cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of laser beam configuration on microstructure evolution and joint performance in laser joining AA 6111 panels

Abstract Control of solidification through the selection of laser beams is an approach to improve the quality of visible coach-peel joints in automotive bodies. Laser joining of aluminum alloy 6111 panels with the addition of AA 4047 filler wire was investigated in this study using three types of laser beam, single-beam, in-line beam, and cross-beam. To compare the effect of laser beam arrangement on the weld qualities, the transient heat flow, cooling rate, and solidification rate were analyzed by three-dimensional finite element thermal models using ANSYS software. Microstructure evolution, surface roughness, and fracture mechanism of joints were investigated accordingly. Using the same processing parameters for the three joining processes, cross-beam laser generated the highest peak temperature and solidification rate, as well as the smallest molten pool size. Fusion-brazing joining achieved by the cross-beam laser resulted in the best weld surface quality with acceptable mechanical properties for application as non-load-bearing components. Therefore, cross-beam laser is recommended to join aluminum closure panels in the automotive body-in-white fabrication.
The Future of Copyright

A longtime practice that lies at the heart of the library’s mission is at stake in an upcoming legal case. Meanwhile, more libraries are creating and making available materials that are largely free of copyright restrictions.
Apparent climate-mediated loss and fragmentation of core habitat of the American pika in the Northern Sierra Nevada, California, USA

Contemporary climate change has been widely documented as the apparent cause of range contraction at the edge of many species distributions but documentation of climate change as a cause of extirpation and fragmentation of the interior of a species' core habitat has been lacking. Here, we report the extirpation of the American pika (Ochotona princeps), a temperature-sensitive small mammal, from a 165-km2 area located within its core habitat in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. While sites surrounding the area still maintain pikas, radiocarbon analyses of pika fecal pellets recovered within this area indicate that former patch occupancy ranges from before 1955, the beginning of the atmospheric spike in radiocarbon associated with above ground atomic bomb testing, to c. 1991. Despite an abundance of suitable rocky habitat climate warming appears to have precipitated their demise. Weather station data reveal a 1.9°C rise in local temperature and a significant decline in snowpack over the period of record, 1910-2015, pushing pika habitat into increasingly tenuous climate conditions during the period of extirpation. This is among the first accounts of an apparently climate-mediated, modern extirpation of a species from an interior portion of its geographic distribution, resulting in habitat fragmentation, and is the largest area yet reported for a modern-era pika extirpation. Our finding provides empirical support to model projections, indicating that even core areas of species habitat are vulnerable to climate change within a timeframe of decades.
BA-Induced Offset Formation in Hosta

Abstract Axillary and rhizomic budbreak and offset formation in Hosta sieboldiana were promoted by a single foliar application of BA at 125–4000 ppm or drench application at 5–120 mg a.i./0.8 1 (5 in) pot, compared to an untreated control. Based on offset counts following various periods of dormancy, optimal foliar rates ranged from 2000–3000 ppm and drench rates from 20–40 mg a.i./0.8 1 (5 in) pot. Foliar application of 3000 or 4000 ppm BA or drench application at 80, 100, or 120 mg a.i./pot induced marginal necrosis within 2 weeks after treatment; however, growth following dormancy appeared normal. Generally, growth indices were not affected by foliar application of BA, but decreased with increasing rates of drench-applied BA.
Forebrain Mechanisms Related to Respiratory Patterning During Sleep-Waking States

Classical models of control systems for breathing are traditionally based on concepts of oscillatory networks located in medullary or spinal CNS regions, and principally consider influences from metabolic demands, chemical transduction, and thoracic sensors as control parameters. These models are appropriate for the most basic notions of what duties the respiratory control system is supposed to perform, i.e., provide oxygenation and get rid of wastes, but they fail to appreciate a vast array of functions that the respiratory system serves in real life, as opposed to conditions imposed on an anesthetized, paralyzed, temperature-controlled or perhaps decerebrate preparation mounted in a stereotaxic frame or similar restraining device. Moreover, these models provide little assistance in determining the mechanisms causing the dramatic changes in respiratory patterning accompanying different sleep and waking states, changes that are out of all proportion to alterations in metabolic demands during different states.
Petri net approaches for modeling, controlling, and validating flexible manufacturing systems

Petri nets have been used successfully to model, control, and analyze discrete event dynamic systems that are characterized by: concurrency or parallelism; asyn­ chronous processes; distributed, deterministic and/or stochastic, deadlocks, conflicts, and event driven-processes. Petri nets are also particularly valuable when modeling and analyzing versatile manufacturing systems because they provide accurate models and efficient analysis methods based on they (1) capture interactions of concurrent and sequential events, (2) are logical models derived from the knowledge of how sys­ tems work, (3) give concise models for conflicts and buffer sizes, and (4) can be used to implement real-time analysis. In this paper, the fundamental constructs of the Petri nets (ordinary, timed, col­ ored, stochastic, control, and neural) are reviewed as they developed, and suggested extensions that help make Petri nets useful for modeling and analyzing discrete event systems and manufacturing systems are introduced. We then present some studies that emphasize Petri nets theories and applications as extended research fields that provide suitable platforms in modeling, controlling, validating, and evaluating concur­ rent systems, information systems, and manufacturing systems. Finally, we introduce methods for reducing Petri net models.
“All the Gays Are Liberal?” Sexuality and Gender Gaps in Political Perspectives among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Mostly Heterosexual, and Heterosexual College Students in the Southern USA

Despite the stereotype that “all the gays are liberal,” sexual identity (sexual orientation) has largely been overlooked in explorations of political attitudes save a handful of studies. The existing research indicates that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people tend to be more liberal than heterosexuals, supporting a “sexuality gap” in liberalism; however, there is significantly less work focused on LGB attitudes toward specific politicized topics, even less research that investigates the role of gender in these relationships, and no existing studies focusing on mostly heterosexuals’ (MH) political attitudes. The current study explores sexuality and gender gaps in political perspectives among college students enrolled at a university in the southern USA (N = 1940). Specifically, sexual identity (lesbian, gay, bisexual, mostly heterosexual, and heterosexual); gender (man/woman); and the intersections among sexual identity and gender are explored as they relate to politicized perspectives (liberal ideology and feminist identity) and support of politicized issues (death penalty and legal abortion). It is hypothesized that liberal social justice perspectives may be particularly common among LGB people as a group and perhaps especially among lesbian and bisexual women due to their multiple oppressed identities. Results confirm sexuality gaps (heterosexual-LGB, MH-LGB, and B-LG) as well as gender gaps among MH and LGB students (MH women-MH men, bisexual women-bisexual men, gay men-lesbian women), though some gaps (B-LG and G-L) are in the opposite direction from expected. In addition, there is evidence of a bisexual woman consciousness that relates to strong liberalism among bisexual college women. Overall, this research seeks to fill the gaps in the literature, expand our knowledge about sexuality and gender gaps in political attitudes, and contribute to new lines of inquiry that focus on MH and LGB people’s perspectives. In doing so, the current study works toward a deeper understanding of ways college students can promote political change and advocate for social justice.
Supporting autistic flourishing

In response to the 32 commentaries, we clarify and extend two of the central arguments in our target article: (1) Social motivation is a dynamic, emergent process, not a static characteristic of individuals, and (2) autistic perspectives are essential to the study of autistic social motivation. We elaborate on how taking these two arguments seriously can contribute to a more accurate, humane, and useful science of autism.
Simulation of Ocean Responses to an Idealized Landfalling Tropical Cyclone Using a Coupled Atmosphere-Wave-Ocean Modeling System

ABSTRACT Oceanic responses to a hypothetical landfalling tropical cyclone (TC) are studied by using a coupled atmosphere-wave-ocean modeling system (CAWOMS). A set of experiments are conducted to compare the effects of atmosphere-wave-ocean interaction on ocean responses in coastal and deep waters. The results show that in a three-way coupled atmosphere-wave-ocean system, the response to a tropical cyclone is considerably different in coastal water and deep water. In a three-way coupled system, air-sea interactions tend to increase coastal storm surge, inundation, significant wave heights and ocean currents in shallow coastal areas as a result of wave-enhanced air-sea heat and moisture fluxes. But the change is little in sea surface temperature and mixed-layer structure due to the well-mixed nature in the coastal zone. In contrast, in a three-way coupled system, air-sea interactions enhance sea surface cooling, increase mixed layer depth in deep waters largely due to the tendency of a wave-enhanced TC to induce strong mixing and entrainment in the upper ocean. A stronger TC also strengthens the surface currents and significant wave height in the offshore waters. The inclusion of waves in air-sea interactions fundamentally changes the dynamic and thermodynamic coupling between tropical cyclone and the underlying ocean. In the absence of TC-wave consideration, a negative feedback between the TC and the upper ocean mixed layer results in a weakening of the TC system and a cooling in the offshore upper ocean and therefore reduces coastal storm surge, flooding areas, significant wave height and ocean currents. Only in a TC-wave-ocean three-way coupled system, air-sea interaction may correspond to a stronger TC due to wave-induced air-sea heat and moisture fluxes which compensate the effect of negative feedback between the TC and the upper ocean. In coastal waters, the negative feedback between the TC and the ocean mixed layer is fairly weak. Air-sea interaction is dominated by the positive TC-wave feedback. As a result, air-sea interaction increases coastal storm surge, inundation, currents and significant wave height.
PENSAMENTO COMPUTACIONAL NO ENSINO MÉDIO: PRÁTICAS MEDIADORAS UTILIZANDO A LINGUAGEM SCRATCH

pensamento computacional envolve habilidades que procuram aprofundar o conhecimento e as capacidades dos estudantes. Apresenta-se, neste artigo, um estudo cujo foco foi identificar formas de mediacao possibilitadas pela linguagem Scratch no processo de ensino-aprendizagem de programacao. O quadro teorico baseou-se na teoria sociointeracionista de Vigotski. O percurso metodologico foi delineado por um estudo de caso, baseado em uma oficina de programacao. O resultado permitiu inferir que o ambiente Scratch tem potencial para mediar o aprendizado de programacao. Contudo, o professor precisa tambem atuar como mediador criando estrategias e intervencoes potenciais para auxiliar o estudante.
Vroom!: A Search Engine for Sounds by Vocal Imitation Queries

Traditional search through collections of audio recordings compares a text-based query to text metadata associated with each audio file and does not address the actual content of the audio. Text descriptions do not describe all aspects of the audio content in detail. Query by vocal imitation (QBV) is a kind of query by example that lets users imitate the content of the audio they seek, providing an alternative search method to traditional text search. Prior work proposed several neural networks, such as TL-IMINET, for QBV, however, previous systems have not been deployed in an actual search engine nor evaluated by real users. We have developed a state-of-the-art QBV system (Vroom!) and a baseline query-by-text search engine (TextSearch). We deployed both systems in an experimental framework to perform user experiments with Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) workers. Results showed that Vroom! received significantly higher search satisfaction ratings than TextSearch did for sound categories that were difficult for subjects to describe by text. Results also showed a better overall ease-of-use rating for Vroom! than TextSearch on the sound library used in our experiments. These findings suggest that QBV, as a complimentary search approach to existing text-based search, can improve both search results and user experience.
Pharmacodynamic dose effects of oral cannabis ingestion in healthy adults who infrequently use cannabis.

Abstract Background Prior controlled cannabis research has mostly focused on smoked cannabis and predominantly included frequent cannabis users. Oral cannabis products (“edibles”) make up a large and growing segment of the retail cannabis market. This study sought to characterize the pharmacodynamic effects of oral cannabis among infrequent cannabis users. Methods Seventeen healthy adults who had not used cannabis for at least 60 days completed four experimental sessions in which they consumed a cannabis-infused brownie that contained 0, 10, 25, or 50 mg THC. Subjective effects, vital signs, cognitive/psychomotor performance, and blood THC concentrations were assessed before and for 8 h after dosing. Results Relative to placebo, the 10 mg THC dose produced discriminable subjective drug effects and elevated heart rate but did not alter cognitive/psychomotor performance. The 25 and 50 mg THC doses elicited pronounced subjective effects and markedly impaired cognitive and psychomotor functioning compared with placebo. For all active doses, pharmacodynamic effects did not manifest until 30−60 min after ingestion, and peak effects occurred 1.5−3 h post-administration. Blood THC levels were significantly correlated with some pharmacodynamic drug effects, but were substantially lower than what is typically observed after cannabis inhalation. Conclusion Ingestion of oral cannabis dose-dependently altered subjective drug effects and impaired cognitive performance. Unlike inhaled forms of cannabis for which acute effects occur almost immediately, effects of oral cannabis were considerably delayed. In an era of legalization, education about the time course of drug effects for cannabis edibles is needed to facilitate dose titration and reduce acute overdose incidents.
Cancer risk management and family communication of genetic test results among women with inherited breast cancer genes.

1532Background: Identification of inherited breast cancer may guide care, with benefits amplified through family testing. Methods: Females with a pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant in BRCA...
Clinical and socio-economic predictors of work participation in adult CHD patients.

Background:Adults with CHD have reduced work participation rates compared to adults without CHD. We aimed to quantify employment rate among adult CHD patients in a population-based registry and to describe factors and barriers associated with work participation.Methods:We retrospectively identified adults with employment information in the North Carolina Congenital Heart Defects Surveillance Network. Employment was defined as any paid work in a given year. Logistic regression was used to examine patients’ employment status during each year.Results:The registry included 1,208 adult CHD patients with a health care encounter between 2009 and 2013, of whom 1,078 had ≥1 year of data with known employment status. Overall, 401 patients (37%) were employed in their most recent registry year. On multivariable analysis, the odds of employment decreased with older age and were lower for Black as compared to White patients (odds ratio = 0.78; 95% confidence interval: 0.62, 0.98; p = 0.030), and single as compared to married patients (odds ratio = 0.50; 95% confidence interval: 0.39, 0.63; p < 0.001).Conclusion:In a registry where employment status was routinely captured, only 37% of adult CHD patients aged 18–64 years were employed, with older patients, Black patients, and single patients being less likely to be employed. Further work is needed to consider how enhancing cardiology follow-up for adults with CHD can integrate support for employment.
The Mitral Coaptation to Ventricular Septal Space: Two- and Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiographic Assessment.

Objectives: To assess the dimensions and changes in the CSEPT (space between the ventricular septum and mitral coaptation point) before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to compare patients with and without aortic valve stenosis (AS) undergoing cardiac surgery. Design: Retrospective review of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic examinations. Setting: Single academic medical center. Participants: The study comprised 91 elective cardiac surgical patients—30 with AS scheduled for aortic valve replacement and 61 without AS (non-AS). Interventions: Two- and 3-dimensional (2D and 3D) analysis of the CSEPT before and after CPB. Measurements and Main Results: Assessment of the CSEPT distances and areas was performed using 2D and 3D imaging before and after CPB. Two-dimensional measures of CSEPT distances were performed using midesophageal 5-chamber and long-axis windows. Three-dimensional measures were performed offline using multiplanar reconstruction. The CSEPT space was smaller after CPB (p Conclusions: The CSEPT space is smaller after CPB and more so for patients with AS undergoing aortic valve replacement. Two-dimensional CEPT distances vary compared with 3D CSEPT distances. Additional study using Doppler analysis will elucidate the added value of 3D assessment of the CSEPT space.
Interleukin-1α Increases the Preferential Cytotoxicity of an Interleukin-2–Diphtheria Toxin Fusion Protein Against Neoplastic Lymphocytes from Patients with the Sezary Syndrome Compared to Normal Lymphocytes

DAB389IL-2 is a recombinant fusion toxin composed of the diphtheria A chain and a portion of the translocating region of the diphtheria B chain, replacing the receptor binding domain with human IL-2. DAB389IL-2 can be safely administered to humans with mycosis fungoides (MF) or Sezary syndrome (SS), and antineoplastic effects occur. This agent binds optimally to the high-affinity IL-2R. The decreased efficiency of uptake by neoplastic cells which do not express the high-affinity IL-2R represents a potential limitation. Treatment of the HUT-78 cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with IL-1α preceding exposure to DAB389IL-2 overcame their resistance to the toxin, IL-1α inducing high-affinity IL-2R expression. Similarly, pre-treatment with IL-1α of SS patient lymphocytes demonstrated increased cytotoxicity compared to treatment with the fusion toxin alone. Normal lymphocytes and monocytes were not sensitive to DAB389IL-2 when pretreated with IL-1α, suggesting a differential sensitivity which may be exploited clinically in the treatment of lymphomas.
Life After the Tragic Exodus: Vietnamese Resettlement in Houston (1975 - Present)

The resettlement experience of the Vietnamese refugees to Houston and vicinity is represented here by a combination of text narratives, visual images, maps, and audio/video clips. The five Houston Asian American Archive (HAAA) interviewees showcased here tell the story of this tragic exodus from the Vietnamese viewpoint, which is seldom available in the English language, and especially through such an interactive and multi-media format.
The Last Half Century of Fish Explant and Organ Culture

Explants are three-dimensional tissue fragments maintained outside the organism. The goals of this article are to review the history of fish explant culture and discuss applications of this technique that may assist the modern zebrafish laboratory. Because most zebrafish workers do not have a background in tissue culture, the key variables of this method are deliberately explained in a general way. This is followed by a review of fish-specific explantation approaches, including presurgical husbandry, aseptic dissection technique, choice of media and additives, incubation conditions, viability assays, and imaging studies. Relevant articles since 1970 are organized in a table grouped by organ system. From these, I highlight several recent studies using explant culture to study physiological and embryological processes in teleosts, including circadian rhythms, hormonal regulation, and cardiac development.
Abstract IA-022: Lysine 68 acetylation directs MnSOD as a tetrameric detoxification complex versus a monomeric tumor promoter

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) functions as a tumor suppressor; however, once tumorigenesis occurs, clinical data suggest MnSOD levels correlate with more aggressive human tumors, implying a potential dual function of MnSOD in the regulation of metabolism. Here we show, using in vitro transformation and xenograft growth assays that the MnSOD-K68 acetylation (Ac) mimic mutant (MnSODK68Q) functions as a tumor promoter. Interestingly, in various breast cancer and primary cell types the expression of MnSODK68Q is accompanied with a change of MnSOD’s stoichiometry from a known homotetramer complex to a monomeric form. Biochemical experiments using the MnSOD-K68Q Ac-mimic, or physically K68-Ac (MnSOD-K68-Ac), suggest that these monomers function as a peroxidase, distinct from the established MnSOD superoxide dismutase activity. MnSODK68Q expressing cells exhibit resistance to tamoxifen (Tam) and cells selected for Tam resistance exhibited increased K68-Ac and monomeric MnSOD. These results suggest a MnSOD-K68-Ac metabolic pathway for Tam resistance, carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Citation Format: David Gius. Lysine 68 acetylation directs MnSOD as a tetrameric detoxification complex versus a monomeric tumor promoter [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Radiation Science and Medicine; 2021 Mar 2-3. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA-022.
Minimally invasive management versus open surgery in the treatment of penetrating bladder injuries: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND While blunt extra-peritoneal bladder injury is typically treated non-operatively or with minimally invasive management, the treatment for penetrating bladder injury is generally open surgery. We identify a group of patients with penetrating bladder injury who were treated with minimally invasive management and compare the results with those who underwent traditional open surgical treatment. METHODS This retrospective cohort study analyzes penetrating bladder injuries from a single trauma center from 2012 through 2019, and from the National Trauma Data Bank for 2016 and 2017. Mortality, complications, and length of stay were compared for minimally invasive management versus open surgery. We used Chi square to test significance for categorical variables, Mann-Whitney U test for ordinal variables, and T-test for continuous variables. Multivariate analysis was performed with multiple logistic, ordinal, and linear regression. RESULTS Local: 117 (0.63%) had a bladder injury; 30 (25.6%) were penetrating. 6 (20.0%) were successfully treated with minimally invasive management with no complication versus 24 complications in 11 patients (45.8%) for open surgery (p = 0.047). Open surgical management was not a significant independent predictor of mortality or hospital length of stay. National Trauma Data Bank: 5330 (0.27%) had a bladder injury; 963 (19.5%) were penetrating. 97 (10.1%) were treated with minimally invasive management. The minimally invasive management group had 12 complications in 5 patients (4.9%) versus 280 complications in 169 patients (19.7%) for open surgery (p = < 0.001). Open surgery was a significant independent predictor of complications (OR 1.57, p = 0.003) and longer hospital length of stay (B = 5.31, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Most penetrating bladder injury requires open surgery, however a small proportion can safely be managed with minimally invasive management. Minimally invasive management is associated with lower total complications and shorter hospital length of stay in select patients.
Cut-Score Operating Function Extensions: Penalty-Based Errors and Uncertainty in Standard Settings:

We model pass/fail examinations aiming to provide a systematic tool to minimize classification errors. We use the method of cut-score operating functions to generate specific cut-scores on the basi...
Rats exhibit aldosterone‐dependent sodium appetite during 24 h hindlimb unloading

Hindlimb unloading (HU) is an animal model of microgravity and bed rest. In these studies, we examined the role of ingestive behaviours in regulating body fluid balance during 24 h HU. In the first experiment, all rats were given distilled water to drink while two groups were also given access to a sodium chloride solution (0.9% or 1.8%). Water and saline intakes were measured before, during and after 24 h of HU. Rats reduced water intake during 24 h HU in all conditions. During HU, rats increased their intakes of both saline solutions (0.9% NaCl (n= 11): control 7.8 ± 3 ml; HU 18.2 ± 4 ml; recovery 8.9 ± 2.5 ml; 1.8% NaCl (n= 7): control 1.0 ± 0.4 ml; HU 3.8 ± 0.3 ml; recovery 1.2 ± 0.5 ml). Although water intake decreased there was no reduction in total fluid intake when saline was available. Plasma volumes were reduced during HU compared to rats in a normal posture when only water was available to drink (control (n= 11) versus HU (n= 11): 4.0 ± 0.2 versus 3.4 ± 0.2 ml (100 g body weight)−1). When 0.9% saline was available in addition to water, plasma volumes after 24 h HU were not different from rats in a normal posture (control (n= 11) versus HU (n= 12): 4.3 ± 0.4 versus 4.3 ± 0.1 ml (100 g body weight)−1). Plasma aldosterone but not plasma renin activity was significantly elevated after 24 h HU. Central infusions of spironolactone blocked the increased intake of 1.8% saline that was associated with 24 h HU. Thus, HU results in an aldosterone-dependent sodium appetite and the ingestion of sodium may help maintain plasma volume.
Two insulators are not better than one.

Chromatin insulators seem to control eukaryotic gene expression by regulating interactions between enhancers and promoters. Mounting evidence suggests that these sequences play a complex role in the regulation of transcription, perhaps mediated by changes in chromatin structure and nuclear organization.
In situ NMR systems.

In situ NMR is becoming an established technology for applications in bioprocessing and metabolic engineering. The in situ NMR biosensor acts as a noninvasive pH, ion, and concentration meter, with 31P and 13C as the two main isotopes of study. A substantial data base now exists for phosphorus and carbon spectra of bacteria and yeast. In situ NMR can provide many of the state variables needed for modeling glycolytic pathway function. NMR micro-reactor technology has improved significantly in the last decade. Several designs for immobilized cell reactors have been tested, and in particular, considerable gains have been made in the feasibility of studying aerobic, chemostat cultures with in situ NMR. Acquisition of 31P spectra from cell suspensions of 3-5% v/v under controlled conditions can be made in 3-7 minute time resolution in several systems.
Dspp-independent Effects of Transgenic Trps1 Overexpression on Dentin Formation:

The Trps1 transcription factor is highly expressed in dental mesenchyme and preodontoblasts, while in mature, secretory odontoblasts, it is expressed at low levels. Previously, we have shown that high Trps1 levels in mature odontoblasts impair their function in vitro and in vivo. Col1a1-Trps1 transgenic (Trps1-Tg) mice demonstrate defective dentin secretion and mineralization, which are associated with significantly decreased Dspp expression due to direct repression of the Dspp gene by Trps1. Here, by crossing Trps1-Tg and Col1a1-Dspp transgenic (Dspp-Tg) mice, we generated Col1a1-Trps1;Col1a1-Dspp double transgenic (double-Tg) mice in which Dspp was restored in odontoblasts overexpressing Trps1. Comparative micro-computed tomography analyses revealed partial correction of the dentin volume and no improvement of dentin mineralization in double transgenic mice in comparison with Trps1-Tg and wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, dentin of double-Tg mice has an irregular mineralization pattern characteristic for dentin in hypophosphatemic rickets. Consistent with this phenotype, decreased levels of Phex, Vdr, and Fam20c proteins are detected in both Trps1-Tg and double-Tg odontoblasts in comparison with WT and Dspp-Tg odontoblasts. This suggests that the Dspp-independent dentin mineralization defects in Trps1-Tg mice are a result of downregulation of a group of proteins critical for mineral deposition within the dentin matrix. In summary, by demonstrating that Trps1 functions as a repressor of later stages of dentinogenesis, we provide functional significance of the dynamic Trps1 expression pattern during dentinogenesis.
On using context for automatic correction of non-word misspellings in student essays

In this paper we present a new spell-checking system that utilizes contextual information for automatic correction of non-word misspellings. The system is evaluated with a large corpus of essays written by native and non-native speakers of English to the writing prompts of high-stakes standardized tests (TOEFL® and GRE®). We also present comparative evaluations with Aspell and the speller from Microsoft Office 2007. Using context-informed re-ranking of candidate suggestions, our system exhibits superior error-correction results overall and also corrects errors generated by non-native English writers with almost same rate of success as it does for writers who are native English speakers.
DNA targeting by the type I-G and type I-A CRISPR–Cas systems of Pyrococcus furiosus

CRISPR-Cas systems silence plasmids and viruses in prokaryotes. CRISPR-Cas effector complexes contain CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) that include sequences captured from invaders and direct CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins to destroy corresponding invader nucleic acids. Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) harbors three CRISPR-Cas immune systems: a Cst (Type I-G) system with an associated Cmr (Type III-B) module at one locus, and a partial Csa (Type I-A) module (lacking known invader sequence acquisition and crRNA processing genes) at another locus. The Pfu Cmr complex cleaves complementary target RNAs, and Csa systems have been shown to target DNA, while the mechanism by which Cst complexes silence invaders is unknown. In this study, we investigated the function of the Cst as well as Csa system in Pfu strains harboring a single CRISPR-Cas system. Plasmid transformation assays revealed that the Cst and Csa systems both function by DNA silencing and utilize similar flanking sequence information (PAMs) to identify invader DNA. Silencing by each system specifically requires its associated Cas3 nuclease. crRNAs from the 7 shared CRISPR loci in Pfu are processed for use by all 3 effector complexes, and Northern analysis revealed that individual effector complexes dictate the profile of mature crRNA species that is generated.
Use of High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) in Neurocritical Care Patients

Introduction Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be a common problem associated with the treatment of acute brain injury. High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is a developing therapy for the treatment of ARDS in adult patients that can be life saving. However, often patients with acute, severe brain injury demonstrate intracranial hypertension (hICP) due to a variety of injuries (e.g., traumatic brain injury, mass lesion, acute hydrocephalus). There is concern over the use of HFOV due to its effects on intracranial pressure in patients with hICP.
Energy production risks: what perspective should we take

The controversy over energy-production risks is in part due to uncertainties and disagree- ments over the specification of these systems and their characteristics and in part due to the lack of a solid conceptual framework for comparisons between qualitatively different types of risks. The difficulties in specifying energy risks arise primarily from the necessity of using oversimplified descriptions of energy systems and their effects. The major simplifications include the use of marginal analysis (even when inappropriate), the omission of indirect risks, and the incorrect specification of the systems to be analyzed. Comparisons between qualita- tively different risks are hampered by the lack of a solid basis for treating occupational risks relative to public risks, catastrophic risks versus chronic risks, and risks distributed differently in time. The difficult problems encountered when social values relating to risk change rapidly lead to delay and indecision. The choice of analytical simplifications and the specification of values systems for energy analysis are best made by considering the context and application of the analysis.
On the determination of sample sizes in designing experiments.

Abstract Methods are developed for determining sample sizes required to estimate means of normal populations with given precision, or to give significance when means differ by a specified amount. The methods assume that an estimate of the variance has been obtained from a previous or preliminary experiment. A simple device is suggested for using a priori information about the variance when a formal estimate is not available. * Most of this work was done under contract N7onr371 with the Office of Naval Research.
Toward Tractability: the 1993 South African Record of Understanding and the 1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement

The South African and Northern Ireland peace processes are compared to give an understanding of the movement toward tractability that led to the 1993 South African Record of Understanding and the 1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement to build participatory democracy and a civic culture in both regions. The intractable-tractable conceptual model is explained and related to micro-macro efforts at peacemaking in South Africa and Northern Ireland. The conceptual implications of tractability and transformation are examined to illustrate some of the driving forces behind the peace process in both peace accords. Finally, the generalisability of this approach to both conflicts and to geopolitical conflicts in general is discussed.
Experimental Investigation of Area Ratio on Microjet Array Heat Transfer

Electronics cooling is becoming increasingly difficult due to increasing power consumption and decreasing size of processor chips. Heat fluxes in processors and power electronics are quickly approaching levels that cannot be easily addressed by forced air convection over finned heat sinks. Jet impingement cooling offers high heat transfer coefficients and has been used effectively in conventional-scale applications such as turbine blade cooling and the quenching of metals. However, literature in the area of microjet arrays is scarce and has not studied arrays of large area ratios. Hence, the objective of this study is to experimentally assess the heat transfer performance of arrays of microjets. The microjet arrays were fabricated using MEMS processes in a clean room environment. The heat transfer performance of several arrays using deionized water as the working fluid was investigated. Inline and staggered array arrangements were investigated, and the area ratio (total area of the jets divided by the surface area) was varied between 0.036 and 0.35. Reynolds numbers defined by the jet diameter were in the range of 50 to 3,500. Heat fluxes greater than 1,000 W/cm2 were obtained at fluid inlet-to-surface temperature differences of less than 30 °C. Heat transfer performance improved as the area ratio was increased.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Investigation of slider dynamics under electro-static force

With the continual increase in the areal density of hard disk drives, the head/disk interface engineers are continuously challenged in designing an interface with a lower mechanical clearance between the slider and disk. Although, this has traditionally been achieved by making the disk smoother, some novel ideas have been discussed, where the slider generally flies high, and when necessary, a part of the slider is moved closer to the disk surface. Another method that has been discussed is applying a voltage across the slider and disk to bring the whole slider closer to the disk. However, rapid application of voltages across the interface may lead to undesirable slider oscillations. In this paper, we study the dynamics of the slider when a voltage is applied across the slider and disk. We show that one can easily excite the air-bearing frequency and if the voltage is not well controlled, the slider may also damage the disk. We also identify the most probable mechanisms of current flow and show that the disk lubricant plays a critical role in initiating current flow.
Electron microscopy of the complement protein C1q from the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

The complement protein C1q, isolated from bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) serum, was found by electron microscopy to resemble human C1q; peripheral globular units, probably six in number, are connected by thin strands to a hollow stem-like central structure. The dimensions of frog and human C1q were also found to be very similar. These results are consistent with earlier observations that frog and human C1q are similar, although not identical, in overall size, subunit structure, amino acid composition, and functional properties. Evidently this protein, which binds to antigen-antibody complexes and to C1r and C1s, thereby forming a physical link between the immune and complement systems, has been highly conserved in evolution.
Finite Element Method for Predicting Equilibrium Shapes of Solder Joints

This paper discusses the development and application of a finite element method for determining the equilibrium shapes of solder joints which are formed during a surface mount reflow process. The potential energy governing the joint formation problem is developed in the form of integrals over the joint surface, which is discretized with the use of finite elements. The spatial variables which define the shape of the surface are expressed in a parametric form involving products of interpolation (blending) functions and element nodal coordinates. The nodal coordinates are determined by employing the minimum potential energy theorem. The method described in this paper is very general and can be employed for those problems involving the formation of three dimensional joints with complex shapes. It is well suited for problems in which the boundary region is not known a priori (e.g., “infinite tinning” problems). Moreover, it enables the user to determine the shape of the joint in parametric form which facilitates meshing for subsequent finite element stress and thermal analyses.
Measurement of various terms in the turbulent kinetic energy balance within a flame and comparison with theory

Direct measurements have been made of four of the six terms in the exact form of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) equation within a premixed turbulent flame, in order to understand how the combustion interacts with the turbulence. Results are compared to the predictions of the Bray-Moss-Libby (B-M-L) model. The mean reaction (~,) also was estimated from the data, using a local control volume concept. The measurements were made possible by the simultaneous use of laser velocimetry and Rayleigh scattering. Increasing the heat release was found to increase the "flame generated" turbulence as well as the "apparent" turbulence and the turbulent flame speed. Part of this flame-generated turbulence is due to vorticity created by the curved flamelets, as evidenced by the unexpected existence of low speed products. The flame also is found to exert an upstream influence that causes an increase in the turbulence of the pure reactants before these reactants ever reach a flamefront. The measured diffusion term in the TKE balance indicates a countergradient diffusion of TKE toward the center of the flame where TKE is maximum; however, this is not true diffusion since the TKE balance includes apparent turbulence. The B-M-L model correctly predicts quantities which are dominated by intermittency due to flame motion such as the diffusion term in the TKE, and fluxes pu "c" and pu ~ 2c" which change sign within the flame. This is because the model successfully accounts for intermittency by separating the physics of reactants and products. The model does not successfully predict even the trends associated with the more subtle "true turbulence" associated with products (u ~ ). It is felt that additional work is needed to remove "apparent turbulence" from the TKE balance, and eventually to replace one closure relation in the model to account for vorticity produced by curved flamelets.
Airway Reactivity and Cotton Bract-Induced Bronchial Obstruction

Most seemingly healthy persons challenged with an aerosol of cotton bract extract develop some degree of bronchospasm. The role of nonspecific reactivity of the airways in this reaction to cotton bract extract is undefined. We examined the relationship between airway responses to cotton bract extract and to methacholine, as well as between airway responses to cotton bract extract and to a bronchodilator. Twenty-two healthy subjects were screened for sensitivity to inhaled cotton bract extract. Pulmonary function was measured using partial expiratory flow-volume curves on which flow at 60 percent of the control vital capacity below total lung capacity was measured (MEF40%[P]) following ten minutes of inhalation of cotton bract extract. In the group screened, 12 were found to be responders to the extract, with drops in MEF40%(P) of 20 percent or more, and ten were found to be nonresponders. On separate days, we measured the responses of our subjects* airways to inhaled metaproterenol and methacholine. The mean threshold dose for methacholine in the responding group was 26.8 mg/ml, as compared to 55.6 mg/ml for the nonresponders (f = 2.52; p t = 2.19; p
V-Touch: Markerless laser-based interactive surface

Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is one of the major disciplines in the field of computing which defines the way people interact with machines. HCI is a combination of computer vi science, behavioral science, design and several other areas which determines the best and optimized ways to interact with computers. The way people interact with machines changed dramatically after the 21st century due to the advancements of the computing devices. Computers became more portable and embedded to the environment with the improvement of processing power and miniaturization of devices. New concepts such as ubiquitous computing are also emerged with these advancements of technology. Traditional HCI concepts were failed to meet the requirements of the emerging technologies since most of these new concepts requires natural interactions rather using tangible devices. This paper present a computer vision based interactive surface application for human computer interaction which enable users to perform QWERTY keyboard and mouse interactions on a flat surface. Primarily, this research addresses the existing issues related to gesture based interactive interfaces by presenting a novel approach to perform interactions without stereoscopic vision and wearable markers. The proposing approach present a system (V-Touch) based on Haar-like features with single camera and a laser projection module that allows users to perform traditional keyboard and mouse interactions naturally using low cost hardware setup.
A review of antiretroviral drugs

: The 2000 guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents have been established. Current combination therapy for HIV infection is complex for both the doctor and patient. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is defined as three or more antiretroviral drugs from two or three different classes of drugs; three major classes of drug therapy are available. Combining drug classes, negotiating treatment regimens, and monitoring laboratory parameters is a complex task requiring an HIV expert. Current antiretroviral therapy is complicated by serious side effects, patient compliance, and risk of resistant strains emerging from suboptimal or inappropriate dosing. This practical review discusses each class of antiretroviral drug treatment, common side effects and cutaneous manifestations, drug interactions, laboratory monitoring, dietary restrictions, dosing amounts, and treatment.
Money: Capital Good, Consumers’ Good, or (Media of) Exchange Good?

Is money a producers’ good or a capital good, or is it sui generus, as Mises, Rothbard, and other Austrians have maintained? We argue that all action is either consumption or production, and that exchange is but a form of production. Consequently, all goods are either consumers’ goods or producers’ goods; there is no third possibility. And that among these two money is a producers’ good, not a consumer good.
A Mathematical Model for Group Structures

Many kinds of theories have been developed to explain human behavior. They may be classified in many ways - in terms of outstanding men, of schools of psychology, in terms of the emphasis placed upon certain concepts or areas of study. A way of classifying which is useful for the purpose of this paper is one which differentiates between a) theories which explain human behavior as a function of factors which may be coexistent but independent of each other, and b) theories which explain human behavior as a function of groups of factors constituting a continuously interacting field.
Responsiveness of Kansas soil series to sulfur application under greenhouse conditions

Abstract Soil series of extensive acreage were selected to evaluate their S‐supplying power under greenhouse conditions using alfalfa in one study and corn and grain sorghum as test crops in a second study. The soils were divided into two major groups by textural classification for statistical evaluations. The addition of sulfur significantly increased dry matter yields and sulfur content of the plant material on all soils through the course of these studies. Significant predictors of sulfur uptake include extractable SO4‐S and organic matter. Organic matter was a significant predictor of the percent yield response above the check yields on soils receiving S applications using corn and grain sorghum as test crops. Based on this equation, yield response would be expected in this greenhouse study with an organic matter content of 2.6% or less.