cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) Monthly Erosivity Index from Readily Available Rainfall Data in Mediterranean Area

Seasonal rainerosivity is important in the structure and dynamics of Mediterranean ecosystems. The present paper contributes to the quantitative assessment of RUSLE's monthly erosion index in a data-scarce Mediterranean region. Therefore, a regionalized relationship for estimating monthly erosion index (EI30-month) from only three rainfall parameters has been obtained. Knowledge of the seasonal and annual distribution of erosivity index, permit soil and water conservationists to make improved designs for erosion control, water harvesting or small hydraulic structures. Although a few long data sets were used in the analysis, validation with established monthly erosivity index values from other Italian locations, suggest that the model presented (r2 = 0.973) is robust. It is recommended to monthly erosivity estimates when experimental data-scarce rainfall become available.
Changes in posture through the use of simple inclines with notebook computers placed on a standard desk

This study evaluated the use of simple inclines as a portable peripheral for improving head and neck postures during notebook computer use on tables in portable environments such as hotel rooms, cafes, and airport lounges. A 3D motion analysis system measured head, neck and right upper extremity postures of 15 participants as they completed a 10 min computer task in six different configurations, all on a fixed height desk: no-incline, 12° incline, 25° incline, no-incline with external mouse, 25° incline with an external mouse, and a commercially available riser with external mouse and keyboard. After completion of the task, subjects rated the configuration for comfort and ease of use and indicated perceived discomfort in several body segments. Compared to the no-incline configuration, use of the 12° incline reduced forward head tilt and neck flexion while increasing wrist extension. The 25° incline further reduced head tilt and neck flexion while further increasing wrist extension. The 25° incline received the lowest comfort and ease of use ratings and the highest perceived discomfort score. For portable, temporary computing environments where internal input devices are used, users may find improved head and neck postures with acceptable wrist extension postures with the utilization of a 12° incline.
Purification of NAD-Dependent Mannitol Dehydrogenase from Celery Suspension Cultures

Mannitol dehydrogenase, a mannitol:mannose 1-oxidoreductase, constitutes the first enzymatic step in the catabolism of mannitol in nonphotosynthetic tissues of celery (Apium graveolens L.). Endogenous regulation on the enzyme activity in response to environmental cues is critical in modulating tissue concentration of mannitol, which, importantly, contribute to stress tolerance of celery. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity from celery suspension cultures grown on D-mannitol as the carbon source. Mannitol dehydrogenase was purified 589-fold to a specific activity of 365 mumol h-1 mg-1 protein with a 37% yield of enzyme activity present in the crude extract. A highly efficient and simple purification protocol was developed involving polyethylene glycol fractionation, diethylaminoethyl-anion-exchange chromatography, and NAD-agarose affinity chromatography using NAD gradient elution. Sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis of the final preparation revealed a single 40-kD protein. The molecular mass of the native protein was determined to be approximately 43 kD, indicating that the enzyme is a monomer. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the enzyme inhibited enzymatic activity of purified mannitol dehydrogenase. Immunoblots of crude protein extracts from mannitol-grown celery cells and sink tissues of celery, celeriac, and parsley subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis showed a single major immuno-reactive 40-kD protein.
Biological characterization and complete genomic sequence of Apium virus Y infecting celery.

Abstract A celery isolate of Apium virus Y (ApVY-Ce) from diseased plants in a commercial field in California was characterized. The experimental host range of the virus included 13 plant species in the families Apiaceae , Chenopodiaceae and Solanaceae . Almost all infected plant species showed foliar chlorosis and distortion or severe stunting and systemic chlorosis. ApVY-Ce was transmitted to all 10 host species in the Apiaceae by green peach aphids. It reacted with the potyvirus group antibody and Celery mosaic virus (CeMV) antiserum. The complete genomic sequence of ApVY-Ce was determined to be 9917 nucleotides, excluding the 3′ poly(A) tail, and it comprises a large open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 3184 amino acid residues. Its genomic organization is typical of potyviruses, and contains conserved motifs found in the genus Potyvirus . Comparisons with available genomic sequences of other potyviruses indicate that ApVY-Ce shares 26.1–52.9% identities with species of the existing genera and unassigned viruses in the Potyviridae at the polyprotein sequence level. Extensive phylogenetic analysis based on the 3′-partial sequences confirms that ApVY-Ce is most closely related to CeMV and is a distinct species of the genus Potyvirus .
The measurable cost of complications for outpatient cosmetic surgery in patients with mental health diagnoses.

Background: Mental health conditions, including psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses, have been associated with poor postoperative outcomes, but no studies have quantified the relationship to date. Objective: The authors examine the association between mental health conditions and immediate postoperative outcomes as defined by further hospital-based acute care within 30 days of surgery. Methods: California State Ambulatory Surgery, Inpatient, and Emergency Department Databases were used to identify all adult patients undergoing outpatient cosmetic plastic surgery between January 2007 and October 2011. Patients were subgrouped by the presence of mental health or substance abuse conditions. Primary outcome was the need for hospital-based acute care (admission or emergency department visit) within 30 days after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models compared outcomes between groups. Results: Of 116 597 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 3.9% and 1.4% had either a psychiatric or substance abuse diagnosis, respectively. Adjusting for medical comorbidities, patients with psychiatric disorders more frequently required hospital-based acute care within 30 days postoperatively than those without mental illness diagnoses (11.1% vs 3.6%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.78 [95% confidence interval, 1.59–1.99]). This was true both for hospital admissions (3.5% vs 1.1%; AOR, 1.61 [1.32–1.95]) and emergency department visits (8.8% vs 2.7%; AOR, 1.88 [1.66–2.14]). The most common acute diagnoses were surgical in nature, including postoperative infection, hemorrhage, and hematoma; the median hospital admission charge was $35 637. Similar findings were noted among patients with a substance abuse diagnosis. Conclusions: Mental health conditions are independently associated with the need for more frequent hospital-based acute care following surgery, thus contributing to added costs of care. A patient's mental health should be preoperatively assessed and appropriately addressed before proceeding with any elective procedure. Level of Evidence: 4 ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Do Parties Know That “Women Win”? Party Leader Beliefs about Women's Electoral Chances

Women's groups emphasize the view that women are viable candidates in American politics with the popular slogan “when women run, women win.” What do party leaders believe about women's electoral chances? Do parties know that “women win”? In an analysis of state legislative election results, I find few gender differences in candidates' vote share and success rates—two widely used measures of the status of women candidates. Yet I find that many party leaders report that one gender has an electoral advantage. These party leader perceptions are related to the objective measures of women's electoral success to some extent. However, most analyses reveal a gap between elite perceptions and objective measures of women's status as candidates. This disjuncture suggests that scholars may have overestimated the extent of party leader and voter support for women.I thank Timothy Frye, Claudine Gay, Kathryn Pearson, Beth Reingold, Lisa Sanbonmatsu, the editors, and the anonymous reviewers for helpful comments. I also thank Nanaho Hanada, Heidi Bruns, Lyndsey Young, Huma Khan, and Tina Pierce for research assistance.
The Benefits and Costs of Using Metadata to Improve Enterprise Document Search

The literature shows that there are many problems with enterprise document search. Studies reveal that typical knowledge workers spend between 10% and 20% of their time searching for documents they never find. While many argue that metadata can improve enterprise document search, in reality few organizations use metadata. This represents a missed opportunity. This article describes the results of two experiments that use simulation to evaluate the actual impact of metadata on the costs and benefits of enterprise search. The first study provides quantitative evidence of the increase in recall and precision that stems from the use of metadata-enhanced document searches. The second study demonstrates that simple metadata structures can be nearly as effective as complex ones, implying that the cost of creating and maintaining metadata is likely to be lower than generally thought. This is the first study to provide explicit quantitative evidence of the gains that can be achieved from the use of metadata, and one of only a handful of studies that examines the cost of creating and maintaining metadata
In Situ Thermometry Measuring Temperature Flashes Exceeding 1,700°C in 8 mol% Y2O3-Stablized Zirconia Under Constant-Voltage Heating

Using AC impedance spectroscopy as a means of in situ thermometry, temperature runaway over 1,500°C within a few seconds was observed for the first time in dense 92 mol% ZrO2–8 mol% Y2O3 (8YSZ) ceramics heated under a constant voltage. Such runaway is especially pronounced when starting from a low background temperature in samples of a small surface-to-volume ratio, and is expected to be commonplace during flash sintering of porous ceramic cubes or cylinders. The method of AC impedance-based thermometry is applicable to other ceramics with a well-defined conduction mechanism at high temperature.
Ciliary Proteins and Cytodifferentiation in Stentor coeruleus

SYNOPSIS To elucidate further the molecular events required for cytodifferentiation in Stentor coeruleus, the effects of several chemical metabolic inhibitors were tested on the outgrowth in situ of the membranellar cilia of the oral feeding organelle. The chemicals used included several inhibitors of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial protein synthesis (cycloheximide, emetine, and chloramphenicol), and an antimitotic agent (colchicine). Ciliary growth was affected only by colchicine, suggesting that a pool of “ciliary proteins” exists in interphase Stentor of sufficient size to permit complete reformation of the membranellar cilia. The implication of these observations to an understanding of the more complicated process of oral regeneration is discussed.
Disparate Impact and Integration: With TDHCA v. Inclusive Communities the Supreme Court Retains an Uneasy Status Quo

In June 2015, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. The Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., upholding the use of disparate impact theory in cases brought under the Fair Housing Act. The opinion also contains language affirming the law’s commitment to advance residential integration. In light of the fears about what the Court might have done, the recent ruling has been cause for relief, yet fair housing advocates should be wary, because the majority also offered guidance about how many of these cases should be reviewed on the merits – and it is not favorably. In particular, the Court cautioned against allowing disparate impact claims to interfere with the complex, multifactor decisions of housing developers and municipal officials when they seek to improve neighborhoods and housing conditions, even when such decisions exacerbate or entrench segregated patterns. In disparate impact cases the analysis almost always turns on the defendant’s ability to demonstrate that the challenged practice is necessary to achieve one or more substantial, legitimate, non-discriminatory interests. The opinion thus makes clear that fostering integration is just on one of many legitimate interests, which may also include revitalizing dilapidated neighborhoods, ensuring compliance with health and safety codes, and providing affordable housing, that a local government might pursue. This may mean that so-called “Housing Improvement” cases, which by definition involve legitimate goals, will always be an uphill battle for fair housing advocates using disparate impact theory. Such cases represent a significant subset of the fair housing cases that have relied on disparate impact theory in recent years (including all three to come before the Supreme Court). The extent to which this will represent a change from the status quo, in which many disparate impact claims already founder, remains to be seen.
Towards photonic quantum networks

We discuss O-band entangled photon pair sources and entangled photon switching technologies and their application to quantum communications and quantum information processing.
Immediate postoperative inflammatory response predicts long-term outcome in lung-transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Although lung transplantation is an accepted therapy for end-stage disease, recipient outcomes continue to be hindered by early primary graft dysfunction (PGD) as well as late rejection and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We have previously shown that the pro-inflammatory cytokine response following transplantation correlates with the severity of PGD. We hypothesized that lung-transplant recipients with an increased inflammatory response immediately following surgery would also have a greater incidence of unfavorable long-term outcomes including rejection, BOS and ultimately death. METHODS: A retrospective study of lung-transplant recipients (n= 19) for whom serial blood sampling of cytokines was performed for 24 h following transplantation between March 2002 and June 2003 at a single institution. Long-term follow-up was examined for rejection, BOS and survival. RESULTS: Thirteen single and six bilateral lung recipients were examined. Eleven (58%) developed BOS and eight (42%) did not. Subgroup analysis revealed an association between elevated IL-6 concentrations 4 h after reperfusion of the allograft and development of BOS (P= 0.068). The correlation between IL-6 and survival time was found to be significant (corr =�0.46, P= 0.047), indicating that higher IL-6 response had shorter survival following transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: An elevation in interleukin (IL)-6 concentration immediately following lung transplantation is associated with a trend towards development of bronchiolitis obliterans, rejection and significantly decreased survival time. Further studies are warranted to confirm the correlation between the immediate inflammatory response, PGD and BOS. Identification of patients at risk for BOS based on the cytokine response after surgery may allow for early intervention.
Zero sound and the melting curve of 3He

Abstract We have analyzed data from existing accurate pressure and molar volume measurements of 3He along the melting curve to determine explicit entropy contributions of the liquid and solid phases. Below 300 mK there is a significant discrepancy between the melting curve data of Grilly1 and Halperin, et al .2 The resolution of this problem is the subject of this paper. We find that zero sound makes an important contribution to the liquid entropy and that the superfluid 3He A-transition temperature must be shifted upward.
HYPERTHERMIA AND RADIATION THERAPY IN CANCER TREATMENT

Hyperthermia is a field of cancer research of increasing importance to veterinarians and physicians. The thermobiologic studies that are guiding the development of clinical research are reviewed. The interaction of heat, radiation, and drugs on tumors and normal tissues is presented, and the basis for producing a therapeutic gain is discussed. Current methods of inducing local, regional, and systemic hyperthermia in animals and humans are summarized. The areas of clinical research in which veterinary radiologists and oncologists could contribute by studying the effects of heat and radiotherapy on domestic animals with spontaneous tumors are emphasized.
Towards accountability for Electronic Patient Records

The electronic patient record (EPR) is a fundamental part of health information technology and its use is growing quickly. There is an urgent need to record and trust events related with healthcare procedures. Accountability is, therefore, essential but still very difficult to achieve in terms of information security. This paper suggests an accountability model suitable for healthcare environments and describes how the model can be efficiently realized using secure hardware. This approach can be applied across heterogeneous infrastructures providing a separation of duties between people, processes and organizations whilst ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of information.
Detection of microcalcifications in mammograms using eyetrack data

In this preliminary study the authors analyzed eyetrack data that was recorded while radiologists reviewed mammography images. The method of collecting the eyetrack data has been previously described by Barrett et al. (Acad. Radiol., vol. 1, p.40-5, 1994). The goal of this effort was to identify areas of microcalcifications from the eyetrack information. The identification of areas of microcalcification was accomplished using a Bayes classifier trained on images for which the presence of microcalcifications was verified by biopsies.
Factors Affecting Validity of a Regionally Administered Assessment Center.

Validity coefficients for a single assessment center implemented in multiple locations are presented. Correction for range restriction, criterion unreliability, and sampling error did not account for a large portion of the variability in these validity coefficients. The type of assessor used, the center's administrative arrangement, and prior assessor-assessee contact moderated these validities. It is suggested that the quality of the implementation of a selection procedure when there is local latitude in its implementation is an important factor in determining the procedure's effectiveness.
EXPOSURE TIME OF ORAL RABIES VACCINE BAITS RELATIVE TO BAITING DENSITY AND RACCOON POPULATION DENSITY

Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) baiting programs for control of raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies in the USA have been conducted or are in progress in eight states east of the Mississippi River. However, data specific to the relationship between raccoon population density and the minimum density of baits necessary to significantly elevate rabies immunity are few. We used the 22-km2 US National Aeronautics and Space Administration Plum Brook Station (PBS) in Erie County, Ohio, USA, to evaluate the period of exposure for placebo vaccine baits placed at a density of 75 baits/km2 relative to raccoon population density. Our objectives were to 1) estimate raccoon population density within the fragmented forest, old-field, and industrial landscape at PBS; and 2) quantify the time that placebo, Merial RABORAL V-RG® vaccine baits were available to raccoons. From August through November 2002 we surveyed raccoon use of PBS along 19.3 km of paved-road transects by using a forward-looking infrared camera mounted inside a v...
Internet access and Internet purchasing patterns of farm households

The Internet is becoming an increasingly important management tool in production agriculture. Using data from the 2004 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) and a double-hurdle estimation approach, we explore the adoption of computers with Internet access by and Internet purchasing patterns of farm households. Adoption of the Internet is positively related to age and education of the operator, off-farm work, presence of spouse, participation in government programs, farm size, and regional location of the farm. Internet purchasing patterns of farm households are positively related to the education of the operator and spouse, presence of teenagers, and regional location of the farm. Finally, farm businesses and their households are more likely to purchase a greater percentage of non-durable goods through the Internet as distances to markets increase.
Gene for porcine pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein 2 (poPAG2): Its structural organization and analysis of its promoter*

The pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) are abundant secretory products of the placental trophectoderm of ungulate species. They are structurally related to pepsin, having the capability to bind peptides. However, many cannot function as enzymes due to amino acid substitutions in and around the catalytic site. Here, we demonstrate that pigs, like cattle and sheep, but unlike equids, have multiple PAG genes. One of the transcribed porcine PAG (poPAG) genes, the one for poPAG2, was cloned. It had a nine-exon organization similar to that of other mammalian aspartic proteinase genes with an atypical TATA sequence. A total of 1.2 kbp upstream from exon 1 was sequenced. This region shared identity (> 65%) with the promoter regions of the bovine (bo) PAG1, boPAG2 and equine (eq) PAG genes, but not with other aspartyl proteinase genes, including that of pepsinogen A. Nor were there clear similarities to the promoters of other genes with trophoblast-specific expression. Of the different poPAG2 promoter constructs tested in transfection experiments in two human (JAr and JEG3) and one rat (Rcho) choriocarcinoma cell lines, only the shortest (-149 bp) was required to provide full expression of a luciferase reporter. Although this short promoter was not active in Cos-1 and L-929 cells, it was active in CHO cells, a transformed non-trophoblast hamster ovarian cell line. Co-transfection of Ets2 elevated the activity of this short promoter approximately six-fold in JAr cells, but, disruption of the two putative Ets sites did not alter the ability of Ets2 to transactivate the promoter. In the non-trophoblast cell lines, Ets2 failed to elicit any response. Ets2 responsiveness may be a common feature of most or all trophoblast-expressed genes, although in the case of poPAG2, the effect may be indirect.
Abstract 361: Utility of Transthoracic Echocardiogram to Assess Volume Status in the Intensive Care Unit

Background: There is increasing concern regarding the value and cost of using transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) to assess volume status in critically ill patients. Using clinical and echocardiographic parameters, we assessed whether TTE changed clinical management of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Using the Dartmouth-Hitchcock echocardiography database, we identified 218 ICU patients whose TTE was performed to assess volume status from 4/1/11 to 3/31/14. The following TTE parameters were assessed: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), diastolic function parameters, left atrial size, significant valvular disease, pericardial effusion, inferior vena cava (IVC) size and collapsibility, right ventricular (RV) function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure. In addition, clinical data were collected from review of the medical record including: age, vitals, intubation status, labs, and management change after TTE results became available. Results: Of the 218 patients, cardiac tamponade was present in 6 patients and right heart strain suggestive of pulmonary embolus was present in 2 patients. Of the remaining 210 patients, TTE did not affect clinical management in 186 (88.6%), led to administration of diuretics in 8 (3.8%), and intravenous fluids in 16 (7.6%). Of the 218 total patients, 123 (56.4%) were intubated. Compared to non-intubated patients, intubated patients were more likely to have elevated right atrial pressure, RV dysfunction, IVC size and collapsibility index (p<0.05). There was no difference in the severity of pulmonary hypertension, LVEF, or indices of elevated left ventricular filling pressure (p=NS). Although the echo parameters were different, the decision by physicians to administer intravenous fluids or diuretics was similar for both groups (p=NS). Conclusions: Transthoracic echocardiogram is commonly ordered to assess volume status in the ICU. The use of echocardiographic parameters to assess volume status did not change clinical management in majority of patients and should be used with caution in this cohort. Continued investigation to identify the best modality to assess volume status in critically ill patients is warranted.
Function of Paramyxovirus 3′ and 5′ End Sequences

A clear and detailed model for paramyxovirus transcription and replication was first presented by Kingsbury (1974, 1977). This early model envisioned a promoter sequence for polymerase entry located at the genomic and anti-genomic 3′ ends, and a polarity gradient of transcription of the viral mRNAs by the viral polymerase operating on the helical nucleocapsid, the physical properties of which are determined by the nucleocapsid protein. A key feature of this model was a suggestion that the relative amounts of polymerase products (mRNAs or full-length genomes) would be modulated by the availability of a virus-encoded protein, possibly the structural nucleocapsid protein itself, in the switchover from transcription to replication (see also Chapters 7 and 9).
Catalytic Mechanism of α-Class Carbonic Anhydrases: CO2 Hydration and Proton Transfer

The carbonic anhydrases (CAs; EC 4.2.1.1) are a family of metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and dehydration of bicarbonate (HCO3 −) in a two-step ping-pong mechanism: $$ \mathrm{C}{{\mathrm{O}}_2} + {{\mathrm{H}}_2}\mathrm{O}\leftrightarrow \mathrm{HC}{{\mathrm{O}}_3}^{-} + {{\mathrm{H}}^{+}} $$
Commentary: Torture and the professions

(2007). Commentary: Torture and the professions. Criminal Justice Ethics: Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 2-66.
Mouse-based signature verification for secure Internet transactions

Most current on-line signature verification systems are pen-based, i.e., the signature is written by a pen on a digital tablet. To apply signature verification techniques to Internet applications, one desirable way is to use mouse as the input device. In this paper, a mouse based on-line signature verification system is presented. The signature data is represented in a compact and secure way. The enrollment is convenient for users and the verification can be real-time. The system architecture is a simple client-server structure that suits the common internet applications. The client side posts a sequence of X*Y to the server. That is, the raw signature sequence [X,Y ] is represented by X+Y (dot sum of the X-, Y -coordinate sequences). Experimental results show that X+Y is effective for verification. Even if the sequence X+Y is intercepted during transmission over the Internet, original shape of signature [X, Y ] can be recovered. To make the system easy to implement, the client side does nothing complex except posting X+Y to the server. The server side preprocesses the sequence and saves it to database during enrollment or match it against the claimed template during verification. The matching technique adopted here is the similarity measure ER 2. Simulation results show that the mouse based verification system is reliable and secure for internet applications.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pharmacological Characteristics of the Canine Cerebrovascular Constriction Produced by Neuropeptide Y

In order to elucidate the role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in cerebral circulation, we undertook the present study to examine the action of NPY itself, and the combined effects of NPY with other vasoconstrictor stimuli. NPY itself produced contractions of isolated canine basilar artery in a concentration-dependent manner, which was independent of the presence or absence of endothelium. C-terminal peptides of NPY (NPY 12-36 ) and (NPY 22-36 ) were weak agonists, while those without C-terminals were ineffective. The vasoconstriction produced by NPY was, however, strongly potentiated by increasing the K + concentration in the medium up to 20mM, or by pretreatment with tetraethylammonium, a K + channel blocker and hemolysate containing oxyhemoglobin. NPY also augmented the contractile responses to prostaglandin F 2α , norepinephrine, and histamine, but not to serotonin. The contraction in response to NPY per se or in 20mM K + was effectively attenuated by Ca 2+ antagonists such as d-cis-diltiazem, and in a Ca 2+ -free medium. These results suggest that in canine basilar artery, the activation of the Y 1 receptor modulates the availability of the L-type Ca 2+ channel, leading to enhance Ca 2+ influx from the extracelullar space and potentiate contractile effects of other cerebral vasoconstrictors. This might be involved in the cerebral vasospasm which occurs after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Consensus seeking over random digraphs

We examine the consensus problem for a group of agents that communicate via a network whose topology switches randomly. The presence of a communication link between a pair of agents is random. In order to account for general information ∞ow, communication among agents is directed, and each link possess a possibly difierent non-negative weight. At random instants, the communication network topology switches randomly between a flnite set of topologies. Su‐cient conditions for asymptotic almost sure consensus are presented.
THERMAL PHYSICAL SIMULATION OF MENISCUS BEHAVIORS OF MOLTEN STEEL IN THE SOFT CONTACT ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTINUOUS CASTING MOLD OF BILLET

The thermal physical simulation of meniscus behaviors of molten steel in a EMCC (electromagnetic continuous casting) mold of billet was made. The low-melting-point alloy of PbSn-Bi was used as the simulated media of molten steel, and the harmonic high frequency magnetic field was added for the purpose of soft contacting. The dynamic behavior of the meniscus within the non-conducting silicon glass mold was recorded by pick-up camera and meniscus contours of molten alloy were obtained by immersion plating method. The fluctuating characteristics of meniscus and effects of some factors like the coil turns and coil locations on the meniscus behavior were investigated. The experimental results indicate that the nonuniform distribution of the magnetic flux density around inside walls of EMCC mold is one dominant factor which affects the stabilization of meniscus, therefore the magnetic field at the corner of EMCC mold should be properly shielded, specially for the real design of EMCC mold. Furthermore, in the soft contact EMCC process the turns and location of coil are important to improve the surface quality of cast, because the behavior and stabilization of molten steel meniscus are influenced greatly under these different processing parameters of coil.
Evaluation of a Holistic Energy Assessment Program

Abstract The residential sector is responsible for 22% of U.S. primary energy consumption and CO 2 emissions, annually, stressing the importance of building energy efficiency. Energy audits and assessments are commonly incorporated into energy conservation strategies. However, heterogeneity of homeowner behaviors and motivators has accompanied ambiguous conclusions on the effectiveness of energy audits. In response, the National Energy Leadership Corps (NELC), developed a holistic energy assessment approach tailoring information to homeowner motivators, with the goal of stimulating energy investments through informative personalized energy reports. A post-assessment survey, focusing on implementation, barriers to investment, and catalytic impact from the energy assessment, was developed and distributed to 82 houses that received an energy assessment. Statistical analysis of survey responses indicate homeowners’ perception of skill and/or abilities and building envelope improvements are correlated to implementation rates. Homeowner prioritization of home improvements may also be related to energy improvements. Results from the survey and recommendations are presented including implications for energy education and energy service professionals in the design, engineering, and construction industry.
SHELF OPERATION TO RELIEVE PERSISTENT DISLOCATION OF THE HIP

1. In children the Trendelenburg sign persists even though a suitable shelf is apparent when constructed with the hip in situ. 2. The shelf should be made from acetabular tissue when possible,—that is, the shelf should be at the upper part of the acetabulum with the roof turned down and the cartilage intact. The roof should be nearly horizontal. 3. The head of the femur must be pulled down in order to construct such a shelf. 4. All obstructing tissue should be removed but, since there are degenerative processes occurring from a misshaped head, it would seem unwise to remove much fibrous tissue from the acetabular cavity. 5. If there have been two failures to secure manual reduction in young children, it would seem sound to do an open reduction before the acetabular roof disappears. 6. In spite of the fact that the shelf has melted away in many of these cases, the hips are more stable than when there is no good false acetabulum or no acetabular roof present.
Die frühe Kindheit – Sehen, Denken und Tun

Der vier Monate alte Benjamin sitzt in seinem Kindersitz auf der Arbeitsplatte der Kuchenzeile und schaut seinen Eltern beim Abwasch zu. Was er beobachtet, sind zwei Menschen, die sich von selbst bewegen, und eine Auswahl an Gegenstanden aus Glas, Keramik und Metall unterschiedlicher Grose und Form, die sich nur dann bewegen, wenn sie von einem Menschen in die Hand genommen werden. Andere Bestandteile der Szene bewegen sich uberhaupt nicht. Bei ihrer Tatigkeit entstromen den sich bewegenden Lippen der Eltern charakteristische Gerausche (nur wir wissen, dass das Sprachlaute sind), wahrend andere Gerausche entstehen, wenn sie Besteck, Pfannen, Glaser und Spulschwamme auf der Arbeitsplatte ablegen. Einmal sieht Benjamin eine Tasse vollig aus seinem Sichtfeld verschwinden, als sein Vater sie hinter einen Kochtopf stellt; kurz darauf taucht sie wieder auf, nachdem der Topf weggestellt wurde. Benjamin sieht Gegenstande auch verschwinden, wenn sie durch den Schaum ins Spulwasser getaucht werden, aber er sieht niemals, dass die Gegenstande einander durchdringen. Die auf der Arbeitsplatte platzierten Gegenstande bleiben jeweils so stehen, wie sie hingestellt wurden, bis Benjamins Vater ein Kristallglas so hinstellt, dass mehr als die Halfte uber den Rand ubersteht. Es folgt ein klirrendes Gerausch, das alle drei anwesenden Personen erschreckt, und Benjamin erschrickt noch mehr, als die beiden Erwachsenen anfangen, scharfe, laute Gerausche gegeneinander auszusenden, ganz anders als die sanften, angenehmen Laute, die sie zuvor produziert hatten. Als Benjamin als Reaktion darauf zu weinen beginnt, sturzen die beiden Erwachsenen zu ihm hin, tatscheln ihn und machen fur ihn sanfte, besonders angenehme Gerausche.
Moonshot Science—Risks and Benefits

Ever since the successful Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969, a "moonshot" has come to signify a bold effort to achieve a seemingly impossible task. The Obama administration recently called for a moonshot to cure cancer, an initiative that has elicited mixed responses from researchers who welcome additional funding but worry about raising expectations. We suggest that a successful moonshot requires a sufficient understanding of the basic science underlying a problem in question so that efforts can be focused on engineering a solution. Current gaps in our basic knowledge of cancer biology make the cancer moonshot a uniquely challenging endeavor. Nevertheless, history has shown that intensive research efforts have frequently yielded conceptual and technological breakthroughs with unanticipated benefits for society. We expect that this effort will be no different.
The elusive effects of trade on growth: Export diversity and economic take‐off

The hallmark of the voluminous growth determinants literature is the absence of a clear-cut effect of trade on growth. Numerous candidate regressors have been motivated by alternative theories and tested by a multitude of empirical studies, but not one trade regressor has been robustly related to growth. In this paper, we leverage Melitz's (2003) insights regarding sectoral export dynamics and Feenstra and Kee's (2008) approach to productivity and sectoral export diversity to propose a structured approach to trade and growth determinants. Instead of relying on aggregate trade measures as previous studies have done, we examine the diversity of sectoral exports and the development of broad-based comparative advantage as a potential growth determinant. Controlling for model uncertainty and endogeneity, we find that export diversity serves as a crucial growth determinant for low-income countries, an effect that weakens with the level of development.
The Electromagnetic Potentials

The potential formulation of the electromagnetic field equations is very useful and has many important applications. The particular applications of interest to us are in the description of the quasi-static electric and magnetic fields. It should be noted that in this formulation we are concerned with the field equations and Poynting’s theorem only, and not in the equations that involve force and momentum.
Risky decision-making in children with and without ADHD: A prospective study.

ABSTRACTLearning from past decisions can enhance successful decision-making. It is unclear whether difficulties in learning from experience may contribute to risky decision-making, which may be altered among individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study follows 192 children with and without ADHD aged 5 to 10 years for approximately 2.5 years and examines their risky decision-making using the Balloon Emotional Learning Task (BELT), a computerized assessment of sequential risky decision-making in which participants pump up a series of virtual balloons for points. The BELT contains three task conditions: one with a variable explosion point, one with a stable and early explosion point, and one with a stable and late explosion point. These conditions may be learned via experience on the task. Contrary to expectations, ADHD status was not found to be related to greater risk-taking on the BELT, and among younger children ADHD status is in fact associated with reduced risk-taking. I...
Phenotypic Correction of Adamts13-Deficient Mice by Early Intra-Amniotic Gene Transfer of Lentiviral Vector Encoding ADAMTS13 Genes.

ADAMTS13, a member of A D isintegrin and M etalloprotease with T hrombo S pondin type 1 repeats (ADAMTS) family, is mainly synthesized in the hepatic stellate cells, endothelial cells and megakaryocytes or platelets. It controls the sizes of von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers by cleaving VWF at the Tyr 1605 -Met 1606 bond. Genetic deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity results in hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), also named Upshaw-Schulman syndrome. To develop a potential gene therapy approach and to determine the domains of ADAMTS13 required for recognition and cleavage of VWF in vivo , a self-inactivating lentiviral vector encoding human wild-type ADAMTS13 or variant truncated after the spacer domain (construct MDTCS ) was administrated by intra-amniotic injection on embryonic day 8. Direct stereomicroscopy and immunofluorescent microscopic analysis revealed that the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter, ADAMTS13 and MDTCS were predominantly expressed in the heart, kidneys and skin. The synthesized ADAMTS13 and truncated variant were detectable in mouse plasma by immunoprecipitation and Western blot, as well as by proteolytic cleavage of FRETS-VWF73 substrate. The levels of proteolytic activity in plasma of mice expressing ADAMTS13 and MDTCS were 5 ± 7% and 60 ± 70%, respectively using normal human plasma as a standard, and this proteolytic activity persisted for at least 24 weeks in Adamts13 − / − mice and 42 weeks in wild-type mice tested (the duration of observation). The mice expressing both recombinant ADAMTS13 and MDTCS showed a significantly decreased ratio of plasma VWF collagen-binding activity to antigen and a reduction in VWF multimer sizes as compared to those in the controls. Moreover, the mice expressing ADAMTS13 and MDTCS showed a significant prolongation of ferric chloride-induced carotid arterial occlusion time (9.0 ± 0.6 and 25.2 ± 3.2 min, respectively) as compared to the Adamts13 −/− mice expressing GFP alone (5.6 ± 0.5 min) ( p Adamts13 −/− mice expressing ADAMTS13 was almost identical to that in wild type mice with same genetic background (C56BL/6) (8.0 ± 0.2 min) (p>0.05). The data demonstrate the correction of the prothrombotic phenotype in Adamts13 − / − mice by gene transfer to the fetus by viral vectors encoding human wild type ADAMTS13 and the carboxyl terminal truncated variant (MDTCS), supporting the feasibility of developing a gene therapy based treatment for hereditary TTP. The discrepancy in the proteolytic activity of MDTCS between in vitro ( Zhang P et al. Blood, 2007 in press ) and in vivo in the present study suggests the potential cofactors in murine circulation that may rescue the defective proteolytic activity of the carboxyl-terminal truncated ADAMTS13 protease seen in vitro .
Bortezomib-Induced Down-Regulation of KIT Is Mediated by Inhibition of Sp1 and NF-kB in AML1/ETO-Positive Cells.

Activating mutations of KIT , encoding a type III receptor tyrosine kinase, are frequently detected in core binding factor AML (i.e., AML1/ETO and CBFB/MYH11 AML), promote cell survival and proliferation of leukemic cells and predict poor outcome. Kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib or PKC-412) have been shown to block constitutively activated KIT. However, novel therapeutic approaches that target mutated KIT are necessary, since resistance to these agents can be predicted in a substantial proportion of patients in these subgroups of AML. We observed that expression levels of KIT in AML1/ETO-positive Kasumi-1 cells are more than 25 fold higher than in AML1/ETO-negative AML cell lines (i.e., THP-1, K562, and MV4–11). We also found that in Kasumi-1 cells, bortezomib (Velcade), a proteasome inhibitor already used in the clinic, induces time- (60nM for 0, 1, 3, 6 12 and 24hr) and dose- (0, 1, 6, 20, 60 and 100nM for 24hr) dependent down-regulation (>90%) of total KIT expression. Noticeably, dephosphorylation of KIT occurred 6hr before reduction of the total KIT level after bortezomib exposure. We also found >50% down-regulation of KIT expression in patients’ primary blasts treated with 60nM bortezomib for 24hr and in Kasumi-1 cells treated with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 (300nM for 24hr). Down-regulation of KIT appeared to be associated with inhibition of NF- k B and Sp1, which is necessary for regulation of the KIT promoter activity by the SCL complex. In fact, treatment with bortezomib inactivated NF- k B and decreased transcription of Sp1 in Kasumi-1 cells. Furthermore, exposure to the NF- k B or Sp1 inhibitors parthenolide (30μM for 24hr) and mithramycin (100ng/ml for 24hr), respectively, resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in KIT expression in Kasumi-1 cells. When cells were treated with bortezomib (20nM) in combination with mithramycin (30ng/ml for 24hr), we observed synergy in down-regulation of KIT RNA and KIT protein. This correlated with growth arrest and increased cell death. Interestingly, the magnitude of these effects was higher when Kasumi-1 cells were pretreated with mithramycin for 24hr before being exposed to bortezomib. Taken all together, our data suggest that bortezomib downregulates KIT expression and might also inhibit KIT phosphorylation and should be considered in future therapeutic strategies targeting AML subgroups harboring mutated KIT.
Permanence of the CEREBRE brain biometric protocol

Abstract The Cognitive Event RElated Biometric REcognition (CEREBRE) protocol recently achieved a significant benchmark in brain biometrics: namely, it was demonstrated to provide 100% identification accuracy in a pool of 50 participants. One clear question regarding this result is whether it is stable over time. Functional brain organization, of course, is constantly changing, with new memories being added and new associations being formed daily. Thus, it is reasonable to ask whether a biometric protocol based on functional brain organization– which CEREBRE is– will provide stable identification over time. Here we asked 20 participants to provide CEREBRE reference data and then return between 48 and 516 days later to challenge the system. Results indicate that even at 516 days after the initial reference was acquired the CEREBRE protocol still provides 100% identification accuracy in this pool of users. These data provide strong evidence that the biometric permanence of the CEREBRE protocol is at least stable across the 516 day inter-session lag.
Mechanical properties of polylactic acid composites reinforced with cotton gin waste and flax fibers

Abstract Interest in biodegradable polymers and sustainable materials has grown significantly in the last decade. Value addition of byproducts generated in agricultural processing systems is on the rise. Similarly, there is growing concerns with cotton ginners as the disposal of cotton gin waste (CGW) is becoming both financially expensive and an environmental concern. Therefore, this study investigated the possibility of producing environment friendly composites using biodegradable Polylactic acid (PLA) matrix reinforced with 10 to 30 wt. % of cotton burr and stem fibers from CGW. For comparison, hybrid composites were also prepared using CGW and stem fibers from flax residue of 100:0, 67:33, 33:67 and 0:100 ratios, while overall fiber weight fraction was fixed as 30%. The composites were produced by compression molding technique and the flexural property test was carried out following ASTM D790 standard. The test results showed that the flexural modulus increased by 42% with the addition of 30 wt. % of CGW as compared to neat PLA. Furthermore, the improvement of modulus of elasticity of composites containing 30 wt. % of CGW is comparable to hybrid composites reinforced with different percentage of flax fibers. However, the addition of fiber filler moderately altered the brittleness and reduced the flexural strength as compared to neat PLA. Nevertheless, the improvement of modulus of elasticity, and strain shows the possibility of using these composites as construction materials in low load or non-structural applications.