cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anionic Synthesis of Narrow Molecular Weight Distribution Poly(trimethylvinylsilane) (PTMVS), Polystyrene-PTMVS Block Copolymers, and Poly(phenyldimethylvinylsilane). Conversion of Poly(phenyldimethylvinylsilane) into Poly(fluorodimethylvinylsilane)

The anionic polymerizations of trimethylvinylsilane (TMVS) initiated by t-BuLi in toluene at −20 °C and of phenyldimethylvinylsilane (PDMVS) at 0−20 °C proceed in high yields (>95%), giving narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD ≤ 1.15) polymers. Polystyrene−PTMVS AB block copolymers having relatively narrow molecular weight distributions were synthesized by initiation of TMVS by poly(styryllithium). The reaction of poly(phenyldimethylvinylsilane) (PPDMVS) with HBF4·Et2O in toluene at 60 °C resulted in the formation of poly(fluorodimethylvinylsilane) (PFDMVS) as shown by 1H and 19F NMR.
Measurements of the electrical characteristics of snowstorms

Abstract Two series of measurements were conducted in which ground-based apparatus and an instrumented NRL research aircraft were simultaneously employed to measure electrical phenomena associated with active snowstorms. Such measurements provided an opportunity to separate the effects of mechanically and electrically transported charge produced in the storm and an independent check on the data. Numerous effects were encountered which rendered the data collection difficult, but enough data were obtained to demonstrate agreement between ground and airborne measurements and to indicate the existence of a wide variety of electrical phenomena in snowstorms. The measurements yielded evidence of charged snowflakes of both polarities, pockets of charge within the snowclouds, and a wide range of total current fluxes to the earth.
High-dose folic acid acutely improves coronary vasodilator function in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objectives: We investigated the acute effect of orally administered high-dose folic acid on coronary dilator function in humans.Background: Folic acid and its active metabolite, 5-methyltetrahydrof...
The essential dietary fatty acid requirement of the tufted apple budmoth, Platynota idaeusalis

Abstract The tufted apple budmoth, Platynota idaeusalis (Walker), was reared non-axenically for two successive generations on a casein-based semisynthetic diet. The qualitative essential fatty acid requirement for growth, development and normal pupal-adult ecdysis was studied using the non-axenic casein-based semisynthetic diets with and without various 99% pure fatty acids. Linoleic or linolenic acids caused accelerated larval development; linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids showed similar activity in body weight gain and survival to pupal-adult ecdysis. Linoleic or linolenic acids were active in alleviating wing deformities; arachidonic acid was partially active in alleviating wing deformities at the one dietary concentration evaluated. Activity of arachidonic acid as an essential fatty acid for P. idaeusalis is unique among insects, except for mosquitoes. The essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome of the adult, resulting from the larvae feeding on fat-deficient diets, was greatly reduced when larvae were fed on a diet adequate in essential fatty acid during either their early or late development.
Purification and characterization of canine urinary kallikrein

The renal kallikrein-kinin system may play a role in the regulation of sodium and water balance. Although the dog is a frequently used experimental animal in the study of the renal kallikrein-kinin system, dog urinary kallikrein (DUKK) has been poorly studied. We have purified DUKK by a series of chromatographic and electrophoretic procedures including anion-exchange chromatography, filtration through p-aminobenz-amidine-Sepharose (to remove contaminating nonkallikrein esterases), gel filtration, isoelectric focusing, and molecular sieve HPLC. This DUKK preparation gave three protein bands on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, each having similar esterolytic and kininogenase activities and immunological identity. Preparative isoelectric focusing indicated the presence of multiple forms of kallikrein with pI's of 3.93, 4.05, 4.24, and 4.44, the species with a pI of 4.24 constituting the major component. Neuraminidase treatment converted all of the forms into the component with a pI of 4.44, suggesting the charge heterogeneity was due mainly to differences in sialic acid content. DUKK has a specific activity of 3 mg bradykinin eq/min/mg protein when partially purified dog kininogen is used as a substrate. It is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 40,500 (amino acid analysis best fit method) and an alkaline pH optimum (9.0–9.5). DUKK is resistant to soybean trypsin inhibitor and lima bean trypsin inhibitor but is inhibited by several serine protease inhibitors such as antipain, leupeptin, and p-aminobenzamidine. PhePheArgchloromethyl ketone is a very potent inhibitor of DUKK. Contrary to previous reports, DUKK is also inhibited by N-α-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone and aprotinin, the inhibition by the latter being inversely related to the concentration of NaCl in the medium. The esterolytic and amidolytic activities of DUKK are inhibited by an increase in NaCl concentration of the medium. This inhibition may be related to a NaCl-induced conformational change in the enzyme moiety.
X-pinch driven by 0.9 MA: a powerful pulsed soft x-ray point source

Powerful pulsed soft x-ray point sources are being developed, driven by the Zebra z-pinch at the Nevada Terawatt Facility. A wide variety of x-ray and EUV pulses can be generated, depending on the z-pinch load. X-ray and EUV pulses have been produced with duration from 1.5 ns to 40 ns, energy from 30 J to 9 kJ, and effective source size smaller than 100 micrometers . These pulses will be used for the development of plasma diagnostics, for the study of surface physics, and for microscopy.
Single-phase synthesis of Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu oxides by high-temperature solution growth technique

Abstract Crystal platelets of BiCaSrCuO superconducting and semiconducting phases up to 1 cm 2 have been grown from KC1 solutions by slow cooling in air. The temperature range of cooling was found to control phase formation, and starting compositions that have a large percentage of the Bi 2 Ca 2 Sr 2 Cu 3 O x phase were found to be optimal for growing platelets of the Bi 2 CaSr 2 Cu 3 O x superconducting phase.
Biological activity of sterol glycosides.

Abstract Reversal of the inhibition of the growth of Tetrahymena pyriformis W. by the analog, 6-methylpurine, can be obtained either with large amounts of adenine or with smaller amounts of a fraction obtained from saponified lecithin of soybeans. The active material has properties which indicate its identification as a β- d -glycoside of β-sitosterol. The presence of sugars other than glucose in the glycone moiety is also indicated. Synthetic β-sitosterol-β- d -glucoside has growth-promoting properties approximately equal to those of the isolated material; both materials are more active than free β-sitosterol.
Optimal crop planting schedules and financial hedging strategies under ENSO-based climate forecasts

This paper investigates the impact of ENSO-based climate forecasts on optimal planting schedules and financial yield-hedging strategies in a framework focused on downside risk. In our context, insurance and futures contracts are available to hedge against yield and price risks, respectively. Furthermore, we adopt the Conditional-Value-at-Risk (CVaR) measure to assess downside risk, and Gaussian copula to simulate scenarios of correlated non-normal random yields and prices. The resulting optimization problem is a mixed 0–1 integer programming formulation that is solved efficiently through a two-step procedure, first through an equivalent linear form by disjunctive constraints, followed by decomposition into sub-problems identified by hedging strategies. With data for a representative cotton producer in the Southeastern United States, we conduct a study that considers a wide variety of optimal planting schedules and hedging strategies under alternative risk profiles for each of the three ENSO phases (Nina, Nino, and Neutral.) We find that the Neutral phase generates the highest expected profit with the lowest downside risk. In contrast, the Nina phase is associated with the lowest expected profit and the highest downside risk. Additionally, yield-hedging insurance strategies are found to vary significantly, depending critically on the ENSO phase and on the price bias of futures contracts.
The construction of large number representations in adults

What is the nature of our mental representation of quantity? We find that human adults show no performance cost of comparing numerosities across vs. within visual and auditory stimulus sets, or across vs. within simultaneous and sequential sets. In addition, reaction time and performance in such tasks are determined by the ratio of the numerosities to be compared; absolute set size has no effect. These findings suggest that modality-specific stimulus properties undergo a non-iterative transformation into representations of quantity that are independent of the modality or format of the stimulus.
FROM TRANSACTION COST TO TRANSACTIONAL VALUE ANALYSIS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STUDY OF INTERORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES*

This article examines interorganizational strategies from a transactional value, rather than transaction cost, perspective. It argues that the transaction cost perspective has at least two major limitations when used to analyse interorganizational strategies: ( 1) a single-party, cost minimization emphasis that neglects the interdependence between exchange partners in the pursuit of joint value, and (2) an over-emphasis on the structural features of interorganizational exchange that neglects important process issues. We propose instead a transactional value framework for analysing interorganizational strategies that addresses (1) joint value maximization, and (2) the processes by which exchange partners create and claim value. We discusses the implications of the present approach for the study of interorganizational strategies and for the transaction cost perspective itself.
Round Numbers as Goals Evidence From Baseball, SAT Takers, and the Lab

Where do people’s reference points come from? We conjectured that round numbers in performance scales act as reference points and that individuals exert effort to perform just above rather than just below such numbers. In Study 1, we found that professional baseball players modify their behavior as the season is about to end, seeking to finish with a batting average just above rather than below .300. In Study 2, we found that high school students are more likely to retake the SAT after obtaining a score just below rather than above a round number. In Study 3, we conducted an experiment employing hypothetical scenarios and found that participants reported a greater desire to exert more effort when their performance was just short of rather than just above a round number.
In Support of a Proficiency-based Definition of Heritage Language Learners: The Case of Russian

This paper addresses the problem of placing and teaching heritage speakers of immigrant languages in college-level foreign language programmes, drawing conclusions from research on heritage speakers of Russian. For pedagogical purposes, heritage speakers cannot be viewed either as native speakers of the target language or as foreign language learners, and are best treated as a separate population requiring their own curriculum and materials. The paper advocates that students’ proficiency be used as the basis for placement and curriculum development. An essential tool in determining heritage proficiency is knowledge of a student's linguistic biography, and therefore biographical information should be solicited from incoming heritage students. Heritage students’ motivation for studying their heritage language can serve as a guiding principle for materials selection and curriculum design.
Comparison of Bookmark Difficulty Locations Under Different Item Response Models

In the bookmark standard-setting procedure, judges place “bookmarks” in a reordered test booklet containing items presented in order of increasing difficulty. Traditionally, the bookmark difficulty...
A proteomic‐based approach for the identification of immunodominant Cryptococcus neoformans proteins

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immune compromised patients. Previous, studies in our laboratory have shown that prior exposure to an IFN-gamma-producing C. neoformans strain (H99gamma) elicits protective immunity against a second pulmonary C. neoformans challenge. Here, we characterized the antibody response produced in mice protected against experimental pulmonary C. neoformans infection compared to nonprotected mice. Moreover, we evaluated the efficacy of using serum antibody from protected mice to detect immunodominant C. neoformans proteins. Protected mice were shown to produce significantly more C. neoformans-specific antibodies following a second experimental pulmonary cryptococcal challenge compared to nonprotected mice. Immunoblot analysis of C. neoformans proteins resolved by 2-DE using serum from nonprotected mice failed to show any reactivity. In contrast, serum from protected mice was reactive with several cryptococcal protein spots. Analysis of these spots by capillary HPLC-ESI-MS/MS identified several cryptococcal proteins shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis. Our studies demonstrate that mice immunized with C. neoformans strain H99gamma produce antibodies that are immune reactive against specific cryptococcal proteins that may provide a basis for the development of immune based therapies that induce protective anticryptococcal immune responses.
Predictive variables for half-Ironman triathlon performance.

Abstract Objectives To examine the relationship between training, anthropometric characteristics, tapering, and time performance for a half-Ironman distance race. Design Cross sectional study in triathletes. Methods Data were obtained for 209 participants (155 males; 54 females) competing in a half-Ironman triathlon. Participants provided information regarding triathlon experience, training, race preparation, and tapering. Participants were divided into three groups based on finish time for analysis. Results Males in the fastest group weighed less and had lower body fat percentage compared to males in the slower groups ( p ≤0.01). Athletes in the fastest group had completed more half-Ironman races and took fewer rest days during training compared to athletes in the slower groups ( p p p =0.04). Eighty-one percent reported performing a taper with a decrease in training volume of 58.5±34.7% and a decrease in training intensity of 44.9±40.8%. However, there were no differences in taper variables between the three groups. Age, previous best half-Ironman time, goal time, and goal importance predicted 58% of variance in finish time. Conclusions The fastest group of triathletes exhibited differences in anthropometrics, race experience, and goal-setting compared to slower athletes. There were no differences in total training hours or tapering between groups. The best predictors of race performance were age, previous best half-Ironman time, goal time, and importance of reaching this goal.
Programming parallel distributed control for complex systems

The author considers the design of control programs for systems with many degrees of freedom and multiple goals. These systems have several features requiring nontraditional control techniques. The author proposes a framework for the control of such systems. In this framework, it is possible to create abstract domains of interest and relate them to sensed and actuated quantities. Motions are programmed by specifying inequality or equality constraints in these domains, possibly changing over time, which have to be satisfied in order to achieve the task. A trajectory satisfying the constraints is picked at run time. The framework has a number of benefits, including the ability to deal with redundancy and the partial specification of motion; the ability to divide the control task into independent, concurrent modules which can be separately developed and debugged; the possibility of parallel execution; ease of modification of existing programs; and the ability to handle multiple sensors and actuators in a uniform fashion. An experimental version of this framework has been implemented with encouraging results. >
Multiple control elements are required for expression of the human CD34 gene

Two cis regulatory elements of the human CD34 gene, the promoter and a 3' enhancer, have previously been described. In transient transfection assays, the promoter was not sufficient to direct cell type specific expression. In contrast, the 3' enhancer was active only in CD34+ cell lines, suggesting that this element might be responsible for stem cell-restricted expression of the CD34 gene. In the current work, through deletion and transient transfection experiments, we delineated the core enhancer sequence. We examined the role of this element upon stable integration. Our data suggested the presence of additional control elements. In order to identify them, using DNaseI hypersensitivity and methylation studies, we determined the chromatin structure of the entire CD34 locus. Amongst a number of DNaseI hypersensitive sites, we detected a strong CD34+ cell type-specific site in intron 4. This region, however, did not work as an enhancer by itself. By analyzing stable transfectants and transgenic animals, we demonstrated that the 3' enhancer and intron 4 hypersensitive regions, either alone or together, did not function as a locus control region upon chromosomal integration. In contrast, a 160kb genomic fragment encompassing the entire CD34 gene contained regulatory elements sufficient for high-level CD34 mRNA expression in murine stable lines. Our data indicate that combinatorial action of multiple, proximal and long-range, cis elements is necessary for proper regulation of CD34 expression.
Technology Transfer as a Function of Position in the Spectrum from Research Through Development to Technical Services

The manner in which research and development projects most effectively acquire new technology is shown to vary with the nature of the project. Research projects perform best when all project member...
Global Emergency Medicine Journal Club: Social Media Responses to the March 2014 Annals of Emergency Medicine Journal Club on Targeted Temperature Management∗

In March 2014, Annals of Emergency Medicine continued a successful collaboration with an academic Web site, Academic Life in Emergency Medicine (ALiEM), to host another Global Emergency Medicine Journal Club session featuring the 2013 New England Journal of Medicine article "Targeted Temperature Management at 33°C (91.4°F) Versus 36°C (96.8°F) After Cardiac Arrest" by Nielsen et al. This online journal club used Twitter conversations, a live videocast with the authors, and detailed discussions on the ALiEM Web site's comment section. This summary article details the community discussion, shared insights, and analytic data generated using this novel, multiplatform approach.
Self-tuning sensorless SRM drives for low cost mass production

In this paper, a modified amplitude modulation based sensorless control method for switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives with optimal performance is presented. The sensorless method used offers very high resolution comparable to that of resolvers and with this method, closed loop speed control is achieved. Torque per ampere has been chosen as a performance index and is used for optimization purposes. Through detailed simulation of the drive system using a dynamic model, the existence and uniqueness of an optimal set of control variables is shown. A fast converging unidirectional search scheme is used for optimizing the phase currents to achieve maximum torque per ampere. The dynamic performance of the drive system with optimization incorporated is simulated with the model and the simulation results are presented. The proposed method is implemented on a 500 W, 100 V, 6/4, three-phase SRM drive for validation purposes. Using the proposed sensorless control method, speed control over a wide range has been achieved and the results are presented. The corrective measures to be taken in order to achieve sensorless operation with accuracy and also optimal performance in the presence of parameter variations caused due to manufacturing tolerances or aging are addressed. A brief analysis on the important attributes like resolution, accuracy, speed range and transient stability of the proposed sensorless method is also presented.
The dose of continuous renal replacement therapy for acute renal failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of the literature to summarize the best available evidence regarding the mortality and morbidity associated with differing dosing regimens of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for patients with acute renal failure (ARF) in an intensive care unit setting. Patients and Methods: We searched for randomized controlled trials in electronic databases from January 1990 through November 2009. Eligible trials compared two or more dosing regimens of CRRT in patients with ARF. Two reviewers working independently determined trial eligibility and extracted descriptive, methodological, and outcome data. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to assess relative risks (RR) and weighted mean difference. The I2-statistic was used to assess heterogeneity of treatment effect across trials. Results: Seven trials were eligible for meta-analysis. We found no reduction in mortality in patients who received higher doses of CRRT (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.75–1.03, I2 = 74%). There was no ...
Attosecond pulses and imaging of molecular orbitals

High harmonic generation from aligned gas phase molecules can form an image of a single molecular orbital wave function. The same method can follow attosecond motion of electron wave packets in atoms.
pH-mediated acid stacking with reverse pressure for the analysis of cationic pharmaceuticals in capillary electrophoresis

When using capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the analysis of biological samples, it is often necessary to employ techniques to overcome peak-broadening that results from having a high-conductivity sample matrix. To improve the concentration detection limits and separation efficiency of cationic pharmaceuticals in CE, pH-mediated acid stacking was performed to electrofocus the sample, improving separation sensitivity for the analyzed cations by 60-fold. However, this method introduces a large titrated acid plug into the capillary. To overcome the limitations this low-conductivity plug poses to stacking, the plug was removed prior to the separation step by applying reverse pressure to force it out of the anode of the capillary. Employing this technique allows for roughly twice the volume of sample to be injected. A maximum sample injection time of 240 s was attainable with baseline peak resolution compared to a maximum sample injection time of 120 s without reverse pressure, leading to a twofold decrease in the limits of detection of the analytes used. Separation efficiency overall is also improved when utilizing the reverse pressure step. For example, a 60 s sample injection time results in 94,000 theoretical plates as compared to 60,500 theoretical plates without reverse pressure. This reverse-pressure method was used for detection and quantitation of several cationic pharmaceuticals that were prepared in Ringer's solution to simulate microdialysis sampling conditions.
Kalman filtering with partial observation losses

We study the Kalman filtering problem when part or all of the observation measurements are lost in a random fashion. We formulate the Kalman filtering problem with partial observation losses and derive the Kalman filter updates with partial observation measurements. We show that with these partial measurements the Kalman filter and its error covariance matrix iteration become stochastic, since they now depend on the random packet arrivals of the sensor measurements, which can be lost or delayed when transmitted over a communication network. The communication network needs to provide a sufficient throughput for each of the sensor measurements in order to guarantee the stability of the Kalman filter, where the throughput captures the rate of the sensor measurements correctly received. We investigate the statistical convergence properties of the error covariance matrix iteration as a function of the throughput of the sensor measurements. A throughput region that guarantees the convergence of the error covariance matrix is found by solving a feasibility problem of a linear matrix inequality. We also find an unstable throughput region such that the state estimation error of the Kalman filter is unbounded. The expected error covariance matrix is bounded both from above and from below. The results are illustrated with some simple numerical examples.
Feedback linearization of an active magnetic bearing with voltage control

A feedback linearization controller is presented for a single-degree-of-freedom (DOF) magnetic bearing test rig. The feedback linearization controller is derived from a detailed nonlinear electromagnet model using both analytic relationships and experimental calibration data. The controller is implemented on the test rig in voltage mode, and measured open-loop transfer functions are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the feedback linearization controller in transforming the nonlinear system to a linear plant. Next, a high-performance controller for the feedback linearized plant is designed with /spl mu/-synthesis to guarantee a beam compliance performance specification. A common problem associated with voltage control in magnetic suspensions and coil resistance variation, is successfully handled by augmenting the feedback linearized plant with a structured uncertainty. Experimental results demonstrate that the /spl mu/ controller with feedback linearization achieves the performance specified during design for the nonlinear plant independent of the disturbance force level or displacement incurred.
What is the optimal dose and fractionation for stereotactic irradiation of acoustic neuromas

Since the introduction of stereotactic irradiation techniques, acoustic neuroma patients have been offered an alternative to surgical resection with lower morbidity and tumor control that seems comparable. Stereotactic irradiation techniques have evolved to a considerable degree during the past 20 years with improvements in imaging, more conformal dose plans, and changes in radiation dose prescriptions (1). Improved preservation of hearing and facial and trigeminal nerve function in more recent stereotactic irradiation series increase the appeal of these relatively noninvasive treatment techniques over surgical resection (1–5). Advocates of surgery rightly point to the need to demonstrate tumor control in the long run (with 10 or 20 years of follow-up) with benign tumors, particularly when lower radiation doses or different fractionation schemes are used. The results achievable with stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy (RT) are well represented by William’s recent report. He treated 111 acoustic neuromas 3 cm in diameter to 25 Gy in 5 fractions and 14 acoustic neuromas 3 cm to 30 Gy in 10 fractions. With a median follow-up of 1.8 years (range 1–5.7), no tumors have progressed. Transient facial numbness developed in 2 patients, but no patient developed facial weakness. Actuarial preservation of serviceable hearing was approximately 72% at 3 years for the patients who received 25 Gy in 5 fractions. None of the 5 patients with serviceable hearing who received 30 Gy in 10 fractions lost serviceable hearing (2 patients had 18 months’ followup).
Financing drug discovery for orphan diseases

Recently proposed 'megafund' financing methods for funding translational medicine and drug development require billions of dollars in capital per megafund to de-risk the drug discovery process enough to issue long-term bonds. Here, we demonstrate that the same financing methods can be applied to orphan drug development but, because of the unique nature of orphan diseases and therapeutics (lower development costs, faster FDA approval times, lower failure rates and lower correlation of failures among disease targets) the amount of capital needed to de-risk such portfolios is much lower in this field. Numerical simulations suggest that an orphan disease megafund of only US$575 million can yield double-digit expected rates of return with only 10-20 projects in the portfolio.
Findings from a feeding study of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus adustus) at the San Francisco Zoo

The feeding behavior of four captive adult koalas was investigated at the San Francisco Zoo. This study examined the correlations between koala preference for selected Eucalyptus species and the nutritional and chemical components of those species. The total grams of Eucalyptus leaves consumed daily per animal were not significantly different, averaging 400 grams. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in consumption of the nine different Eucalyptus species across the 16-day feeding study. Significant differences in chemical composition (percent) were found among all Eucalyptus species examined. There was a significant positive correlation (P = 0.04) between quantity of a given Eucalyptus species consumed and crude protein level. A significant negative correlation was found between consumption and ADF (P = 0.01). No overall group pattern of correlation emerged between koala consumption and Eucalyptus essential oil content, although there were associations between individual koalas and certain essential oils (including cineole). The results suggest that it may not be the amount of an oil that determined Eucalyptus selection by the koalas, but rather the presence of a single oil or a combination of oils in the leaves. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Racial Segregation, the College Premium, and Black College Attainment: Some Theory and Empirics

Recent research has found that differences in neighborhood segregation explain black-white inequality in education attainment and that these differences matter more than school characteristics. In recent years, neighborhood segregation has persisted at high levels in many metropolitan areas with high black populations and the black white achievement gap has stopped converging. This is somewhat puzzling since, at the same time, research on education supply has found that the college wage premium has increased in recent years providing a greater incentive for blacks to become educated. This paper synthesizes these findings and facts to offer a comprehensive theoretical explanation for the gap in black-white education attainment. I model neighborhood segregation as limiting black education attainment by increasing the discount rate of future returns and discuss research that supports that contention. Then I confirm the broadest prediction of the model by using individual data from IPUMs to predict the effect of segregation on black college attainment conditional on the return to college and other controls. The results are highly significant and imply that the black-white achievement gap is fully explained by residential segregation.
Switching margin comparison of Stoner-Wohlfarth MRAM and biased zero total anisotropy toggle mode MRAM

This paper will give a detailed comparison of the Stoner-Wohlfarth type MRAM (SW-MRAM) and the biased zero total anisotropy (ZTA) toggle mode MRAM (T-MRAM) in the aspects of operating fields and their operating field margin ratios.
Statistical downscaling of regional climate model output to achieve projections of precipitation extremes

Abstract In this work we perform a statistical downscaling by applying a CDF transformation function to local-level daily precipitation extremes (from NCDC station data) and corresponding NARCCAP regional climate model (RCM) output to derive local-scale projections. These high-resolution projections are essential in assessing the impacts of projected climate change. The downscaling method is performed on 58 locations throughout New England, and from the projected distribution of extreme precipitation local-level 25-year return levels are calculated. To obtain uncertainty estimates for return levels, three procedures are employed: a parametric bootstrapping with mean corrected confidence intervals, a non-parametric bootstrapping with BCa (bias corrected and acceleration) intervals, and a Bayesian model. In all cases, results are presented via distributions of differences in return levels between predicted and historical periods. Results from the three procedures show very few New England locations with significant increases in 25-year return levels from the historical to projected periods. This may indicate that projected trends in New England precipitation tend to be statistically less significant than suggested by many studies. For all three procedures, downscaled results are highly dependent on RCM and GCM model choice.
Assessing HIV Vaccine Effects

It is unlikely that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines will create impenetrable barriers to infection. When the barriers to infection are broken, however, vaccine effects on the progression of infection to disease and on the contagiousness of infection could be considerable. The usual outcomes of vaccine trials are either infection or disease. The authors argue that for HIV vaccines, the alternative outcome of contagiousness may be more important. Because of the long incubation period to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a vaccine trial with AIDS as the outcome would be a long and costly undertaking. Because contagiousness is concentrated into the period of primary infection, vaccine trials assessing contagiousness would not take as long. An approach to assessing vaccine effects on the contagiousness of primary infection while simultaneously assessing protection against infection is presented. It involves randomizing vaccination of couples in whom both individuals are uninfected and one or both have a risk of infection outside the couple. In such a study, the vaccine effect on susceptibility to infection can be estimated from the proportions of vaccinated and unvaccinated couples in whom neither partner is infected. Estimation of the contagiousness effect also uses information on the frequency with which both partners are infected. In areas of the world where heterosexual epidemics are emerging within the context of concurrent partnerships, the randomization of vaccination of couples could increase the efficiency and decrease the costs of vaccine trials.
Decision Points in Application of Genetic Algorithm

Selecting runtime parameters while applying Genetic Algorithm is a crucial decision. Numerous theoretical and empirical researches are performed and guidelines are suggested on this, researches are conducted but still an overall acceptable guideline is lacking. In this work the parameters are discussed with reference to the existing literature and suggested a guideline to follow for initial setup based on literature.
Assessment of Operational Compatibility for Future Advanced Vehicle Concepts

Compatibility with the operational environment is a key attribute in the comparative assessment of system maturity and risk of ERA project vehicles. Accordingly, we formulate and demonstrate a methodology that specifically addresses ERA needs and evaluates the introduction of revolutionary vehicle concepts and technologies into the operating environment. Required changes to the operating environment, its systems, equipment, and underlying infrastructure are qualitatively characterized across a comprehensive set of aircraft-environment interaction points. Operational compatibility guidance is provided as part of the method, along with an evaluation scale to measure the magnitude of required environment modifications and corresponding measures of perceived risk. The method is demonstrated with a reference tube-and-wing vehicle and three revolutionary vehicle concepts. We illustrate how attributes specific to each alternatives impact the assessment of compatibility with the operational environment.
Genetic basis of cardiomyopathy

The molecular basis of cardiac growth and development is a fundamental question that has intrigued many investigators in cardiovascular research. Adult cardiomyocytes are terminally differentiated and lose their ability to proliferate shortly after birth; however, in response to injury, myocytes have the capacity to synthesize new DNA and exhibit plasticity by a compensatory growth response, as is shown by re-expression of the fetal isoforms of many muscle-specific genes, which is characteristic of the proliferative response. The long-term effects of these compensatory responses may lead to the development and progression of diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy, because of a single point mutation. This concept has engaged scientists to investigate human models to explore the molecular basis of hypertrophy or dilation of the myocardium.
Influence of in vivo administration of adrenocorticoids on metabolism of thymus, liver and tumor tissues.

SummaryIn cell suspensions of thymus or lymphatic tumor tissues from rats treated 4 to 24 hours previously with cortisone or hydrocortisone consistent decreases in C14O2 production and in incorporation of C14 into tissue protein were demonstrated whether incubations were conducted in the presence of uniformly labeled glucose or fructose, acetate-1-C14 or glycine-2-C14. Liver tissue exhibited increased in vitro accumulation of C14 into glycogen after hormone treatment. A variety of other metabolic pools showed no difference in total C14 accumulation or distribution resulting from hormone administration. Methods of analysis for a wide spectrum of metabolites from tissue incubates are outlined. Dinitrophenol, methylene blue, and brilliant cresyl blue increased the level of hepatic glycogen in rats when administered at the beginning of a 28-hour fast period. These increments are in addition to the increase caused by the cortical hormones and may represent a failure to utilize the glycogen during the fast.
Thrombus in hypoplastic aorta: An uncommon cause of acute myocardial infarction

A coronary artery embolism is an uncommon non-atherosclerotic cause of acute myocardial infarction. We present a case of coronary artery embolism in a patient with past history of hypoplastic left heart syndrome that was initially palliated via a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt followed by a Fontan anastomosis and Damus-Kaye-Stansel type anastomosis of the pulmonary valve to the ascending hypoplastic aorta. In this case we demonstrate usefulness of cardiac CT to delineate the patient's complex anatomy, identify the presence and etiology of a thromboembolic event, as well as assess for appropriate response to anticoagulation therapy.
The Calling of the Wild: Christian Tradition and Wilderness

Pervasive users of modern technologies express some unease about their technologically mediated being in the world. This anxiety has encouraged greater relation to the natural world, but given a Western obsession with mastery and domination, alternative ways of being in the world remain scarce. In the face of Western cultures which both fear nature and seek mastery over nature, Christian traditions can provide alternative voices which can recast the role of nature, indirectly celebrating a ‘rural’ way of life which works alongside nature without nostalgia. While Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theology provides several points of departure for a consideration of Christian dependence on the natural world, the biblical text itself highlights the potential of the wilderness for divine encounter. The desert mothers and fathers offer a third voice celebrating the rural life for its escape from distractions in the urban and secular ‘world’. These voices understand nature's existence as co-creation alongside human beings w...
[Study on the public health emergent events in Fujian province in 2004--2007].

Objeetive To study the public health emergent events(PHEE)in Fujian province，from 2004 to 2007.Methods Descriptive and analytic methods were Used to analyze the PHEE in Fujian province aecording to the internet.based surveillance reports.Results From 2004 to 2007.there were 304 emergency events being surveyed.Of all the events，there were 7(2.30％)belonged to serious-degree of grade II，57(18.75％)to gradeⅢand 240(78.95％)t0 gradeⅣ，but with no grade I.Results showed that the attack rate in affected population WaS 25.82‰.the mortality rate was 0.08‰and the fatalky rate Was 0.32％.The numbers of emergency events decreased 2.82％on average.each year.A total number of 169(55.60％)events occurred in schools with 71(23.36％)in the countryside.Numbers due to infectious disease-born Was 233(76.64％)including avian flu，cholera and dengue fever were predominant pathogens of the grade II and grade emergency events.57(18.75％)of the events was due to food poisoning.The epi.garph showed that there were two peaks.I.e.in Mar-Apr and Sep.contributed 43.1％to the total number of events.Conclusion Emergency events showed a stable decrease in FujJan province with communicable disease and food poisoning the two major sources and more commonly seen in schools and countryside.We suggest that the government and community pay more attention to the emergency events of avian flu,cholera and dengue fever. Key words: Surveillance; Public health emergency events; Distribution characteristic
Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of Midforceps Deliveries

The author critically evaluates the possible link between midforceps deliveries and subsequent neuropsychiatric impairment of the offspring.
Learning and Teaching Medicine

This chapter has two important messages: First of all, as Seneca wrote in the first century, we all learn when we teach. Later Joseph Lister reminded us that the best healer is always a student, always learning. But what is the best way to learn? In 1910 Abraham Flexner’s study changed American medical education, leading to the model we use today. Yet there are still controversies regarding how to teach our teachers and how to educate our students.
Chemical and Biological Evaluation of Aflatoxin After Treatment with Sodium Hypochlorite, Sodium Hydroxide and Ammonium Hydroxide.

Aflatoxin B1 was mixed with eleven concentrations of sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite and ammonium hydroxide. Aflatoxin was quantitated by fluorometric determination and toxicity of aflatoxin treated with NaOH and NH4OH was evaluated by the brine shrimp assay. Detoxified aflatoxin B1 was then screened for mutagenicity using the Salmonella /mammalian microsome mutagenicity test (Ames test). Sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite and ammonium hydroxide reduced fluorescence by 92, 96, and 94%, respectively, at concentrations of 25, 11, and 875 mg per 50 g. A high negative correlation was observed between decrease in fluorescence and increase in survival of brine shrimp (r = 0.88) for aflatoxin treated with NaOH and NH4OH. Equivalent amounts of aflatoxin B1 (0.05 μg) and aflatoxin B1+ detoxified B1 (0.05 μg + 0.05 μg, respectively) were not significantly different (P>0.05) in the number of revertants resulting in the Ames test. Therefore, aflatoxin B1 in the presence of detoxified aflatoxin did not increase in mutagenicity.
Chapter 28: Applications of Client Behavior: A Practitioner's Perspective

This chapter reviews various behavioral concepts and strategies to help clients avoid behavioral errors, with the result of increasing the probability of a successful plan design and implementation. The chapter discusses how the concepts introduced by research in behavioral finance have become integrated throughout Evensky & Katz/Foldes Financial’s practice. The chapter begins with framing for new clients, which is part of the firm’s approach to retirement planning called “anchoring on the efficient frontier.” Anchoring refers to the intersection of the client’s return requirement as determined by a capital needs analysis and the client’s risk tolerance. Framing is introduced as a powerful behavioral management tool for the practitioner. Behavioral finance lessons are integrated in the risk tolerance and return discussions, as well as the reporting process.
Architectural Decisions in e-Services Design

The design of e-services requires software architects to analyze many domain-specific requirements; the required architectural decisions recur. Many of them are motivated by cross-cutting concerns such as security, transactionality, and reliability. The decision making is driven by many forces; no single design fits all purposes. Some of these concerns can be expressed as model-and code-level aspects; others are better tackled by more conservative implementation practices. In this talk, we present architectural decision modeling as an emerging technique to transform such architectural knowledge from tacit, tribal knowledge into an explicit, manageable form. We present a three-step decision making framework, which supports the semi-automatic identification of decisions in requirements models and the injection of decisions into model and code aspects. We outline a reusable decision model for service-oriented architecture and e-services design, currently being harvested from completed projects. We conclude with a call to action for further research.
Applications of Coherent Optics to Experimental Mechanics

When the invention of the first laser was announced, it was immediately clear that all branches of science would be drastically affected by this new kind of light. However, at the beginning it was not also obvious that all facets of modern life would be so greatly influenced. Few could have anticipated the enormous impact on everything from long distance communications and recording devices to credit cards and cash registers, and the list goes on. Since lasers produce light, it was only natural that they be considered as potential sources of light for all optical instruments and optical methods.
From Studio Space and Makerspace to Workplace: Adapting Instruction and Outreach to Fit the Needs of Practitioners from Art to Engineering

This paper discusses the specialized instructional needs of creative practitioner communities and consequent tensions students of applied fields face related to their place in the academy. By drawing on the literature of workplace information behavior and exploring the multiple communities of practice that creative practitioners navigate, we suggest information literacy approaches that acknowledge and accommodate their unique needs. If librarians acknowledge an inherent multidisciplinarity, wide ranging use of sources, tacit knowledge, and information use in specialized creation spaces, they can teach information literacy skills that are transferable and meet workplace affordances and needs. This leads to information literacy instruction that resonates with students in these fields and positions them to better succeed in their chosen fields.