cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Language as a social problem: The repression of Spanish in south Texas

Abstract In this paper we examine schools’ ‘claims‐making activities’ of defining Spanish use by students as a social problem. Spector and Kitsuse's (1977) social problems framework is used to analyse data from the 1983 Language Opinion Survey conducted at Pan American University with a sample of college students. We focus on a qualitative analysis of the students’ open‐ended responses to the question of how the schools they attended prior to college reacted to their use of Spanish. The results indicate two major justifications for suppressing Spanish. One, the schools make a direct link between the students’ English assimilation and their economic as well as social mobility. Two, the schools assert that English is the public medium of discourse and Spanish should only be used in the private domain. We conclude that language is selected because it is a mutable characteristic, unlike skin colour, gender, religion or culture. Of all the distinctive attributes possessed by Mexican descendants, Spanish is not...
Exploiting Common Subexpressions for Cloud Query Processing

Many companies now routinely run massive data analysis jobs -- expressed in some scripting language -- on large clusters of low-end servers. Many analysis scripts are complex and contain common sub expressions, that is, intermediate results that are subsequently joined and aggregated in multiple different ways. Applying conventional optimization techniques to such scripts will produce plans that execute a common sub expression multiple times, once for each consumer, which is clearly wasteful. Moreover, different consumers may have different physical requirements on the result: one consumer may want it partitioned on a column A and another one partitioned on column B. To find a truly optimal plan, the optimizer must trade off such conflicting requirements in a cost-based manner. In this paper we show how to extend a Cascade-style optimizer to correctly optimize scripts containing common sub expression. The approach has been prototyped in SCOPE, Microsoft's system for massive data analysis. Experimental analysis of both simple and large real-world scripts shows that the extended optimizer produces plans with 21 to 57% lower estimated costs.
Immunotherapy for recurrent miscarriage.

Background Because immunological aberrations might be the cause of miscarriage in some women, several immunotherapies have been used to treat women with otherwise unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Objectives The objective of this review was to assess the effects of any immunotherapy, including paternal leukocyte immunization and intravenous immunoglobulin on the live birth rate in women with previous unexplained recurrent miscarriages. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (11 February 2014) and reference lists of retrieved studies. Selection criteria Randomized trials of immunotherapies used to treat women with three or more prior miscarriages and no more than one live birth after, in whom all recognized non-immunologic causes of recurrent miscarriage had been ruled out and no simultaneous treatment was given. Data collection and analysis The review author and the two co-authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality for all studies considered for this review. Main results Twenty trials of high quality were included. The various forms of immunotherapy did not show significant differences between treatment and control groups in terms of subsequent live births: paternal cell immunization (12 trials, 641 women), Peto odds ratio (Peto OR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89 to 1.70; third-party donor cell immunization (three trials, 156 women), Peto OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.68 to 2.82; trophoblast membrane infusion (one trial, 37 women), Peto OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.45; or intravenous immunoglobulin, (eight trials, 303 women), Peto OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.58. Authors' conclusions Paternal cell immunization, third-party donor leukocytes, trophoblast membranes, and intravenous immunoglobulin provide no significant beneficial effect over placebo in improving the live birth rate.
Thermal Management of a 15 kV/100 kVA Intelligent Universal Transformer

The thermal management of power electronics presents a significant challenge to thermal engineers due to high power loads coupled with small footprints. Inadequate thermal dissipation of these loads can lead to excessively high equipment temperatures and subsequent system failure. In this study, a unique power electronics-based transformer, called the intelligent universal transformer (IUT), is thermally analyzed using the computational fluid dynamics software ICEPAK. The objective of this work is to examine the use of a finned heat pipe array for the power electronics in the IUT. A design sensitivity study was performed to determine the effect of the number of fins attached to the heat pipe array, the number of heat pipes in the heat pipe array, and the fin material on the steady-state operating temperature of the power electronics. It was determined that a set of 33 copper fins attached to an array of 36 heat pipes on each side of the containment unit is sufficient for continuous operation of the power electronics. This analysis and thermal management solution will be applicable not only to this situation but also to other high density power electronics applications. DOI: 10.1115/1.4003608
Resolving Ambiguities of MVPA Using Explicit Models of Representation

We advocate a shift in emphasis within cognitive neuroscience from multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to the design and testing of explicit models of neural representation. With such models, it becomes possible to identify the specific representations encoded in patterns of brain activity and to map them across the brain.
Students' perspective on genomics: from sample to sequence using the case study of blueberry.

Advances in genomic sequencing technologies in the past decade have revolutionized the field of genomics, resulting in faster and less expensive sequencing. Holding back the potential for innovation, however, is a widespread lack of understanding of genomics and sequencing by the general public. In an attempt to remedy this problem, this paper presents an introduction to the fields of genomics, bioinformatics, and proteomics using the blueberry genome as a model case study of the plant genomics field. The blueberry (Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus) is often cited as a “super food” in the media due to its nutritional benefits and global economic importance. There have been a number of related genomic publications in the past 20 years; however, a completed genome and a full analysis into the health-related pathways are still needed. As exemplified by this blueberry case study, there are opportunities for future genomic research into numerous beneficial plant species. The solid background presented in this paper provides future researchers the foundation to explore these uncharted areas.
Electron-hole generation and recombination rates for Coulomb scattering in graphene

We calculate electron-hole generation and recombination rates for Coulomb scattering (Auger recombination and impact ionization) in zero band-gap graphene. The conduction and valence band dispersion relation in graphene together with energy and momentum conservation requirements restrict the phase space for Coulomb scattering so that electron-hole recombination times can be much longer than $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ps}$ for electron-hole densities smaller than ${10}^{12}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$.
Secondary Voltage Control: Enhancing power system voltage profile

In this paper, a basic overview of voltage control levels is provided with emphasis on secondary voltage control (SVC). The Brazilian simulations of implementing SVC are discussed to highlight the benefits of SVC. Also, some implementation issues are discussed.
Modal solution for the fields due to a magnetic source impressed in a circular cylinder

Analytic solutions have been developed to solve for the electromagnetic field due to a radiating aperture on the surface of canonical shapes, such as, infinite circular cylinder, spheres, and prolate spheroids. The solutions were expressed in terms of infinite Fourier series of the form SigmaCm cos(mphi), with Cm as a function of the radius, rho. These solutions were based on harmonic series using integer order Bessel functions. This series is poorly convergent for large arguments of the Bessel functions (when ka Gt 1). Watson [1] developed a method for large values of ka, where he transformed the poor converging harmonic series into a contour integral, deforming its integration path for capturing individual terms called residues of the poles. For the pattern of a slotted cylinder antenna, the residue series proposed by Watson is highly convergent in the direction away from the slot; known as the shadow region. Even though, better results were obtained for the region forward to the slot, or the illuminated region, when using physical and geometrical optics. Watson assumed that there are no surface currents in the shadow region and also approximated the induced current in the illuminated region by the current that would be induced on the local tangent plane. While good results were obtained at the illuminated region, incorrect results were obtained from the shadow and the transition regions. Keller developed the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD) [2] with the assumption that fields propagate along rays, this theory includes the effects of diffraction which are not considered in the geometrical optics. An extension in the GTD was made by Pathak et al. [3] called Uniform GTD (UTD). This method introduces a new dyadic torsion factor term [3], that improves the solution in the transition region including the boundary with the shadow region, where the GTD failed, and reduces to the geometric optics solution in the lit or illuminated region.
Environmental effects on the assessment of people with dementia: a pilot study.

METHODS. Twelve participants (6 males, 6 females), diagnosed with dementia, were given the Structured Assessment of Independent Living Skills (SAILS), a standardized assessment of functional motor, cognitive, instrumental, and social performance. Participants were assessed in their homes, in an adult day-services facility they regularly attended, and in an occupational therapy clinic. RESULTS. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was no evidence of a learning effect from repeated assessments. Participants’ performances did not differ among the home, clinic, and adult day-services settings on the total SAILS score (F = 1.22; df = 2,20; p = 0.3176), nor on three of its subscales: cognitive score (F = 0.80; df = 2,20; p = 0.4648), instrumental activities (F = 1.37; df = 2,20; p = 0.2777), and social interaction (F = 0.34; df = 2,20; p = 0.7147). However, participants’ performance on the SAILS motor score was significantly higher in the home than in the clinic (t = 2.925, df = 11, p = 0.0138). CONCLUSION. Participants’ motor performance was significantly better at home than in an unfamiliar environment. Effects of environment on motor performance, and absence of effects on cognitive, instrumental, and social performances, can be explained through ecological theory. These results suggest that the ability to adapt movement to an unfamiliar environment may decline with the onset and progression of dementia.
Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide modulators and other current treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common, progressive neurological disorder whose incidence is reaching epidemic proportions. The prevailing “amyloid cascade hypothesis,” which maintains that the aberrant proteolysis of beta-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP) into neurotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides is central to the etiopathology of AD, continues to dominate pharmacological approaches to the clinical management of this insidious disorder. This review is a compilation and update on current pharmacological strategies designed to down-regulate Aβ42 peptide generation in an effort to ameliorate the tragedy of AD. Areas covered: This review utilized online data searches at various open online-access websites including the Alzheimer Association, Alzheimer Research Forum; individual drug company databases; the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medline; Pharmaprojects database; Scopus; inter-University research communications; and unpublished research data. Expert opinion: Anti-acetylcholinesterase-,...
Elevated thyroid stimulating hormone is associated with elevated cortisol in healthy young men and women

Background: Recent attention has been given to subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as an elevation of TSH (4.5-10 uIU/L) with T4 and T3 levels still within the normal range. Controversy exists about the proper lower limit of TSH that defines patients in the subclinical hypothyroidism range and about if/when subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated. Additional data are needed to examine the relationship between markers of thyroid function in the subclinical hypothyroidism range, biomarkers of health and ultimately health outcomes. Objective: We aimed to assess the relationship between serum TSH levels in the 0.5-10 uIU/L range and serum cortisol in a cohort of healthy young men and women without clinical evidence of hypothyroidism. Based on data in frank hypothyroidism, we hypothesized that serum TSH levels would be positively correlated with serum cortisol levels, suggesting derangement of the cortisol axis even in subclinical hypothyroidism. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study in 54 healthy, young (mean 20.98 +/− 0.37 yrs) men (19) and women (35). Lab sessions took place at 1300 hrs where blood was drawn via indwelling catheter for later assessment of basal serum TSH, free T3, free T4, and cortisol levels. Results: All but 1 participant had free T3 levels within the normal reference intervals; free T4 levels for all participants were within the normal reference intervals. Linear regression modeling revealed that TSH levels in the 0.5-10 uIU/L were significantly and positively correlated with cortisol levels. This positive TSH-cortisol relationship was maintained below the accepted 4.5 uIU/L subclinical hypothyroid cutoff. Separate regression analyses conducted by systematically dropping the TSH cutoff by 0.50 uIU/L revealed that the TSH-cortisol relationship was maintained for TSH levels (uIU/L) ≤4.0, ≤3.5, ≤3.0, and ≤2.5 but not ≤2.0. Linear regression modeling did not reveal a relationship between free T3 or free T4 levels and cortisol levels. Conclusions: Results suggest a positive relationship between TSH and cortisol in apparently healthy young individuals. In as much as this relationship may herald a pathologic disorder, these preliminary results suggest that TSH levels > 2.0 uIU/L may be abnormal. Future research should address this hypothesis further, for instance through an intervention study.
Robustness of a semi-parametric proportional intensity model

The Prentice, Williams, Peterson (PWP) semiparametric model for the failure processes of repairable systems involves regression on explanatory variables across strata defined by the failure-event count. A heuristic method is developed for assessing the robustness of the PWP model, where the true underlying process is nonhomogeneous Poisson with power-law intensity function. The PWP model performed well for large samples and increasing rates of occurrence of failures and poorly for small samples and decreasing rates of occurrence of failures. >
Inhibition of Topoisomerase IIα Expression by Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Is Abrogated by the Papillomavirus E7 Protein

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) protects normal cells from etoposide-induced cell death, yet the mechanism has remained speculative. Studies have shown that etoposide modifies the activity of the topoisomerase IIalpha (topo IIalpha) enzyme, thereby causing DNA damage and inducing cell death. Expression of topo IIalpha is necessary for etoposide-induced cell death, and peak expression of topo IIalpha normally occurs during the G2 phase of the cell cycle. We predicted that by arresting growth in the G1 phase, TGF-beta1 would prevent the induction of topo IIalpha expression that normally occurs subsequent to the G1-S transition, thereby protecting cells from etoposide-induced cell death. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the inhibition of topo IIalpha expression by TGF-beta1 would be dependent on the ability of TGF-beta1 to arrest cell cycle progression in G1. Using mink lung epithelial cells (MvlLu), we found that TGF-beta1 decreases topo IIalpha mRNA expression, and the decrease occurs as cells begin to accumulate in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Topo IIalpha protein expression decreases subsequent to the fall in mRNA expression. In contrast, topo IIalpha expression is not affected by TGF-beta1 in cells that fail to undergo G1 arrest because of inactivation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRb) by the papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein. Our studies suggest that inhibition of topo IIalpha by TGF-beta1 is the principal mechanism that protects mink lung epithelial cells (Mv1Lu) from etoposide-induced toxicity. Furthermore, the inhibition of topo IIalpha protein expression by TGF-beta1 is dependent on pRb-mediated cell cycle arrest, suggesting that TGF-beta1 will not reduce the sensitivity of pRb-deficient cancers to etoposide.
Biphasic finite element model of solute transport for direct infusion into nervous tissue.

Infusion-based techniques are promising drug delivery methods for treating diseases of the nervous system. Direct infusion into tissue parenchyma circumvents the blood–brain barrier, localizes delivery, and facilitates transport of macromolecular agents. Computational models that predict interstitial flow and solute transport may aid in protocol design and optimization. We have developed a biphasic finite element (FE) model that accounts for local, flow-induced tissue swelling around an infusion cavity. It solves for interstitial fluid flow, tissue deformation, and solute transport in surrounding isotropic gray matter. FE solutions for pressure-controlled infusion were validated by comparing with analytical solutions. The influence of deformation-dependent hydraulic permeability was considered. A transient, nonlinear relationship between infusion pressure and infusion rate was determined. The sensitivity of convection-dominated solute transport (i.e., albumin) over a range of nervous tissue properties was also simulated. Solute transport was found to be sensitive to pressure-induced swelling effects mainly in regions adjacent to the infusion cavity (r/a 0 ≤ 5 where a 0 is the outer cannula radius) for short times infusion simulated (3 min). Overall, the biphasic approach predicted enhanced macromolecular transport for small volume infusions (e.g., 2 μL over 1 h). Solute transport was enhanced by decreasing Young’s modulus and increasing hydraulic permeability of the tissue.
Dominant Sequences of Human Major Histocompatibility Complex Conserved Extended Haplotypes from HLA-DQA2 to DAXX

We resequenced and phased 27 kb of DNA within 580 kb of the MHC class II region in 158 population chromosomes, most of which were conserved extended haplotypes (CEHs) of European descent or contained their centromeric fragments. We determined the single nucleotide polymorphism and deletion-insertion polymorphism alleles of the dominant sequences from HLA-DQA2 to DAXX for these CEHs. Nine of 13 CEHs remained sufficiently intact to possess a dominant sequence extending at least to DAXX, 230 kb centromeric to HLA-DPB1. We identified the regions centromeric to HLA-DQB1 within which single instances of eight “common” European MHC haplotypes previously sequenced by the MHC Haplotype Project (MHP) were representative of those dominant CEH sequences. Only two MHP haplotypes had a dominant CEH sequence throughout the centromeric and extended class II region and one MHP haplotype did not represent a known European CEH anywhere in the region. We identified the centromeric recombination transition points of other MHP sequences from CEH representation to non-representation. Several CEH pairs or groups shared sequence identity in small blocks but had significantly different (although still conserved for each separate CEH) sequences in surrounding regions. These patterns partly explain strong calculated linkage disequilibrium over only short (tens to hundreds of kilobases) distances in the context of a finite number of observed megabase-length CEHs comprising half a population's haplotypes. Our results provide a clearer picture of European CEH class II allelic structure and population haplotype architecture, improved regional CEH markers, and raise questions concerning regional recombination hotspots.
Determinants of the circulatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia

Abstract 1. 1. Mechanisms responsible for circulatory changes in hypoxia and hypercapnia have been studied with an “aperiodic” ballistocardiograph, teeterboard, and ancillary techniques. The results emphasize the necessity for measuring cardiac function in evaluating the effects of drugs or autonomic discharges, for both the vasomotor center and chemoreceptors altered ventricular contractility as well as vasomotor tone. 2. 2. In man, no significant change in thoracic blood volume was demonstrable in response to 10 per cent O2 or 6 per cent CO2. 3. 3. Contractility increased on 10 per cent O2 but decreased steadily when reflex compensation was prevented by spinal transection. Peripheral chemoreceptors constituted the afferent limb and epinephrine the chief effector of this reflex. Cardiac depression occurred on return to 100 per cent O2 and may be important in the circulatory collapse which sometimes follows abrupt reoxygenation in man. Neither adrenalectomy nor adrenergic “blockade” prevented the positive inotropic response to hypoxia, and hexamethonium paradoxically sensitized the heart to epinephrine. The significance of these observations is discussed. 4. 4. In cats, an epinephrine discharge occurred regularly with inspired CO2 concentrations in excess of 15 per cent in O2, and in dogs epinephrine was demonstrable in venous blood at peak ballistic response to 30 per cent CO2. Though mild hypercapnia (6 per cent) increased ballistic amplitude in both dog and man, severe hypercapnia (15 to 30 per cent) markedly depressed the heart until reflex epinephrine discharge restored contractility toward normal. Chemoreceptors were not uniformly necessary, but adaptation seemed facilitated by their presence. 5. 5. Circulatory performance in hypoxia and hypercapnia represents the resultant of direct cardiac depressant effects and opposing reflexly mediated alterations in contractility and vascular tone.
Insensitivity of the Chicken Embryo to-the Ototoxicity of Aminoglycoside Antibiotics and a Loop Diuretic*)

Guinea pigs are routinely used in the histological evaluation of the cochlea as a method of testing for ototoxicity, but the procedures are very time-consuming. Because the avian cochlea is easier to examine and newly hatched chicks are sensitive to the ototoxic effects of gentamicin, birds may be useful in testing for ototoxicity. The use of chicken embryos would be even better for testing, but whether or not chicken embryos are sensitive to ototoxicants is unknown. In an attempt to determine whether or not chicken embryos may be used instead ofguinea pigs in screening tests for ototoxicity, aminoglycoside antibiotics and a loop diuretic, ethacrynic acid, were administered to chicken embryos. A maximum-tolerated dose of gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, ethacrynic acid, or a combination of gentamicin and ethacrynic acid was administered to fertile eggs of White Leghorn chickens on incubation days 10-17. To compare the effect of route ofexposure on ototoxicity, gentamicin was administered by injection into the allantoic space, yolk sac, and air cell as well as by submerging the egg in gentamicin solution. With the preferred air cell route the effects of the ototoxic drugs kanamycin, streptomycin, ethacrynic acid, and a combination of ethacrynic acid and gentamicin were compared. On incubation day 18, cochleas were removed from the chicken embryos. Serial sections of these avian cochleas were examined and hair cells were counted. No significant difference was seen between the number of hair cells in cochleas ofcontrol chicken embryos and those from chicken embryos treated with drugs. Therefore, the chicken embryo appears to be insensitive to the ototoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics and a loop diuretic.
Successful long-term management of choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks in a patient with pseudoxanthoma elasticum: a case report

We describe the long-term effectiveness and tolerability of intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor ranibizumab in a patient with pseudoxanthoma elasticum with bilateral macular choroidal neovascularization secondary to angioid streaks. A 54-year-old Caucasian man with history of heart disease presented with visual loss in his right eye. An examination revealed choroidal neovascularization and reduced visual acuity, while no abnormalities were seen in his left eye. He was diagnosed with angioid streaks associated with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Off-label treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab once a month initiated in December 2007 was discontinued after 3 months due to lack of efficacy. In September 2008, the patient reported reduced visual acuity in his left eye and an examination revealed changes. Left eye treatment was initiated in October 2008 with a loading dose (three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab 0.5mg/50μL) followed by 0.5mg/50μL followed by treatment as needed until May 2014. After 21 ranibizumab injections, an examination revealed angioid streaks and choroidal neovascularization in both eyes. His right eye showed retinal layer deterioration with outer limiting membrane and photoreceptor inner/outer segment junction involvement. His left eye had a smaller foveal scar, with other areas preserved. Visual acuity was stable in his treated left eye, but had deteriorated in his right eye. Ranibizumab treatment was well tolerated with no adverse events reported. In the present case, an as-needed regimen of ranibizumab after an initial loading dose, achieved maintenance of visual function and was well tolerated over a period of almost 6 years in a patient with pseudoxanthoma elasticum and high cardiovascular risk. As anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents are associated with increased risk of systemic effects, particularly arterial thromboembolic events, following intravenous administration, the absence of serious thromboembolic or cardiovascular adverse events throughout the 6-year treatment period is particularly encouraging considering our patient’s high cardiovascular risk status.
A simulation-based method for aggregating Markov chains

This paper addresses model reduction for a Markov chain on a large state space. A simulation-based framework is introduced to perform state aggregation of the Markov chain based on observations of a single sample path.
Seismic Design by Plastic Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to briefly illustrate the role of plastic analysis in seismic design of structures. Two examples of the application of plastic design are presented here. In the first example, an existing steel frame designed by elastic method is completely redesigned by using plastic analysis, whereas, in the second example the methodology is applied for the purpose of modifying behavior of the example steel moment frame to form desired yield mechanism. The static and dynamic response results of the modified structure as well as those of the plastic designed frame are compared with those of the original structure designed by conventional elastic method.
Adaptive Wireless Communications: Wireless communications fundamentals

Communication stack For convenience in design, the operations of radios are often broken into a number of functional layers. The standard version of this stack is referred to as the open systems interconnection (OSI) model [291], as seen in Figure 4.1. The model has two groups of layers: host and media. The host layers are the application, presentation, session, and transport layers. The media layers are the network, data-link, and physical layers. In many radio systems, some of these layers are trivial or the division between the layers may be blurred. The OSI stack is commonly interpreted in terms of wired networks such as the internet. Depending upon the details of an implementation, various tasks may occupy different layers. Nonetheless, the OSI layered architecture is useful as a common reference for discussing radios. In this text, the media layers are of principal importance. The network layer indicates how data are routed from an information source to a sink node, as seen in Figure 4.2. In the case of a network with two nodes, this routing is trivial. In the case of an ad hoc wireless network, the routing may be both complicated and time varying. The network layer may break a data sequence at the source node into smaller blocks and then reassemble the data sequence at the sink node. It also may provide notification of errors to the transport layer.
The SECCHI experiment on STEREO

The Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) developed for the NASA Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) mission is a suite of optical telescopes that will, for the first time, observe the entire inner heliosphere from the solar surface out to the vicinity of Earth from twin spacecraft. SECCHI was developed by an international consortium led by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The primary objective of the STEREO mission is to understand the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) phenomenon, discovered in 1971, and most recently extensively observed by the NASA/ESA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The SECCHI telescope suite is returning unprecedented views of the Sun and inner heliosphere. The SECCHI instruments on each of the two STEREO spacecraft observe CMEs from their initiation, through the corona, and into interplanetary space beyond the Earth's orbit. We present an overview of the development and early operations of the SECCHI experiment.
Economic performance and presidential vote for Obama: the underappreciated influence of race

National economic conditions have a considerable influence on the outcomes of presidential elections. Studies have consistently found that there is a strong relationship between annual real disposable income and the vote of the president's party. Based on historical economic performance models, the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections went largely the way they was supposed to, with a generic Democrat being expected to win under the country's economic conditions in those years (as a challenger to the party controlling the White House in 2008 and as the incumbent party in 2012). On the face of it, therefore, models that predict incumbent vote share based on the country's economic performance seemed to be as accurate as ever, giving credence to those who argue that economic performance is critical in determining a presidential candidate's success or failure. These traditional economic performance models, however, fail to accurately account for the role of race in the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns. A n...
The Return of the Ring

In 1996, the United States Congress began its imposition of a marital solution to poverty when it enacted the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act ("PRWORA"). Nearly ten years later, Congress has strengthened its commitment to marriage as a cure for welfare dependency with proposals such as the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2005. If passed, this bill would provide 1.5 billion dollars for pro-marriage programs and require each state to explain how its welfare program will encourage marriage for single mothers who receive public aid. With these proposals, Congress has continued to construct poverty as a private rather than public problem. These programs, designed to move poor individuals into the husband-wife, normatively heterosexual dyad, are part of a long-term plan for privatizing economic responsibility for children in impoverished households. This Article situates recent welfare debates concerning the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families ("TANF") program, in particular those debates concerning the proposal of the "marriage cure," within a post-colonial context and examines, both historically and currently, how the law of marriage has been used in the United States as a tool for "civilizing" outsiders. Part I analyzes how marriage laws were used in the post-bellum period as a means of minimizing states' economic responsibility to provide for newly-emancipated Blacks, especially former slave children. Part II scrutinizes the racialization of welfare recipients in the United States in recent history and dissects current and proposed TANF marriage-promotion provisions to reveal how marriage and law are again being operated as tools for domesticating welfare queens. Finally, this Article concludes by exploring alternatives to this proposed marriage cure to poverty.
Epigenetics: an accessible mechanism through which to track and respond to an obesogenic environment.

Obesity and its consequences impact everyone. Obesity occurs because of an interaction between an obesogenic environment and genetics. In order to confront obesity, we must understand the contribution of each of these components. Environmental influences on obesity include our extrinsic environment, such as food deserts, as well as our intrinsic environment, like perinatal exposures. Epigenetics provides a biological mechanism to reveal the accumulation of extrinsic and intrinsic environmental exposures from fetal life to adulthood. Human and animal studies demonstrate changes in epigenetic modifications which are associated with an obesogenic environment. Furthermore, evidence exists in humans and animal models that suggest environmental epigenetics may serve as a biomarker or a target for intervention. To successfully target obesity, we must intervene on an environmental as well as genetic level. Combating food deserts for example will help to change the extrinsic environment, while targeting epigenetic...
IN-HOSPITAL RESOURCE UTILIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING IN PATIENTS WITH CONTINUOUS FLOW-LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is reported in up to 30% of patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). We hypothesized that episodes of GIB in patients with LVAD are associated with significant in-hospital resource utilization and that investigations are often unrevealing
Effects of Controlled Root Temperatures on the Growth of East Malling Rootstocks in Water Culture

(1956). Effects of Controlled Root Temperatures on the Growth of East Malling Rootstocks in Water Culture. Journal of Horticultural Science: Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 55-63.
Staurosporine inhibits phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate- and insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporters in rat adipose cells.

Staurosporine, a widely used protein kinase C inhibitor, completely inhibited both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)- and insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity in isolated rat adipocytes. The inhibition was non-competitive and was attributed to a blockade of the PMA- and insulin-induced translocation of both GLUT1 and GLUT4 glucose transporters. The PMA-stimulated glucose transport activity was more sensitive to inhibition by staurosporine than was insulin-stimulated transport activity (PMA, IC50 = 1.1 +/- 0.1 microM; insulin, IC50 = 6.4 +/- 0.7 microM; P < 0.05, n = 3). At 1 microM staurosporine the insulin-sensitivity was decreased, i.e. EC50 increased from 0.12 nM to 5.4 nM, but the maximum response to insulin and the time course for stimulation were unaffected. At 6 microM staurosporine the insulin-sensitivity was further decreased, the maximal stimulation was decreased by 25%, and the apparent half-time for stimulation was extended from 2.5 min in control cells to 9.4 min. Staurosporine (30 microM) was able to block insulin's ability to stimulate glucose transport, whether added before or after insulin, by a mechanism that did not alter the rate of GLUT4 internalization. In intact adipose cells, staurosporine (30 microM) induced a slight (30%) decrease in the maximal insulin-induced receptor autophosphorylation and a similar decrease in the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp60 and pp160 (insulin-receptor substrate-1: 'IRS-1'), but was without effect on insulin binding to its receptor. Conversely, staurosporine induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the constitutively tyrosine-phosphorylated (pp120) protein and of an insulin-stimulated protein pp53 in the cytosol. The locus of staurosporine's action appears to be distal from the initial insulin-receptor signalling, at a step that regulates the specific translocation of the glucose transporters to the plasma membranes.
New Drop Fluidics Enabled by Magnetic-Field-Mediated Elastocapillary Transduction.

This research introduces a new drop fluidics that uses a deformable and stretchable elastomeric film as the platform instead of the commonly used rigid supports. Such a soft film impregnated with magnetic particles can be modulated with an external electromagnetic field that produces a vast array of topographical landscapes with varying surface curvature, which, in conjunction with capillarity, can direct and control the motion of water droplets efficiently and accurately. When a thin layer of oil is present on this film that is deformed locally, a centrosymmetric wedge is formed. A water droplet placed on this oil-laden film becomes asymmetrically deformed, thus producing a gradient of Laplace pressure within the droplet and setting it in motion. A simple theory is presented that accounts for the droplet speed in terms of such geometric variables as the volume of the droplet and the thickness of the oil film covering the soft elastomeric film as well as material variables such as the viscosity of the oil...
Representation of the ‘Two-Headed Doctor’ In African American Fiction: Tricksterism, Duality and Comparative Worldviews in Charles Chesnutt’s The Conjure Woman

(2007). Representation of the ‘Two-Headed Doctor’ In African American Fiction: Tricksterism, Duality and Comparative Worldviews in Charles Chesnutt’s The Conjure Woman. Journal of the African Literature Association: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 48-59.
In What Array That They They Were In and Participating Godlike Food

I am submitting two manuscripts for my creative dissertation, In What Array That They Were In and Participating Godlike Food. The former is a sequence of odes followed by a brief epic, followed by a cycle of verse dramas, with an ode epilogue. The latter is a book-length excerpt from an epic poem/crime novel/Menippean satire/television show/ Dada collage/historical document/vatic investigation that comes in 20 page sections that are supposed to approximate the 42 minutes of an average crime show.
Multiple calmodulin genes in fish.

In mammals, identical calmodulin (CaM) proteins are encoded by three nonallelic genes that differ in their promoter regions and untranslated regions (UTRs). The UTRs of each of these three genes are specific for each gene and are highly conserved. In this study, sequences obtained from the GenBank and EST databases and sequencing were examined for several species of fish to ascertain whether this multi-gene one protein system exhibited in mammals extends to other vertebrates. Three genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) designated α, β, and γwere identified. As in mammals, these genes differ in the 3′-UTR region but encode completely identical CaMs. PCR primers spanning the coding and the 3′-UTR regions were designed based on the assembled sequences and used to confirm the presence of each gene in the cDNA library. Other species of fish were also found to contain homologous genes that were closely related as indicated by phylogenetic analysis. The 3′-UTR of the α, βand particularly the γCaM gene of fish were not found to be as conserved as the corresponding genes of mammalian species possibly due to the span of evolutionary time. Only a few short elements in the 3′-UTR were observed to be similar in fish and mammals. These short regions of identity are shared primarily between the mammalian CaM II and CaM I and the αgene and βgene of fish, respectively. Thus, the multi-gene one protein system occurs among fish as well as among mammals.
Enhanced anti-windup compensation for the dual stage hard disk drive systems with amplitude saturation

Enhanced anti-windup (AW) schemes are designed for the dual stage hard disk drive (HDD) system to solve the amplitude saturation problem of the secondary actuator. The sensitivity decoupling approach is used for designing the nominal linear controllers for the dual stage HDD systems. The AW compensators for the system are synthesized by solving a linear matrix inequality optimization. The AW scheme is further enhanced with a filter, which can be designed by the robust control methodologies. The proposed schemes and an existing AW scheme are evaluated and compared by simulation on a dual stage HDD benchmark control problem with white noise vibration disturbance.
Parallel Molecular-Dynamics Simulations of Amorphous Materials

Using multiresolution algorithms, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed on parallel machines to investigate structural correlations in porous silica. Under uniform dilation, the system develops micropores which coalesce and cause fracture as a result of percolation of the largest pore. A non-equilibrium MD approach is used to calculate thermal transport in high-temperature amorphous silicon nitride. With an increase in the density, ρ, of the system, thermal conductivity scales as ρ1.5.Similar scaling has been observed experimentally in carbon and silica aerogels.
Role of CD44 in Endogenous Kras G12D-mediated Myeloproliferative Neoplasm

Abstract 1398 Abstract Oncogenic KRAS mutations are identified in virtually all the cancer types, making KRAS one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancers. Our lab established a mouse model of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) initiated by oncogenic Kras mutation (Kras G12D) expressed from its endogenous locus. Because CD44, a cell adhesion molecule and a cell signaling regulator, was found to involve in regulating leukemic stem cells in chronic myeloid leukemia (Krause, Lazarides et al. 2006) and acute myeloid leukemia (Jin, Hope et al. 2006), we have generated compound mice expressing oncogenic Kras but deficient for CD44 (Kras G12D; CD44 −/− ) to examine the role of CD44 in endogenous oncogenic Kras - mediated MPN. Our preliminary data show that loss of CD44 prolonged survival of compound Kras G12D; CD44 −/− mice and greatly downregulated GM-CSF signaling in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. However, CD44 deficiency did not significantly affect the development of MPN, suggesting that GM-CSF signaling is not essential for Kras G12D-initiated MPN and CD44 deficiency might not affect other cytokine signaling. We are currently investigating this issue. Because Kras G12D hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are required to initiate MPN phenotypes, we then examined whether loss of CD44 would affect the behavior of Kras G12D HSCs. Our preliminary results demonstrate that CD44 deficiency did not significantly alter HSC frequencies in bone marrow and spleen, nor their cell cycle profile and apoptosis status. When Kras G12D; CD44 −/− bone marrow cells were transplanted into lethally irradiated mice by retro-orbital injection, ∼19% of recipient mice developed MPN, similarly to recipient mice transplanted with same number of Kras G12D cells (∼14%). These MPN mice simultaneously developed acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. Our results suggest that CD44 is dispensable for the homing and engraftment of Kras G12D HSCs. We are currently investigating whether CD44 function is essential for the homing and engraftment of leukemic initiating cells of MPN. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Surface Antigens of Immunocompetent Cells

It is now well established that in the mouse, at least in the humoral immune response to the “thymus-dependent” antigens, a synergistic cooperation between thymus-derived, “T-cells” and bone marrow, but not thymus-derived, “B-cells” takes place (1,2). This cooperation can be shown in the primary response to sheep erythrocytes, and in the secondary response to hapten-conjugates, where the T-cells represent the so called “carrier-sensitive” cells, and memory against the two different components of the immunogenic molecule, the hapten and the carrier, appears to be represented in the B- and T-cells respectively (2–6). Surface antigens peculiar to the T-cells, primarily the theta antigen (7–9), are very useful in the analysis of cooperation between B- and T-cells in primary (10–12) and secondary responses (11,13). An equally useful marker for the B-cells is still lacking, although it seems reasonable to conclude from a variety of observations (14,18) that a high degree of reactivity of the cell surface with antisera to immunoglobulins characterizes a large proportion of these cells and that many if not all B-cells have a complement receptor on their surface (19).
Unboxing cluster heatmaps.

Cluster heatmaps are commonly used in biology and related fields to reveal hierarchical clusters in data matrices. This visualization technique has high data density and reveal clusters better than unordered heatmaps alone. However, cluster heatmaps have known issues making them both time consuming to use and prone to error. We hypothesize that visualization techniques without the rigid grid constraint of cluster heatmaps will perform better at clustering-related tasks. We developed an approach to “unbox” the heatmap values and embed them directly in the hierarchical clustering results, allowing us to use standard hierarchical visualization techniques as alternatives to cluster heatmaps. We then tested our hypothesis by conducting a survey of 45 practitioners to determine how cluster heatmaps are used, prototyping alternatives to cluster heatmaps using pair analytics with a computational biologist, and evaluating those alternatives with hour-long interviews of 5 practitioners and an Amazon Mechanical Turk user study with approximately 200 participants. We found statistically significant performance differences for most clustering-related tasks, and in the number of perceived visual clusters. Visit git.io/vw0t3 for our results. The optimal technique varied by task. However, gapmaps were preferred by the interviewed practitioners and outperformed or performed as well as cluster heatmaps for clustering-related tasks. Gapmaps are similar to cluster heatmaps, but relax the heatmap grid constraints by introducing gaps between rows and/or columns that are not closely clustered. Based on these results, we recommend users adopt gapmaps as an alternative to cluster heatmaps.