably formed soon after deposition at about 25 °C from water with a δ 18 O composition near SMOW. Next, extensive quartz cement, averaging 17% of the rock volume in well-sorted sandstones, occluded much of the primary porosity. The average δ 18 O composition of the quartz overgrowths indicates that they precipitated from meteoric fluids at temperatures of between 55 and 75 °C, at depths of 1 to 1.5 km. Dissolution of orthoclase and albitization of plagioclase followed quartz cementation and occurred prior to mid-Cretaceous movement of the Sabine Uplift. Illite, chlorite, and ankerite precipitated after feldspar diagenesis. The ankerite may have precipitated over a range of temperatures from about 80 to 125 °C, from fluids with δ 18 O composition of about +2‰ (SMOW); +2‰ is the average present composition of Travis Peak water. Most diagenesis ended when oil migrated into the Travis Peak. Later de-asphalting of the oil by solution of gas filled much of the remaining porosity with reservoir bitumen in some zones near the top of the formation.
Identification of a novel sorting determinant for the regulated pathway in the secretory protein chromogranin A

Chromogranin A (CgA) is the index member of the chromogranin/secretogranin (or 'granin') family of regulated secretory proteins that are ubiquitously distributed in amine- and peptide-containing secretory granules of endocrine, neuroendocrine and neuronal cells. Because of their abundance and such widespread occurrence, granins have often been used as prototype proteins to elucidate mechanisms of protein targeting into dense-core secretory granules. In this study, we used a series of full-length, point mutant or truncated CgA-green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimeras to explore routing of CgA in neuroendocrine PC12 cells. Using sucrose gradient fractionation and 3D deconvolution microscopy to determine the subcellular localization of the GFP chimeras, as well as secretagogue-stimulated release, the present study establishes that a CgA-GFP fusion protein expressed in neuroendocrine PC12 cells is trafficked to the dense core secretory granule and thereby sorted to the regulated pathway for exocytosis. We show that information necessary for such trafficking is contained within the N-terminal but not the C-terminal region of CgA. We find that CgA's conserved N-terminal hydrophobic Cys(17)-Cys(38) loop structure may not be sufficient for sorting of CgA into dense-core secretory granules, nor is its stabilization by a disulfide bond necessary for such sorting. Moreover, our data reveal for the first time that the CgA(77-115) domain of the mature protein may be necessary (though perhaps not sufficient) for trafficking CgA into the regulated pathway of secretion.
Iterative Message Passing Algorithm for Bipartite Maximum Weighted Matching

We derive iterative message passing update rules for solving the bipartite maximum weighted matching problem. It is shown that if the optimal matching solution is unique, the algorithm converges to this optimal solution at a rate comparable to the algorithm of Bayati et. al. It is shown that the two algorithms are both standard messages passing, but on dual graphs of each other. Also, the algorithm presented here requires less storage. We also provide a method to use the proposed algorithm to solve the integer Maximal Weighted Matching problem ? i.e., where the optimal solution is generally not unique.
Calibrating the Degrees of Freedom for Automatic Data Smoothing and Effective Curve Checking

Curve fitting and curve checking based on the local polynomial regression technique are commonly used data-analytic methods in statistics. This article examines, in nonparametric settings, both the asymptotic expressions and empirical formulas for degrees of freedom (DF), a notion introduced by Hastie and Tibshirani, of linear smoothers. The asymptotic results give useful insights into the nonparametric modeling complexity. Meanwhile, by substituting the exact DFs by the empirical formula, an empirical version of the generalized cross-validation (EGCV) is obtained. An automatic bandwidth selection method based on minimizing EGCV is proposed for conducting local smoothing. This procedure preserves full benefits of the ordinary and generalized cross-validation, but offers a substantial reduction in computational burden. Furthermore, the EGCV-minimizing bandwidth can be extended in a very simple manner to fit multivariate models, such as the varying-coefficient models. Applications of calibrating DFs to impo...
Limitations of integrated assessment models of climate change

The integrated assessment models (IAMs) that economists use to analyze the expected costs and benefits of climate policies frequently suggest that the “optimal” policy is to go slowly and to do relatively little in the near term to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We trace this finding to the contestable assumptions and limitations of IAMs. For example, they typically discount future impacts from climate change at relatively high rates. This practice may be appropriate for short-term financial decisions but its extension to intergenerational environmental issues rests on several empirically and philosophically controversial hypotheses. IAMs also assign monetary values to the benefits of climate mitigation on the basis of incomplete information and sometimes speculative judgments concerning the monetary worth of human lives and ecosystems, while downplaying scientific uncertainty about the extent of expected damages. In addition, IAMs may exaggerate mitigation costs by failing to reflect the socially determined, path-dependent nature of technical change and ignoring the potential savings from reduced energy utilization and other opportunities for innovation. A better approach to climate policy, drawing on recent research on the economics of uncertainty, would reframe the problem as buying insurance against catastrophic, low-probability events. Policy decisions should be based on a judgment concerning the maximum tolerable increase in temperature and/or carbon dioxide levels given the state of scientific understanding. The appropriate role for economists would then be to determine the least-cost global strategy to achieve that target. While this remains a demanding and complex problem, it is far more tractable and epistemically defensible than the cost-benefit comparisons attempted by most IAMs.
Model-based testing: challenges ahead

In model-based testing, models derived from the informal requirements (or models developed as part of the requirements process) are used to drive the testing; these models are used to generate the tests as well as serve as oracles, and the testing process can be largely automated. This move towards models, tools, and automation holds enormous promise, but it also raises new challenges that, in our experience, must be addressed before we can reap the full benefits.
High-performance InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs broad-area diode lasers with impurity-free intermixed active region

Broad-area InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs double-quantum-well graded-index separate-confinement heterostructure lasers with as-grown and intermixed active regions were fabricated and characterized. An impurity-free vacancy diffusion method was used to intermix the quantum wells. Light-current characteristics of both types of lasers were used to extract information about the effects of intermixing process on threshold current density, internal optical loss, internal quantum efficiency, material gain, etc. Comparison between these parameters indicates comparable device performance, even though intermixing involved annealing at 1000/spl deg/C which resulted in a 42-nm wavelength blueshift.
Determination of Melanterite-Rozenite and Chalcanthite-Bonattite Equilibria by Humidity Measurements at 0.1 MPa

Melanterite (FeSO4·7H2O)-rozenite (FeSO4·4H2O) and chalcanthite (CuSO4·5H2O)-bonattite (CuSO4·3H2O) equilibria were determined by humidity measurements at 0.1 MPa. Two methods were used; one is the gas-flow-cell method (between 21 and 98 °C), and the other is the humiditybuffer method (between 21 and 70 °C). The first method has a larger temperature uncertainty even though it is more efficient. With the aid of humidity buffers, which correspond to a series of saturated binary salt solutions, the second method yields reliable results as demonstrated by very tight reversals along each humidity buffer. These results are consistent with those obtained by the first method, and also with the solubility data reported in the literature. Thermodynamic analysis of these data yields values of 29.231 ± 0.025 and 22.593 ± 0.040 kJ/mol for standard Gibbs free energy of reaction at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa for melanterite-rozenite and chalcanthite-bonattite equilibria, respectively. The methods used in this study hold great potential for unraveling the thermodynamic properties of sulfate salts involved in dehydration reactions at near ambient conditions.
The Loser's Curse: Decision Making & Market Efficiency in the National Football League Draft

A question of increasing interest to researchers in a variety of fields is whether the biases found in judgment and decision making research remain present in contexts in which experienced participants face strong economic incentives. To investigate this question, we analyze the decision making of National Football League teams during their annual player draft. This is a domain in which monetary stakes are exceedingly high and the opportunities for learning are rich. It is also a domain in which multiple psychological factors suggest teams may overvalue the chance to pick early in the draft. Using archival data on draft-day trades, player performance and compensation, we compare the market value of draft picks with the surplus value to teams provided by the drafted players. We find that top draft picks are overvalued in a manner that is inconsistent with rational expectations and efficient markets and consistent with psychological research.
An Information Systems Security Risk Assessment Model Under the Dempster-Shafer Theory of Belief Functions

This study develops an alternative methodology for the risk analysis of information systems security (ISS), an evidential reasoning approach under the Dempster-Shafer theory of belief functions. The approach has the following important dimensions. First, the evidential reasoning approach provides a rigorous, structured manner to incorporate relevant ISS risk factors, related countermeasures, and their interrelationships when estimating ISS risk. Second, the methodology employs the belief function definition of risk--that is, ISS risk is the plausibility of ISS failures. The proposed approach has other appealing features, such as facilitating cost- benefit analyses to help promote efficient ISS risk management. The paper elaborates the theoretical concepts and provides operational guidance for implementing the method. The method is illustrated using a hypothetical example from the perspective of management and a real-world example from the perspective of external assurance providers. Sensitivity analyses are performed to evaluate the impact of important parameters on the model's results.
Characterization of two newly recognized rhinovirus serotypes of human origin.

SummaryTwo new viruses, 1505 and 8213, were recovered from the human oro-pharynx in two separate epidemiological studies. The viruses were found possess characteristics of agents in the rhinovirus subgroup of picornaviruses: small size (15-30 mμ), RNA core, ether stability, inactivation at pH 3.0. Both 1505 and 8213 viruses were tested by neutralization tests against 85 previously described rhinovirus serotypes and 11 possible candidate rhinoviruses, and both were found to be distinct antigenically from all ninety-six.Addendum; Following the completion of this study, the two rhinovirus strains were assigned serotype numbers by the participants in the WHO-NIAID Rhinovirus Collaborative Nomenclature Program. Rhinovirus strain 1505 was designated rhinovirus 48 and rhinovirus strain 8213 was designated rhinovirus 49.
A pipelined, weakly ordered bus for multiprocessing systems

With the PowerPC 620 microprocessor, we introduce a new bus optimized for server-class systems requiring significant multiprocessing capability. The 620 bus supports the 64-bit PowerPC Architecture specification with a 40-bit physical address bus and a separate 128-bit data bus. The address snoop response is pipelined with the address bus, providing an address transfer rate of up to 33M Addresses/sec at 66 MHz. Completion of address bus operations can be reordered with respect to operation initiation. The address and data buses are explicitly tagged allowing data transfers to be reordered with respect to the addresses. The data bus can transfer up to 1.0 GB/sec at 66 MHz. The bus protocol presented supports the snoop-based MESI cache coherency protocol and direct cache-to-cache data transfers.
Processes of Change in CBT of Adolescent Depression: Review and Recommendations

A growing body of research supports the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescent depression. The mechanisms through which CBT exerts its beneficial effects on adolescent patients suffering from depression, however, remain unclear. The current article reviews the CBT for adolescent depression process literature. Our review focuses on several process variables: the therapeutic alliance, patient cognitive change, and therapist adherence to, and competence in, the theory-specified techniques of therapy. Given that the vast majority of CBT process research has been conducted in the context of adult psychotherapy, we also review relevant adult research as a framework for understanding adolescent process research and to inform future investigations. Methodological issues are addressed and recommendations for future process research are raised.
Archivists and Social Responsibility: A Response to Mark Greene

Once again Mark Greene has contributed a thoughtful, reasoned, and challenging essay to the archival discourse, demonstrating why his voice has become one of the most compelling in the American archival profession. The breadth and depth of his analysis of critical issues facing the profession are impressive, as are the passion and commitment he demonstrates time after time.1 The importance of the issues he addresses here can be seen in the lively debates sparked during a brown bag discussion of Greene’s essay during the August 2013 Society of American Archivists (SAA) annual meeting in New Orleans. Greene allowed American Archivist editor Gregory S. Hunter to distribute copies of his essay, before publication, as a catalyst for discussion. I am grateful to both of them for allowing me an opportunity to respond to his critique.
On the Impossibility of Certain Diophantine Equations and Systems of Equations

(1913). On the Impossibility of Certain Diophantine Equations and Systems of Equations. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 20, No. 7, pp. 213-221.
Methodological Issues in the Study of Cognitive Decline

In recent years, epidemiologists have given increased attention to cognition, especially to the dementing illnesses that occur in old age. Central to this study is the measurement of change in cognition as opposed to cognition measured at a single point in time. This article addresses conceptual and methodological issues in the study of changes in cognitive function, including: 1) difficulties encountered with the use of single measurements of cognition and the importance of measuring changes in cognition; 2) sources of measurement variation and its potential effects; 3) the importance of careful modeling of age and education; 4) considerations in categorizing outcomes or combining the results of cognitive tests; and 5) the benefits of using multiple-outcome statistical models.
Intravenous acetaminophen analgesia after cardiac surgery: A randomized, blinded, controlled superiority trial.

Abstract Background Pain after cardiac surgery traditionally has been controlled by intravenous opioids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. An intravenous analgesic with fewer adverse effects is needed. Therefore, we tested the primary hypothesis that intravenous acetaminophen is more effective than placebo for pain management, which was defined a priori as superior on either pain intensity score and/or opioid consumption and not worse on either. Methods In this single-center, double-blind trial, 147 patients having cardiac surgery via median sternotomy were randomized to receive either 1 g of intravenous acetaminophen (73 patients) every 6 hours for 24 hours or comparable placebo (74 patients) starting in the operating room after sternal closure. Cumulative opioid consumption (in morphine equivalents) and pain intensity scores (on a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale) were measured at 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours after surgery. We estimated ratio of mean opioid consumption by using multivariable linear regression (noninferiority delta = 1.15) and pain score difference by using repeated measures regression (noninferiority delta = 1). Results Acetaminophen was superior to placebo on mean pain intensity scores and noninferior on opioid consumption, with estimated difference in mean pain (95% confidence interval) of −0.90 (−1.39, −0.42), P P = .28 (noninferior; not superior). Conclusions Intravenous acetaminophen reduced pain after cardiac surgery, but not opioid consumption. Intravenous acetaminophen can be an effective analgesic adjunct in patients recovering from median sternotomy.
A model of dynamic vagus-sinoatrial node interactions

Computer simulations of dynamic vagus-sinoatrial (SA) node interactions were performed using an empirical model. The phasic effects of single vagal trains on pacemaker cycle length obtained experim...
Different groups, different threats: public attitudes towards immigrants‡

Research on attitudes towards immigrants devotes much attention to the relative effects of economic and social-psychological factors for understanding sentiment towards immigrants, conceived in gen...