cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of multiple linear epitopes of the plasminogen activator A (PauA) of Streptococcus uberis with murine monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract Streptococcus (S.) uberis is a common cause of mastitis in cattle. A protein (PauA) secreted by this bacterium is capable of activating plasminogen from sheep and cattle. The PauA first binds to bovine plasminogen (b-plg) to form a PauA–plasminogen complex that subsequently binds to and activates b-plg to form plasmin. We have identified several linear epitopes of PauA that are recognized by murine monoclonal antibodies to PauA. Two of the monoclonal antibodies which neutralized the enzymatic activity of PauA, EC3 and 2.22, recognized common linear peptide sequences with similar charge and spacing patterns. These neutralization epitopes are located in the predicted α-domain of the PauA molecule. Further, these same epitopes are in critical structure/function domains identified in other studies. These characterizations may facilitate the design of an efficacious vaccine for streptococcal mastitis in the dairy cow.
Factors predicting complication rates after primary shoulder arthroplasty

Hypothesis Shoulder arthroplasty is an effective treatment for arthritic conditions and intraarticular fractures of the proximal humerus. Treatment options include total and hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder. They hypothesis of this study was that a mandatory statewide discharge database could identify the epidemiology of primary shoulder arthroplasty, 90 day complication rates, implant survival rates, and patient and hospital characteristics associated with complications. Materials and methods We identified patients undergoing primary total shoulder replacement and hemiarthroplasty between 1995 and 2005. We report rates of complications within 90 days of surgery and performed survival analysis using revision surgery as the endpoint. Logistic and proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the effect of patient and provider factors in predicting the rates of adverse outcomes. Results During the study period, 15,288 patients underwent shoulder arthroplasty. Patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty had no statistically significant difference in the aggregate risk of 90-day complications or the risk of implant failure within the study period. Fracture patients were shown to have a higher risk of short-term complications (odds ratio, 3.2; P Conclusion This study reports similar rates of short-term complications and implant failure in patients undergoing total or hemiarthroplasty, an overall mortality rate of 1.3%, and a pulmonary embolism rate of 0.6%. The findings of our study indicate that the risk of short-term complications is highest in patients undergoing total or hemiarthroplasty for a fracture compared with nonfracture indications. Our results also indicate that longer-term, implant survival is largely driven by factors associated with increased activity, such as age. In patients undergoing surgery for arthritis of the shoulder, we found no difference in implant survival rates between total and hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder.
Introduction: Debating the hazards of intervention

The concept of moral hazard invites controversy because it appears to impugn the motives and character of seemingly innocent victims. It argues that, when people are protected by insurance, some of...
Potential Predictability of Long-Term Drought and Pluvial Conditions in the U.S. Great Plains

Abstract This study examines the predictability of seasonal mean Great Plains precipitation using an ensemble of century-long atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations forced with observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs). The results show that the predictability (intraensemble spread) of the precipitation response to SST forcing varies on interannual and longer time scales. In particular, this study finds that pluvial conditions are more predictable (have less intraensemble spread) than drought conditions. This rather unexpected result is examined in the context of the physical mechanisms that impact precipitation in the Great Plains. These mechanisms include El Nino–Southern Oscillation’s impact on the planetary waves and hence the Pacific storm track (primarily during the cold season), the role of Atlantic SSTs in forcing changes in the Bermuda high and low-level moisture flux into the continent (primarily during the warm season), and soil moisture feedbacks (primarily during the warm sea...
Geologic Occurrence of Oil and Gas in Miocene of Gulf Coast of United States: ABSTRACT

Miocene sands have produced, through 1967, approximately 6.76 billion bbl of oil and 35 Tcf of gas in about 650 fields in coastal and offshore Louisiana and Texas. More than 80% of the production has come from fields in the Louisiana segment, where all 19 giant Miocene oil fields are located. The Miocene sediments of coastal and offshore Louisiana and Texas form a seaward-dipping and thickening wedge of interbedded marginal-marine sandstone and shallow-marine shale with maximum thickness at any locality of about 25,000 ft. A composite section in the Gulf Coast geosyncline is at least 45,000 ft thick. Rapid sedimentation in large deltas, where there were prolific organic production and accumulation and where the organic material was preserved by rapid burial, made possible the many large Miocene petroleum accumulations. These favorable conditions were confined mainly to the Louisiana coastal and adjacent offshore areas that subsided at a faster rate than the coastal interdeltaic regions on the east and west, and confined the Miocene Mississippi River to that part of the northern Gulf basin. Downward movement along faults that bound the deeply buried salt-filled grabens also took place as the major deltas prograded, causing diapiric structures and "rollover" anticlines to form where organic-rich deltaic mud, silt, and sand were deposited. The tectonic-sedimentation history of the Gulf Coast Miocene clearly demonstrates the close relation between depositional environments and petroleum occurrence. End_of_Article - Last_Page 866------------
Roles of inflammatory caspases during processing of zebrafish interleukin-1β in Francisella noatunensis infection.

ABSTRACT The interleukin-1 family of cytokines are essential for the control of pathogenic microbes but are also responsible for devastating autoimmune pathologies. Consequently, tight regulation of inflammatory processes is essential for maintaining homeostasis. In mammals, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is primarily regulated at two levels, transcription and processing. The main pathway for processing IL-1β is the inflammasome, a multiprotein complex that forms in the cytosol and which results in the activation of inflammatory caspase (caspase 1) and the subsequent cleavage and secretion of active IL-1β. Although zebrafish encode orthologs of IL-1β and inflammatory caspases, the processing of IL-1β by activated caspase(s) has never been examined. Here, we demonstrate that in response to infection with the fish-specific bacterial pathogen Francisella noatunensis, primary leukocytes from adult zebrafish display caspase-1-like activity that results in IL-1β processing. Addition of caspase 1 or pancaspase inhibitors considerably abrogates IL-1β processing. As in mammals, this processing event is concurrent with the secretion of cleaved IL-1β into the culture medium. Furthermore, two putative zebrafish inflammatory caspase orthologs, caspase A and caspase B, are both able to cleave IL-1β, but with different specificities. These results represent the first demonstration of processing and secretion of zebrafish IL-1β in response to a pathogen, contributing to our understanding of the evolutionary processes governing the regulation of inflammation.
Atomistic tight-binding based evaluation of impact of gate underlap on source to drain tunneling in 5 nm gate length Si FinFETs

The excellent control over short channel effects achievable using FinFETs have made them an attractive choice for realizing low-power and robust logic circuits and SRAMs in ultra-scaled technologies [1]. For deeply scaled gate lengths of the order of 5nm, increased direct source to drain tunneling (DSDT) is expected to contribute significantly to the off-state leakage current [2]. Gate underlap has been previously investigated as an effective way to reduce the thermionic component of leakage current since it increases the effective channel length. A variant of this, the asymmetric drain underlap was found to not only mitigate the leakage problem but also allowed for independent optimization of 6T SRAM read and write noise margins [3]. In this work, the impact of gate underlap on DSDT component of the off-state leakage current has been studied by using atomistic sp3d5s* tight binding based quantum ballistic coupled Poisson-NEGF transport simulations.
Improving the Numerical Solution of Soil Moisture-Based Richards Equation for Land Models with a Deep or Shallow Water Table

Abstract The soil moisture–based Richards equation is widely used in land models for weather and climate studies, but its numerical solution using the mass-conservative scheme in the Community Land Model is found to be deficient when the water table is within the model domain. Furthermore, these deficiencies cannot be reduced by using a smaller grid spacing. The numerical errors are much smaller when the water table is below the model domain. These deficiencies were overlooked in the past, most likely because of the more dominant influence of the free drainage bottom boundary condition used by many land models. They are fixed here by explicitly subtracting the hydrostatic equilibrium soil moisture distribution from the Richards equation. This equilibrium distribution can be derived at each time step from a constant hydraulic (i.e., capillary plus gravitational) potential above the water table, representing a steady-state solution of the Richards equation. Furthermore, because the free drainage condition h...
Analysis of Cable-Coupled Interference

The growing problem of cablecoupled interference and the need for prediction techniques are discussed. The basic coupling mechanisms are described and the mutual coupling parameters are defined. An analytical model is postulated for a general N-circuit cable complex, based upon the assumption of linearity. Difficulties in formulating a rigorous solution for the interference transfer functions are discussed. Six possible approaches for deriving the transfer functions are presented, and the general solutions are given. The relative complexity and accuracy of each approach is discussed. A sample analysis is given, illustrating the manner in which pertinent interference parameters can be derived from a knowledge of the interference transfer functions. Analytical results for various cable configurations are compared. Experimental results are presented and compared with theoretical predictions.
Transient stability control: a multi-level hierarchical approach

A two-level hierarchical control structure for obtaining an optimal control strategy during the transient ensuing major disturbances in multimachine power systems is presented. This structure involves localized subsystem controllers communicating with a transient coordinating controller. The local controllers, making computations in parallel, control each subsystem according to the interconnection variables provided by the transient controller. These interconnection variables are updated to satisfy interaction feasibility by means of an iterative procedure. The control strategy maintains system stability, even when the severity of the disturbances is increased, due to the feedback or closed-loop control formulation inherent in the strategy. A nonlinear multimachine example is included to illustrate the technique. >
Excitation and photon decay of giant resonances from high-energy collisions of heavy ions

We develop closed-form expressions for the cross section for the electromagnetic excitation induced by heavy-ion collisions at intermediate and high energies. These expressions directly relate the excitation cross section to the corresponding photonuclear cross section. The effects of strong absorption, relativity and retardation are incorporated from the outset and are shown to be important. We apply our results to several situations of recent interest, including the excitation and photon decay of giant resonances.
Effect of structure, surface passivation, and doping on the electronic properties of Ge nanowires: A first-principles study

We investigate the structural, energetic, and electronic properties of hydrogen-passivated doped and undoped germanium nanowires along [001], [110], and [111] directions, with diameter $d$ up to $3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$, using ab initio methods. A critical diameter ${d}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ is found, above which all wires have faceted cross sections determined by the symmetry of their axis. The wires possess several electronic properties relevant for sensing and other nanoelectronic applications: (i) Quantum confinement has a substantial effect on the electronic band structure and, hence, the band gap $({E}_{g})$, which increases with decreasing diameter. (ii) Wires oriented along [110] are found to have a direct ${E}_{g}$, while the wires along [111] are found to have an indirect ${E}_{g}$. Wires along [001] show a crossover from a direct to an indirect ${E}_{g}$ as diameter increases, the value of the critical diameter for the transition being $1.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. (iii) The electronic band structure shows a significant response to changes in surface passivation with hydrogen. (iv) Doping of wires with $n$- and $p$-type atoms produced a response in the band structure similar to that in a doped bulk crystal.
Two Sides of the Same Coin? The Relations between Prosocial and Physically Aggressive Behaviors

The direct and indirect relations between six types of prosocial behavior and physical aggression were examined. Data were gathered from 252 college students (M age = 21.67 years; 184 women) who completed measures of sympathy, prosocial behavior, and physical aggression. Structural equation modeling revealed that sympathy fully mediated the relations between compliant prosocial behaviors and physical aggression, and partially mediated the relations between altruism and physical aggression and public prosocial behaviors and physical aggression. The findings suggest that the relations between prosocial behaviors and aggression are complex and that prosocial behavior should not be treated as a unitary construct.
Artificial neural networks as a dispatcher's aid in alarm processing

The authors propose a method by which a set of artificial neural networks (ANNs) can be used as a dispatchers' aid in alarm processing. The proposed model consists of two parts-a rule based system and a set of neural networks. Depending on the input that is fed to the system, a set of rules that make up the rule based system, are used to activate one or more ANNs. Each ANN in the system is used to identify the faults in a single sub-station or a particular zone. The rule based system is also used to aid the ANNs in identifying multiple faults, by activating them in the required order and providing them with the necessary alarms as inputs. >
Starch‐Based Ion Exchange Materials in Paper: Preparation and Use in Heavy Metal Removal

Seven starch-based ion exchange materials were incorporated into handsheets, and the sheets were examined for both physical and heavy metal removal properties. Standard TAPPI methods and atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to examine these properties. Handsheets containing 20 to 50% by weight of the starch product yielded acceptable physical and functional properties. Ionenaustauschermaterialien auf Starkebasis in Papier: Darstellung und Anwendung zur Entfernung von Schwermetallen. Sieben Ionenaustauschermaterialien auf Starkebasis wurden in handgeschopfte Blatter eingearbeitet und diese hinsichtlich ihrer physikalischen Eigenschaften sowie ihrer Fahigkeit zur Schwermetallentfernung gepruft. Hierzu wurden die TAPPI-Standardmethoden sowie die Atomabsorptions-Spektroskopie angewendet. Handblatter, die 20 bis 50 Gew.-% des Starkeproduktes enthielten, zeigten annehmbare physikalische und funktionelle Eigenschaften.
Refractory status epilepticus What to put down: The anesthetics or the patient?

Status epilepticus is a well-recognized medical emergency that must be treated urgently to prevent permanent neuronal injury, prolonged unconsciousness, and even mortality. There is a high level of evidence that first-line treatment with benzodiazepines is indicated over other treatments based on a seminal double-blind randomized controlled trial of then-common treatments.1 Second-line treatment is typically with IV antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and while any drug might be used, the most common in clinical practice in the United States are phenytoin, levetiracetam, and valproate. At this stage of management there are a few comparative studies, but a double-blind randomized controlled trial is needed.2 The definition of refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is variable, but most would agree that patients who fail first- and second-line therapy have RSE. Standard third-line therapy consists of IV anesthetics; pentobarbital was historically favored but now midazolam or propofol are more often preferred. IV anesthesia is considered so effective that some have suggested moving directly to IV anesthesia and skipping second-line therapy to avoid major time delays that could contribute to ongoing excitotoxicity and neuronal injury.
Long-wave infrared chemical sensing based on orientation-patterned GaAs

This study employs orientation-patterned GaAs as part of a broadly tunable, continuous-wave, difference frequency generation (DFG) source for ultra-trace gas detection applications. The DFG source forms the basis of a long-wave (8-12 /spl mu/m) infrared cavity ring-down spectrometer. The combined high sensitivity of cavity ring-down spectroscopy coupled with the broad tunability of the DFG source allows both identification and quantification of a broad range of species.
PNRD: a plant non-coding RNA database

The first ncRNA found was an alanine tRNA in baker's yeast, and the first detected microRNAs (miRNAs) promoted ncRNA research to a whole new level. Research on ncRNAs in animals has focused on the medical field, while in plant scientists are more concerned with improving agronomic traits. In 2010, we constructed a plant miRNA database named PMRD to meet the demand for miRNA research in plants. To provide a way to do fundamental research on plant ncRNAs and take full advantage of tremendous public resources, we designed an updated platform called plant ncRNA database (PNRD) based on its predecessor PMRD, which is accessible at http://structuralbiology.cau.edu.cn/PNRD. We collected a total of 25739 entries of 11 different types of ncRNAs from 150 plant species. Targets of miRNAs were extended to 178138 pairs in 46 species, while the number of miRNA expression profiles reached 35. Improvements in PNRD are not only the larger amounts of data, but also better service, such as a more user-friendly interface, more multifunctional and browsing options and more background data for users to download. We also integrated currently prevalent technologies and toolkits to strengthen the capability of the database and provide a one-stop service for scientific users.
Ionic Diffusion Oxidation Model of Uranium

A theory-driven model is formulated for the low-temperature oxidation of uranium exposed to oxygen. The model is based on diffusion of oxygen ions through the oxide film driven by the electrostatic potential generated between the metal and adsorbed oxygen ions. The model fits published experimental data well for temperatures between 20°C and 200°C and for oxide film thicknesses less than 300 nm. The derived reaction rate coefficients for parabolic and inverse logarithmic growth regimes correspond well to the available published values and outperform the existing empirically derived forms. These reaction rate coefficients can be applied to the oxidation of any metal that is driven by the generated electrostatic potential.
Initial Egg Weight as a Basis of Prediction of Maximum Egg Size

Abstract THE problem of egg size is one of increasing importance to the poultry breeder. The initiation of the practice of buying eggs on a graded basis has impressed upon the mind of the producer the need of considering this factor in replenishing his stock. The producer, therefore, is beginning to demand of the breeder that he give some assurance that his stock will lay eggs which at least approach the market standard in size. Because of the heavy expense of trapnesting a pullet throughout a year of production, any method which may be applied early to distinguish those females which have no possibility of ever producing eggs of a satisfactory size would be of value. Maw and Maw (1932), working with daily egg weight records of 74 Single Comb White Leghorn pullets, reported that in order to lay eggs of standard weight (2 ounces each) before the end of the . . .
Depolarization Estimates from Linear H and V Measurements with Weather Radars Operating in Simultaneous Transmission–Simultaneous Receiving Mode

Circular depolarization ratio (CDR) is a polarimetric parameter, which, unlike linear depolarization ratio (LDR), does not exhibit significant dependence on hydrometeor orientation and can be used for particle type identification and shape estimation if propagation effects are small. The measurement scheme with simultaneous transmission and simultaneous reception (STSR) of horizontally and vertically polarized signals is widely used with research and operational radars. The STSR scheme does not provide direct measurements of depolarization. This study presents an estimator to obtain depolarization ratios from STSR complex voltages in radar receivers. This estimator provides true CDR if the phase shift on transmission, b, is equal to 6908 and the phase shift on reception, g, equals 2b. Even if these conditions are not satisfied, depolarization estimates are still possible if b 1 g 5 08 (though such estimates deviate slightly from true CDR varying between CDR and slant-458LDR). The sum b 1 g represents the initial differential phase shift offset and can be accounted for. The use of this depolarization estimator is illustrated with the data from the NOAA X-band radar. The measurements in ice clouds demonstrate the utility of near-CDR estimates to identify dendritic crystals and their gradual aggregation within the cloud. Illustrations are also given for near-CDR estimates in rain. An important advantage of depolarization estimates in the STSR mode is that these estimates are obtained from two ‘‘strong’’ channel returns. This greatly relaxes the radar sensitivity requirements compared to radar systems that utilize direct depolarization measurements as the power ratio of radar echoes measured in ‘‘strong’’ and ‘‘weak’’ receiving channels that represent two orthogonal polarizations.
A controller to improve the convergence of a neural network

A controller that improves the performance of the Hopfield (feedback) model of neural networks is described. In the asynchronous Hopfield model, a random selection is made in each step of the interaction, whereas in a model with a controller, the choice of a neuron for the next update is more selective. The controller selects responses in a way that further helps to arrive at correct memory. An external input is applied to neurons in the net, increasing the capacity of the network and helping its performance in the sense that the final response to a given probe is usually closer in terms of Hamming distance to the probe. It is shown that the model with the controller has a somewhat higher capacity. >
Acoustic Priming of Audiogenic Seizures in Mice

The audiogenic seizure is a classic example of an extra-auditory physiological effect of audible sound. This distinctive behavior has been studied in animals in the hope that knowledge of its mechanism might aid in the understanding of both sensory-induced and spontaneous seizures in man. Recently, it has been discovered that prior intense auditory stimulation can induce or enhance susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in mice. This “acoustic priming” effect represents a new phenomenon which may be useful in seizure research, especially if a similar effect is observed in man. This chapter describes a series of on-going experiments which have been designed to examine the priming effect.
Structure and Function of the Sarcin-Ricin Domain

The sarcin-ricin domain (SRD) of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA, which includes a near-universal, purine rich sequence of 12 nucleotides, is the site of action of the eponymous ribotoxins. The chapter focuses on the structure of SRD. There is an evidence that the SRD constitutes an important part of the elongation factor G (EF-G) binding site. The three SRD purines that are protected from chemical modification by EF-G bound to E. coli ribosomes are presumptive EF-G identity elements. A number of mutations have been made in the SRD in an E. coli 23S rRNA gene. The mutations have been constructed in a plasmid carrying an E. coli rrnB operon. This operon has a transcription unit with the genes for 16S, 23S, and 5S rRNAs. There is biochemical and genetic evidence that the flexible region in the SRD affects the binding of the elongation factors. There are differences in the structures of the flexible regions of the rat and E. coli SRDs. There are three nucleotides in the SRD that are protected from chemical modification by both EF-G and the EF-Tu ternary complex. The EF-Tu ternary complex may bind to the ribosome only when peptidyl-tRNA is in the P site (posttranslocation), and EF-G may bind only when it is in the A site.
Similar prevalence and magnitude of auditory-evoked and visually evoked activity in the frontal eye fields: implications for multisensory motor control

Saccadic eye movements can be elicited by more than one type of sensory stimulus. This implies substantial transformations of signals originating in different sense organs as they reach a common motor output pathway. In this study, we compared the prevalence and magnitude of auditory- and visually evoked activity in a structure implicated in oculomotor processing, the primate frontal eye fields (FEF). We recorded from 324 single neurons while 2 monkeys performed delayed saccades to visual or auditory targets. We found that 64% of FEF neurons were active on presentation of auditory targets and 87% were active during auditory-guided saccades, compared with 75 and 84% for visual targets and saccades. As saccade onset approached, the average level of population activity in the FEF became indistinguishable on visual and auditory trials. FEF activity was better correlated with the movement vector than with the target location for both modalities. In summary, the large proportion of auditory-responsive neurons in the FEF, the similarity between visual and auditory activity levels at the time of the saccade, and the strong correlation between the activity and the saccade vector suggest that auditory signals undergo tailoring to match roughly the strength of visual signals present in the FEF, facilitating accessing of a common motor output pathway.
On the concept of stimulus function transfer

(2001). On the concept of stimulus function transfer. European Journal of Behavior Analysis: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 71-74.
Qualitative Career Assessment Processes

This chapter considers the purpose and process of qualitative career assessment. With a focus on the practice of qualitative career assessment within career counselling, this chapter explains underlying constructs and complementarities between approaches and instruments.
Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Oviposition in Apple Buds: Role of Bloom State, Blossom Phenology, and Population Density

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) oviposition was examined in ‘Granny Smith’ apple bud and fruitlet clusters under different adult population densities throughout bloom. Samples of bud clusters of different maturation stages taken throughout bloom in 1989–1990 indicated that egg densities and egg infestation rates within a sample date were generally higher on more mature clusters. However, rather than thrips preferentially ovipositing on the more mature blossom cluster stages, most eggs were laid on buds by early-pink to early-bloom state during 1989 and 1990 with little to no accumulation later in bloom. Cohorts of clusters maturing later in bloom had few to no eggs. Egg densities did not increase with rising thrips densities within clusters either across bloom states or across treatments with different population densities. Clusters sampled during late bloom in 1990 had the highest thrips densities but had very low egg densities. Eggs were often laid (12–100%) on sepals and on the stems of apple buds rather than on the area around the ovary that would result in scarred fruit. Within apple bud clusters, more eggs were laid and egg densities were higher on king buds (central apical bud, which opens first) compared with lateral buds (those buds within a cluster surrounding the king).
Cooperative breeding in Gray Jays : Philopatric offspring provision juvenile siblings

We present evidence for cooperative breeding in Gray Jays (Perisoreus canadensis), a species characterized by delayed dispersal but long thought not to exhibit the life-history tactic of helping. Our findings to date suggest that the alloparental care of younger siblings by philopatric yearlings is confined to the postfledging period of nutritional dependence. We encourage other workers to investigate whether helping may be confined to this period in other semi-social species as well. Ongoing work is aimed at evaluating the fitness consequences of helping in our study population.
Prevention and management of iatrogenic gastroduodenal ulcer.

Gastroduodenal ulcer may be produced by certain drugs. Cinchophen, histamine, phenylbutazone and reserpine have proved to be ulcerogenic in man; salicylates and caffeine have caused ulceration in animals and aggravated peptic ulcer in man, and ACTH and the adrenocortical glucosteroids are suspected of aggravating ulcer pathogenesis.Elderly patients and those with a history of peptic ulcer, rheumatoid arthritis or hypertrophic or atrophic gastritis appear particularly susceptible to drug-induced ulceration.An understanding of the possible mechanisms involved in drug-induced ulceration will suggest rational, specific prophylactic measures. If an ulcer develops while the patient is receiving an ulcerogenic drug, a “stomach-rest” regimen should be instituted immediately and the drug withdrawn if possible.
A Charging and Discharging Dispatching Strategy for Electric Vehicles Based on Bi-level Optimization

The extensive integration of numerous plug-in electric vehicles(PEVs) into a power system could produce significant negative impacts on the secure and economic operation of the power system concerned,if the charging procedures of PEVs are uncoordinated.Given this,the hierarchical and zonal dispatching architecture is adopted and a new bi-level optimization model is presented for coordinating the charging/discharging schedules of the PEVs.The upper-level model is devoted to minimizing the system load variance so as to implement peak load shifting by dispatching each electric vehicle aggregator(EVA),and the lower one is aimed at tracing the dispatching scheme determined by the upper decision-maker through figuring out an appropriate charging and discharging schedules throughout a specified day.Two highly efficient commercial solvers,AMPL/IPOPT and AMPL/CPLEX respectively,are employed to solve the developed optimization problem.Finally,a modified IEEE 30-bus system with 5 EVAs is employed to demonstrate the basic characteristics of developed model and method.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Alimentary Tract Development in Manduca sexta

Non-invasive 3D magnetic resonance imaging techniques were used to investigate metamorphosis of the alimentary tract of Manduca sexta from the larval to the adult stage. The larval midgut contracts in volume immediately following cessation of feeding and then greatly enlarges during the late pharate pupal period. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the foregut and hindgut of the pharate pupa undergo ecdysis considerably earlier than the external exoskeleton. Expansion of air sacs in the early pupa and development of flight muscles several days later appear to orient the midgut into its adult position in the abdomen. The crop, an adult auxiliary storage organ, begins development as a dorsal outgrowth of the foregut. This coincides with a reported increase in pupal ecdysteroid titers. An outgrowth of the hindgut, the rectal sac, appears several days later and continues to expand until it nearly fills the dorsal half of the abdominal cavity. This development correlates with a second rise in pupal ecdysteroid titers. In the pharate pupa, the presence of paramagnetic species renders the silk glands hyperintense.
Three cryptochromes are rhythmically expressed in Xenopus laevis retinal photoreceptors.

PURPOSE To clone Xenopus laevis cryptochromes (crys) and to understand their role in the Xenopus retinal clock. METHODS We designed degenerate PCR primers based on homology between mouse and human crys. DNA fragments generated from these PCR reactions were used to screen a Xenopus retinal cDNA library. Three independent clones were identified and sequenced. The temporal and spatial expression of these genes in retina were studied by Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. RESULTS We cloned three cry homologs from Xenopus laevis retina. We named them xcry1, xcry2a, and xcry2b based on their high homology to the mouse crys. Sequence analysis shows that these Xenopus CRYs have more than 85% identity to mouse CRYs at the amino acid level. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that all three xcrys are rhythmically expressed in the retina with peaks at different times of the day. The xcrys are expressed in a variety of tissues. In retina, they are expressed predominantly in photoreceptor cells. CONCLUSIONS Our finding of cry expression in Xenopus photoreceptor cells further supports the idea of independent circadian oscillators being present in these cells. The sequence similarities to mouse crys suggest similar functions in the circadian clock. However, their distinct temporal expression patterns suggest some unique role for xCRY in the Xenopus retina.
Deceptive Methods: Ethical Aspects

Some forms of deception are acceptable as a research method when an important topic cannot be studied otherwise, or when deception enables achievement of stimulus control, random assignment, study of low-frequency events, or avoidance of risk. Deceiving to induce participation in unacceptable research is unjustifiable. Factors that make deception unacceptable include research on behavior that society judges to be negative, especially private or covert behavior that is powerfully induced, and research that creates upset in subjects and others. Deception may involve no informing, false informing, consent to deception or concealment, and waiver of informing. Devices of deception include technical deception (misrepresentation of equipment or procedures), role deception (e.g., use of confederates), or implicit deception (self-deception in which subjects are induced to generate misleading assumptions). Debriefing involves two processes. Dehoaxing means removing misunderstanding and demonstrating how the deception occurred. Desensitizing means detecting and removing undesirable emotional consequences. Dehoaxing is sometimes harmful and desensitizing does not always work. Alternatives to deception include simulations (structured games, unstructured field activities around a make-believe situation, and role-playing) and ethnographic or participant observation methods. Despite heightened ethical sensitivities and government regulation, deception continues to be used. Methodological research is needed to develop valid alternatives.
Adsorption of uranium on a novel bioadsorbent-chitosan-coated perlite

Chitosan was coated on an inert substrate, perlite, and was prepared as spherical beads for adsorption of uranium from aqueous solutions. The uptake capacity of chitosan-coated perlite beads for ur...
MUNROE/CHANNEL EFFECT AND WEAK DETONATIONS

The detonation structure in tubular explosives is calculated. In these, a shock propagates through the air in the channel and ignites the explosive ahead of the detonation in the annulus, producing a weak detonation. If the channel is blocked, the shock reflection at the end of the cavity initiates forward and backward detonation waves that consume the explosive faster. In weak detonations, a plateau separates the Taylor wave from the front. In multiple-cavity tubular explosives, the pressure peaks resulting from detonation wave collisions oscillate around this plateau.
An investigation of the effectiveness of mandatory training among the U.S. defense acquisition workforce

This paper describes an investigation of the effectiveness of mandatory training for a sub-population of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition workforce members. The target population includes those who have participated in the Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering career field training per the direction of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). An outcome-based competency model was used to develop training evaluation metrics; the model prescribes measuring training effectiveness across three tiers of systems engineering competencies: foundational, specialized, and leadership. A questionnaire was developed to measure the effectiveness of DAWIA training among a sample of the DoD systems engineering workforce. The results of the evaluation provide empirical evidence that the training does not effectively improve 17 systems engineering competencies, and is moderately effective at improving 11 systems engineering competencies among trainees. The evaluation metrics were demonstrated to be an effective tool for performing an evaluation of a sample of the trained workforce.
Gallbladder function in gallstone disease.

SUMMARY The gallbladder should be viewed as a hormonally responsive organ whose normal physiology may be altered by conditions ranging from intestinal disease to pregnancy. Disorders or conditions characterized by altered gallbladder motility predispose persons to gallstone formation. Recent studies of gallbladder sludge and the gallbladder motility of gallstone patients suggest that localized processes within the gallbladder may be critically important in gallstone formation. No unifying disturbance of motility characterizes gallstone patients, perhaps because mechanisms of gallstone formation are many and diverse.
Response rates to hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) pump therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer liver metastases (mCRC LM) after progression on all standard chemotherapies.

597 Background: To evaluate the overall response rate of HAI with floxuridine (FUDR) in the refractory setting in patients with mCRC LM. Methods: After obtaining an IRB waiver a computerized search...
Neural Networks for Bespoke Control

Abstract Artificial intelligence techniques are starting to suggest some intriguing paradigm changes for real-time control. We discuss one novel application of neurocontrol in this context: the realization of made-to-order, or bespoke, controllers. With an appropriate optimization technique, neural-network-based nonlinear controllers can be designed to accommodate arbitrary application-specific requirements. The design requires extensive offline optimization: CPU days for single-loop problems. The on-line cost is minimal. Some simulation experiments are presented that adopt practically relevant definitions of closed-loop response features and controller robustness—definitions that cannot be accommodated with conventional control technology. We also outline the non-gradient-based optimization algorithm that we have developed in this research.
Fog Computing: A Primer

Fog computing (FC) was proposed in 2012 by Cisco as the ideal computing model for providing real-time computing services and storage to support the resource-constrained Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Thus, FC may be regarded as the convergence of the IoT and the Cloud, combining the data-centric IoT services and pay-as-you-go characteristics of clouds. This paper provides a brief introduction of fog computing.
Human Rights as the Art of the Possible

This chapter explores responsibility of the United Nations for bringing cholera to Haiti in 2010 and subsequent efforts by several Special Rapporteurs to encourage the UN to recognize that responsibility and to pay reparations to the victims. The chapter concludes that (i) UN Special Rapporteurs can play a very influential role in holding international actors to account; (ii) scientific evidence is of central importance in such endeavors, but it can also be manipulated and misrepresented in order to serve nefarious institutional purposes; and (iii) the debate over the UN’s responsibility is by no means over. The Haiti cholera chapter can never be closed while there remains complete denial of the fact of UN responsibility, even if the remarkable actions taken by the UN to address the consequences were incontestably driven by an awareness that it had indeed been responsible for the introduction of cholera through its clearly demonstrated negligence.
Music asylums: wellbeing through music in everyday life

Sociologist Tia DeNora has long argued that the study of music in everyday life should be a major sociological concern. With her 2016 book Music Asylums: Wellbeing Through Music in Everyday Life, s...
Emergency and critical care applications for contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Abstract Introduction Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using intravascular microbubbles has potential to revolutionize point-of-care ultrasonography by expanding the use of ultrasonography into clinical scenarios previously reserved for computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, or angiography. Methods We performed a literature search and report clinical experience to provide an introduction to CEUS and describe its current applications for point-of-care indications. Results The uses of CEUS include several applications highly relevant for emergency medicine, such as solid-organ injuries, actively bleeding hematomas, or abdominal aortic aneurysms. Compared with CT as the preeminent advanced imaging modality in the emergency department, CEUS is low cost, radiation sparing, repeatable, and readily available. It does not require sedation, preprocedural laboratory assessment, or transportation to the radiology suite. Conclusions CEUS is a promising imaging technique for point-of-care applications in pediatric and adult patients and can be applied for patients with allergy to CT contrast medium or with impaired renal function. More high-quality CEUS research focusing on accuracy, patient safety, health care costs, and throughput times is needed to validate its use in emergency and critical care settings.
Recent advances in the treatment of Brugada syndrome.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndrome characterized by ST-segment elevation in right precordial ECG leads and associated with sudden cardiac death in young adults. The ECG manifestations of BrS are often concealed but can be unmasked by sodium channel blockers and fever.Areas covered: Implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is first-line therapy for BrS patients presenting with prior cardiac arrest or documented VT. A pharmacological approach to therapy is recommended in cases of electrical storm, as an adjunct to ICD and as preventative therapy. The goal of pharmacological therapy is to produce an inward shift to counter the genetically-induced outward shift of ion channel current flowing during the early phases of the ventricular epicardial action potential. This is accomplished by augmentation of ICa using □□adrenergic agents or phosphodiesterase III inhibitors or via inhibition of Ito. Radiofrequency ablation of the right ventricular outwar...
Preventing thermal degradation of PVC insulation by mixtures of cross‐linking agents and antioxidants

Poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) wire and cable insulation has poor thermal stability, causing the plasticizer to separate from the PVC chain and produce an oily residue, lowering the tensile elongation at break and thus increasing brittleness. We have added 4 wt.% of three different types of cross-linking agents and antioxidants, as well as mixtures of both, to improve the thermal stability of the plasticizer and tensile properties of PVC after thermal exposure. We performed tensile tests, tribological tests, profilometry, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and water absorption determination before and after thermal exposure at 136 ℃ for 1 week. After adding the agents, elongation at break increased by 10 to 20 % while the wear rate and water absorption were lower than for the control sample. Less voids are seen in the SEM images after adding these two kinds of agents. The thermal resistance of the PVC cable insulation is best enhanced by combinations of cross-linking agents and antioxidants.
Roper v. Simmons and Our Constitution in International Equipoise

In Roper v. Simmons, the Court unequivocally affirms the use of comparative constitutionalism to interpret the Eighth Amendment. It does not, however, provide an obvious theoretical basis to justify the practice. This Article searches for a theory to explain the comparativism in Roper using the theories advanced in the author's previous scholarship. It concludes that of the colorable candidates, natural law constitutionalism is the most plausible explanation, with the attendant problems associated therewith. The Article concludes with an analysis of the possible ramifications of the Court's comparative approach, suggesting that it may be pursuing a Constitution that is in international equipoise, with international values distributed liberally throughout our jurisprudence to ensure foreign and domestic equilibrium.
The medieval super-companies: The collapse, 1340–1343

The news of the death of Bonifazio reached the company's head-quarters in Florence on October 25. On the following day, those shareholders resident in Florence met and agreed to appoint as chairman Bonifazio's brother, Pacino di Tommaso, changing the name of the company for the third time in four years. Pacino faced the unenviable task of taking charge of a company that was fighting for its very survival. The new chairman was a very different type of leader from his brother. Unlike Bonifazio, who was inclined to take bold initiatives and whose interests lay abroad, Pacino appeared to be cast in the conservative mold of his father Tommaso. His were the “ink-stained fingers” that compiled the Assets and Secret Books of the Sixth Company. His preoccupations were with local politics rather than foreign ventures, and he showed no interest in rushing to England to take up where Bonifazio left off. Thus, for the second time in succession, the appointment of a new chairman was accompanied by a sharp change in the direction of company policy. The effect of the new management priorities was promptly felt in England, although the London branch headed by Giovanni Baroncelli continued to do its utmost to maintain the company's position there. For the first time, the Peruzzi began to back out of its obligations. Following England's truce with France, the Bardi and Peruzzi agreed to secure the release of the earls of Derby and Northampton within fifteen days of the receipt of 500 sacks of wool promised by the king's council.