cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ionic mechanisms for intrinsic slow oscillations in thalamic relay neurons

The oscillatory properties of single thalamocortical neurons were investigated by using a Hodgkin-Huxley-like model that included Ca2+ diffusion, the low-threshold Ca2+ current (lT) and the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (lh). lh was modeled by double activation kinetics regulated by intracellular Ca2+. The model exhibited waxing and waning oscillations consisting of 1–25-s bursts of slow oscillations (3.5–4 Hz) separated by long silent periods (4–20 s). During the oscillatory phase, the entry of Ca2+ progressively shifted the activation function of lh, terminating the oscillations. A similar type of waxing and waning oscillation was also observed, in the absence of Ca2+ regulation of lh, from the combination of lT, lh, and a slow K+ current. Singular approximation showed that for both models, the activation variables of lh controlled the dynamics of thalamocortical cells. Dynamical analysis of the system in a phase plane diagram showed that waxing and waning oscillations arose when lh entrained the system alternately between stationary and oscillating branches.
Thermal stability of solid and hollow squire cylinders

Abstract Squire's study of thermal stability of a solid infinite cylinder with temperature-sensitive internal heat generation is extended to a hollow infinite cylinder, subject to combinations of four commonly encountered boundary conditions. The results of these analyses indicate that the critical parameter for thermal viability is critically dependent on the cylinder size, the convective heat transfer coefficient and other constants accrued from the cylinder environment. In certain situations, such as a frigid climate, a hollow Squire cylinder is thermally viable only if it is thicker than a critical thickness.
An accompanying genetic severe deficiency of tissue factor protects mice with a protein C deficiency from lethal endotoxemia.

Mice with a severe genetic deficiency of protein C (PC), PC−/−PC(tg4), display enhanced susceptibility to lethal effects of gram-negative endotoxemia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), whereas mice severely deficient in tissue factor (TF), TF−/−hTF(tg), are protected from LPS-mediated lethality. In this study, we show that a simultaneous severe deficiency of TF protected low-PC mice from LPS-induced death, resulting in a survival profile similar to that experienced by wild-type (WT) mice. Plasma and whole blood coagulation assays, the latter measured by thromboelastography, demonstrated development of coagulopathies in LPS-treated mice, which were more severe in the case of the doubly deficient TF−/−hTF(tg)/PC−/−PC(tg4) mice, mainly reflecting earlier signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation in this latter cohort. Markers of inflammation were also elevated in response to LPS in both groups of mice at times just preceding death. We conclude that whereas coagulopathies are more exacerbated in LPS-treated TF−/−hTF(tg)/PC−/−PC(tg4) mice, the lowering of TF levels in mice with an accompanying severe PC deficiency confers protection against death compared with mice with a single severe PC deficiency. This suggests that proteases generated as a result of factor VIIa/TF–mediated thrombin generation play a mechanistic role in the enhanced lethality seen under very low PC conditions in an endotoxemia model in mice.
Fundamental influence of C on adhesion of the Al2O3/Al interface.

Our first-principles computations indicate that the clean ${\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}/\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}$ interface is relatively weak---weaker than bulk Al. Fracture experiments reveal that the interface is relatively strong with observed failure in bulk Al, however. This paradox is resolved via doping effects of the common impurity C. We have found that only $1/3$ of a monolayer of carbon segregated to the interface can increase the work of separation by a factor of 3. The resulting strong interface is consistent with fracture experiments. It arises due to void formation in the interface, which provides low-strain sites for the carbon to segregate to. The degree of void formation is consistent with the relatively high heat of oxide formation of Al.
Effect of groove-type chip breakers on twist drill performance

This paper proposes the use of grooves placed on the rake face of a twist drill to facilitate chip breaking and reduce drilling forces and chip clogging. A procedure to design grooves including groove geometry and orientation is discussed. Two sets of experiments are presented that determine the effect of grooves on the forces, chip morphology, and critical depth, and compare the life of the grooved and ungrooved drills. The grooves are found to be very effective in breaking chips and preventing chip clogging. Experiments show the positive effects of the grooves including lower drilling torque and thrust, lower chip evacuation forces, lower cutting forces, increased critical depth and increased drill life.
Brain biopsy in neurologic decline of unknown etiology

Brain biopsies have an uncertain role in the diagnosis of patients with dementia or neurologic decline of unknown etiology. They are often performed only after an exhaustive panel of less invasive tests and procedures have failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of brain biopsies in this patient group through the retrospective analysis of 53 brain biopsies performed for neurologic disease of unknown etiology at a single tertiary care institution between December 2001 and December 2011. Patients with known nonlymphomatous neoplasms thought to be associated with the neurologic symptoms or with immunodeficiency were excluded from the study. Furthermore, the clinical presentation, imaging and laboratory tests were compared between diagnostic groups to identify factors more likely to yield a diagnosis. Sixty percent of the biopsies were diagnostic (32 of 53), with the most common histologic diagnosis of central nervous system lymphoma in 14 of 53 patients (26% of total) followed by infarct in four subjects (7.5%). A few patients were found to have rare and unsuspected diseases such as lymphomatosis cerebri, neurosarcoidosis and neuroaxonal leukodystrophy. Complications from biopsy were uncommon and included hemorrhage and infection with abscess formation at the biopsy site. These results suggest that brain biopsies may be useful in difficult cases in which less invasive measures have been unable to yield a definitive diagnosis.
ELLIPTIC CURVE POINTS AND DIOPHANTINE MODELS OF ℤ IN LARGE SUBRINGS OF NUMBER FIELDS

Let K be a number field such that there exists an elliptic curve E of rank one over K. For a set of primes of K, let . Let P ∈ E(K) be a generator of E(K) modulo the torsion subgroup. Let (xn(P), yn(P)) be the affine coordinates of [n]P with respect to a fixed Weierstrass equation of E. We show that there exists a set of primes of K of natural density one such that in multiplication of indices (with respect to some fixed multiple of P) is existentially definable and therefore these indices can be used to construct a Diophantine model of ℤ. We also show that ℤ is definable over using just one universal quantifier. Both the construction of a Diophantine model using the indices and the first-order definition of ℤ can be lifted to the integral closure of in any infinite extension K∞ of K as long as E(K∞) is finitely generated and of rank one.
Monitoring and managing presence in incoming and outgoing communication

The increase in channels and formats of personal communication such as email, instant messaging, and mobile phones, has generated new problems both with selecting the appropriate method to contact someone and communicating a preference for incoming communication. Some applications, such as instant messaging have partially addressed this problem with status and away messages, but this approach offers limited communication options and only works for this communication channel. Following a user-centered design approach, we explored the needs of users to manage their communication channels. Using diaries, observations, and directed story-telling interviews we generated a set of observed needs. We then generated concept scenarios that capture these needs and performed a concept validation with a focus group looking for an overlap between our observed needs and the focus groups perceived needs. This paper documents our findings and offers implications for designers addressing these communication needs.
Somatic mutations in the transcriptional corepressor gene BCORL1 in adult acute myelogenous leukemia

To further our understanding of the genetic basis of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), we determined the coding exon sequences of ∼ 18 000 protein-encoding genes in 8 patients with secondary AML. Here we report the discovery of novel somatic mutations in the transcriptional corepressor gene BCORL1 that is located on the X-chromosome. Analysis of BCORL1 in an unselected cohort of 173 AML patients identified a total of 10 mutated cases (6%) with BCORL1 mutations, whereas analysis of 19 AML cell lines uncovered 4 (21%) BCORL1 mutated cell lines. The majority (87%) of the mutations in BCORL1 were predicted to inactivate the gene product as a result of nonsense mutations, splice site mutation, or out-of-frame insertions or deletions. These results indicate that BCORL1 by genetic criteria is a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene, joining the growing list of genes recurrently mutated in AML.
Anomalous heavy primary cascades recorded on Viking 10 rocket flight

Emulsions flown to 136 miles on Viking 10 surrounded by only 2 g · cm−2 of superimposed metallic absorber have recorded two examples of heavy primaries which on collision with emulsion nuclei are not destroyed catastrophically. The heavily charged relativistic fragments emerging from the primary act produce secondary collisions after traversing distances that are small compared with the collision mean free path of the identified nuclei. The first event initiated by a particle of charge 14 ± 1 encompasses a total of 5 collisions which could originate by successive chance deviations from the geometric mean free path with a probability of 1.3 · 10−6. The second cascade initiated by a carbon nucleus passes through two stages, and has its charge reduced toZ = 3 before the latter escapes from the detector. Considerations of the relative frequency of different modes of fragmentation and geometric escape further reduce the probability of these events originating by chance and being detected.
The USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Program in Dietary Surveillance and Food Composition: State of the Program and Future Directions

The USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) supplies nutritional surveillance data that are used by government and the private sector. Data are supplied by two programs; one program partners with the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct the What We Eat in America portion of the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (WWEIA-NHANES); the other program compiles analytical data concerning the composition of food and dietary supplements; it is most recognized for the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR). Data supplied by these programs are essential for a variety of actions/tasks including regulatory and policy decisions within the U.S. government and scientific publications relating foods and health outcomes; additionally private industry uses the data for varied purposes including assessing demand for certain foods and generating nutrient panels on food labels. Participants at a workshop in Beltsville, MD commented on the state of the programs as well as potential future directions. Participants noted that although the programs are highly regarded by all that use their data, they are in need of changes. However many desired changes are constrained by limited resources. The primary challenge to adequate funding for the programs is maintaining visibility and demonstrating impact, problems that can be addressed in part by proper citations in research articles that use the data and by effective communication of the consequences of insufficient funding.
Abstract 5561: Radiogenomic analysis indicates MR images are potentially predictive of EGFR mutation status in glioblastoma multiforme

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Objective: To predict mutations of key genes in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) from MR image features. Methods: We obtained mutational and MR image data from 35 patients in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) GBM database. T1-weighted axial images pre and post gadolinium contrast MRI were processed as follows: a board certified neuro-radiologist traced a region of interest (ROI) around the enhanced part of the largest lesion in the T1 post-contrast MRI and confirmed by comparing it with the T1 pre-contrast image. This ROI was then used to compute features that characterized the intensity of the enhanced lesion, the sharpness of lesion boundaries and the boundary shape. We used the resulting data set to build a linear regression model with regularization to predict the presence of a mutation in terms of image features. We focused on predicting mutations in EGFR because several drugs target it and because EGFR mutations are prevalent in the TCGA GBM data. We evaluated the performance of predicting EGFR mutations from MR imaging data using 5-fold cross validation (5F-CV) and the area under the ROC Curve (AUC). The optimal ROC operating point was defined as the point with the maximal sum of sensitivity and specificity when the cost of false positives and false negatives are considered equivalent. Results: We found that computationally-derived MR image features can predict the presence of EGFR mutations with an AUC of 0.80. The optimal operating point had a sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 93% respectively. The top ranked features in the image-based EGFR-predictor model suggest that EGFR-mutated tumors have blurrier edges than EGFR-wild-type tumors. Conclusion: Our preliminary radiogenomic analysis of GBM suggests MR images may be used to non-invasively determine the mutation status of EGFR, an important drug target in glioblastoma. The ability to determine important genomic aberrations based on image data suggests a increasingly important role for imaging in personalized medicine and warrants further investigation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5561. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5561
Feeling Good and Helping: How Quickly Does the Smile of Dame Fortune Fade?

Two field studies are reported which investigated a previously reported positive relationship between receiving a non-contingent reward and subsequent helping behavior. For both studies there was no apparent relationship between the person requesting aid and the reward giver; furthermore, possible modeling effects of other participants were controlled. Study A used a help—no help dichotomy for the dependent variable, while Study B included 3 degrees of helping behavior varying primarily in terms of time delay. The results did not support a relationship between receiving the reward and subsequent helping. Several possible explanations of the relation of these results to previous research are suggested.
Formation of Fullerene Molecules from Carbon Nanotubes: A Quantum Chemical Molecular Dynamics Study

The first quantum chemical molecular dynamics calculations for the formation of fullerene molecules from carbon nanotubes are presented. The use of quantum chemical potential is shown to be essential to describe important effects of π-conjugation in fullerene chemistry. Trajectories for open-ended carbon nanotubes with various tube lengths were run at 1000−5000 K, using the density functional tight-binding potential. At temperatures around 3000 K, extremely fast fullerene formation was observed in about 14 ps and shorter.
STOC (stock ticker orbital comparison)

STOC is an interactive data visualization, using the metaphor of a planetary system, that maps parameters of stocks in the S&P 500 to animated visual outputs. Existing methods for displaying large amounts of stock-market data do not easily allow comparison between companies, as the data are often presented in tabular format. Some solutions implement a price-over-time graph, with the option of layering on additional stocks or market indices for comparison. STOC allows immediate comparison of hundreds or thousands of stocks, by mapping various stock-specific parameters (such as price percent change, earnings per share, volume, market capitalization, dividend yield, moving average, and comparison to the group average) to easily observable visual outputs (such as size, color, opacity, stroke width, satellite size, orbital distance, orbital direction, and speed).
Elastic neutron-scattering study of the three low-temperature transitions in tetrathiafulvalenium-tetracyanoquinodimethanide

Elastic neutron-scattering measurements of the satellite structure of tetrathiafulvalenium-tetracyanoquinodimethanide show the existence of phase transition points at 38, 48.5, and 54 K. All of the low-temperature phases are incommensurate with a 0.295 component along b* but differ as to their modulation along the a* axis. These results are interpreted within the framework of a theory by Bak and Emery. An unusual hysteresis behavior in the intermediate phase between 38.5 and 48.5 K is reported. Measurements on satellites with a component of 0.59 along b* for the lowest temperature phase are also discussed.
A mouse homologue of FAST-1 transduces TGFβ superfamily signals and is expressed during early embryogenesis

Abstract The transcription factor FAST-1 has recently been shown to play a key role in the specification of mesoderm by TGFβ superfamily signals in the early Xenopus embryo. We have cloned Fast1, a mouse homologue of Xenopus FAST-1, and characterized its expression during embryogenesis and function in activin/TGFβ signal transduction. In vitro, Fast1 associates with Smads in response to an activin/TGFβ signal to form a complex that recognizes the Xenopus activin responsive element (ARE) targeted by Xenopus FAST-1. In intact cells, introduction of Fast1 confers activin/TGFβ regulation of an ARE-luciferase reporter. In embryos, Fast1 is expressed predominantly throughout the epiblast before gastrulation and declines as development progresses. We propose that mouse Fast1, like Xenopus FAST-1, mediates TGFβ superfamily signals specifying developmental fate during early embryogenesis.
Distribution of the Amphipod Diporeia in Lake Superior: The Ring of Fire

Abstract Diporeia , formerly the dominant benthic macroinvertebrate in the Great Lakes, remains a keystone species in Lake Superior. Little is known, however, about fine scale amphipod distributions, especially as influenced by the production, transport and transformation of energy resources. Here, we document the distribution and abundance of Diporeia along 19 transects around the lake's perimeter. Regions of elevated density, averaging 958 ± 408 Diporeia /m 2 (mean ± S.D.) were observed along all transects, typically within slope habitat (depth of 30–125 m). Waters shoreward (shelf habitat, 125 m) of these regions supported significantly lower densities, averaging 239 ± 178/m 2 and 106 ± 59/m 2 , respectively. Amphipods within regions of elevated density, termed here the Ring of Fire, account for two-thirds of the lakewide population while occupying only one-quarter of the benthic habitat. The Ring of Fire, observed lakewide as a band averaging 14.2 ± 9.4 km in width, is characterized as a region of transitional sediment deposition with gentle slope, proximate to nearshore locations of elevated primary production. Within the Ring of Fire exceptionally high densities are found in the south central region, where the Keweenaw Current and slope bathymetries serve to funnel production from adjoining regions of high production. Density measurements for the 173 stations sampled here are used to estimate lakewide Diporeia standing stock (22.5–37.7 trillion individuals, 4.4–7.4 Gg dry weight, 2.1–3.5 Gg C), individual and biomass density (274–460/m 2 , 0.05–0.09 g DW/m 2 , 0.03–0.04 gC/m 2 ) and areal (0.02–0.03 g C/m 2 /yr) and total (1.6–2.6 Gg C/yr) production.
Hypertension: An Analysis of Detroit African American Health Care Treatment Patterns

The author investigated the treatment patterns for hypertension among 285 African Americans in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Data analyses showed that sociocultural and psychosocial factors determine the degree to which African Americans adhere to their folk medicine system. The persistence of folk medicine provides a meaningful alternative to allopathic medicine for many African Americans because of its role in maintaining a sense of ethnic identity. It also indicates a pattern of adaptation to social and economic conditions, both within the African American community and in the larger society. Once health professionals recognize, understand, and decide to work within the framework of the multitude of factors that influences African American health care practices, increased adherence to hypertension, cancer, dental, and prenatal treatment programs can be encouraged.
Performance of NMC's Regional Models

Abstract This paper details the performance characteristics of the two regional dynamical models used at the National Meteorological Center to forecast for North America. Strengths and weaknesses of these models—the limited-area fine-mesh (LFM) model and the nested grid model (NGM) of the Regional Analysis and Forecast System (RAFS)—are presented in terms of their ability to predict such fields and features as 500-mb heights, surface lows and highs, precipitation events, and the diurnal cycle. The systematic characteristics of the models are emphasized. Overall, the NGM was found to be more accurate than the LFM. Nevertheless, the LFM is a valuable forecast model because of its accuracy and longevity in providing operational guidance.
Introduction of Nonlinear Properties Into Hierarchical Models of ${\rm Nb}_{3}{\rm Sn}$ Strands

The development of computational models representing Rutherford cable formation and deformation is necessary to investigate the strain state in the superconducting filaments in Nb3Sn magnets. The wide variety of length scales within accelerator magnets suggests usage of a hierarchical structure within the model. As part of an ongoing investigation at LBNL, a three-dimensional simplified nonlinear multiscale model is developed as a way to extend previous linear elastic versions. The inclusion of plasticity models into the problem formulation allows an improved representation of strand behavior compared to the linear elastic model. This formulation is applied to a single Nb3Sn strand to find its effective properties as well as the strain state in the conductor under loading.
Pancreatitis Treated with Didanosine and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate

Pancreatitis occurs in up to 7% of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus who are treated with standard doses of didanosine. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate increases the plasma levels of didanosine and, thus, the combination of these agents may increase the risk of pancreatitis. Four cases of pancreatitis that occurred during administration of this drug combination are examined, including 1 that resulted in death.
Use of changes in symptoms to predict changes in lung function in assessing the response to asthma therapy.

Abstract Background: The majority of adult patients with asthma are managed by primary care providers. Although there is no generally accepted gold standard for the assessment of asthma severity in general practice, treatment decisions and modifications to therapy are strongly influenced by patients' symptoms and history of asthma medication use. Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between changes in asthma symptoms during treatment and changes in lung function, as measured by peak expiratory flow (PEF). A secondary goal was to compare the relative efficacy (in terms of improvement in asthma symptoms and lung function) of 3 commonly used asthma treatments: inhaled fluticasone propionate, inhaled salmeterol xinafoate, and oral zafirlukast. Methods: This was a retrospective comparison employing regression analyses of asthma symptom and lung function data from 2890 male and female adolescent and adult patients with persistent asthma who were enrolled in 8 randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group studies. Data on patients' self-rated symptoms, PEF, supplemental albuterol use, nighttime awakenings, and frequency of asthma exacerbations were used to ascertain whether there was a correlation between changes in asthma symptoms and changes in pulmonary function, and to compare treatment effects. Results: Changes in patients' ratings of asthma symptoms after treatment with study medications showed a strong correlation with changes in lung function. Similarly, changes in lung function were strongly correlated with changes in supplemental beta-agonist use and quality of life. In addition, fluticasone or salmeterol treatment resulted in significantly greater increases in mean morning PEF ( P P ≤ 0.004), significantly fewer nights with awakenings due to symptoms ( P ≤ 0.017), and significantly greater reductions in supplemental beta-agonist use ( P P P = 0.015, fluticasone and salmeterol, respectively). Conclusion: These findings support the validity of primary care practitioners' basing asthma-management decisions on patients' symptoms.
Mistiming performance analysis of the energy detection based toa estimator for MB-OFDM

In this letter, we apply energy detection based time- of-arrival (ToA) estimation to multi-band orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing signals. We analyze the mistiming performance of the ToA estimator in the Nakagami-m channel. Analysis shows that the slope of the probability of mistiming curve increases with the number of subbands and the Nakagami-m parameter. This is known in communications as diversity. Simulations are carried out in various channels to corroborate our theoretical analysis.
Efficient reinforcement learning: model-based Acrobot control

Several methods have been proposed in the reinforcement learning literature for learning optimal policies for sequential decision tasks. Q-learning is a model-free algorithm that has previously been applied to the Acrobot, a two-link arm with a single actuator at the elbow that learns to swing its free endpoint above a target height. However, applying Q-learning to a real Acrobot may be impractical due to the large number of required movements of the real robot as the controller learns. This paper explores the planning speed and data efficiency of explicitly learning models, as well as using heuristic knowledge to aid the search for solutions and reduce the amount of data required from the real robot.
The Normative Insignificance of Neuroscience

reasoning, it should come as no surprise if we have innate responses to personal violence that are powerful but rather primitive. That is, we might expect humans to have negative emotional responses to certain basic forms of interpersonal violence. ... In contrast, when a harm is impersonal, it should fail to trigger this alarmlike emotional response, allowing people to respond in a more "cognitive" way, perhaps employing a cost-benefit analysis.60 Similarly, Singer writes, For most of our evolutionary history, human beings have lived in
The structural biology of voltage-gated calcium channel function and regulation

Voltage-gated calcium channels (CaVs) are large (approximately 0.5 MDa), multisubunit, macromolecular machines that control calcium entry into cells in response to membrane potential changes. These molecular switches play pivotal roles in cardiac action potentials, neurotransmitter release, muscle contraction, calcium-dependent gene transcription and synaptic transmission. CaVs possess self-regulatory mechanisms that permit them to change their behaviour in response to activity, including voltage-dependent inactivation, calcium-dependent inactivation and calcium-dependent facilitation. These processes arise from the concerted action of different channel domains with CaV beta-subunits and the soluble calcium sensor calmodulin. Until recently, nothing was known about the CaV structure at high resolution. Recent crystallographic work has revealed the first glimpses at the CaV molecular framework and set a new direction towards a detailed mechanistic understanding of CaV function.
ERP correlates of Remember/Know decisions: association with the late posterior negativity.

A number of studies have utilized the Remember/Know paradigm to determine event-related potential (ERP) correlates of recollection and familiarity. However, no prior work has been specifically directed at examining the processing involved in making the Remember/Know distinction. The following study employed a two-step recognition memory test in which participants first decided whether they recognized a word from a prior study list (Old/New decision); if they did, they then determined whether it was recognized on the basis of recollection (‘Remember’ responses) or familiarity (‘Know’responses). By time-locking ERPs to the initial Old/New decision, processing related to making the introspective Remember/Know judgment was isolated. This methodology revealed a posterior negativity that was largest for ‘Remember’ responses. Previous work has described a late posterior negativity which appears to be related to the search for and recapitulation of study details. Such processing may be critical in making Remember/Know determinations. # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Society and Economy in the Western World System

A computer-based content analysis of British Speeches From the Throne, 1795-1972, is reported which indicates a 52-year cycle of changing thematic concerns or issues. This thematic cycle replicates earlier results from an analysis of party platforms in American presidential elections. The thematic cycle is correlated with the Kondratieff economic cycle, the latter reflecting recurring crises in capitalist societies. The 52-year thematic cycle reflects a debate within society as to the legitimacy of capitalist political economy under varying economic conditions and in light of periodic structural reorganizations of the economy. Finally, the content-analytic findings are discussed in terms of Wallerstein's "world system" concept and the two dominant conceptions of power in macrosocial analysis. Do you know those charts, where the movement of prices, discount rates, etc . . . during the year is plotted? To analyze the phenomenon of crisis, I have attempted several times to compute the formulas of those irregular curves (I think that is possible if sufficient reliable material can be made available) in order to determine mathematically the main laws governing the crisis. X Marx to Engels, May 1873 How is the legitimacy of capitalism maintained despite long-term structural changes in political economy? The answer proposed here suggests that systematic changes occur in the justifications of capitalism offered by the capitalist classes in response to systematic changes of the economy. This conclusion draws on three lines of inquiry: the neo-Marxist analysis of *The research reported here was supported by a National Science Foundation Dissertation Research Grant, #GS-42403. For helpful comments and suggestions I thank Zvi Namenwirth, Albert K. Cohen, Charles Logan, Jill Janows, Philip J. Stone, Hayward Alker, Jr., Peter Mohler, Hans-Dieter Klingemann, Karl Schuessler, and Seymour Warkov. A large part of the writing was completed while I was Visiting Scholar at the Zentrum fur Umfragen, Methoden, und Analysen, Mannheim, West Germany. The support of all its staff, especially Hans-Dieter Klingemann and Max Kaase, Director, is gratefully acknowledged. An earlier version of this paper was read at the Text Analysis Conference, Free University of Amsterdam, 1980. ? 1981 The University of North Carolina Press. 0037-7732/81/041130-48$01.90
Effectiveness of a Motion Picture Trailer as Election Propaganda

Analysis of election returns for a municipal election in Detroit indicates that one candidate benefited appreciably over his opponent through the showing of special motion picture trailers supporting his candidacy. The effectiveness of the trailer appeared to vary markedly, however, according to the ethnic and socioeconomic background of the groups to which it was shown. The author is Government Analyst in the Detroit Budget Bureau, part-time instructor in Government at Wayne University, and part-time instructor in Political Science at the University of Detroit.
Block Size and Orientation, and Allowance for Positional Effects, in Field Experiments

A random sample of 13 uniformity trials was examined in terms of sensitivity to choice of block size and orientation. Five trials were classified as insensitive and eight as sensitive. Trials insensitive to blocking choices showed little variation in experimental error for various sizes, shapes and orientations of blocks, but those sensitive to blocking choices showed considerable, sometimes drastic, effects of such choices. There was often an objectionable degree of inflation of experimental error due to large or improperly oriented blocks. It is proposed that the routine analysis of field experiments based on block designs be modified to reveal cases in which ineffective blocks have been used on sensitive sites.
Enhancing the Mesosystem for Adolescent Growth: Home-Based Parent Involvement and Guided Inquiry Activities for Parents and Children

Parent involvement in education is almost universally recognized as a positive influence on children, their academic performance, and attitudes toward school. While studies generally support these ideas, research on parental involvement is challenged by problems including a lack of agreement about what are the key aspects of parental involvement and limited research employing a theoretical model. Focusing on parental involvement as adults helping their children at home, this study had 101 sixth-grade students complete at-home guided-inquiry science activities with their parents. Levels of participation varied but were best when the activities aligned with the school curriculum and materials were readily available. Parents and students generally had positive attitudes toward the program, with parents more positive than students and female students slightly more positive than male students. Interview and survey results suggest most parents felt they helped their child learn science. Shortages of parent time and student procrastination were problems that were identified. Many parents reported learning more about their children. The majority of students indicated they would rather work on this type of homework with a parent than work alone.
Three-Dimensional Computer Reconstructions of Catecholaminergic Neuronal Populations in Man

Catecholamine-containing neurons have been found to subserve numerous functions (see reviews by Moore and Bloom, 1978, 1979; Mason, 1981). For example, dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NF) containing cells in the hypothalamus regulate pituitary hormone output. The midbrain DA neurons of the substantia nigra (nucleus A9) which innervate the neostriatum, play a role in motor control and cell loss in this nucleus is pathognomonic for Parkinson’s disease. The ventral teamental area DA neurons (nucleus A10), which innervate limbic and specific cortical regions (frontal, cingulate and entorhinal cortex) have been implicated in emotional regulation. Alteration of the receptors of these neurons is thought to be the mode of antipsychotic action for neuroleptic drugs. The locus coeruleus (LC) NF neurons, which diffusely innervate the entire cerebral cortex and spinal cord regions, have been hypothesized to play a role in arousal, attention and anxiety.
Abstract B14: Cisplatin induced activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor as a mechanism for epigenetic silencing in ovarian cancer cell platinum resistance

The 5-year survival rate for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer remains dismally unchanged at 44%. Resistance to platinum compounds in ovarian cancer imparts a major obstacle to increasing patient survival. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a role in the regulation of growth and differentiation in normal cells, and proliferation in malignant cells. It is known that disregulation of the EGFR pathway, including prolonged receptor activation, is associated with platinum resistance in cellular models and our lab revealed a novel mechanism by which constitutive EGFR activation regulates DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity and DNA methylation. Platinum resistance is associated with epigenetic downregulation (via DNA methylation) of genes involved in platinum drug response, particularly genes important for drug uptake. Given the established link between platinum resistance and alterations to DNA methylation, our studies investigated the effects of acute cisplatin treatment on EGFR activation and DNMT activity. We hypothesized that acquired chemoresistance resulting from cisplatin treatment is initially triggered by cisplatin-induced EGFR activation and subsequent alterations to DNMT activity. We show activation of EGFR upon treatment of OVCA433 cells with cisplatin. Functional EGFR activation following cisplatin treatment was also observed by evaluating activation of downstream targets, Jak2 and Akt. Hence, cisplatin facilitates activation of EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways. Moreover, there was also a significant increase in DNMT activity in cisplatin treated cells when compared to untreated passage controls. These observations unmask a potential mechanism by which initial exposure to cisplatin can activate EGFR signaling and cause epigenetic alterations that may contribute to the development of platinum resistance. By understanding the underlying mechanism for development of platinum resistance and discovering targets of methylation, we may be able to enhance sensitivity to platinum based chemotherapeutics. Citation Format: Michaela Lee Granados, Laurie G. Hudson, Sabrina Leigh Samudio-Ruiz. Cisplatin induced activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor as a mechanism for epigenetic silencing in ovarian cancer cell platinum resistance. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Drug Sensitivity and Resistance: Improving Cancer Therapy; Jun 18-21, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(4 Suppl): Abstract nr B14.
UNSTEADY FLOWFIELD ABOUT AN ICED AIRFOIL

An experimental investigation was performed on a NACA 0012 airfoil with simulated three-dimensional and two -dimensional leading-edge glaze ice accretions. The unsteady flow features were investigated through spectral, correlation, and visualization analyses and were related to the iced-airfoil performance. The most significant unsteady flowfield effect on the iced-airfoil performance was a low-frequency flow phenomenon on the order of 10 Hz that resulted in Strouhal numbers of 0.0048 – 0.0101. The low-frequency oscillation produced large-scale pressure fluctuations near separation at high angles of attack and elevated lift and moment fluctuations as low as α = 5o. The iced-airfoil flowfield exhibited a separation bubble of varying thickness and fluctuating reattachment, characteristics similar to those associated with the low-frequency shear-layer flapping and bubble growth and decay of other separated and reattached flows. Vortex structures observed in the shear layer were presumed to be the cause of large -scale pressure fluctuations upstream of reattachment at small angles of attack. Pressure spectra near reattachment exhibited wide bandwidth frequency peaks that indicated a non -periodic phenomenon and corresponded to the regular mode often associated with vortex movement in and aft of the shear layer. Strouhal numbers ranged from 0.53 to 0.73. Although vortex shedding was rarely observed, the convection of surface pressure fluctuations occurred at approximately half the freestream velocity, similar to shedding velocities reported by others.
Effect of As-Processed and Annealed Microstructures on the Mechanical Properties of Liga Ni MEMS

Microstructure – mechanical property relations of 200 μm thick LIGA deposited Ni films have been investigated with a combination of optical cross-sectional microscopy and microsample tensile testing. Measurements of the grain size and morphology of nine different asdeposited films evidenced a predominantly columnar microstructure with significant variations in grain size. These as-deposited microstructural variations resulted in a range of Young's modulus, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength values that are consistent with previously reported measurements, but these values did not appear to scale with the as-deposited microstructures. By contrast, significant changes in both the microstructure and mechanical properties were observed when these films were annealed at 800'C for 1 hour. Recrystallization and grain growth transformed the grain morphology from columnar to equiaxed, which resulted in a dramatic decrease in the tensile strength and corresponding increase in the ductility of the annealed films.
Preaching to the choir: comparing health professionals who enroll in mind-body skills versus herbs and dietary supplements training?

Background.Observational studies evaluating elective training programs may be biased if learners who enroll differ from nonenrollees. To assess self-selection bias, we compared participants who enrolled in 2 different online courses in complementary and alternative medical therapies.Methods.Participants were recruited from entering classes in medicine, nursing, social work, and dietetics, and residencies in family medicine and pediatrics. The 2 electives were (a) herbs and dietary supplements and (b) mind–body skills training. Participants completed standardized questionnaires before training.Results.The 218 participants had an average age of 28 years; 76% were trainees. There were no significant differences between enrollees in mind–body skills and herbs and dietary supplements with regard to age, gender, stress levels, mind–body training or practice, mindfulness, empathy, compassion, or resilience.Conclusions.Those who enroll in mind–body skills are not measurably different than those who enroll in herb...
UV-C Decontamination: NASA, Prions, and Future Perspectives

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the UV-C waveband is considered an effective microbicidal method employed in the fight against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), influenza, and other...
Trade and Global Links

It is useful to begin by outlining the features of a desirable and efficient trade regime. Rather than embarking on the difficult task of constructing the attributes of a desirable trade regime in the abstract, one might take the actual trade and development regime pursued by the most successful cases of development in recent history. By nearly universal consensus the East Asian development model, the one adopted by the pioneers like Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and others, is the natural candidate for an example of such a regime.1 A slightly stylized version of the system of promoting East Asia’s export-led industrialization might be described as follows. It avoided widely varying arbitrary protection that robs the economy of indicators that guide efficient allocation of resources; but it was not a free trade regime. There were widespread public intervention to provide direct incentives to worthwhile infant industries. But such incentives did not discriminate against sales in the export market vis-a-vis the domestic market. The defining characteristic of the East Asian trade regime is not free trade or near-free trade, but non-discrimination against exports.
Graphical Optimization and Basic Concepts

An optimization problem having two design variables can be solved by plotting all the functions of the problem on a graph sheet. This graphical optimization procedure is described to achieve two objectives: (1) to solve any two-variable optimization problem and (2) to introduce some terminology and concepts related to the solution process that are used in later chapters when optimality conditions and numerical methods for solution of the optimization problems are discussed. Mathematica and MATLAB plotting capabilities are used to develop a step-by-step procedure to plot all the constraint functions, identify the feasible side of each constraint and identify the feasible set for the problem. Cost (objective) function contours are plotted and the optimum point is identified on the graph. The graphical solution process is used to introduce the idea of an infeasible problem, unbounded problem, and problem that has multiple optimum points. Two practical problems are solved to demonstrate the graphical solution process.
Cluster driven anisotropic diffusion for speckle reduction in ultrasound images

In this paper, we propose a cluster-driven anisotropic diffusion (CDAD) filter for speckle reduction in ultrasound images. The proposed filter is based on the multiplicative noise model and is driven by K-means clustering algorithm. Instead of choosing homogeneous sample region with manual selection, the proposed algorithm is able to do it automatically (based on the clustering results). In addition, clustering result is used as a global characteristics descriptor to further improve the performance of noise removal as well as edge enhancement. The proposed filter was implemented and evaluated with real ultrasound images. Experimental results show that the proposed CDAD filter shows improved performance compared with Speckle Reducing Anisotropic Diffusion (SRAD).
Laughter against laughter: interrupting racial and gendered stereotypes in Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese

Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese urges us to rethink the culturally hegemonic images and narratives that outline notions of Asian American masculinity. These narratives, many of which are rooted in shame, are unfastened, restructured and reconstituted through laughter. Interrogating the landscape of existing racial and gendered discourses, Yang’s graphic narrative questions who we laugh at, why we laugh and how laughter can serve as a social corrective to reimagine the ways in which we think about race and masculinity.
A Nationwide Study of the Impact of Dysphagia on Hospital Outcomes Among Patients With Dementia

Objectives:To assess the impact of dysphagia on clinical and operational outcomes in hospitalized patients with dementia.Design:Retrospective cohort study.Setting:2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample.P...
Master or servant? emerging roles for motor neuron subtypes in the construction and evolution of locomotor circuits

Execution of motor behaviors relies on the ability of circuits within the nervous system to engage functionally relevant subtypes of spinal motor neurons. While much attention has been given to the role of networks of spinal interneurons on setting the rhythm and pattern of output from locomotor circuits, recent studies suggest that motor neurons themselves can exert an instructive role in shaping the wiring and functional properties of locomotor networks. Alteration in the distribution of motor neuron subtypes also appears to have contributed to evolutionary transitions in the locomotor strategies used by land vertebrates. This review describes emerging evidence that motor neuron-derived cues can have a profound influence on the organization, wiring, and evolutionary diversification of locomotor circuits.
Big Huggin': Affection gaming for alternative play.

Big Huggin‘ is an alternative interface game designed to critique the way we play. It is offered as part of the ongoing Critical Gameplay project. Instead of firing toy guns or gesturing abstractly, players must hug a large stuffed animal to win the game. The game has been played by more than 2000 people at 8 venues in North America, South America and Europe.