cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On competition, risk, and hidden assets in the market for bank credit cards

Abstract The market for credit cards has been the subject of recent attention and controversy because of ‘high’ profits earned on credit cards and substantial premiums on the resale of credit-card receivables. This paper estimates risk—return profiles for credit-card banks and explores the role of intangible assets in determining resale premiums on credit-card receivables. In addition, the effects on the resale market of securitization and the opportunity cost of acquiring new accounts are analyzed. Using alternative measures of risk and alternative control groups, we find, for the years 1989 to 1995, that credit-card banks earned significantly higher returns on assets but that these returns were associated with greater risk-taking. Analysis of premia for the years 1993 to 1995 suggest that acquiring banks pay higher premia for mid-sized regional accounts than for larger, national portfolios, perhaps because of richer cross-selling opportunities.
Fetal heart rate response to intrauterine saline solution flush

Response of the fetal heart rate to instillation of normal saline solution 5 ml through an intrauterine pressure catheter was observed on 50 occasions. The test was performed only in those patients in whom an intrauterine pressure catheter had been placed. When the fetal capillary pH was greater than 7.24, accelerations of fetal heart rate by 15 beats/min were observed in 39 of 50 occasions. On the other hand, no fetal heart rate accelerations were observed when the fetal capillary was less than or equal to 7.24.
Normal and superconducting state magnetic properties of RBa2Cu3O7−δ compounds

Abstract Magnetic properties have been investigated for polycrystalline samples of RBa 2 Cu 2 O 7−δ with R = Y and all the rare earth elements except Pm. The normal-state magnetic susceptibilities of these compounds can be described as χ ( T )= χ 0 + Nμ 2 eff /[3 k b ( T − ϑ )], with μ eff comparable to the values of free R 3+ ions. The superconducting-state magnetizations for all measured superconducting compounds are very different for different R while the field and temperature dependence of critical current densities J c ( H , T ) inferred from the hysteresis of M ( H ) isotherms at different temperatures are similar. J c decreases with H , rapidly in low fields and slowly in high fields, and decreases by two orders of magnitude as the temperatures increase from 4.2 to 65 K. At 4.2 K and 180 kOe, the critical current densities of Gd, Yb, and Tm compounds range from 1.6 to 17 kA/cm 2 .
Active Site Heterogeneity in Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus Revealed by Raman Spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy has been used to investigate the structure of the molybdenum cofactor in DMSO reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus. Three oxidized forms of the enzyme, designated 'redox cycled', 'as prepared', and DMSORmodD, have been studied using 752 nm laser excitation. In addition, two reduced forms of DMSO reductase, prepared either anaerobically using DMS or using dithionite, have been characterized. The 'redox cycled' form has a single band in the Mo=O stretching region at 865 cm(-1) consistent with other studies. This oxo ligand is found to be exchangeable directly with (DMSO)-O-18 or by redox cycling. Furthermore, deuteration experiments demonstrate that the oxo ligand in the oxidized enzyme has some hydroxo character, which is ascribed to a hydrogen bonding interaction with Trp 116. There is also evidence from the labeling studies for a modified dithiolene sulfur atom, which could be present as a sulfoxide. In addition to the 865 cm(-1) band, an extra band at 818 cm(-1) is observed in the Mo=O stretching region of the 'as prepared' enzyme which is not present in the 'redox cycled' enzyme. Based on the spectra of unlabeled and labeled DMS reduced enzyme, the band at 818 cm(-1) is assigned to the S=O stretch of a coordinated DMSO molecule. The DMSORmodD form, identified by its characteristic Raman spectrum, is also present in the 'as prepared' enzyme preparation but not after redox cycling. The complex mixture of forms identified in the 'as prepared' enzyme reveals a substantial degree of active site heterogeneity in DMSO reductase.
The Effects of Child Abuse and Exposure to Domestic Violence on Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems.

This study examines the effects of child abuse and domestic violence exposure in childhood on adolescent internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Data for this analysis are from the Lehigh Longitudinal Study, a prospective study of 457 youth addressing outcomes of family violence and resilience in individuals and families. Results show that child abuse, domestic violence, and both in combination (i.e., dual exposure) increase a child’s risk for internalizing and externalizing outcomes in adolescence. When accounting for risk factors associated with additional stressors in the family and surrounding environment, only those children with dual exposure had an elevated risk of the tested outcomes compared to non-exposed youth. However, while there were some observable differences in the prediction of outcomes for children with dual exposure compared to those with single exposure (i.e., abuse only or exposure to domestic violence only), these difference were not statistically significant. Analyses showed that the effects of exposure for boys and girls are statistically comparable.
The role of autophagy in neurodegenerative disease

This Review provides an overview of the role of autophagy, a key lysosomal degradative process, in neurodegenerative diseases. The study of various neurodegenerative diseases has shown that defects in autophagy can arise at different points in the pathway, and this has implications for the successful modulation of autophagy for therapeutic purposes. The Review also discusses the latest developments in targeting alterations in autophagy as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.
#SocialBookmarking: An overview and primer for use in pharmacy education

Abstract Background Social bookmarking is a social media platform that has in recent years garnered interest as a potential tool in the higher education classroom. Social bookmarking is the process of saving online resources to a centralized location, labeling resources with specific keywords (tagging), and sharing them with other online users. The objective of this article is to provide an overview of social bookmarking, review its use in higher education, and provide a framework for use in pharmacy education. Methods Search methods included the databases Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), PubMed, Medline EBSCO, Google, and GoogleScholar. Keywords and tags searched included “social bookmarking,” “higher education,” “pharmacy education,” “health professions education,” “social media,” “collaborative annotation,” “Pinterest,” “Diigo,” and “Delicious.” Results Several articles were found describing the use of social bookmarking in higher education. Evaluations of these uses consisted primarily of student reaction to the use of this new online tool. Several resources available via the World Wide Web described the potential uses for social bookmarking in the classroom, including icebreaker activities, supplemental information related to lecture material, and advocacy. Conclusion Social bookmarking is an online platform with the potential to engage students in classroom learning. Research is needed to determine if social bookmarking leads to improved learning in pharmacy education.
Similarity reductions of integrable lattices and discrete analogues of the Painlevé II equation

Abstract Using the direct linearization method similarity reductions of integrable lattices are constructed providing discrete analogues of the Painleve II equation. The reduction is obtained by imposing an non-autonomous integrable constraint on the corresponding lattice equations, which are differential-difference analogue of the KdV and modified KdV equation. An isomonodromic deformation problem for these system is derived. It is shown how this system in an appropriate continuum limit reduces to the PII equation.
Effect of insulin on purified creatine phosphokinase.

THE effects of insulin can be readily demonstrated on a variety of metabolic processes in intact cells both in vivo and in vitro; however, the exact site of insulin action remains unexplained. Numerous investigators have proposed that the effects of insulin are mediated through its action on one enzyme or one enzyme system, but no such action has been consistently demonstrable. During an investigation involving the effects of insulin on certain aspects of creatine metabolism, I have found that insulin enhances the activity of a purified enzyme, creatine phosphokinase, in vitro. The reaction involved is the following : The physiological significance of this observation requires further enquiry; however, this in vitro effect is easily and consistently demonstrated.
Detrusor-Directed Therapy in Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

As men age, the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms increases. Until recently, treatment modalities focused on prostatic-directed management, but there has been a shift in focus as emerging research has implicated the bladder as a significant player in the development of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Although initially avoided in this population, recent studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of antimuscarinics. Epidemiologic studies illustrating the link between erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms then led to the investigation of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors for symptom management. Novel agents, including β3 adrenoreceptor agonists, are now being introduced in trials. These agents may offer the efficacy of an anticholinergic without the associated side effects. As future research develops, we are sure to see the introduction of a host of novel agents in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Tachyphylaxis to β-adrenoceptor agonists in guinea pig airway smooth muscle in vivo and in vitro

Abstract β-Adrenoceptor tachyphylaxis was induced by incubating spirally cut guinea pig tracheas with isoproterenol (2.4 × 10 −7 M) for 20 min. This incubation reduced the relaxant effects of catecholamines but not of dibutyryl cyclic AMP, theophylline or sodium nitrite. Tracheas incubated with norepinephrine, phosphodiesterase inhibitors or cyclic nucleotides became tachyphylactic to isoproterenol. Pretreatment with indomethacin prevented induction of tachyphylaxis. Incubation with adenosine, methoxamine or sodium nitrite did not induced β-adrenoceptor tachyphylaxis. When we gave isoprpterenol intramuscularly to guinea pigs, airway sensitivity to aerosolized histamine was unchanged but the toxicity of parenterally administered histamine was increased. A prolonged treatment with isoproterenol reduced airway sensitivity to histamine aerosols; this reduced sensitivity was reversed by indomethacin. Thus, β-adrenoceptor tachyphylaxis may not explain increased toxicity of parenteral histamine after isoproterenol treatment. Elevated levels of cyclic AMP and an increased synthesis of prostaglandins may result in diminished response to β-receptor stimulation.
Claudication distances and the Walking Impairment Questionnaire best describe the ambulatory limitations in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease

Background Claudication secondary to peripheral arterial disease leads to reduced mobility, limited physical functioning, and poor health outcomes. Disease severity can be assessed with quantitative clinical methods and qualitative self-perceived measures of quality of life. Limited data exist to document the degree to which quantitative and qualitative measures correlate. The current study provides data on the relationship between quantitative and qualitative measures of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Method This descriptive case series was set in an academic vascular surgery unit and biomechanics laboratory. The subjects were symptomatic patients with peripheral arterial disease patients presenting with claudication. The quantitative evaluation outcome measures included measurement of ankle-brachial index, initial claudication distance, absolute claudication distance, and self-selected treadmill pace. Qualitative measurements included the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Spearman rank correlations were performed to determine the relationship between each quantitative and qualitative measure and also between the WIQ and SF-36. Results Included were 48 patients (age, 62 ± 9.6 years; weight, 83.0 ± 15.4 kg) with claudication (ABI, 0.50 ± 0.20). Of the four WIQ subscales, the ankle-brachial index correlated with distance ( r = 0.29) and speed ( r = 0.32); and initial claudication distance and absolute claudication distance correlated with pain ( r = 0.40 and 0.43, respectively), distance ( r = 0.35 and 0.41, respectively), and speed ( r = 0.39 and 0.39 respectively). Of the eight SF-36 subscales, no correlation was found for the ankle-brachial index, initial claudication distance correlated with Bodily Pain ( r = 0.46) and Social Functioning ( r = 0.30), and absolute claudication time correlated with Physical Function ( r = 0.31) and Energy ( r = 0.30). The results of both questionnaires showed reduced functional status in claudicating patients. Conclusions Initial and absolute claudication distances and WIQ pain, speed, and distance subscales are the measures that correlated the best with the ambulatory limitation of patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. These results suggest the WIQ is the most specific questionnaire for documenting the qualitative deficits of the patient with claudication while providing strong relationships with the quantitative measures of arterial disease. Future studies of claudication patients should include both quantitative and qualitative assessments to adequately assess disease severity and functional status in peripheral arterial disease patients.
Magnesium: Nature's physiologic calcium blocker

With the advent of “calcium blockers” in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, one’s attention is drawn to the role of calcium in myocardial contractility, impulse formation, and smooth muscle tone. This increased awareness of calcium has also drawn attention to the role of magnesium, which in many situations has been shown to counter the actions of calcium. The present report attempts to show that excess magnesium will block, and that deficiency of magnesium will potentiate, the action of calcium. Clinical experiences, both recent and in the past, have also suggested the possibility that magnesium may effectively control certain cardiovascular functions. In a sense, magnesium may be considered nature’s physiologic calcium blocker. Biologic evolution of magnesium and calcium. In a recent monograph “Magnesium: Its biological significance,” Aikawal traces in a scholarly manner the origin of life on earth from the formation of the crust composed of iron-magnesium silicate and the primeval ocean rich in magnesium, to the formation of chlorophyll with magnesium in the center of the molecule, giving rise to photosynthesis and finally to the development of the animal cell containing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with its “obligatory need for magnesium.“’ A cursory look into the biologic evolution of magnesium and calcium through development of life on earth indeed indicates that the two bivalent elements were incorporated into living cells for specific purposes, and perhaps as a check and balance on each other. Whereas magnesium was needed for energy transformation and cell metabolism, calcium appeared to be essential for structural stability (bone) and for motility of the organism through its neuromuscular activity. Biologic evolution would tend to favor the incorporation of calcium into primitive beings when movement through
Molecular-beam epitaxial growth of CdSexTe1−x on Si(211)

We report on the first successful growth of the ternary-alloy CdSexTe1−x(211) on 3-in. Si(211) substrates using molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). The growth of CdSeTe was performed using a compound CdTe effusion source and an elemental Se effusion source. The alloy composition (x) of the CdSexTe1−x ternary compound was controlled through the Se:CdTe flux ratios. Our results indicated that the crystalline quality of CdSeTe decreases as the alloy composition increases, which is possibly due to an alloy-disordering effect. A similar trend was observed for the CdZnTe ternary-alloy system. However, the alloy-disordering effect in CdSeTe was found to be less severe than that in CdZnTe. We have carried out the growth of CdSeTe on Si at different temperatures. An optimized growth window was established for CdSeTe on Si(211) to achieve high-crystalline-quality CdSeTe/Si layers with 4% Se. The as-grown layers exhibited excellent surface morphology, low surface-defect density (less than 500 cm−2), and low x-ray full width at half maximum (FWHM) values near 100 arcsec. Additionally, the CdSeTe/Si layer exhibited excellent lateral uniformity and the best etched-pit density (EPD) value on a 4% CdSeTe, measured to be as low as 1.4 × 105 cm−2.
A Comparative Study of Damage Variables in Continuum Damage Mechanics

In this work, various definitions of the damage variables are examined and compared. In particular, special emphasis is given to a new damage variable that is defined in terms of the elastic stiffness of the material. Both the scalar and tensorial cases are investigated. The scalar definition of the new damage variable was used recently by many researchers. However, the generalization to tensors and general states of deformation and damage is new and appears here for the first time. In addition, transformation laws for various elastic constants are derived. Finally, the cases of plane stress, plane strain, and isotropic elasticity are examined in detail. In these cases, it is shown that only two independent damage parameters are needed to describe the complete state of damage in the material. In this work, a physical basis is sought for the damage tensor [M ] that is used to link the damage state of the material with effective undamaged configuration. The authors and numerous other researchers have used � ¼ � " ¼ " ‘ ¼ �
Investigating Ion Channel Distribution Using a Combination of Spatially Limited Photolysis, Ca2+ Imaging, and Patch Clamp Recording

The production of saliva by parotid acinar cells is stimulated by Ca(2+) activation of Cl(-) and K(+) channels located in the apical plasma membrane of these polarized cells. Here, we utilize a combination of spatially limited flash photolysis, Ca(2+) imaging, and electrophysiological recording to investigate the distinct distribution of Ca(2+)-dependent ion channels in the plasma membrane (PM) of enzymatically isolated murine parotid acinar cells. In these experiments, the aim of photolysis is to selectively target and modify the activity of ion channels, thereby revealing membrane-domain-specific differences in distribution. Specifically, the relative distribution of channels to either apical or basal PM can be investigated. Since there is substantial evidence that Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) channels are exclusively localized to the apical membrane of acinar cells, this provides an important electrophysiological verification that a particular membrane has been specifically targeted.
APL design of graphic displays for motivation in distance education

APL is used in the experimental design of graphic displays to be applied in real-time, on-line education. These graphic displays are to be integrated in instructional dialogs. Our aim is to discover displays that will motivate students while they take computer mediated and distance learning courses. During the learning process, it is especially important for a student to receive feedback about his/her progress, continually and within a few tens of seconds of the most recent interaction. This feedback may indicate student performance relative to the recent past and also relative to their peers who have interacted with the same learning items. Compact and easy-to-interpret graphical or quantitative (partly numeric) displays of student progress are designed as character arrays. The rules for constructing these arrays are described conveniently in APL functions. Such functions specify a template each display and establish design correctness. The functions also allow flexible testing that reveals how easy it is to understand each display.
The homolog of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis in the teleost fish Tilapia mossambica.

The effects of hypophysectomy and of hormone treatments on the interrenal of Tilapia mossambica were studied, utilizing measurements of mean interrenal nuclear diameter as an index of interrenal function. Hypophysectomy of Tilapia maintained in isotonic Ringer's solution resulted in a significant decrease in interrenal nuclear diameter after 21 days. This decrease was prevented by treatment of hypophysectomized fish with mammalian ACTH. Mammalian ACTH significantly increased the interrenal nuclear diameters of intact fish maintained in fresh water, but failed to do so in intact Tilapia kept in isotonic Ringer's solution. Administration of cortisol acetate to intact Tilapia reduced the mean nuclear diameter of interrenal cells. The degree of response was both dose and time dependent. Administration of 0.04 mg/day of deoxycorticosterone acetate for 21 days also significantly reduced the mean interrenal nuclear diameter. Treatment with the same dose of DCA for only 14 days, or with a smaller dose for 21 days, failed to induce interrenal atrophy. These results suggest that a pituitary-interrenal axis, resembling the pituitary-adrenocortical axis of mammals, exists in Tilapia mossambica.
Landscapes of Alienation

As has been discussed in a previous companion piece in Transforming Anthropology, the Great Dismal Swamp in North Carolina and Virginia has a profoundly significant diasporan history. Between 1630 and 1865 thousands of maroons, enslaved canal company laborers, and disenfranchised Native Americans lived within the morass and formed communities while developing longterm political-economic systems. The Great Dismal Swamp Landscape Study has been initiated to explore the archaeological landscapes of these alienated diasporans. This somewhat personalized report combines discussions of some of the author's experiences doing swamp work, the field methods used and models developed to recover information about exiles in the swamp, and the archaeological finds of three seasons of fieldwork (2003–6).
The β Subunit Loop That Couples Catalysis and Rotation in ATP Synthase Has a Critical Length

ATP synthase uses a unique rotational mechanism to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy and back into chemical energy. The helix-turn-helix structure in the C-terminal domain of the β subunit containing the conserved DELSEED motif, termed "DELSEED-loop," was suggested to be involved in coupling between catalysis and rotation. If this is indeed the role of the loop, it must have a critical length, the minimum length required to sustain its function. Here, the critical length of the DELSEED-loop was determined by functional analysis of mutants of Bacillus PS3 ATP synthase that had 7-14 amino acids within the loop deleted. A 10 residue deletion lost the ability to catalyze ATP synthesis, but was still an active ATPase. Deletion of 14 residues abolished any enzymatic activity. Modeling indicated that in both deletion mutants the DELSEED-loop was shortened by ∼10 A; fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments confirmed the modeling results. This appears to define the minimum length for DELSEED-loop required for coupling of catalysis and rotation. In addition, we could demonstrate that the loss of high-affinity binding to the catalytic site(s) that had been observed previously in two deletion mutants with 3-4 residues removed was not due to the loss of negative charged residues of the DELSEED motif in these mutants. An AALSAAA mutant in which all negative charges of the DELSEED motif were removed showed a normal pattern for MgATP binding to the catalytic sites, with a clearly present high-affinity site.
The molecular structures of perfluorocyclobutane and perfluorocyclobutene, determined by electron diffraction

Abstract As part of our current program to establish relationships between the geometries of low molecular weight hydrocarbons and the corresponding F-substituted analogs, the molecular structure of perfluorocyclobutane and perfluoro-cyclobutene were investigated byelectron diffraction. The geometrical parameters obtained by least squares refinements of the intensity data are: the carbon atoms in C 4 F 8 are not coplanar; symmetry D 2d , with (C-F) = 1.333 ±0.002 A, (C-C) = 1.566±0.008 A, ∠FCF = 109.9±0.3°, ∠CCC = 89.3±0.3°, the dihedral angle = 17.4° and tilt angle for CF 2 = −5.4°. The carbon atoms in C 4 Fe 6 are coplanar; (C-C) = 1.342 ±0.006 A, (C-C) = 1.508 ±0.003 A, (C-C) = 1.595 A, (C-F) = 1.319±0.012 A, (-C-F) = 1.336±0.006 A, ∠C(1)C(2)C(3) = 94.8 ±0.3°, ∠C(2)C(3)C(4) = 85.2°, ∠C(2)C(1)F(5) = 133.6 ±2.9° and ∠C(2)C(3) F(7) = 115.9±0.5°. These results are compared with the available structural data for various substituted cyclobutenes and cyclobutanes.
Surface plasmon resonance study of the actin-myosin sarcomeric complex and tubulin dimers

Biosensors based on the principle of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection were used to measure biomolecular interactions in sarcomeres and changes in the dielectric constant of tubulin samples with varying concentration. At SPR, photons of laser light efficiently excite surface plasmons propagating along a metal (gold) film. This resonance manifests itself as a sharp minimum in the reflection of the incident laser light and occurs at a characteristic angle. The dependence of the SPR angle on the dielectric permittivity of the sample medium adjacent to the gold film allows the monitoring of molecular interactions at the surface. We present results of measurements of cross-bridge attachment-detachment within intact mouse heart muscle sarcomeres and measurements on bovine tubulin molecules pertinent to cytoskeletal signal transduction models.
Eutrophication potential of dairy cattle waste runoff

Abstract Utilizing standard bottle test algal bioassays correlated with chemical analyses for growth limiting nutrients, the biostimulatory and chemical characteristics of dairy cattle waste runoff were evaluated. Comparisons were made between this very concentrated runoff collected from a concrete covered feeding area and runoff from beef cattle feedlots where runoff could only be sampled after much dilution by spring and stream waters. The dairy feedlot runoff was extremely rich in nutrients, and in very dilute concentrations it stimulated prolonged algal growth, indicating a strong pollution potential. In more concentrated solutions, biostimulation was inhibited by toxicity which seemed indigenous to concentrated runoff water. Toxicity was found in beef cattle runoff in earlier studies. Topography and animal numbers differed between the dairy feedlot and the beef cattle lots precluding exacting comparisons. However, the chemical nature of the more concentrated dairy cattle runoff was consistent; whereas, the water chemistry of the more dilute beef cattle runoff changed suddenly in response to changes in cattle density near the streams.
Anesthesia and temperature effects on somatosensory evoked potentials produced by train stimuli.

Objective: To determine the effect of anesthesia, temperature, and stimulus characteristics on the response of upper extremity somatosensory evoked responses (SSEP) to repetitive stimulation. Methods: Pairs and trains of electrical stimuli were used to elicit the upper extremity SSEP, and the amplitudes of the N20-P22, N13, and Erb s point potentials produced by each stimulus were measured. The ratio of the amplitude of the response to each stimulus to that produced by the first stimulus in a given train was computed. Recordings were also made directly from the cortical surface in a single patient. Results: There were only minimal effects of anesthesia, temperature, or stimulus characteristics on the amplitude ratios for the N13 and Erb s point potentials. The N20-P22 amplitude ratio demonstrated facilitation with interstimulus intervals in the 20 100 ms range and was markedly reduced with hypothermia. The degree of facilitation was strongly dependent on isoflurane and nitrous oxide concentrations. In res...
Triumph of the Heart: The Story of Statins

By Jie Jack Li, Published by Oxford University Press, 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, 2009. 224 p. Price $29.95. Although scientists are still searching for cures to many diseases, a giant step forward in the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) was made in the late 20th century with
The platelet activating factor (PAF) signaling cascade in systemic inflammatory responses

The platelet-activating factor (PAF) signaling cascade evolved as a component of the repertoire of innate host defenses, but is also an effector pathway in inflammatory and thrombotic diseases. This review focuses on the PAF signaling cascade in systemic inflammatory responses and, specifically, explores its activities in experimental and clinical sepsis and anaphylaxis in the context of the basic biochemistry and biology of signaling via this lipid mediator system.
Impact of load type on power consumption and line loss in voltage reduction program

Voltage reduction is becoming a common strategy in distribution to reduce peak demand and energy consumption. At reduced voltage, variations in line losses need to be analyzed, because losses affect the cost-benefit analysis. In this paper, a model is derived that explains, at reduced voltage, how line losses vary with types of load. This model has been demonstrated on the IEEE 13-bus test system. Also analyzed is the effect of line resistance on line losses for various types of loads.
A septate-like contact in the rat retina.

An intercellular contact in the outer plexiform layer of the rat retina is described. Between the receptor terminals and multiple postsynaptic elements, a uniform extracellular gap is spanned by thin plates perpendicular to the junctional membranes or by discrete periodically-spaced particles. Contacts with highly ordered periodic arrays of particles or filaments within the extracellular space have also been called ‘basal junctions’ in turtle retina and ‘flat, superficial contacts’ in frog and primate retinae. These contacts superficially resemble septate desmosomes of invertebrate epithelia, or, more precisely, similar septate-like contacts in the vertebrate nervous system and between adrenocortical cells. Since clusters of vesicles along the presynaptic membrane have not been observed in these contacts, they do not qualify as synapses. Perhaps they determine the conformation of the postsynaptic invagination within the receptor terminal to give it a certain rigidity. Conceivably, such contacts may exist to compartmentalize the ionic composition of the extracellular spaces.
Observed Scaling in Clouds and Precipitation and Scale Incognizance in Regional to Global Atmospheric Models

AbstractObservations of robust scaling behavior in clouds and precipitation are used to derive constraints on how partitioning of precipitation should change with model resolution. Analysis indicates that 90%–99% of stratiform precipitation should occur in clouds that are resolvable by contemporary climate models (e.g., with 200-km or finer grid spacing). Furthermore, this resolved fraction of stratiform precipitation should increase sharply with resolution, such that effectively all stratiform precipitation should be resolvable above scales of ~50 km. It is shown that the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) and the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) also exhibit the robust cloud and precipitation scaling behavior that is present in observations, yet the resolved fraction of stratiform precipitation actually decreases with increasing model resolution. A suite of experiments with multiple dynamical cores provides strong evidence that this “scale-incognizant” behavior originates in one of the CAM4 pa...
College of American pathologists' laboratory standards for next-generation sequencing clinical tests

Context.— The higher throughput and lower per-base cost of next-generation sequencing (NGS) as compared to Sanger sequencing has led to its rapid adoption in clinical testing. The number of laborat...
New specimen reveals deltatheroidan affinities of the North American Late Cretaceous Mammal Nanocuris

ABSTRACT Deltatheroida is a small, mostly Asian, clade of Cretaceous mammals with a complicated systematic history and a poor North American fossil record. The recently described latest Cretaceous Nanocuris improvida is a relatively large, morphologically distinctive taxon with carnivorous adaptations; it was tentatively referred to its own family Nanocuridae within Eutheria. Here, we describe a new specimen from the uppermost Cretaceous Lance Formation of Wyoming that is referable to Nanocuris improvida, the second occurrence for the taxon. New morphological information from the specimen allows us to refer five additional Lancian specimens, some of which have been previously described as deltatheroidans, to Nanocuris improvida and ?Nanocuris sp. Results from a phylogenetic analysis remove Nanocuris from Eutheria and reveal strong support for its deltatheroidan affinities and for its nested position within Metatheria. As a result, we subsume Nanocuridae within the deltatheroidan family Deltatheridiidae. W...
The Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein Acts Synergistically with an Interferon-Induced Factor for Maximal Activity against Alphaviruses

Type I interferons (IFNs) signal through specific receptors to mediate expression of genes, which together confer a cellular antiviral state. Overexpression of the zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) imparts a cellular antiviral state against Retroviridae, Togaviridae, and Filoviridae virus family members. Since ZAP expression is induced by IFN, we utilized Sindbis virus (SINV) to investigate the role of other IFN-induced factors in ZAP's inhibitory potential. Overexpressed ZAP did not inhibit virion production or SINV-induced cell death in BHK cells deficient in IFN production (and thus IFN signaling), suggesting a role for an IFN-induced factor in ZAP's activity. IFN pretreatment in the presence of ZAP resulted in greater inhibition than IFN alone. Using mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cells deficient in Stat1, we showed that signaling through the IFN receptor is necessary for IFN′s enhancement of ZAP activity. Unlike in BHK cells, however, overexpressed ZAP exhibited antiviral activity in the absence of IFN. In wild-type MEFs with an intact Stat1 gene, IFN pretreatment synergized with ZAP to generate a potent antiviral response. Despite failing to inhibit SINV virion production and virus-induced cell death in BHK cells, ZAP inhibited translation of the incoming viral RNA. IFN pretreatment synergized with ZAP to further block protein expression from the incoming viral genome. We further show that silencing of IFN-induced ZAP reduces IFN efficacy. Our findings demonstrate that ZAP can synergize with another IFN-induced factor(s) for maximal antiviral activity and that ZAP's intrinsic antiviral activity on virion production and cell survival can have cell-type-specific outcomes.
New state records of treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae) for Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

New state records are presented for 27 species of North American treehoppers (Membracidae) as follows: Delaware (21 spp.), Maryland (3), Mississippi (1), Pennsylvania (2), and West Virginia (1).
Social Network Model Based on Keyword Categorization

A user profile on an online social network is characterized by its profile entries (keywords). In this paper, we study the relationship between semantic similarity of user keywords and the social network topology. First, we present a `forest' model to categorize keywords and define the notion of distance between keywords across multiple categorization trees (i.e., a forest). Second, we use the keyword distance to define similarity functions between a pair of users and show how social network topology can be modeled accordingly. Third, we validate our social network topology model, using a simulated social graph, against a real life social graph dataset.
Concurrent placement, capacity provisioning, and request flow control for a distributed cloud infrastructure

Cloud computing and storage have attracted a lot of attention due to the ever increasing demand for reliable and cost-effective access to vast resources and services available on the Internet. Cloud services are typically hosted in a set of geographically distributed data centers, which we will call the cloud infrastructure. To minimize the total cost of ownership of this cloud infrastructure (which accounts for both the upfront capital cost and the operational cost of the infrastructure resources), the infrastructure owners/operators must do a careful planning of data center locations in the targeted service area (for example the US territories), data center capacity provisioning (i.e., the total CPU cycles per second that can be provided in each data center). In addition, they must have flow control policies that will distribute the incoming user requests to the available resources in the cloud infrastructure. This paper presents an approach for solving the unified problem of data center placement and provisioning, and request flow control in one shot. The solution technique is based on mathematical programming. Experimental results, using Google cluster data and placement/provisioning of up to eight data center sites demonstrate the cost savings of the proposed problem formulation and solution approach.
Mycobacterial Gene cuvA Is Required for Optimal Nutrient Utilization and Virulence

To persist and cause disease in the host, Mycobacterium tuberculosis must adapt to its environment during infection. Adaptations include changes in nutrient utilization and alterations in growth rate. M. tuberculosis Rv1422 is a conserved gene of unknown function that was found in a genetic screen to interact with the mce4 cholesterol uptake locus. The Rv1422 protein is phosphorylated by the M. tuberculosis Ser/Thr kinases PknA and PknB, which regulate cell growth and cell wall synthesis. Bacillus subtilis strains lacking the Rv1422 homologue yvcK grow poorly on several carbon sources, and yvcK is required for proper localization of peptidoglycan synthesis. Here we show that Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. tuberculosis strains lacking Rv1422 have growth defects in minimal medium containing limiting amounts of several different carbon sources. These strains also have morphological abnormalities, including shortened and bulging cells, suggesting a cell wall defect. In both mycobacterial species, the Rv1422 protein localizes uniquely to the growing cell pole, the site of peptidoglycan synthesis in mycobacteria. An M. tuberculosis ΔRv1422 strain is markedly attenuated for virulence in a mouse infection model, where it elicits decreased inflammation in the lungs and shows impaired bacterial persistence. These findings led us to name this gene cuvA (carbon utilization and virulence protein A) and to suggest a model in which deletion of cuvA leads to changes in nutrient uptake and/or metabolism that affect cell wall structure, morphology, and virulence. Its role in virulence suggests that CuvA may be a useful target for novel inhibitors of M. tuberculosis during infection.
Turner v. United States

In Turner v. United States, 396 U.S. 398 (1970), petitioner and two companions were arrested by federal agents for possession of cocaine hydrochloride, and a bag of heroine. Petitioner was indicted and convicted for possession and for distribution of drugs that were not in the bag. The Supreme Court held that statutory presumption that unexplained possession of narcotic drug is sufficient to authorize conviction for trafficking in narcotics unless defendant explains possession to satisfaction of the jury was valid. The Court also held that the absence of appropriate tax stamps shall be prima facie evidence to purchase, dispense or distribute narcotic drug not in or from original package bearing tax stamps.This article is a history of those laws granting presumptions and the need to give greater protection to defendants’ constitutional rights.
A Theory of Physical Activity Maintenance

Une activite physique reguliere procure de nombreux benefices psychologiques et physiques. Les investigations portant sur l'activite physique ont plus ou moins reussi pour ce qui est de la decision, mais l'etude du maintien a long terme est encore plus difficile a realiser puisque la majorite des individus qui commencent un programme d'activite physique renoncent ou reprennent leur conduite anterieure. Quoique la litterature sur le maintien de l'activite physique soit parcellaire, il existe des indices selon lesquels les predicteurs de la decision sont differents de ceux du maintien. Il s'ensuit que la decision d'avoir une activite physique et son maintien dans le temps doivent etre abordes de la meme facon. Le pouvoir explicatif de tels predicteurs est cependant limite par l'absence d'un cadre theorique pertinent. En consequence, cet article presente la theorie du Maintien d'une Activite Physique (PAM) qui integre des variables psychosociologiques individuelles (fixation d'un objectif, motivation et auto-efficience), et des variables relevant de l'environnement et du stress (declencheurs d'abandon). La fixation d'un objectif est declinee en termes de satisfaction, de realisation et d'implication; la motivation en termes d'auto-motivation et d'expectations; et l'auto-efficience en termes d'obstacle et de rechute. Les variables contextuelles peuvent faciliter ou entraver le maintien d'une activite physique directement ou indirectement par l'intermediaire des variables psychosociologiques individuelles. Le PAM est presente dans le but de stimuler la recherche sur le maintien d'une activite physique et de nous aider comprendre pourquoi et comment les gens maintiennent ou non a long terme une activite physique.
UAV Coordination for Autonomous Target Tracking

This report compares several difierent methodologies for tracking a moving target with multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Relative position coordination of UAVs is enforced. The comparison considers minimization of heuristics and robustness of performance and stability when the UAVs are exposed to wind and target motion.
Food Predictors of Plasma Carotenoids

Empirical prediction models that weight food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) food items by their relation to nutrient biomarker concentrations may estimate nutrient exposure better than nutrient intakes derived from food composition databases. Carotenoids may especially benefit because contributing foods vary in bioavailability and assessment validity. Our objective was to develop empirical prediction models for the major plasma carotenoids and total carotenoids and evaluate their validity compared with dietary intakes calculated from standard food composition tables. 4180 nonsmoking women in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) blood subcohort with previously measured plasma carotenoids were randomly divided into training (n = 2787) and testing (n = 1393) subsets. Empirical prediction models were developed in the training subset by stepwise selection from foods contributing ≥0.5% to intake of the relevant carotenoid. Spearman correlations between predicted and measured plasma concentrations were compared to Spearman correlations between dietary intake and measured plasma concentrations for each carotenoid. Three to 12 foods were selected for the α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids prediction models. In the testing subset, Spearman correlations with measured plasma concentrations for the calculated dietary intakes and predicted plasma concentrations, respectively, were 0.31 and 0.37 for α-carotene, 0.29 and 0.31 for β-carotene, 0.36 and 0.41 for β-cryptoxanthin, 0.28 and 0.31 for lutein/zeaxanthin, 0.22 and 0.23 for lycopene, and 0.22 and 0.27 for total carotenoids. Empirical prediction models may modestly improve assessment of some carotenoids, particularly α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin.
Psychosocial Issues of Patients With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators has become standard therapy for patients at high risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Although acceptance of the device is generally high among patients and their families, quality of life and psychosocial issues associated with use of the defibrillators deserve greater attention to improve outcomes. Psychosocial issues, their ramifications, and theoryand evidence-based approaches to improving outcomes are described. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2005;14:294-303)
A robust frequency domain optimization technique for tuning series compensation damping controllers

This paper presents a systematic design procedure based on the H/sub /spl infin// optimization technique for tuning robust damping controllers of power system thyristor controlled series compensation (TCSC) for a wide range of operating conditions. A new mixed model-matching robustness formulation is used in the design. The model-matching part requires a nominal damping controller, and the robustness part allows for the tuning of the controller. The formulation simplifies the selection of weights for tuning the controller. The procedure is used to design TCSC controllers to enhance the local mode damping in a single-machine power system and the inter-area mode damping in a 2-area 4-machine power system. >
Attribute Induction in Fuzzy Databases using Fuzzy Hierarchies

In this paper we examine the issues involving data generalization on fuzzy information. In particular we consider how to use attribute induction on fuzzy database using a fuzzy hierarchy for the generalization.