cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of an Epstein-Barr virus episomal replicon for anti-sense RNA-mediated gene inhibition in a human cytotoxic T-cell clone.

Abstract A methodology was developed for stable gene transfer into cloned nontransformed human T lymphocytes. Stable high-level gene expression was achieved in cloned human T cells by using a self-replicating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) episomal replicon. A comparison of five eukaryotic promoters established that the Rous sarcoma virus 3' long terminal repeat (RSV 3' LTR) and the lymphopapilloma virus (LPV) 5' LTR are optimal for episome-based expression in T cells. Effective (greater than 95%), selective, and reversible anti-sense RNA-mediated gene inhibition of a model T-cell-associated molecule (CD8) was achieved in a cytotoxic human T-cell clone by using an EBV episome-based, RSV 3' LTR-driven expression system. The linking of anti-sense RNA mutagenesis and T-cell cloning technologies should contribute significantly to studies of human T-cell function.
“This Compendious Language”: Mathematics in the World of Augustus De Morgan

ABSTRACT Mathematics is the most chameleon of subjects, whose meaning is differently defined in different circumstances. This essay considers the mathematics of Augustus De Morgan as an illustration of the ways that the essence of the subject, the very objects that are included within it, has been adjusted in response to cultural factors. Since these cultural factors are the same ones that shape scientific development, the argument is that the history of mathematics and the history of science are always inextricably bound to one another.
Causation in classical physics

In summary, then, I have presented a program for analysis of physical causal statements in terms of the following metaphysical primitives: space (made up of ordered points), time (also ordered and punctiliar), causal density, haecceity and causal necessity. These can be ‘read off’ the theories in question. I claim that theevent-singular cases are crucial, and that other cases can be reduced to this via set theory and (causal) modal logic. I have given several examples of this sort of translation and a rough indication of how more complicated cases could be dealt with.
The Mechanism of the Deformation of Clay

Kaolinite-water mixtures, containing from 23 percent to 33 percent water, were subjected to compression plastometer tests and their plasticity was studied by means of the calculated strain-stress functions. X-ray diagrams taken of the compressed samples showed that an oriented texture developed during the compression, i.e., the basal planes of the flaky clay particles were arranged parallel to a plane normal to the direction of the applied stress. For the purpose of discussion the concept of the “plastic unit cell” is introduced. The “plastic unit cell” is a cubic volume element, the faces of which are perpendicular to the three principal stresses. The size of the “plastic unit cell” is very small as compared with the size of the macroscopic sample but large as compared with the size of one clay particle. It is the smallest unit for all considerations where macroscopic strain and stress distributions are involved. For all considerations involving the correlation between the characteristic strain-stress function of the material, the motions of the clay particles and water, and the forces present between the particles, the “plastic unit cell” is the largest unit. The clay particle in itself is rigid and, therefore, it cannot undergo the same deformation as does the “plastic unit cell”. All of the clay particles present in a “plastic unit cell” together can go through a series of motions (translations and rotations) which, in effect, simulate the deformation of the “plastic unit cell”. In the case of the compression test, the translatory and rotatory movements of the clay particles lead to the development of the oriented texture.
Inactivation of GDP-mannose dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa by penicillic acid identifies a critical active site loop.

Abstract The pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa synthesizes alginate as one of a group of virulence factors that are produced during infections. The enzyme GDP-mannose dehydrogenase catalyzes the committed step in alginate biosynthesis. We show here that penicillic acid is an irreversible inactivator of GDP-mannose dehydrogenase. Inactivation occurs with a rate constant of 0.39 ± 0.01 mM−1 min−1 at pH 8.0, and does not exhibit saturation behavior. Partial protection from inactivation is afforded by GDP-mannose, but not by the other substrate, NAD+. GMP and NAD+ together provide complete protection against inactivation. Analysis by mass spectrometry confirmed that the enzyme is alkylated at multiple cysteine residues by penicillic acid, including Cys 213, Cys 246, and the active site cysteine, Cys 268. However, the pH dependence of the inactivation rate suggested that alkylation of a single cysteine residue is sufficient to inactivate the enzyme. The C268A mutant protein was also susceptible to inactivation by penicillic acid. The presence of NAD+ and GMP provided partial protection of Cys 246 and Cys 268, and almost complete protection of Cys 213. Cys 213 is located on a helix that forms part of the binding pocket for GDP-mannose, and forms a hydrogen bond with Asn 252. Asn 252 is located on a loop that surrounds GDP-mannose. The C213A mutant enzyme exhibits a Vmax that is 1.8-fold greater than the wild-type enzyme, suggesting that the interaction between Cys 213 and Asn 252 helps to hold the loop in place during catalysis, and that opening the loop to release product is partially rate-limiting. Cys 246 is adjacent to the GDP-mannose binding loop, and its alkylation may also interfere with loop movement.
Genetic Factors in Alzheimer's Disease

The past 25 years have seen an astounding confluence of seven new observations that have resulted in fundamental changes in our understanding of this important disease, writes Dr. Thomas Bird.
Hoxa-9 Represses Transforming Growth Factor-β-induced Osteopontin Gene Transcription

Smad2 and Smad3 are downstream transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling molecules. Upon phosphorylation by its type I receptor, Smad2 or Smad3 forms a complex with Smad4 and translocates to the nucleus where the complex activates target gene transcription. In the present study, we report that Smad3 binds directly to the osteopontin (OPN) promoter and that Smad4 interacts with the Hox protein and displaces it from its cognate DNA binding site in response to TGF-β stimulation. In gel shift assays, the glutathione S-transferase-Smad3 fusion protein was found to bind to a 50-base pair DNA element (−179 to −229) from the OPN promoter. Also, we found that both Hoxc-8 and Hoxa-9 bound to a Hox binding site adjacent to Smad3 binding sequence. Interestingly, Smad4, the common partner for both bone morphogenic protein and TGF-β signaling pathways, inhibited the binding of Hox protein to DNA. FLAG-tagged Smad4 coimmunoprecipitated with HA-tagged Hoxa-9 from cotransfected COS-1 cells, demonstrating an interaction between Smad4 and Hoxa-9. Transfection studies showed that Hoxa-9 is a strong transcriptional repressor; it suppresses the transcription of the luciferase reporter gene driven by a 124-base pair OPN promoter fragment containing both Smad3 and Hox binding sites. Taken together, these data demonstrate a unique TGF-β-induced transcription mechanism. Smad3 and Smad4 exhibit different functions in activation of OPN transcription. Smad3 binds directly to the OPN promoter as a sequence-specific activator, and Smad4 displaces the transcription repressor, Hoxa-9, by formation of Smad4/Hox complex as part of the transcription mechanism in response to TGF-β stimulation.
Karst depressions in a time context

A study of karst depression enlargement through time on the Western Highland Rim (physiographic province), based on two sets of aerial photography (1937, 1972) and field work, indicates that areal growth rates (dA/dt, m2/a) depend upon the surficial geologic setting. Areal growth rates were calculated from rates of long axis (dL/dt) and mean width (dW/dt) enlargement assuming an elliptical plan shape. Areal growth rates averaged 40, 70, and 100 m2/century for loessial, clayey residual, and silty colluvial surficial material, respectively. Estimates of average apparent age of karst depressions in each of the three surficial materials, based on linear growth rates, varied from 25,000 to 65,000 years B.P. An occurrence of mastodon (Mammut americanum) and ground sloth (Megalonyx jeffersoni) from the Darks Mill depression as well as a pollen record from another depression dating from the Late Wisconsin glacial maximum in the same geomorphic setting yielded dates compatible with estimates of depression age.
Fiber orientation in simple injection moldings. Part II: Experimental results

Experimental measurements of fiber orientation are reported for two parts injection molded from nylon 6/6 reinforced with 43 wt% of glass fibers. The parts are a center-gated disk and a film-gated strip. Orientation is measured from polished cross sections and reported as a function of position, both across the thickness and in the flow direction. Both parts have a layered structure, with outer shell layers of flow-aligned fibers surrounding a central core of either random-in-plane (strip) or transversely aligned fibers (disk). The disk also has surface skins with less alignment. The experiments are compared with predictions of the simulation presented in Part I. The simulation predicts the presence, nature, and location of the layers very well. However, it overpredicts the small out-of-plane fiber orientation and places the core-shell transition too close to the midplane. A comparison with selected experimental results suggests that the major source of error is the closure approximation used by the fiber orientation equation. The simulation is exercised for a variety of cases to show the importance of material and process parameters. A polymer matrix with a small power-law index or a large heat of fusion gives a thicker core and is less likely to have a skin. Injection time is an important parameter, but injection temperature and mold temperature have little effect on fiber orientation.
Some new row-complete Latin squares

Abstract Row-complete Latin squares of orders 9, 15, 21 and 27 are given. The square of order 9 is the smallest possible odd order row-complete Latin square.
Proposed search for T-odd, P-even interactions in spectra of chaotic atoms

Violation of fundamental symmetries in atoms is the subject of intense experimental and theoretical interest. $P$-odd, $T$-even transitions have been observed and are in excellent agreement with electroweak theory. Searches for permanent electric dipole moments have placed bounds on $T$-odd, $P$-odd interactions, constraining proposed extensions to the standard model of elementary particles. Here we propose a search for $T$-odd, $P$-even (TOPE) interactions in atoms. We consider open-shell atoms, such as rare-earth-metal atoms, which have dense, chaotic excitation spectra with strong level repulsion. The strength of the level repulsion depends on the underlying symmetries of the atomic Hamiltonian. TOPE interactions lead to enhanced level repulsion. We demonstrate how a statistical analysis of many chaotic spectra can determine the strength of level repulsion; in particular, the variance of the number of levels in an energy range has been shown to be a useful measure. We estimate that, using frequency comb spectroscopy, a sufficient number of chaotic levels could be measured to match or exceed the current experimental bounds on TOPE interactions.
Half-h/2e critical current?Oscillations of SQUIDs

The current-voltage characteristics of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) are known to modulate as a function of applied magnetic field with a period of one flux quantum Φ0 = h/2e. Here we report on the fabrication and properties of SQUIDs modulating with a fundamental period of 1/2×Φ0. The characteristics of these bicrystal SQUIDs are consistent with either a strong sin(2) component of the current-phase relation of the Josephson current, or with an interaction between the Cooper pairs, causing an admixture of quartets to the condensate.
A fully-distributed approach to concurrency control in replicated database systems

Existing algorithms for concurrency control in replicated database systems are semi-distributed because, in these algorithms, only one site completely executes an update and the other sites just commit its writes. The author presents a fully distributed algorithm for concurrency control where each site completely executes every update. This approach has improved resiliency to different kinds of failures, higher parallelism, fast response to user requests, and low communication overhead. The author also presents a performance model of a replicated database system and uses it to study the performance of the proposed algorithm and the algorithm of M. Singhal et al. (1986). The results of the performance study reveal that the proposed approach improves the performance at the cost of nominal I/O overhead. >
Thiazide diuretics and male sexual dysfunction

The associations that have been noted between the clinical use of the thiazide diuretics and impairment of male sexual performance remain enigmatic. Recent studies are reviewed, in which aspects of the male sexual dysfunction in hypertensive men following treatment with thiazide diuretics were examined. The data are interpreted in light of previously published studies on the subject to suggest that penile erectile defects and decrements in sexual activities are specifically related to thiazide administration. A rodent model of thiazideinduced male sexual dysfunction is introduced that documents dose-related impairment, by hydrochlorothiazide, of penile erectile reflexes and male copulatory performance. The etiology of thiazide-induced male sexual dysfunction is hypothesized to result from alterations in sodium excretion that alter afferent renal nerve input to hypothalamic areas regulating male sexual responses.
The occupancy of ions in the K+ selectivity filter: Charge balance and coupling of ion binding to a protein conformational change underlie high conduction rates

Abstract Potassium ions diffuse across the cell membrane in a single file through the narrow selectivity filter of potassium channels. The crystal structure of the KcsA K + channel revealed the chemical structure of the selectivity filter, which contains four binding sites for K + . In this study, we used Tl + in place of K + to address the question of how many ions bind within the filter at a given time, i.e. what is the absolute ion occupancy? By refining the Tl + structure against data to 1.9 A resolution with an anomalous signal, we determined the absolute occupancy of Tl + . Then, by comparing the electron density of Tl + with that of K + , Rb + and Cs + , we estimated the absolute occupancy of these three ions. We further analyzed how the ion occupancy affects the conformation of the selectivity filter by analyzing the structure of KcsA at different concentrations of Tl + . Our results indicate that the average occupancy for each site in the selectivity filter is about 0.63 for Tl + and 0.53 for K + . For K + , Rb + and Cs + , the total number of ions contained within four sites in the selectivity filter is about two. At low concentrations of permeant ion, the number of ions drops to one in association with a conformational change in the selectivity filter. We conclude that electrostatic balance and coupling of ion binding to a protein conformational change underlie high conduction rates in the setting of high selectivity.
Optical Bistability In Random Glassy Polymers

Optical bistability is the quantum optical realization of a first order phase transition far from equilibrium. A resonant nonlinear optical response of it-electron excitations in low dimensional structures provides the nonlinearity essential to the onset of bistability. Saturable absorption studies of glassy polymer films consisting of quasi two-dimensional conjugated disc-like structures of silicon naphthalocyanine demonstrate that on-resonance the system behaves as an optical Bloch system with an intensity dependent refractive index n 2 of 1x10 -4 cm 2 /kW in the wavelength range of standard laser diodes. Based on this result, electronic absorptive optical bistability is observed on a nanosecond time scale in a nonlinear Fabry-Perot interferometer employing the saturably absorbing naphthalocyanine film as the nonlinear optical medium.
Neighborhood Inequalities in Retailers' Compliance With the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, January 2014-July 2014.

Extracted text; Introduction Retailer noncompliance with limited US tobacco regulations on advertising and labeling was historically patterned by neighborhood in ways that promote health disparities. In 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began enforcing stronger tobacco retailer regulations under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. However, recent research has found no differences in compliance by neighborhood characteristics for FDA advertising and labeling inspections. We sought to investigate the neighborhood characteristics associated with retailer noncompliance with specific FDA advertising and labeling inspections (ie, violations of bans on self-service displays, selling single cigarettes, false or mislabeled products, vending machines, flavored cigarettes, and free samples). Methods We coded FDA advertising and labeling warning letters (n = 718) for type of violations and geocoded advertising and labeling inspections from January 1 through July 31, 2014 (N = 33,543). Using multilevel models, we examined cross-sectional associations between types of violations and neighborhood characteristics previously associated with disparities (ie, percentage black, Latino, under the poverty line, and younger than 18 years). Results Retailer advertising and labeling violations are patterned by who lives in the neighborhood; regulated tobacco products are more likely to be stored behind the counter as the percentage of black or Latino residents increases, and single cigarettes are more often available for purchase in neighborhoods as the percentage of black, poor, or young residents increases. Conclusion Contrary to previous null findings, noncompliance with FDA advertising and labeling regulations is patterned by neighborhood characteristics, sometimes in opposite directions. Given the low likelihood of self-service violations in the same neighborhoods that have high likelihood of single cigarette sales, we suggest targeted approaches to FDA retailer inspections and education campaigns.
Mapping of the classical kinetic balance equations onto the Schrödinger equation

Here we find a mapping onto the Sturm–Liouville operator of the first two balance equations derived from Boltzmann's equation. This mapping, which is irreversible and valid only for a subclass of solutions, is achieved by applying a Fourier transform to the momentum coordinate. In light of this irreversibility, it is necessary to develop a set of consistent prescriptions to find the probability of any physical quantity in the p-conjugate space such that it will coincide with the average over the momentum of the true probabilities obtained from the original Boltzmann equation. The one drawback of this prescription is that it is impossible to predict exactly the precise values of the position x and the momentum p at the same time. This uncertainty is limited by the relationship that all conjugate variables in a Fourier transform should obey, namely Δ x Δ p = η/2, where η is a free parameter of the theory. The prescriptions we have found appear to coincide with the postulates of quantum mechanics, when η is set equal to . This procedure seems to provide a statistical representation of quantum mechanics.
Compliance with EPA PCB regulations-options analysis

The author examines the rules, written by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for regulating the use of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) since the passage of the Toxic Substances Control Act by Congress in 1976. The media and state and local environmental influences have continued to highlight PCB problems. These factors, plus the aging industrial plants that contain PCBs, pose a complex problem for owners of PCB-containing equipment. The EPA rules have become more restrictive and will continue to reflect the EPA's concern with any release of PCBs into the environment. Plant owners who must contend with increasingly complex market conditions must develop good PCB risk management practices. The author explores the EPA PCB regulations, highlighting the more significant requirements. The most viable options for managing PCB equipment are reviewed, and a method of cost analysis of two of the most popular options is presented. >
Disposition of drugs in cystic fibrosis. III. Acetaminophen

The disposition of acetaminophen after oral administration was investigated in adults with cystic fibrosis (n = 5) and in age-matched healthy control subjects (n = 5). The total plasma clearance of acetaminophen was found to be greater (p less than 0.025) in subjects with cystic fibrosis (0.362 +/- 0.081 L/hr/kg) than in control subjects (0.247 +/- 0.022 L/hr/kg). This difference in clearance was found to be primarily attributable to a greater metabolic clearance of acetaminophen to acetaminophen sulfate (0.080 +/- 0.023 L/hr/kg for subjects with cystic fibrosis and 0.045 +/- 0.008 L/hr/kg for control subjects; p less than 0.05) and to a greater metabolic clearance of acetaminophen to acetaminophen glucuronide (0.189 +/- 0.051 L/hr/kg for subjects with cystic fibrosis and 0.114 +/- 0.017 L/hr/kg for control subjects; p less than 0.05) in persons with cystic fibrosis. Of the mechanisms that may be responsible for these differences, the most likely is enhanced activity (in subjects with cystic fibrosis) of the transferases that mediate the metabolism of acetaminophen to acetaminophen sulfate and acetaminophen glucuronide, respectively.
Adjusting to natural disasters

People can answer the risks presented by natural disasters in a number of ways; they can move out of harms way, they can self protect, or they can insure. This paper uses the largest U.S. natural disaster on record, Hurricane Andrew, to evaluate how people and housing markets respond to a large disaster. Our analysis combines a unique ex post database on the storm’s damage along with information from the 1990 and 2000 Censuses as well as information on housing sales in Dade County, Florida where the storm hit. The results suggest that the economic capacity of households to adjust explains most of the differences in demographic groups’ patterns of adjustment to the hurricane damage. Low income households respond primarily by moving into low-rent housing in areas that experienced heavy damage. Middle income households move away to avoid risk, and the wealthy, for whom insurance and self-protection is most affordable, remain. This pattern of adjustment is roughly mean neutral, so an analysis based on summary measures would miss these important adjustments. Our analysis of the housing sales record indicates that the new risk information provided by the event reduced the rate of appreciation in prices by about fifty percent for the zones with the highest FEMA flood risk ratings. This finding is corroborated at the qualitative level by the Census data.
Production of infinitival object complements in the conversational speech of 5-year-old children with language-impairment*

The infinitive productions of eight 5-year-old children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) were compared with the infinitive productions of 25 3- to 5-year-old children with normally-developing language (NL). The mean number of infinitives was the same for the SLI group as for the NL group. However, individual children with SLI produced no or few infinitives or showed limited productivity for this sentence form with different main verbs. It was not possible to conclude that infinitives are problematic for all children with SLI, as has been reported for verb inflections. Rather, difficulty with this sentence form seems to be an individual difference among children with SLI.
Pharmacokinetics, pulmonary disposition and tolerability of liposomal gentamicin and free gentamicin in foals

†Summary Reasons for performing the study: Although gentamicin is highly active against Rhodococcus equi in vitro, its clinical efficacy has been limited presumably due to poor cellular uptake. Encapsulation of drugs in liposomes enhances their cellular uptake. Objectives: To compare the disposition of liposomal gentamicin (LG) and free gentamicin (FG) in the plasma, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid and bronchoalveolar cells of healthy foals after i.v. administration or by nebulisation, and to assess the tolerability of the drug after repeated i.v. dosing. Study design: Experimental study. Methods: Eight healthy foals received a single i.v. or nebulised dose (6.6 mg/kg bwt) of LG or FG in a balanced Latin square design, with a 14-day washout period between treatments. Subsequently, 12 healthy foals were given either LG or FG at 6.6 mg/kg bwt i.v. q. 24 h for 7 doses and urinary protein, creatinine, γ-glutamyltransferase and electrolytes were measured on Days 0, 3 and 7 to quantify renal injury. Concentrations of gentamicin were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: After i.v. administration, LG had a significantly higher mean (± s.d.) half-life (16.3 ± 3.5 vs. 6.2 ± 1.8 h) and volume of distribution (2.00 ± 1.03 vs. 0.72 ± 0.32 l/kg bwt) compared with FG. Peak gentamicin concentrations in bronchoalveolar cells were significantly higher for LG compared with FG after administration by both the i.v. (5.27 ± 2.67 vs. 2.98 ± 1.67 mg/l) and the nebulised (4.47 ± 2.66 vs. 1.49 ± 0.57 mg/l) routes. Liposomal gentamicin was well tolerated by all foals and indices of renal injury were not significantly different from those of foals administered FG. Conclusions: Administration of LG is well tolerated and results in higher intracellular drug concentrations than FG. Liposomal gentamicin warrants further investigation for the treatment of infections caused by intracellular pathogens such as Rhodococcus equi.
60-GHz LNA using a Hybrid Transmission Line and Conductive Path to Ground Technique in Silicon

A monolithic 60 GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) using a passive noise suppression technique and an enhanced hybrid transmission line structure, fabricated in a 0.12 mum SiGe BiCMOS process is presented. This design provides the entire circuit with a conductive path to ground the P-substrate. Near active device regions, noise injection and crosstalk paths are shunted to ground. Measurements of the single-stage LNA show peak performance at 59 GHz exhibiting a gain of 14.5 dB, a NF of 4.1 dB, a + 1.5 dBm output compression point, while consuming 4.5 mA from a 1.8 v supply. Across the entire V-band (57 - 64 GHz), the LNA provides a minimum gain of 12 dB with an average noise figure of 5 dB. This LNA has the highest known figure of merit reported for a 60 GHz application.
State space modeling of multiple time series

Time series methods offer the possibility of making accurate forecasts even when the underlying structural model is unknown, by replacing the structural restrictions needed to reduce sampling error and improve forecasts with restrictions determined from the data. While there has been considerable success with relatively simple univariate time series modeling procedures, the complex interrela- tionships possible with multiple series requite more powerful techniques.Based on the insights of linear systems theory, a multivariate state space methos for both stationary and nonstationary problems is described and related to ARMA models. The states or dynamic factors of the procedure are chosen to be robust in the presence of model misspecification, in constrast to ARMA models which lack this property. In addition, by treating th emidel choice as a formal approximation problem certain new optimal properties of the procedure with respect to specification are established; in particular, it is shown that no other m...
Protein–Protein Interactions in the Cyanobacterial Circadian Clock: Structure of KaiA Dimer in Complex with C-Terminal KaiC Peptides at 2.8 Å Resolution

In the cyanobacterial circadian clock, the KaiA, -B, and -C proteins with ATP constitute a post-translational oscillator. KaiA stimulates the KaiC autokinase, and KaiB antagonizes KaiA action. KaiA contacts the intrinsically disordered C-terminal regions of KaiC hexamer to promote phosphorylation across subunit interfaces. The crystal structure of KaiA dimer from Synechococcus elongatus with two KaiC C-terminal 20mer peptides bound reveals that the latter adopt an α-helical conformation and contact KaiA α-helical bundles via mostly hydrophobic interactions. This complex and the crystal structure of KaiC hexamer with truncated C-terminal tails can be fit into the electron microscopy (EM) density of the KaiA:KaiC complex. The hybrid model helps rationalize clock phenotypes of KaiA and KaiC mutants.
Forecasting Volatility and Asset Allocation: Are Garch-Type Models Useful?

The purpose of this study is to determine whether fund managers would do better in allocating their funds among different asset classes by using the new Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic (GARCH) models. Recently, a spate of papers has been written claiming that GARCH models can substantially improve volatility forecasts. This paper, using a GARCH framework on its own, and a GARCH framework together with investors' expectations of volatility, shows that these claims are unfounded. The GARCH models perform as badly as the traditional equally weighted historical averages of volatility. The GARCH models combined with investors' expectations of volatility improve the forecasting performance only negligibly. Fund managers should spend their time and money looking elsewhere for improvements on their forecasts of volatility of major asset classes.
Sky Computing

Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) cloud computing is revolutionizing how we approach computing. Compute resource consumers can eliminate the expense inherent in acquiring, managing, and operating IT infrastructure and instead lease resources on a pay-as-you-go basis. IT infrastructure providers can exploit economies of scale to mitigate the cost of buying and operating resources and avoid the complexity required to manage multiple customer-specific environments and applications. The authors describe the context in which cloud computing arose, discuss its current strengths and shortcomings, and point to an emerging computing pattern it enables that they call sky computing.
Dual-Port 2D and 3D Endoscopy: Expanding the Limits of the Endonasal Approaches to Midline Skull Base Lesions with Lateral Extension.

Objective To investigate a novel dual-port endonasal and subtemporal endoscopic approach targeting midline lesions with lateral extension beyond the intracavernous carotid artery anteriorly and the Dorello canal posteriorly. Methods Ten dual-port approaches were performed on five cadaveric heads. All specimens underwent an endoscopic endonasal approach from the sella to middle clivus. The endonasal port was combined with an anterior or posterior endoscopic extradural subtemporal approach. The anterior subtemporal port was placed directly above the middle third of the zygomatic arch, and the posterior port was placed at its posterior root. The extradural space was explored using two-dimensional and three-dimensional endoscopes. Results The anterior subtemporal port complemented the endonasal port with direct access to the Meckel cave, lateral sphenoid sinus, superior orbital fissure, and lateral and posterosuperior compartments of the cavernous sinus; the posterior subtemporal port enhanced access to the petrous apex. Endoscopic dissection and instrument maneuverability were feasible and performed without difficulty in both the anterior and posterior subtemporal ports. Conclusion The anterior and posterior subtemporal ports enhanced exposure and control of the region lateral to the carotid artery and Dorello canal. Dual-port neuroendoscopy is still minimally invasive yet dramatically increases surgical maneuverability while enhancing visualization and control of anatomical structures.
Nanoclustered gold honeycombs for surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

A honeycomb-shaped gold substrate was developed for surface-enhanced Raman imaging (SERI). The honeycombs are composed of clusters of 50–70 nm gold nanoparticles and exhibit high Raman enhancement efficiency. An average surface enhancement factor (ASEF) of 1.7 × 106 was estimated for a monolayer of l-cysteine molecules adsorbed to gold via a thiol linkage. The presence of a linear relationship in the low concentration region was observed in SERI detection of malachite green isothiocyanate (MGITC). These results together with the high reproducibility and simple and cost-effective fabrication of this substrate suggest that it has utility for applications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in quantitative diagnoses and analyte detection.
Enhanced Terahertz Transmission through a Subwavelength Aperture: A Time-Domain Interpretation

We present a time-domain study of enhanced terahertz transmission through a subwavelength aperture. Compared with the existing frequency domain studies on the phenomenon, our interpretation provides a very different perspective.
ScaleMed: A methodology for iterative mHealth clinical trials

mHealth, which involves using smartphones as a tool for healthcare monitoring and delivery, continues to gain traction worldwide. As a result, new pilot programs and clinical trials continue to be launched to establish clinical evidence. However, the continual need for software changes between iterations of the trial creates a lengthy time loop between clinical researchers requesting a change and software developers implementing the requested change. We propose a new methodology for performing clinical trials, called ScaleMed. The ScaleMed methodology involves decoupling low-level app functionality from high-level trial-related operational parameters, a common software development practice. By utilizing a centralized website that allows clinical researchers to rapidly update these trial parameters, iterative clinical trials have the potential to move at a much faster rate than in current practice. We demonstrate an example of the ScaleMed methodology applied to an ongoing mental health trial (codenamed Lucy). In addition, we conducted a separate trial on the usability of the ScaleMed-enabled Lucy platform and found a predominantly positive response from the potential clinical users. In our limited trials, we showed that the time to make changes to app parameters was cut from weeks to less than a minute.
Transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block for the treatment of postdural puncture headache in obstetric patients

Abstract Study objective To demonstrate a possible alternative treatment for postdural puncture headache (PDPH). Design Postdural puncture headache is a common complication associated with neuraxial anesthesia and unintentional dural puncture. Epidural blood patch (EBP) is the standard therapy for PDPH but has risks including pain, dural puncture, and infection. Transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) has been successfully used to treat migraine, cluster headache, and trigeminal neuralgia. This is a small case series in which SPGB was used to treat PDPH in 3 obstetric patients. Setting Labor and delivery suite. Patients Three postpartum patients with PDPH were studied. One patient was American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1, and the other 2 were American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 2. Interventions Transnasal SPGB using cotton-tipped applicators and 2% viscous lidocaine was performed on all 3 patients. Measurements Height, weight, and vital signs were measured on all patients. In addition, the numeric rating scale (0-10) was used to quantify the pain level while in the sitting position preprocedure, immediately postprocedure, 24 hours postprocedure, and 48 hours postprocedure. Main results All 3 patients had significant pain relief following the SPGB without the need for EBP. Conclusions When comparing the risks of a transnasal SPGB, which include bleeding and temporary discomfort, against those of an EBP, which are documented as dural puncture, neurologic complications, bleeding, and infection, it seems reasonable to offer the SPGB before EBP.
The immunophenotype of blast transformation of chronic myelogenous leukemia: A high frequency of mixed lineage phenotype in 'lymphoid' blasts and a comparison of morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular findings

Immunophenotypic studies have a limited role in the diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) but are increasingly being used in CML blast transformation (BT). Determination of the cell lineage of CML blasts is clinically important because patients with lymphoid blast transformation have a better response to chemotherapy and longer survival than those with other lineages. We studied the morphologic, cytochemical, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and molecular features of 20 patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML and more than 10% blast cells in peripheral blood or bone marrow. The blasts were morphologically heterogeneous. CD33 was expressed in 19 cases (95%), followed by CD13 (85%), CD11c (80%), CD36 (60%), CD117 (40%), and CD15 (30%). Seven cases (35%) had a precursor-B lymphoid immunophenotype, and 13 (65%) had a predominantly myeloid immunophenotype. Of the former group, of which only one had a pure lymphoid phenotype, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and CD19 were expressed in 100%, CD10 in 85.7%, and CD20 in 14.3%. Of the latter group, all 13 expressed from 3 to 6 myeloid antigens, with 46.2% myeloperoxidase positive and 69.2% CD61 positive. No cases were interpreted as T lineage, but the T-cell antigens CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD7 were expressed in 5.0, 40.0, 5.3. and 30.0% of all cases, respectively. In most cases, the immunophenotype of the CML blasts could not be predicted from their morphologic features. Polymerase chain reaction showed that 80.0% of the lymphoid group and 37.5% of the myeloid group had immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene rearrangements. The frequent lineage infidelity of the blast cells in CML BT seems to be related to the stem cell origin of this disorder. Such lineage infidelity, however, makes classification of many cases difficult and the significance of and criteria for biphenotypic blast crisis of CML is yet to be determined.
Endometrial synthesis and secretion of complement component-3 by patients with and without endometriosis

In the present study we examined complement-3 (C3) synthesis and secretion from early proliferative endometrium of infertile patients with and without endometriosis. One gram of tissue was obtained by endometrial sampling at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy and incubated for 12 to 16 hours in the presence of radioactive methionine. Immunoprecipitation was performed with rabbit antihuman C3 immunoglobulin G and only a single 180-kDa radiolabeled protein (C3) was immunoprecipitated. This protein dissociates into 113- and 69-kDa subunits in the presence of dithiothreitol. The amount of C3 produced and secreted by the endometrium was quantitated as a percentage of counts per minute recovered by immunoprecipitation. Patients with minimal endometriosis produced significantly greater amounts of endometrial C3 than patients with no endometriosis or patients with severe endometriosis.
Recurrent interstitial cystitis following cystoplasty fact or fiction

AbstractThe severity of symptoms in interstitial cystitis may necessitate surgical treatment in approximately 10% of the patients. Substitution cystoplasty provides satisfactory results in most of these cases, while avoiding the need for urinary diversion. It has been suggested that interstitial cystitis may affect the bowel segment used in this form of operation. We studied bowel segments removed from cystoplasties in 5 patients with interstitial cystitis and compared these to bowel used for lower urinary reconstruction for other disorders in 6 patients. All segments showed varying degrees of inflammation, fibrosis and mastocytosis but there was no difference between the 2 groups for these features.We conclude that inflammation and fibrosis is the usual reaction of bowel to exposure to urine, and they do not represent a specific spread of interstitial cystitis in those patients. However, this reaction does mimic the histological appearance of interstitial cystitis in the bladder and may suggest a model f...
Case of acute lead toxicity associated with Ayurvedic supplements.

Use of traditional folkloric remedies not disclosed to the physician may be difficult to identify as a source of lead toxicity. This report illustrates the presentation of a 26-year-old man who, during his 1 month vacation in India, was treated for low back pain with Ayurvedic herbal medicine. On his return to the USA, he presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain, weight loss, dark stools, nausea and vomiting. He was admitted and noted to be anaemic with a blood lead level (BLL) of 94.8 µg/dL. Peripheral blood smear demonstrated basophilic stippling. Chelation therapy with succimer was initiated. The patient became asymptomatic within months. Three years later, he remained asymptomatic with BLL
Keeping the Peace and Controlling Crime: What School Resource Officers Want School Personnel to Know.

ABSTRACTSchool Resource Officer (SRO) programs have gained widespread popularity across the nation in response to concerns regarding safe schools. While much of the research concerning the program examines students' and school administrators' perceptions regarding the program, current research lacks an examination of the officer's assessment of the daily operations and inner workings of the program. Those perceptions of the program are useful in any evaluations of crime and safety in the schools and surrounding community. This examination of the social process of the police-school partnership is important in illuminating the approaches and methods that impact the SRO program's operation and ultimate success.
Dynamical Scattering and Electron Channeling in Orthorhombic and Tetragonal LaFeAsO

In the study of LaFeAsO and doped compounds thereof, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to characterize the structural and morphological properties, while cryo-TEM has been used to purportedly observe the structural phase transition occurring at 160 K. Often, the appearance and disappearance of Bragg spots in diffraction patterns, as well as changes in diffraction contrast in bright-field images, have been pointed to as indicators of the phase transition. Here we show that effects not related to the transition can produce signatures reminiscent of those typically associated with the symmetry change. In particular, we demonstrate the effects of electron channeling and multiple scattering on intensity modulation of atomic columns and Bragg spots in high-angle annular dark-field scanning TEM (HAADF-STEM) images and parallel-beam electron diffraction (PBED) patterns, respectively, from both tetragonal and orthorhombic LaFeAsO. From electron-transparent lamellae, we quantify t...
Evaluating soil salinity and water management in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

Abstract Previous studies in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico suggested that water management systems constructed during periods of increased aridity resulted in elevated salinity levels to the point that soils were no longer viable for growing cultigens. Salinity, pH, powder X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy analyses of sediments and water collected from Chaco Canyon between the years 2013 and 2015 demonstrate conclusively that soils were suitable for the cultivation of maize by Ancestral Puebloans. Our findings clearly indicate that the salts are non-deleterious sulfate minerals. All of the cations and anions needed to form these minerals occur in the water of Chaco Canyon. Thus, increased soil salinity was not a critical factor in the abandonment of Chaco Canyon by Ancestral Puebloans. Sulfate and volcanogenic minerals increased soil fertility that allowed for the development and maintenance of an agricultural urban center in this dryland environment. Water management of sulfate and volcanic mineral rich soils created an environ ideal for maize agriculture. The occurrence of non-local Ancestral Puebloan maize in Chaco Canyon can be explained in terms of kinship mobility, the distance that goods and services move between extended families.
Modeling Elections and Referenda in Ireland

Using survey data from the Irish Social Sciences Data Archive (ISSDA), we apply spatial models for the 2007 Irish general election, the 2008 Lisbon Treaty referendum, and the 2009 Lisbon Treaty referendum. These elections occurred right before and during the global financial crisis. This study will provide greater insight into the Irish electorate during this tumultuous time. By estimating through both multinomial and binomial logit models, we find that ideological distance between voter and party plays a significant role in determining the vote in the general election. Moreover, we find that valence plays a significant role in both of the treaty referenda. These findings suggest that the severity of the financial crisis, and the possibility of support from the European Union played a significant role in the positive result for the Yes campaign in 2009.
Viscosity Reduction of a Concentrated Monoclonal Antibody with Arginine·HCl and Arginine·Glutamate

To further advance a subcutaneous injection of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) at elevated concentrations, novel concepts are needed to lower the viscosity. The addition of high concentrations of cosolutes, namely, arginine glutamate (Arg·Glu) or Arg·HCl, reduced the viscosity of a ∼250 mg/mL mAb solution up to 6-fold. With Arg·Glu, the viscosity of the mAb solution was reduced to 30 cP and for a polyclonal sheep IgG solution to 17 cP both at ∼250 mg/mL. Viscosities went through a maximum at the mAb isoelectric point for solutions with Arg·Glu or Arg·HCl. In contrast the viscosity was only weakly affected by NaCl or the preferentially excluded molecule trehalose. The large viscosity reduction from Arg may be attributed to direct binding to the mAb, resulting in suppression of both hydrophobic and local anisotropic electrostatic attraction. Aggregate formation was negligible for high cosolute mAb solutions as demonstrated by SEC even after 8 weeks of 25 °C storage.
La participación europea de Suiza en los acuerdos de la Unión Europea de Schengen, Dublín, Frontex y Europol

En este principio del ano 2016 presenciaremos seguramente profundas modificaciones del sistema de Schengen/Dublin. Dado el numero creciente de solicitantes de asilo que buscan refugio en Europa, asi como la presion terrorista, nos parece necesario volver a asomarnos de nuevo sobre la configuracion de la proteccion de fronteras de la UE, aunque dedicaremos especialmente nuestro estudio al caso particular de Suiza. Suiza, aunque geograficamente situada en el corazon de Europa, no ha tomado la decision institucional de adhesion a la Union Europea. Sin embargo, tiene con la Union relaciones intensas, ya que la Union es su segundo socio comercial. Tras el rechazo en 1992 del Espacio Economico Europeo por un referendum popular, Suiza ha desarrollado desde 1993 una relacion original con la UE a traves de acuerdos bilaterales sectoriales. Este enfoque bilateral sigue siendo la prioridad del gobierno. Sin embargo, Suiza es un ejemplo de frontera de geometria variable de la Union Europea, debido a que el territorio no podria existir como una isla, siendo una excepcion al principio de libre circulacion de personas y al sistema general de control comun de las fronteras exteriores europeas establecidas por los Acuerdos de Schengen/Dublin. Esta asociacion de Suiza a los tratados europeos y la cooperacion helvetica con las agencias Frontex y Euro-