cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chicano Satire: A Study in Literary Culture

Chicano Satire:. Study in Literary Culture. Guillermo E. Hern´ndez. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1991. 166 pp. $25.00 (cloth). ISBN 0-292-71123-9.
Fiscal policy and the structure of production in a two-sector developing economy☆

Abstract This paper develops a two-sector model of a developing economy and examines the role of the informal sector in limiting the government's ability to increase tax revenues. A key feature is the introduction of auditing of the informal sector and degree of tax enforcement in that sector. We emphasize the interdependence between tax policy and enforcement in achieving a developing economy's fiscal objectives and show that by judicious policy choices the presence of the informal sector need not hinder its ability to raise tax revenues. We supplement the formal analysis with numerical simulations highlighting the contrasting intertemporal tradeoffs implied by higher tax rates and tax-enforcement levels.
High Yield Automated MEMS Assembly

Heterogeneous assembly of 21/2D or 3D MEMS components is an alternate micromanufacturing route to monolithic integration or other stochastic, self-assembly approaches. This approach is deterministic (directed) and involves using microgrippers mounted on precision robots to pick-and-place microparts. In this context, the use of engineered compliance has been recently proposed as a very practical way to account for positional tolerances of the robot end-effectors and the manufacturing tolerances in the microparts. In this paper, we examine the most important tradeoffs in compliant MEMS assembly and conclude that the use of automation at these scales is qualitatively different than automation at larger scales. Whereas at the meso and macro scales, automation is often undertaken after, and often benchmarked against manual assembly, deterministic automation at the MEMS scale is a more holistic approach. This means that the designs of the assembly cell, part and end-effectors should be considered simultaneously, and that by doing so, we can automate assembly operations without the use of closed-loop feedback. To support our findings, we use several examples of micropart design and experimental results with mu3, a microrobotic workcell configured for high yield MEMS assembly.
Viscosity, Relaxation and Crystallization Kinetics In Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be Strong Bulk Metallic Glass Forming Liquids

The high thermal stability of bulk metallic glass (BMG) forming liquids in the undercooled state allows for measurements of thermophysical properties in a large time and temperature window. In this contribution, results on viscous flow, relaxation and crystallization of Zr-Ti-Cu- Ni-Be BMG forming alloys are presented. The data are compared with the kinetics of other metallic and non-metallic liquids. BMG formers are relatively strong liquids with melt viscosities that are about three orders of magnitude larger than in pure metals and other alloys. The strong liquid behavior of these alloys is also reflected by a small entropy of fusion and a weak temperature dependence of the thermodynamic functions upon undercooling. The high viscosity and small driving force for crystallization are major contributing factors to the high glass forming ability and low critical cooling rate. The upper portions of experimental timetemperature- transformation diagrams down to the crystallization nose can be described well using the kinetics deduced from the viscosity data. For lower temperature the viscosity can not describe the crystallization kinetics. The time scale for structural relaxation becomes larger than for diffusive hopping processes. Diffusion stays relatively fast, whereas viscosity and structural relaxation time upon undercooling follow a Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann relation.
Tissue floaters and contaminants in the histology laboratory.

Abstract Context.—Anatomic pathology diagnosis is often based on morphologic features. In recent years, an appropriate increased attention to patient safety has led to an emphasis on improving maintenance of patient identity. Decreasing or eliminating cross-contamination from one specimen to another is an example of a patient identity issue for which process improvement can be initiated. Objective.—To quantify the presence of cross-contamination from histology water baths and the slide stainers. Design.—We assessed for the presence of contaminants in water baths at cutting stations and in linear stainer stain baths. We assessed the potential for tissue discohesion and carryover in tissue samples and we assessed the potential for carryover onto blank slides sent through the stainer. Results.—In the 13 water baths examined (totalling 195 L of water), only one fragment of tissue was identified. The stain baths, however, contained abundant tissue contaminants, ranging in size from 2 to 3 cells to hundreds of ...
A new constraint based fracture criterion for surface cracks

Abstract A new methodology for predicting the location of maximum crack extension along a surface crack front in ductile materials is presented. Three-dimensional elastic–plastic finite element analyses were used to determine the variations of a constraint parameter (αh) based on the average opening stress in the crack tip plastic zone and the J-integral distributions along the crack front for many surface crack configurations. Monotonic tension and bending loads are considered. The crack front constraint parameter is combined with the J-integral to characterize fracture, the critical fracture location being the location for which the product Jαh is a maximum. The criterion is verified with test results from surface cracked specimens.
On the complexity of the view-selection problem

A commonly used and powerful technique for improving query response time over very large databases is to precompute (‘Lmaterialize”) frequently’ asked queries (“views”). The problem is to select an appropriate set of views, given a limited amount of resources. Harinarayan, Rajaraman and Ullman formalized this technique by proposing a framework in which queries are modeled by a weighted partial order, and selecting a set of views whose materialization minimizes the average query response time is equivalent to selecting a subset of nodes of the partial order that minimizes a suitably defined cost function. Because this problem is NPHard, the focus is on approximability and heuristics. Harinarayan, Rajaraman and Ullman proposed a greedy heuristic together with a “benefit” criterion to measure its performance; this heuristic and performance measure are used in several subsequent papers which generalize their work. We prove the following lower bounds: (a) The greedy heuristic of Harinarayan, Rajaraman and Ullman has query response time at least n/12 times optimal for infinitely many n. (Compare this to the fact that no algorithm, regardless of how naive it is, ever has query response time exceeding n times optimal.) (b) If PfNP, then for every e > 0, every polynomialtime approximation algorithm for the view-selection problem will output solutions with query response time at least n’-’ times optimal, for infinitely many n, even for partial orders with bounded degrees and *College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, howardQcc.gatech.edu. Research supported in part by NSF grant CCR-9732746. +CoIlege of Computing and School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, mihailQcc.gatech.edu. Work done in part while the author was at Bellcore. Permission to make digital or hard copies of all OT part of this work fbl personal or classroom USC is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this nhx and the full citation on the tirst page. TO COj>y otllerwise, to republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission andior a fee. PODS ‘99 Philadelphia PA Copyright ACM 1999 l-58113-062-7/99/05...$5.00 bounded depth. (c) A similar result applies even if we generously allow the algorithm to materialize ak views, LY a constant, and compare its performance to the optimal achievable when k views are chosen. Our results prove (if P#NP) that the viewselection problem is essentially inapproximable for general partial orders (the “benefit” performance measure of Harinarayan, Rajaraman and Ullman provides no competitiveness guarantee against the optimal solution). Hence studies of the Harinarayan, Rajaraman and Ullman framework and its generalizations should focus on special cases of practical significance, such as hypercubes, and on experimental comparison of heuristics.
Direct Heat Utilization of Geothermal Resources Worldwide 2005

Direct utilization of geothermal energy consists of various forms for heating and cooling instead of converting the energy for electric power generation. The geothermal resources that can be utilized are in the lower temperature range that are more wide-spread than the higher temperature resources used for electricity generation. The major areas of direct utilization are: heating of swimming pools and for balneology; space heating and cooling including district heating; agriculture applications (greenhouse heating and crop drying); aquaculture applications; industrial processing; and geothermal heat pumps. Direct utilization projects are reported in 72 countries with an installed capacity of 28,268 MWt and annual energy use of 273,372 TJ (75,943 GWh) reported in 2005. The equivalent annual savings in fuel oil amounts to 170 million barrels (25.4 million tonnes) and 24 million tonnes in carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Recent trends are to combined geothermal heat and power projects in order to maximize the use of the resource and improve the economics of the project. With the recent increases in fossil fuel prices, it is estimated that direct utilizations will more than double in the next 10 years.
“Deconvoluted Fullerene” Derivatives: Synthesis and Characterization

We have designed the synthesis of “deconvoluted fullerene” derivatives that present an ordered pattern of hexagons and pentagons in the backbone of the molecule. We not only mimicked the fullerene structure in dihedral planes, but also preserved its electron accepting behavior and enlarged its optical absorption. Moreover, very preliminary photoluminescence (PL) quenching experiments also confirmed the potentiality of these materials as acceptors in the field of organic photovoltaics (OPV)s. A brief discussion of the surface morphology, based on AFM analysis, is also presented.
FATIGUE LIFE MONITORING OF METALLIC STRUCTURES BY DECENTRALIZED RAINFLOW COUNTING EMBEDDED IN A WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK

Fatigue is one of the most widespread damage mechanisms found in metallic structures. Fatigue is an accumulated degradation process that occurs under cyclic loading, eventually inducing cracking at stress concentration points. Fatigue-related cracking in operating structures is closely related with statistical loading characteristics, such as the number of load cycles, cycle amplitudes and means. With fatigue cracking a prevalent failure mechanism of many engineered structures including ships, bridges and machines, among others, a reliable method of fatigue life estimation is direly needed for future structural health monitoring systems. In this study, a strategy for fatigue life estimation by a wireless sensor network installed in a structure for autonomous health monitoring is proposed. Specifically, the computational resources available at the sensor node are leveraged to compress raw strain time histories of a structure into a more meaningful and compressed form. Simultaneous strain sensing and on-board rainflow counting are conducted at individual wireless sensors with fatigue life prediction made using extracted amplitudes and means. These parameters are continuously updated during long-term monitoring of the structure. Histograms of strain amplitudes and means stored in the wireless sensor represent a highly compressed form of the original raw data. Communication of the histogram only needs to be done by request, dramatically reducing power consumption in the wireless sensing network. Experimental tests with aluminum specimens in the laboratory are executed for verification of the proposed damage detection strategy.
On the performance of linear equalizers for block transmission systems

In this paper, we characterize the diversity properties of linear equalizers for block transmission systems, which unify preceded OFDM systems and zero-padded block transmissions. Fundamental results are proven to show that the diversity order of linear equalizers over fading channels can be the minimum (one) or the maximum diversity the channel offers. By exploiting the structure of the channel matrix, an alternative closed form expression for the pseudo-inverse is derived to reduce the complexity of the equalizer. Also, by quantifying the computational complexity, we demonstrate the complexity-performance tradeoff among the design for various linear equalizers. When the conditional error rate is known in closed form, a novel efficient approach is proposed to calculate the performance of linear zero-forcing equalizers. Corroborating simulations confirm that even with linear equalization, the block transmission systems perform better over channels with more taps at practical high SNRs
Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of A = 8 nuclei

We report quantum Monte Carlo calculations of ground and low-lying excited states for $A=8$ nuclei using a realistic Hamiltonian containing the Argonne ${v}_{18}$ two-nucleon and Urbana IX three-nucleon potentials. The calculations begin with correlated eight-body wave functions that have a filled $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-like core and four p-shell nucleons $\mathrm{LS}$ coupled to the appropriate ${(J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}};T)$ quantum numbers for the state of interest. After optimization, these variational wave functions are used as input to a Green's function Monte Carlo calculation made with a new constrained path algorithm. We find that the Hamiltonian produces a ${}^{8}\mathrm{Be}$ ground state that is within 2 MeV of the experimental resonance, but the other eight-body energies are progressively worse as the neutron-proton asymmetry increases. The ${}^{8}\mathrm{Li}$ ground state is stable against breakup into subclusters, but the ${}^{8}\mathrm{He}$ ground state is not. The excited state spectra are in fair agreement with experiment, with both the single-particle behavior of ${}^{8}\mathrm{He}$ and ${}^{8}\mathrm{Li}$ and the collective rotational behavior of ${}^{8}\mathrm{Be}$ being reproduced. We also examine energy differences in the $T=1,2$ isomultiplets and isospin-mixing matrix elements in the excited states of ${}^{8}\mathrm{Be}.$ Finally, we present densities, momentum distributions, and studies of the intrinsic shapes of these nuclei, with ${}^{8}\mathrm{Be}$ exhibiting a definite $2\ensuremath{\alpha}$ cluster structure.
Evacuation behavior and Three Mile Island

The responses of the residents to the nuclear power plant arcident at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania illustrate the factors influencing pre-impact coping responses of populations exposed to technological hazards. Confusion itnd ambiguous information influenced both the decision to evaluate and to remain in place. Proximity to the facility, stage in life cycle and the actions of friends and neighbors influenced the decision to evacuate.
Insertion device vacuum chamber for the Linac Coherent Light Source

The vacuum requirement for the undulator line of the Linac Coherent Light Source is extremely challenging: a low resistive wall impedance 3.42-m-long chamber that fits within a 6.3 mm undulator gap that has ultralow outgassing and a surface finish, less than 100 nm Ra. A prototype chamber will be fabricated from electropolished semiconductor-processing-grade stainless-steel seamless tubing. Since stainless-steel tubing has a high electric resistivity, which can increase the resistive wall wake, a thin layer of copper will be deposited to minimize this effect. A thin nickel plating will be deposited in advance for better adhesion. This process will be followed by electropolishing of the copper surface. The first approach for Cu coating of the vacuum chamber has been investigated. Roughness measurements and preliminary coating results with a one-meter-long tube will be presented.
The pineal gland and melatonin: molecular and pharmacologic regulation.

▪ Abstract The pineal gland expresses a group of proteins essential for rhythmic melatonin production. This pineal-specific phenotype is the consequence of a temporally and spacially controlled program of gene expression. Understanding of pineal circadian biology has been greatly facilitated in recent years by a number of molecular studies, including the cloning of N-acetyltransferase, the determination of the in vivo involvement of the cAMP-inducible early repressor in the regulation of N-acetyltransferase, and the identification of a pineal transcriptional regulatory element and its interaction with the cone-rod homeobox protein. Likewise, appreciation the physiological roles of melatonin has increased dramatically with the cloning and targeted knockout of melatonin receptors. With these molecular tools in hand, we can now address more specific questions about how and why melatonin is made in the pineal at night and about how it influences the rest of the body.
Why Do Skips Precede Reversals? The Effect of Tessitura on Melodic Structure

In melodies from a wide variety of cultures, a large pitch interval tends to be followed by a change of direction. Although this tendency is often attributed to listeners' expectations, it might arise more simply from constraints on melodic ranginess or tessitura. Skips tend toward the extremes of a melody's tessitura, and from those extremes a melody has little choice but to retreat by changing direction. Statistical analyses of vocal melodies from four different continents are consistent with this simple explanation. The results suggest that, in the sampled repertoires, patterns such as "gap-fill," "registral direction," and "registral return" (L. Meyer, 1956, 1973; E. Narmour, 1990) are mere side effects of constraints on melodic tessitura.
Role of TNF priming and adhesion molecules in neutrophil recruitment to intravascular immune complexes.

Neutrophils play an important role in immune complex (IC)-mediated diseases, but the mechanisms underlying their recruitment to sites of IC deposition remain largely undefined. Fur- thermore, neutrophils encounter cytokines that prime their effector functions, yet the physiologi- cal relevance of priming to neutrophil functions is unclear. Using intravital microscopy, we demon- strate that TNF treatment of neutrophils ex vivo significantly increased their adhesion in a model of intravascular ICs deposited in the cremaster mus- cle. Notably, TNF priming had no effect on neu- trophil adhesion in the absence of ICs. Analyses of relevant knockout mice and neutrophil reconstitu- tion revealed a critical role for FcRs and the CD18 integrin Mac-1 in IC-mediated neutrophil adhesion. Furthermore, ICAM-1, a major Mac-1 ligand constitutively expressed on unactivated en- dothelium, significantly contributed to this pro- cess. These data suggest that TNF priming pro- motes FcR interaction with intravascular ICs, leading to the binding of Mac-1 to ICAM-1 and subsequent neutrophil arrest. J. Leukoc. Biol. 83: 1423-1430; 2008.
Simulation of the diffusion-controlled reaction between superoxide and superoxide dismutase. I. Simple models.

A two-stage Brownian dynamics simulation method is used to study the diffusion-influenced bimolecular reaction between superoxide and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The crystal structure of the dimeric enzyme is used in constructing detailed topographical and electrostatic models. Several electrostatic models are considered. In the most realistic, the excluded volume of the protein, which is impermeable to penetration by mobile ions, is assigned a dielectric constant of 2 and the surrounding “solvent” is assigned a value of 78. A finite difference method is used to solve the linearized Poisson–Boltzmann equation. For native SOD, the simulations reproduce the pronounced salt dependence of the rate constant observed experimentally. This salt dependence is attributed to electrostatic interactions between enzyme and substrate that are inherently attractive and amplified by the low dielectric constant of the protein interior. The simulation method is also applied to a modified enzyme, acylated SOD.
THE ROLE OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN ACCELERATED DIABETES IN NONOBESE DIABETIC-RAT INSULIN PROMOTER-B7-1 (NOD-RIP-B7-1) MICE

B7-1 transgene expression on the pancreatic islets in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice leads to accelerated diabetes, with >50% of animals developing diabetes before 12 wk of age. The expression of B7-1 directly on the pancreatic β cells, which do not normally express costimulator molecules, converts the cells into effective antigen-presenting cells leading to an intensified autoimmune attack. The pancreatic islet infiltrate in diabetic mice consists of CD8 T cells, CD4 T cells, and B cells, similar to diabetic nontransgenic NOD mice. To elucidate the relative importance of each of the subsets of cells, the NOD–rat insulin promoter (RIP)-B7-1 animals were crossed with NOD.β2microglobulin −/− mice which lack major histocompatibility complex class I molecules and are deficient in peripheral CD8 T cells, NOD.CD4 −/− mice which lack T cells expressing CD4, and NOD.μMT −/− mice which lack B220-positive B cells. These experiments showed that both CD4 and CD8 T cells were necessary for the accelerated onset of diabetes, but that B cells, which are needed for diabetes to occur in normal NOD mice, are not required. It is possible that B lymphocytes play an important role in the provision of costimulation in NOD mice which is unnecessary in the NOD-RIP-B7-1 transgenic mice.
Sestamibi Scanning Is Inadequate for Directing Unilateral Neck Exploration for First-Time Parathyroidectomy

Objective: To determine whether technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scanning is accurate enough to allow surgeons to perform unilateral neck exploration for first-time parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: University tertiary care center. Patients: Forty patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent sestamibi scanning before first-time parathyroidectomy, of whom 28 had single adenomas, 9 had multiple adenomas, and 3 had hyperplasia. Interventions: All 40 patients underwent bilateral neck exploration with identification of 4 parathyroid glands. Main Outcome Measures: We compared the results of preoperative sestamibi scanning with operative and histologic findings. We then used these data to calculate the projected success rates of parathyroidectomy if unilateral neck explorations had been performed based on the results of sestamibi scanning, instead of bilateral explorations. Results: Sestamibi scanning was correct in 20 (71%) of 28 patients with single adenomas, 4 (44%) of 9 patients with multiple adenomas, and O (0%) of 3 patients with hyperplasia. If unilateral neck explorations had been performed on the basis of localization by sestamibi scanning, parathyroidectomy would have failed in 4 (10%) of 40 patients. Conclusions: Sestamibi scanning, although helpful, is inadequate for directing unilateral neck exploration for first-time parathyroidectomy. Surgeons who perform unilateral neck exploration based on the results of sestamibi scanning will record a higher failure rate and incur higher costs than those who perform bilateral neck exploration for first-time parathyroidectomy. Arch Surg. 1997;132:969-976
HOMEOMORPHY IN THE ASTEROIDEA (ECHINODERMATA); A NEW LATE CRETACEOUS GENUS AND SPECIES FROM COLORADO

Codellaster keepersae new genus and species, from the Upper Cretaceous Codell Sandstone Member of the Carlile Shale of Colorado (U.S.A.), is assigned to the asteroid (Echinodermata) family Goniasteridae. Although clearly a goniasterid, the flattened body form and details of morphology of C. keepersae are remarkably similar to corresponding features of the modern astropectinid Astropecten regalis and also of the luidiid Luidia (Platasterias) latiradiata. The discovery facies of C. keepersae includes low-angle crossbeds and asymmetrical ripple marks that are suggestive of a very shallow marine environment. Both the modern species occur in shallow, turbulent settings, and homeomorphy beween ancient and modern asteroids suggests similar selective pressures and evolutionary responses. Limited evidence suggests goniasterids might have been more common in shallower waters during the Cretaceous than they are today, and absence of modern Codellaster-like goniasterids indicates that the family abandoned these habitats, although the fun- damental morphological response to such settings remained viable for asteroid organization.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of a Fluidized Sand Bath and a Steam Chamber for Reactor Heating

Both fluidized sand baths and steam chambers have been used to heat laboratory reactors, in particular for studies of biomass pretreatment. In this study, several aspects of the heating performance of these devices were compared: time to heat reactors to reaction temperature, the stability of reactor temperature, and the convection coefficient. The convection coefficient was determined using correlations and multiple analyses of empirical data. On the basis of the results presented in this study, the steam chamber can heat reactors to temperature in a tenth of the time sand baths can, can maintain a more stable temperature during pretreatment, and has a convection coefficient one to two magnitudes greater than that of the sand bath. Therefore if heat transfer is critical, a steam chamber is advantageous.
RNA polymerase II subunits exhibit a broad distribution of macromolecular assembly states in the interchromatin space of cell nuclei.

Nearly all cellular processes are enacted by multi-subunit protein complexes, yet the assembly mechanism of most complexes is not well understood. The anthropomorphism “protein recruitment” that is used to describe the concerted binding of proteins to accomplish a specific function conceals significant uncertainty about the underlying physical phenomena and chemical interactions governing the formation of macromolecular complexes. We address this deficiency by investigating the diffusion dynamics of two RNA polymerase II subunits, Rpb3 and Rpb9, in regions of live Drosophila cell nuclei that are devoid of chromatin binding sites. Using FRAP microscopy, we demonstrate that both unengaged subunits are incorporated into a broad distribution of complexes, with sizes ranging from free (unincorporated) proteins to those that have been predicted for fully assembled gene transcription units. In live cells, Rpb3 exhibits regions of stability at both size extremes connected by a continuous distribution of complexes...
Zn2SnO4 Nanowires as Photoanode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and the Improvement on Open-Circuit Voltage

In this work dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on Zn2SnO4 nanowires were fabricated for the first time. High yield growth of Zn2SnO4 nanowires were achieved through the optimization of the growth conditions. The adsorption of the N719 dye on Zn2SnO4 nanowires and its effect on cell performance were inspected. From a comparison study of Zn2SnO4 nanowire- and nanoparticle-DSSCs, a more than 0.1 V improvement on open-circuit voltage was observed when Zn2SnO4 nanowires were used as the photoanode. The relation between open-circuit voltage and back electron transfer reaction was examined. Due to the advantages of ternary metal oxides and single crystal nanowires, such nanostructures could lead to a more versatile selection for photoanode materials and improved performance of sensitized solar cells.
Predictive validity of critical thinking skills and disposition for the national board dental hygiene examination: a preliminary investigation

The objective of this study was to determine if preexisting critical thinking skills and critical thinking disposition predict student performance on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). The predictive value of critical thinking skills scores and disposition (habits of mind, attitudes, and character attributes) scores were examined above that provided by traditional predictors: entering grade point average, age, and total number of college hours at entry into the dental hygiene program. Seventy-six first-year dental hygiene students from three baccalaureate dental hygiene programs participated in this study. Participants' preexisting general critical thinking skills and disposition were assessed during the first week of classes in their respective baccalaureate level programs using the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) and California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI). At the completion of their two-year educational program, the CCTST and CCTDI were administered a final time, and students' scores on the multiple-choice and case-based NBDHE were obtained. A series of hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that CCTST scores explained a statistically significant (p<.05) proportion of variance in students' multiple-choice and case-based NBDHE scores, above and beyond that explained by other predictor variables. Although CCTDI scores were not a significant predictor of either outcome measure, CCTST is a good predictor of student performance on high-stakes qualifying examinations and may have utility for student selection and retention.
Pituitary and Adrenal CT of Cushing Syndrome

Determination of the site of excessive hormone production in Cushing syndrome is possible with biochemical tests in 80% of cases. High-resolution CT of both the pituitary and adrenal glands was used to evaluate eight patients with surgically verified ACTH-secreting pituitary microadenomas and one patient with ectopic Cushing syndrome. Three ACTH-secreting microadenomas were demonstrated by CT. Adrenal CT was normal in six of the eight patients with pituitary tumors. The patient with ectopic ACTH production had mild unilateral adrenal gland enlargement and a normal pituitary CT scan. Normal adrenal or pituitary CT scans do not exclude Cushing syndrome.
Vicious Dog Laws Unconstitutional in Ohio

On March 3, 2006, an Ohio appeals court issued a landmark decision in City of Toledo v. Tellings, 2006 WL 513946 (Ohio App. 6 Dist), which may affect pit bulls and pit bull "look-a-likes" and their owners nationwide. Tellings was the owner of three pit bulls. The warden killed one of his pit bulls and criminally charged Tellings with two violations of the local Toledo ordinance limiting ownership to one vicious dog per household and two violations of the state statute requiring liability insurance with ownership of a vicious dog. The vicious dog laws on Ohio include pit bulls in the definition of "vicious dogs" per se. Tellings challenged these vicious dog laws as unconstitutional on several grounds. In a groundbreaking decision, the Ohio court found the statutes unconstitutionally vague and unreasonable. This short article analyzes the court's findings. The decision is currently under review by the Ohio Supreme Court as of summer 2007.
Novel role of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in bladder cancer cell invasion and prediction of disease progression.

e15504 Background: While XIAP is known to inhibit apoptosis, our group recently identified a new role of XIAP in promoting cancer cell invasion by regulating via its RING domain E3 ligase and RhoGD...
America and the World, 1945–1991

Stalin's Korean proteges, were determined to fight, to unite Korea by force. He tried to keep Korean Communist forces on a tight rein and supplied primarily with defensive weapons. All of Truman's advisers saw the events in Korea as a test of American will to resist Soviet attempts to expand their power, and their system. In Beijing, Mao and his advisers were terribly apprehensive about American intentions. The United States ordered warships to the Taiwan Strait to prevent Mao's forces from invading Taiwan and mopping up the remnants of Chiang Kai-shek's army there. Throughout the Korean War, the Soviet Union gave diplomatic support to its Korean and Chinese allies. The Korean War ended in 1953, shortly after the death of Stalin. The Korean War was a momentous turning point in the Cold War. An almost inevitable civil war among a people, Communist and non-Communist, determined to unite their country, became an international war and a catalyst for a terrifying arms-race.
INTERNET RESOURCES: El Niño: Facts, figures, images, and predictions

Sites Web consacres aux phenomenes El nino et la nina [temperature de l'ocean Pacifique en zone equatoriale inhabituellement chaude, pour El nino ou inhabituellement froide pour la nina]
Cyclin A2 promotes DNA repair in the brain during both development and aging

Various stem cell niches of the brain have differential requirements for Cyclin A2. Cyclin A2 loss results in marked cerebellar dysmorphia, whereas forebrain growth is retarded during early embryonic development yet achieves normal size at birth. To understand the differential requirements of distinct brain regions for Cyclin A2, we utilized neuroanatomical, transgenic mouse, and mathematical modeling techniques to generate testable hypotheses that provide insight into how Cyclin A2 loss results in compensatory forebrain growth during late embryonic development. Using unbiased measurements of the forebrain stem cell niche, we parameterized a mathematical model whereby logistic growth instructs progenitor cells as to the cell-types of their progeny. Our data was consistent with prior findings that progenitors proliferate along an auto-inhibitory growth curve. The growth retardation inCCNA2-null brains corresponded to cell cycle lengthening, imposing a developmental delay. We hypothesized that Cyclin A2 regulates DNA repair and that CCNA2-null progenitors thus experienced lengthened cell cycle. We demonstrate that CCNA2-null progenitors suffer abnormal DNA repair, and implicate Cyclin A2 in double-strand break repair. Cyclin A2's DNA repair functions are conserved among cell lines, neural progenitors, and hippocampal neurons. We further demonstrate that neuronal CCNA2 ablation results in learning and memory deficits in aged mice.
Octave-tunable constant absolute bandwidth bandstop filter utilizing a novel passively-compensated coupling method

A new passively-compensated coupling structure, compatible with evanescent-mode cavity resonators and capable of producing constant absolute bandwidth over wide tuning ranges, is presented for the first time. It is used to realize a constant absolute bandwidth 2.0 to 4.2 GHz tunable bandstop filter which utilizes evanescent-mode cavity resonators. The filter has high levels of stopband rejection (> 50 dB) across its entire tuning range, and has a 54.5 ± 6.5 MHz 3-dB fractional bandwidth. When compared to the coupling method traditionally used for evanescent-mode resonators, the proposed method reduces the bandwidth variation of this filter from 295% (21 to 83 MHz) to 27% (48 to 61 MHz).
A genealogy of moral character: The cultural constitution of contention in Lowell, MA 1825–1845

The causal role of culture in contentious politics has been the subject of much dispute by scholars in the study of social movements in general and labor contention in particular. While several approaches illuminate the cultural dimensions of contentious claim-making, the cultural foundation of contention remains underdeveloped. In this paper, I address this gap by investigating the role of culture in the formation of the antagonism at the basis of contention. I argue that the formation of contention is an event at the level of meaning that establishes the moral disunity elementary to contentious claim-making. I demonstrate this process by revisiting the case of nineteenth-century Lowell, which was marked by the employers’ investment in the workers’ moral welfare. I show that the workers’ interpretation of their experience and thus the formation of their contention depended on their rejection of the moral view offered in the employers’ cultural project. That view presented workers with a perception of themselves and their occupation that could no longer be justified, thus from their perspective losing its moral ground. This study has implications for future research regarding the moral disunity at the foundation of contention and the historical analysis required to explain this disunity.
A Large Genome-Wide Association Study of Age-Related Hearing Impairment Using Electronic Health Records.

Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI), one of the most common sensory disorders, can be mitigated, but not cured or eliminated. To identify genetic influences underlying ARHI, we conducted a genome-wide association study of ARHI in 6,527 cases and 45,882 controls among the non-Hispanic whites from the Genetic Epidemiology Research on Adult Health and Aging (GERA) cohort. We identified two novel genome-wide significant SNPs: rs4932196 (odds ratio = 1.185, p = 4.0x10-11), 52Kb 3’ of ISG20, which replicated in a meta-analysis of the other GERA race/ethnicity groups (1,025 cases, 12,388 controls, p = 0.00094) and in a UK Biobank case-control analysis (30,802 self-reported cases, 78,586 controls, p = 0.015); and rs58389158 (odds ratio = 1.132, p = 1.8x10-9), which replicated in the UK Biobank (p = 0.00021). The latter SNP lies just outside exon 8 and is highly correlated (r2 = 0.96) with the missense SNP rs5756795 in exon 7 of TRIOBP, a gene previously associated with prelingual nonsyndromic hearing loss. We further tested these SNPs in phenotypes from audiologist notes available on a subset of GERA (4,903 individuals), stratified by case/control status, to construct an independent replication test, and found a significant effect of rs58389158 on speech reception threshold (SRT; overall GERA meta-analysis p = 1.9x10-6). We also tested variants within exons of 132 other previously-identified hearing loss genes, and identified two common additional significant SNPs: rs2877561 (synonymous change in ILDR1, p = 6.2x10-5), which replicated in the UK Biobank (p = 0.00057), and had a significant GERA SRT (p = 0.00019) and speech discrimination score (SDS; p = 0.0019); and rs9493627 (missense change in EYA4, p = 0.00011) which replicated in the UK Biobank (p = 0.0095), other GERA groups (p = 0.0080), and had a consistent significant result for SRT (p = 0.041) and suggestive result for SDS (p = 0.081). Large cohorts with GWAS data and electronic health records may be a useful method to characterize the genetic architecture of ARHI.
Unmasking the Molecular Determinants Important for Ca2+ -Dependent Regulation of CaV2.2

(CDI) and facilitation (CDF), respectively, which contribute to short-term synaptic plasticity. Both CDI and CDF are mediated by calmodulin (CaM) binding to sites in the C-terminal domain (CT) of the Cav2.1 α1 subunit, including a consensus CaM-binding IQ-domain. Cav2.2 (N-type) channels display CDI but not CDF but the underlying mechanism that blocks CDF in Cav2.2 is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Cav2.2 does not undergo CDF since it lacks essential molecular determinants for CDF that are present in Cav2.1. We find that alternative splicing of exons in the proximal and distal CT, which regulates CDF of Cav2.1, has no effect on CDF of Cav2.2. However, replacement of the entire CT of Cav2.2 with that of Cav2.1 produces robust CDF of the chimeric channel. Further analyses reveal that transfer of the Cav2.1 EF-hand, Pre-IQ- IQ domains, and a downstream CaM-binding domain (CBD) are sufficient to support CDF in chimeric Cav2.2 channels. Our results highlight the importance of the CT in distinguishing Ca2+ feedback regulation of Cav2.2 and Cav2.1, and underscore how molecular distinctions may underlie the unique contributions of these channels in regulating neurotransmitter release.
Emergent Knowledge of a Universal Phonological Principle in the L2 Acquisition of Vowel Harmony in Turkish: A "Four"-Fold Poverty of the Stimulus in L2 Acquisition.

A significant body of theoretically motivated research has addressed the role of Universal Grammar (UG) in the nonnative acquisition of morphosyntax and properties of the syntax–semantics interface...
Will they deliver? The inconsistency between resource acquisition and new venture follow-through

Much research in the burgeoning area of crowdfunding emphasizes the outcome variable of funding success, or resource acquisition via numerous contributions from “the crowd,” while focusing less on ...
The Use of Colonic Motility and Transit Studies

Although problems with colonic motility and transit are a common cause of patient complaints, accurate assessment of these complaints remains limited by available assessment tools. Transit studies, including radiopaque markers and colonic scintigraphy, are able to provide a gross assessment of transit and are highly useful in the clinical management of the constipated patient. However, many symptomatic individuals will appear “normal” using one or all of these tests. In addition, these tests do not evaluate the underlying mechanisms for abnormal transit. Further information from research studies using measures of colonic pressure and activity hopefully will improve our understanding of both normal and pathologic colonic motility and transit and the clinical role of these specialized investigations in coloproctological practice.
Frequency discriminator based phase noise filter for high fidelity clock

Low phase noise frequency source is the key block in the electronic systems. This paper reviews the recently published frequency discriminator based phase noise filter (PNF) techniques for the high fidelity clock. The proposed linear and Bang-Bang phase detector based PNFs are detailed in terms of the design concern, phase noise sensitivity improvement and advantages compared with other techniques. The proof-of-concept demonstrations achieve large phase noise suppression with good sensitivity for a 10 GHz clock. In addition, the benefit of PNF application in the array system is addressed. Outlook and future work of the PNF are also discussed.
Epidemiology and Disparities in Care: The Impact of Socioeconomic Status, Gender, and Race on the Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Ventral Hernia Repair

More research is needed with regards to gender, race, and socioeconomic status on ventral hernia presentation, management, and outcomes. The role of culture and geography in hernia-related health care remains unknown. Currently existing nationwide registries have thus far yielded at best a modest overview of disparities in hernia care. The significant variation in care relative to gender, race, and socioeconomic status suggests that there is room for improvement in providing consistent care for patients with hernias.
Hypercalcemia as a rare presentation of angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma: a case report

Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma is a rare malignancy, accounting for only 2% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas, first described in the 1970s and subsequently accepted as a distinct entity in the current World Health Organization classification. Due to the paucity of this disease, there is still no identifiable etiology, no consistent risk factors, and the pathogenesis remains unclear. An 83-year-old Caucasian man presented to an emergency department with palpitations and was found to have atrial fibrillation. During his hospitalization, he was found to have asymptomatic hypercalcemia with corrected calcium of 11.7. Ten days later while in rehabilitation, he started complaining of progressive fatigue and altered mental status was noted. He was found to have a calcium level of 15.5 and was admitted to the intensive care unit for management and further workup. He was found at that time to have, parathyroid hormone: < 1; 25 hydroxyvitamin D: 74; 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D: 85.4; angiotensin-converting enzyme: 7; parathyroid hormone-related protein: < 2; and multiple myeloma workup was negative. Computed tomography of his chest and abdomen showed extensive retroperitoneal, pelvic, and mesenteric lymphadenopathy in addition to findings suggestive of peritoneal carcinomatosis. A right axillary lymph node biopsy showed immunohistochemical parameters consistent with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma. After a lengthy discussion with his family, it was decided that no further treatment would be pursued. He had an aggressive course at the hospital during which he developed pleural effusions, ascites, and diffuse petechiae within 2 weeks; these were complications from his malignancy. Considering the poor outcomes of his aggressive disease, he decided to enroll in an out-patient hospice. He died within a few months as a result of cardiorespiratory arrest. This case illustrates a rare presentation of an extremely rare disease; that is, hypercalcemia in a patient who was later found to have angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma. Diagnosing angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma might be the most challenging part due to the wide array of clinical presentations, of which hypercalcemia accounts for only 1%. As seen in this case, most patients present in advanced stages of the disease with poor prognosis.
Assemblage composition: Patterns of association stemming from the behavior of man versus that of beast

This chapter discusses the patterns of association stemming from the behavior of man versus that of beast. Assemblage composition is an attempt to equate artifact fossils, cultural stages, and geological horizons as narrowly as possible into mechanical systems whose parts articulated with almost robotic precision. The composition of assemblages in terms of species frequencies is most commonly interpreted as a reflection of environmental composition. Much of the current work in taphonomy is concerned with the degree to which paleontological assemblages, even assemblages referable to the actions of a single species, are representative of the frequencies of species in the surrounding habitat. The search for typical or ontologically characteristic assemblages when there little understands of what conditions their form, other than a vague suspicion that intrinsic properties of the agent are responsible, is just a slightly modified version of the traditional archaeological assumption that variability is preferable to differences in persons or agents producing the assemblages. Assemblage differences are referred to ethno cultural differences among men.
Projective Algebraic Geometry VIII: Intersections

We shall examine in a brief elementary way the notion of intersection of varieties ([F-5], [H-3]). We shall eventually prove Bezout’s Theorem which plays a role in pole placement.
Methods to Improve Resectability of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Liver resection is associated with prolonged survival in selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Surgical resection of HCC may be decided on an individual basis according to the extent of the tumor and the severity of chronic liver disease. In patients with compensated cirrhosis, the volume of the future liver remnant (FLR) is the most reliable factor for predicting postoperative liver function. Methods of increasing the FLR volume, including portal vein embolization and sequential transarterial chemoembolization in patients who are primarily not eligible for liver resection, have been shown to be safe and have contributed to the increase in the number of surgical candidates.
Family Math Nights: Collaborative Celebrations of Mathematical Learning

public university, I have taught hundreds of undergraduate elementary education majors how to teach mathematics to elementary school children. When I first started teaching mathematics methods, I struggled with how to give my students the opportunity to actually practice teaching mathematics to children. College campuses generally do not have accessible populations of elementary school children whom preservice teachers can practice on. And even if I could persuade a local school to host my students for some practice teaching during the school day, college class periods are too short to allow for field trips to local schools. Eventually I decided to have my students teach mathematics lessons to one another during my class time, but it was not the same as having them teach children.