cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the effects of electrode orientation and fluid flow rate in near-dry EDM milling

This research investigates the effects of electrode lead and tilt angles and dielectric fluid flow rate on material removal rate, tool electrode wear ratio, and surface roughness in near-dry electrical discharge machining (EDM) milling process. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed to predict the dielectric fluid flow rate and qualitatively compare with the experimentally measured EDM material removal rate. The optimum lead angle, which maximized material removal rate and minimized tool electrode wear ratio, was found. The decrease in the lead angle has a negative effect on the roughness of machined surface. The increase in tilt angle reduces the material removal rate and increases the tool electrode wear ratio. The change in tilt angle does not have a significant effect on the surface roughness and can be used to prevent gouging in finishing EDM milling. This study shows that the material removal rate is linearly proportional to the mass flow rate of air and kerosene mixture, the tool electrode wear ratio is inversely related to the mass flow rate of air and kerosene mixture, and the average surface roughness does not have a good correlation with the flow rate of the mixture.
Model tests of the grounding resistance of fresh and consolidated ice rubble

Abstract The behaviour of grounded rubble subjected to forces from floating ice was studied in an ice modelling basin. Two-dimensional fresh (unconsolidated) and consolidated rubble pile-ups were examined. The test set-up consisted of a horizontal submerged berm, a vertical plane representing a structure and two plexiglass sidewalls. Forces were applied to the pile-ups using model ice sheets and a rigid indentor. Forces acting on the pile-up, the berm and the structure were measured. Thus, force apportioning between the berm and the structure was determined. The portion of forces transmitted to the structure decreased with increasing pile-up size. The ratio of horizontal to vertical forces on the berm was relatively small, indicating that friction was not fully developed at the rubble/berm interface. Results for both fresh and consolidated pile-ups were similar.
Do the More Educated Know More about Health? Evidence from Schooling and HIV Knowledge in Zimbabwe

AbstractWe explore a fundamental link between education and health: knowledge about health. Do the educated know more about how certain diseases are spread and how to prevent them? Using age-specific exposure to an education reform in Zimbabwe, we find that women with more schooling engage in HIV-preventing behavior by having fewer sexual partners and know more about how HIV spreads. An extra year of education raises the probability of having comprehensive knowledge of HIV by nearly 10% and decreases by 7 percentage points the probability of having common misconceptions about HIV. We discuss possible channels for how education led to more knowledge about HIV.
Dose-related paresthesias with venlafaxine

Introduction:Venlafaxine is a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is used for mood, anxiety, and pain disorders. We report a case of dose-related paresthesias in association with venlafaxine use in a patient with major depressive disorder. Case report: A young male patient with major depression started treatment with venlafaxine XR at 37.5 mg/d, and the dose was titrated to 75 mg/d with no significant adverse effects. Upon increasing the dose to 150 mg/d, the patient reported tingling, numbness, and itching in his upper extremities. The dose was reduced to 75 mg/d, at which time, the symptoms disappeared. Since the patient still had target symptoms of depression, the patient was willing to try increasing the dose back to 150 mg/d. Upon rechallenge, the tingling, numbness, and itching reappeared. The dose of venlafaxine was decreased back to 75 mg/d. Per the Naranjo scale, the probability score for the above adverse drug reaction is 5 (probable). We discuss the published evidence of paresthesi...
The universal eigenvalue bounds of Payne-Pólya-Weinberger, Hile-Protter, and H C Yang

In this paper we present a unified and simplified approach to the universal eigenvalue inequalities of Payne—Polya—Weinberger, Hile—Protter, and Yang. We then generalize these results to inhomogeneous membranes and Schrodinger’s equation with a nonnegative potential. We also show that Yang’s inequality is always better than HileProtter’s (and hence also better than Payne—Polya—Weinberger’s). In fact, Yang’s weaker inequality (which deserves to be better known), $$\lambda _{k + 1}< \left( {1 + \frac{4}{n}} \right)\frac{1}{k}\sum\limits_{i = 1}^k {\lambda _i } $$ , is also strictly better than Hile—Protter’s. Finally, we treat Yang’s (and related) inequalities for minimal submanifolds of a sphere and domains contained in a sphere by our methods.
Solubilization of a micelle specific acyltransferase from rat mammary microsomes.

Abstract 1. 1. Acceptor saturation kinetics of the microsomal palmityl-CoA: monopalmityl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate palmityltransferase [EC 2.3.1-] from lactating rat mammary tissue were typical of an enzyme specific for monodisperse substrates with an apparent specific activity of 24 nmoles palmityl-CoA acylated per mg protein per minute. 2. 2. Incubation of the microsomes in the presence of Tween-80 inhibited this activity but solubilized a micelle specific acyltransferase with a much higher specific activity of 190 nmoles per mg per min.
Phase Contrast Microscopy in Thick Tissue

Standard phase contrast techniques, like DIC, are transmission-based and cannot be used with thick samples. We describe a new phase contrast technique, suitable for endomicroscopy, that provides high resolution DIC-like images of sub-surface sample morphology.
Molecular mechanisms that control the expression and activity of Bcl-6 in TH1 cells to regulate flexibility with a TFH-like gene profile

The transcription factors T-bet and Bcl-6 are required for the establishment of a T helper type 1 cell (T(H)1 cell) and follicular helper T cell (T(FH) cell) gene-expression profile, respectively. Here we found that high concentrations of interleukin 2 (IL-2) inhibited Bcl-6 expression in polarized T(H)1 cells. Mechanistically, the low concentrations of Bcl-6 normally found in effector T(H)1 cells did not repress its target genes because a T-bet-Bcl-6 complex masked the Bcl-6 DNA-binding domain. T(H)1 cells increased their Bcl-6/T-bet ratio in response to limiting IL-2 conditions, which allowed excess Bcl-6 to repress its direct target Prdm1 (which encodes the transcriptional repressor Blimp-1). The Bcl-6-dependent repression of Blimp-1 effectively induced a partial T(FH) profile because Blimp-1 directly repressed a subset of T(FH) signature genes, including Cxcr5. Thus, IL-2-signaling regulates the Bcl-6-Blimp-1 axis in T(H)1 cells to maintain flexibility with a T(FH) cell-like gene profile.
Alteration of platelets and virus-like particles by busulfan in myeloproliferative disorders.

Abstract The effects of busulfan, in patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) have been studied. The 35 patients examined had high platelet levels, chromosomal abnormalities and, in cases of polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET), had retrovirus-like particles. Normal controls or patients with secondary thrombocytosis did not exhibit the chromosomal abnormalities or the virus-like particles. During busulfan therapy, a number of changes occurred; morphologically-intact viral particles were no longer evident under the electron microscope (EM); the reverse-transcriptase (RT)-like enzyme shifted from the 1.19 g/cm 1 to the 1.25 g/cm 3 density area in an equilibrium density gradient; and platelet ultrastructure underwent a dramatic transient, change then returned to normal. The change in enzyme density could be duplicated in vitro by stripping the membrane from the virus-like particle with non-ionic detergent. The morphological changes in the platelet included: a less dense cytoplasm; indistinct membranes; and a distended circular shape. These alterations give the impression of damage to the membrane and possibly the microtubular system. At the termination of treatment, platelet levels were back to normal (2–3 × 10 5 /μl), virus indicators were no longer present and, as shown previously, chromosomal abnormalities also disappeared.
How to Supplement Social Security Fairly and Effectively

Over the past 3 decades, the base upon which Americans obtain income for retirement has become increasingly tied to fluctuations in the financial markets. Because Social Security provides a small percentage of pre-retirement income in retirement, most of the nation's workers need a supplement to Social Security. This study demonstrates the failure of the 401(k) system and advances a bold, but realistic, solution to America's crumbling retirement system: guaranteed retirement accounts (GRAs), a universal government program that supplements Social Security by providing guaranteed rates of return, by locking up balances until retirement, and by mandating annuities at retirement—with survivor's benefits. The GRA plan is compared to other proposals, including President Obama's, which aims to expand the voluntary, commercial, individually directed account-based system.
Tunnelmikroskopie und organische Moleküle

Die Tunnelmikroskopie, keine zehn Jahre alt, steckt in vielen Anwendungsbereichen noch immer in ihren Kinderschuhen. Nachdem sie sich in der Festkorperphysik mit ihrem Auflosungsvermogen einzelner Atome einen Platz in der Strukturanalyse von Metall- und Halbleiteroberflachen gesichert hat, eroffnete sie durch ihre Einsatzfahigkeit in Medien wie Luft oder Wasser, mit der die Elektronenmikroskopie (bei gleichzeitiger Erhohung der Auflosung) aus der ausschlieslichen Anwendbarkeit unter Vakuumbedingungen befreit wurde, eine Vielzahl neuer Moglichkeiten. Einer der jungsten Anwendungsbereiche des Tunnelmikroskops ist die Abbildung nichtleitender organischer Molekule und ihrer Kristallisationsformen.
The application of Q-mode factor analysis to suspended particulate matter studies: Examples from the New York Bight apex

Abstract Suspended particulate matter (SPM) size-distribution data from the New York Bight apex have been analyzed by Q-mode factor analysis, a statistical technique for rapidly evaluating large volumes of data. The subsequent interpretation of the resulting factors suggested sources and dispersal of SPM as well as water masses not revealed by conventional SPM methods. Conclusions reached by factor analysis were independently verified by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis.
TAFII250 Is a Bipartite Protein Kinase That Phosphorylates the Basal Transcription Factor RAP74

Some TAF subunits of transcription factor TFIID play a pivotal role in transcriptional activation by mediating protein-protein interactions, whereas other TAFs direct promoter selectivity via protein-DNA recognition. Here, we report that purified recombinant TAFII250 is a protein serine kinase that selectively phosphotylates RAP74 but not other basal transcription factors or common phosphoacceptor proteins. The phosphorylation of RAP74 also occurs in the context of the complete TFIID complex. Deletion analysis revealed that TAFII250 contains two distinct kinase domains each capable of autophosphorylation. However, both the N- and C-terminal kinase domains of TAFII250 are required for efficient transphosphorylation of RAP74 on serine residues. These findings suggest that the targeted phosphorylation of RAP74 by TAFII250 may provide a mechanism for signaling between components within the initiation complex to regulate transcription.
Decision bias and personnel selection strategies

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of two decisional biases—framing and cost salience—on personnel selection decisions. One hundred twenty-eight graduate and undergraduate students participated in a personnel selection simulation. Framing was manipulated by inducing participants to use either a “rejecting” strategy (identify those applicants whom you would not interview) or an “accepting” strategy (list those applicants whom you would interview). Cost salience was manipulated by making selection-related costs either implicit or explicit. Results showed that “accepting” strategy subjects selected less applicants to be interviewed than “rejecting” strategy subjects, but only when selection-related costs were made salient. More time was required for subjects to make their selection decisions when selection-related costs were made salient. Framing and cost salience also influenced the success probability thresholds used by subjects to select applicants. Limitations of this research and directions for future study were discussed.
Accurate solution of linear algebraic systems: a survey

Many problems encountered in computing involve the solution of the simultaneous linear equations (1) A x = b where A is a n-by-n matrix, [EQUATION] and b and x are vectors.Most people interested in computing are familiar with the basic concepts involved in solving such a system, but there are several useful refinements and extensions that are not so well known. It is the purpose of this article to introduce the non-expert to these ideas.Several of the newer ideas, as well as clarifications of older ones, are due to J. H. Wilkinson and are summarized in his book. Many people, including this writer, are indebted to G. E. Forsythe for their knowledge of this field. Forsythe's recent survey contains an extensive bibliography together with material on related topics. A forthcoming text contains most of the details we will omit here, as well as computer programs which implement the techniques.
Differences in Learning Processes and Academic Achievement

This study investigated the relationships among the scales of the Inventory of Learning Processes, differences between high and low academic achievers, and differences between deep and shallow processors on learning strategies and academic achievement for 158 undergraduate college students. Significant correlations among the scales were noted, significant differences between high and low academic achievers appeared on Deep Processing and Fact Retention scales, and differences between deep and shallow processors were noted on Elaborative Processing, Fact Retention, Methodical Study scales, and GPA. Suggestion was made for offering strategy-training programs for students.
A Model for Conceptualizing the Moral Dynamic in Health Care

Ethics involves an organized, reasoned approach to gathering and processing data in order to arrive at decisions about what to do, what to value, and/or what virtues to cultivate. A model is proposed for conceptualizing this complex dynamic, which incorporates elements of both rule-and-principle ethics and the ethic of care. The model suggested here has two levels. The first level identifies the components that comprise philosophical reasoning; the second contextualizes and operationalizes the model in relation to the processor's philosophical stance on the nature of knowing. Three philosophical stances are identified and described: science-dominant, person-dominant, and science-person equilibrium. Physicians tend to process patients from first perspectives, nurses from second. Hence, health team collaboration in moral problem solving is critically important.
Details of the Paranephridial System of a Species of Prohyptiasmus (Cyclocoelidae: Hyptiasminae) From an American Coot, Fulica americana (Rallidae) in Oklahoma

During a study of the endohelminths of aquatic birds from the central flyway of North America, the details of the paranephridial systems of 3 immature specimens of Prohyptiasmus sp. were examined; the worms had been collected by the late Dr. J. Teague Self, former Professor, Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma from an American coot, Fulica americana (Raillidae), from the Cheyenne Bottoms, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma and deposited in the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology. The excretory vesicle was Y-shaped and had a reduced stem. There were 3 main excretory canals on each side that, in the case of the most lateral 2 pairs, reached anteriorly to the level of the oral sucker. The most lateral canals entered the excretory vesicle about halfway down the stem on each side; the middle canals entered the vesicle at the tips of the branches of the vesicle; and the most medial canals entered the vesicle on the anterior edge about halfway between the branch point and the tips of the branches. There were numerous smaller secondary canals that interconnected with each other and with the 6 main paranephridial canals, forming a net-like system.
Work inequalities for plastic fracturing materials

Abstract Studied are second-order work inequalities for stability of plastic strain increments and fracturing stress decrements. It is found that the positiveness of the second-order work during small loading cycles does not necessarily require normality; it also allows non-normal plastic strains or fracturing relaxations which do no work, as well as non-normal ones which always do non-negative work. The latter ones include plastic strains and fracturing relaxations that are tangential to the loading surface. It is shown that the endochronic theory follows from Drucker's postulate by the same arguments as classical plasticity. The endochronic loading surface has the significance of separating the directions for which Drucker's postulate is satisfied from those for which it is not, whereas in classical plasticity it separates the stress increment directions for which the plastic strain increment vector points outside the loading surface from those for which it would point inward. The incremental linearity of classical plasticity is shown to be a tacitly implied hypothesis which does not follow from Drucker's postulate and the existence of the loading surface. Various incrementally nonlinear stress-strain relations satisfying Drucker's postulate, both such that do and do not obey normality, are demonstrated. Furthermore, it is found that for frictional materials there exists, in addition to Drucker's (or Il'yushin's) postulate, another inequality that also suffices for stability and reflects the fact that a release of elastic energy blocked by friction or by resistance to fracturing due to compression cannot cause instability. This enlarges the domain of all stable stress increment vectors from a halfspace to a reentrant wedge. The corresponding plastic strain increment vectors have no unique direction and occupy a fan, one boundary of which is the normal vector. Dependence of the second-order work in loading cycle upon the angle between the strain increment vector and the normal is useful for comparing various theories. For the incrementally linear vertex model one needs to introduce at the tangential direction a discontinuity in this dependence. Finally, some related questions of uniqueness or continuity of response are discussed, particularly for the case of a staircase path in strain space approaching a straight path as the number of stairs tends to infinity. For endochronic theory as well as some vertex models and for plasticity with a corner on the loading surface, the response to the staircase path in the limit does not approach the response to the straight path. Although this is not physically unreasonable, it is nevertheless possible to slightly adjust the definition of intrinsic time so that continuity (uniqueness) is achieved.
What we do not know about racial/ethnic discrimination in end-of-life treatment decisions.

Wojtasiewicz (2006) raises an intriguing and concerning possibility: that end-of-life conflict resolution processes—“futility” policies—may compound discrimination against African Americans, who ha...
Participation in Interscholastic Athletics and Delinquency: A Preliminary Study

Six general theoretical positions each suggest that participation in interscholastic athletics will have a deterring influence on delinquency. An investigation of students in two midwestern high schools finds that delinquency rates are lower among athletes than non-athletes. This association appears to be accounted for to a large extent by the marked association which is found among low achievers from blue collar backgrounds.
An asynchronous GaAs MESFET static RAM using a new current mirror memory cell

An experimental 1-kb GaAs MESFET static RAM using a new memory cell has been designed, fabricated and tested. The new memory cell is not subject to the destructive read problems that constrain the design of the conventional six-transistor memory cell. The biasing arrangement for this new cell minimizes the leakage currents associated with unselected bits attached to a column, maximizing the number of bits allowed per column. This new memory cell also provides a much larger access current for readout than is possible using a conventional memory cell of the same area and cell power. A write time of 1.0 ns and address access times of between 1.0 and 2.3 ns have been obtained from a 1-kb test circuit. A cell area of 350 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ and cell current of 60 /spl mu/A were achieved using a conventional E/D process. >
Incomplete alignment of the uncompensated AFM interface moment toward the annealing field in AFM/FM bilayers

In antiferromagnet/ferromagnet (AFM/FM) bilayers, the induced unidirectional anisotropy of the ferromagnet (FM) layer has been proposed to come from the uncompensated moment of the AFM at the interface. It is commonly assumed that the uncompensated interface moment of all AFM grains is aligned toward the magnetic field direction applied during film deposition or annealing. However, our model calculation shows that this may not be the case in PtMn-CoFe bilayers. For the samples annealed at 280/spl deg/C for 2 hours, a significant portion of the grains have higher energy barriers than the threshold and cannot flip their interface moment to reach the global energy minimum. The interface moment directions of these grains remain random after the annealing.
Steam volatiles from coastal bermudagrass

Volatile compounds were obtained by steam distillation-continuous extraction of coastal bermudagrass and their origin and possible association with fresh grass palatability determined. The compounds were separated by gas chromatography and individually trapped with an effluent-splitter for infrared analysis. Furfural, furfuryl alcohol and phenylacetaldehyde were identified by infrared spectral analysis, GC-mass spectroscopy, and by comparison of GC retention times with authentic compounds. Acetic acid was identified by infrared spectral analysis and GC retention times. Phytol (3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol) and β-ionone [4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-buten-2-one] were identified by GC-mass spectroscopy. Phenylacetaldehyde was the only volatile compound identified that may be a natural component of bermudagrass. This compound could be an important flavour component and palatability factor in fresh grass because of its fragrant aromatic properties. Furfuryl alcohol, furfural, acetic acid, β-ionone and phytol were formed as a result of lengthy steam distillation and do not occur naturally in coastal bermudagrass. Furfuryl alcohol was the principal volatile compound obtained under these conditions and results showed it could be formed directly from 2-deoxyribose. The low level of these volatiles obtained from bermudagrass suggested that limited degradation of natural precursors occurred.
Evoking emotions and unpacking layered histories through young children’s illustrations of racial bus segregation

Drawing on theories of multi-modality and critical visual literacy, this article focuses on images that five-and six year-olds painted in a class-made book, Voice on the Bus, about racial segregati...
On a family of differential approximations of the radiative transfer equation

The radiative transfer equation (RTE) arises in a variety of applications and is challenging to solve numerically due to its integro-differential form and high dimension. For highly forward-peaked media, it is even more difficult to solve RTE since accurate numerical solutions require a high resolution of the direction variable. For this reason, various approximations of RTE have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we study a family of differential approximations of the RTE in three spatial variables. We explain the idea of constructing the differential approximations, and comment on the usefulness of the approximations.
Improvement of obstructive sleep apnea after radiation therapy of vocal cord carcinoma

A 52-year-old gentleman presented to the sleep clinic with a history of witnessed episodes of apnea, loud snoring, and moderate subjective sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), 10). The patient reported an average time in bed of 6.5 h per night. Physical exam revealed a weight of 206 lbs, a body mass index of 30, a Mallampati class of 2 and tonsils class 2. The diagnostic polysomnogram showed moderate obstructive sleep apnea (apnzea–hypopnea index (AHI) = 24). The patient was prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device at 13 cm H2O of pressure based on a titration polysomnogram. On one-month follow-up, the patient had very low adherence to CPAP treatment and subsequently stopped using it. The patient presented to his primary physician with a new onset of intermittent hoarseness four months after his initial sleep evaluation. The patient was prescribed antibiotics and referred to an otolaryngologist, and was diagnosed with an invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the left true vocal cord (T2, N0, M0) (Fig. 1). The patient underwent an excisional biopsy and radiation therapy with 6075 centigray.
Modern Techniques in the Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Spine Disease

The surgical management of metastatic disease of the spine continues to evolve. For most of the recent three decades, radiation therapy provided the mainstay of treatment for patients with symptomatic metastatic disease of the spine. Surgical treatment during this era often involved dorsal spinal cord decompression with no or limited spinal instrumentation1,2. These procedures generally provided only an indirect decompression of the spinal cord and often increased spinal instability. However, with advances in the understanding of metastatic processes in the spine and evolution of surgical techniques and instrumentation, surgical treatment plays a prominent role in the care of patients with metastatic epidural spinal cord compression. Studies have now yielded Level-I evidence on the efficacy of surgery for metastatic disease of the spine for improving quality of life and outcomes in patients with spinal metastasis. Concurrently, advances in radiation oncology now allow high-precision targeting of tumors and increased efficacy when treating radioresistant lesions3. These advances together have led to important advances in the treatment of metastatic disease of the spine. Research findings continue to identify appropriate candidates for surgical intervention for metastatic spinal disease as well as to define optimal surgical and radiation therapy techniques. In considering treatment methods, it is essential to account for factors such as tumor type and/or biology, extent of disease, neurologic status, an individual patient’s expectations, quality of life, and life expectancy. For example, hematopoietic tumors reliably respond to radiation therapy and rarely require surgery for a compressive neurologic deficit alone. Aggressive surgical intervention may be futile in the face of established neurologic deficit and/or rapidly advancing tumor refractory to treatments. However, many patients continue to present with symptomatic solid organ metastases and reasonable life expectancies and will benefit from a comprehensive evaluation by surgeons in concert with medical and …
Optimal design and operation of a multiscale GaAs/AlAs deposition process

We consider optimal operating conditions of a gallium arsenide/aluminum arsenide (GaAs/AlAs) deposition process with objectives of uniform deposition of the film heterostructure across the wafer surface at the macroscopic scale and the interfacial uniformity of the GaAs/AlAs heterostructure at the microscopic scale. We use a finite element solver to determine macroscale solutions and kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) techniques to determine the mesoscale solution of the problem.We characterize the interfaces between species and apply the simulation methodology to a multiscale optimization framework to minimize the interfacial step densities while also minimizing temperature, annealing time, and maximizing thickness uniformity. The design variables are temperature, annealing time, precursor concentration, and input velocity. In order to reduce the prohibitive computational expense of the function evaluations, we employ an in situ adaptive tabulation scheme around the mesoscale inputs. The resulting optimization problem combined with this methodology becomes computationally tractable, and is able to increase the thickness uniformity and maintain low interfacial step densit
Efficient Shrinkage in Parametric Models

This paper introduces shrinkage for general parametric models. We show how to shrink maximum likelihood estimators towards parameter subspaces de…ned by general nonlinear restrictions. We derive the asymptotic distribution and risk of the generalized shrinkage estimator using a local asymptotic framework. We show that if the shrinkage dimension exceeds two, the asymptotic risk of the shrinkage estimator is strictly less than that of the MLE. This reduction holds globally in the parameter space. We show that the reduction in asymptotic risk is substantial, even for moderately large values of the parameters. The formula simplify in a very convenient way in the context of high dimensional models. We derive a simple bound for the asymptotic risk. We also provide a new large sample minimax e¢ ciency bound. We use the concept of local asymptotic minimax bounds, a generalization of the conventional asymptotic minimax bounds. The
Thin Filament-Mediated Regulation of Cardiac Contraction

Cardiac and skeletal muscle contraction are activated by Ca2+ binding to specific regulatory sites on the striated muscle thin filament. The thin filament is a large allosteric assembly, containing multiple copies of actin, tropomyosin, and the three troponin subunits (troponin C, troponin I, and troponin T). This review describes recent developments in understanding the structure and dynamics of these proteins and how they function to regulate contraction. Emphasis is placed on the cardiac thin filament and on the features that distinguish it from the skeletal muscle system. The discussion also emphasizes current knowledge of the protein-protein interactions involved in the cooperative processes of thin filament assembly and regulation.
Congressional Constraints and Tactical Supreme Court Maneuvers: Calling for the Views of the United States Solicitor General

Do United States Supreme Court justices invoke the aid of executive branch officials to help them overcome congressional constraints? We examine archival data collected from the private papers of former Justice Harry A. Blackmun to analyze the conditions under which Supreme Court justices force the Solicitor General to participate in cases. We find that in addition to legal considerations, justices invite the SG to participate in cases so as to gain information that will aid them in determining whether the president will use his veto to protect the Court's decision against congressional override attempts. Justices are between 44% and 56% more likely to invite the SG when they require the president's veto to protect their decisions. These results hold across a host of alternative models of legislative decision making and other various modeling specifications.
Selective Human Estrogen Receptor Partial Agonists (ShERPAs) for Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer

Almost 70% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor α (ERα) positive. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), represents the standard of care for many patients; however, 30-50% develop resistance, underlining the need for alternative therapeutics. Paradoxically, agonists at ERα such as estradiol (E2) have demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with heavily treated breast cancer, although side effects in gynecological tissues are unacceptable. A drug that selectively mimics the actions of E2 in breast cancer therapy but minimizes estrogenic effects in other tissues is a novel, therapeutic alternative. We hypothesized that a selective human estrogen receptor partial agonist (ShERPA) at ERα would provide such an agent. Novel benzothiophene derivatives with nanomolar potency in breast cancer cell cultures were designed. Several showed partial agonist activity, with potency of 0.8-76 nM, mimicking E2 in inhibiting growth of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cell lines. Three ShERPAs were tested and validated in xenograft models of endocrine-independent and tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer, and in contrast to E2, ShERPAs did not cause significant uterine growth.
Dr. Genovese comments.

To the Editor: The Abatacept Comparison of sub(QU)cutaneous versus intravenous in Inadequate Responders to methotrexatE (ACQUIRE) trial was a multinational, Phase IIIb, randomized, double-blind study that evaluated the comparable efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous (IV) abatacept (ABA) over 6 months1. At Month 6, similar proportions of SC and IV ABA-treated patients achieved an American College of Rheumatology 20 … Address correspondence to Dr. M. Genovese; E-mail: genovese{at}stanford.edu
Towards Using EEG to Improve ASR Accuracy

We report on a pilot experiment to improve the performance of an automatic speech recognizer (ASR) by using a single-channel EEG signal to classify the speaker's mental state as reading easy or hard text. We use a previously published method (Mostow et al., 2011) to train the EEG classifier. We use its probabilistic output to control weighted interpolation of separate language models for easy and difficult reading. The EEG-adapted ASR achieves higher accuracy than two baselines. We analyze how its performance depends on EEG classification accuracy. This pilot result is a step towards improving ASR more generally by using EEG to distinguish mental states.
Interference-free flame photometry of calcium in serum and urine.

Data are given for the rapid determination of calcium in biologic material by flame photometry. An "automatic background-subtraction," photometer added to the available instrumentation eliminated cation interference, while the use of a chelating agent (EDTA) prevented interference from anions (chiefly phosphate). The procedure shows excellent precision and accuracy in comparison with standard chemical procedures and in the analysis of control sera.
NREL Wind Turbine Blade Structural Testing of the Modular Wind Energy MW45 Blade: Cooperative Research and Development Final Report, CRADA Number CRD-09-354

This CRADA was a purely funds-in CRADA with Modular Wind Energy (MWE). MWE had a need to perform full-scale testing of a 45-m wind turbine blade. NREL/NWTC provided the capabilities, facilities, and equipment to test this large-scale MWE wind turbine blade. Full-scale testing is required to demonstrate the ability of the wind turbine blade to withstand static design load cases and demonstrate the fatigue durability. Structural testing is also necessary to meet international blade testing certification requirements. Through this CRADA, MWE would obtain test results necessary for product development and certification, and NREL would benefit by working with an industrial partner to better understand the unique test requirements for wind turbine blades with advanced structural designs.
Technology: The Key to the Reformation of Developmental Mathematics Pedagogy.

There is a movement nationwide to enhance the learning experience of college students who need to take courses in developmental mathematics. Technology is instrumental in eliminating the non-credit...
Ultra-lean combustion sustained by pulsed subcritical microwaves

The extension of the lean combustion limit in methane/air mixtures is achieved using pulsed microwave energy deposition. Energy deposition is localized to the region between the reaction zone and the postame zone. Lean limit extension from equivalence ratio of 0.6 to 0.3 and ame speed increases of approximately 25 percent are achieved with a kHz rate microwave pulse train. Energy deposition in methane/air ame fronts from microwave pulses is estimated based on ltered Rayleigh scattering temperature measurements and microwave power measurements. The extension of the lean limit for combustion has wideranging applications for engines and combustors with potential bene ts in fuel e ciency and pollutant production.
From the Guest Co-Editors

Historically, the family has been the societal unit that has had to adjust to changing economic conditions over which it has little or no control. The papers in this issue of the Journal of Family and Economic Issues focus on the general theme of household responses to major macroeconomic change. The first three papers focus on changes occurring in the shift from planned economies to market economies in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Earl W. Morris presents the theoretical framework that has guided work we have done with colleagues at the Warsaw Agricultural University. Professor Teresa Palaszewska-Reindl, one of our colleagues at that institution, traces the history of the events leading up to the transformation in Poland and documents the effects of the transformation on Polish families. Charles B. Hennon and his colleagues present a model to foster the development of family enterprises in Central and Eastern Europe, enterprises viewed by many as essential if countries are to accomplish the transformation successfully. In the final paper in this issue, W. Jean Yeung and Sandra L. Hofferth at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research use the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to document family responses to major economic setbacks. Taken together, the papers are an interesting mix of theory and research on the responses of households to changes beyond their immediate control. We are deeply indebted to Dr. Ivan F. Beutler, Brigham Young University; Dr. Luann Gaskill, Iowa State University; Dr. Sherman D. Hanna, The Ohio State University; Dr. Charles B. Hennon, Miami University of Ohio; Dr. Ramona Marotz-Baden, Montana State University; Dr. Deanna L. Sharpe, University of Missouri-Columbia; Dr. Dan Weigel, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension; and Dr. Man Wilhelm, University of Arizona for serving as reviewers of the papers in this special issue. Their comments were essential in assisting the authors shape their papers for the audience of the Journal of Family and Economic Issues.
Audio-visual bimodal speaker identification in a smart environment

A bimodal person identification system is described by combining speech and 2D face images in a smart environment.The audio only system was based on a newly proposed model-segment-based Gaussian Mixture Model.The visual only system was a face recognition module based on K-nearest neighbors classifier.Finally the audio-visual system fused the individual modalities at the scoring level through score normalization,modality weighting and combination.Experimental results indicate the effectiveness of the speaker modeling methods and the fusion scheme.
Improved methods for estimating initial heparin infusion rates.

Two methods of calculating heparin infusion rates for patients with venous thrombotic disease were compared; one method was based on a one-compartment pharmacokinetic model, the other on patient weight. Sixty-eight patients with presumed thromboembolic disease were started on continuous i.v. heparin sodium (porcine) using an infusion pump. Patients were divided into two groups--the infusion rate of Group I was based on patient weight (77 units/kg/4 hrs) and the infusion rate of Group 2 was determined by a pharmacokinetic equation based on a one-compartment heparin model. Heparin effect was measured by an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The initial heparin infusion rate for Group 1 (4,784 +/- 672 units/4 hrs) was significantly greater (p less than 0.039, two-sample t-test) than that for Group 2 (4,413 +/- 779 units/4 hrs), but the variances of the rates were not significantly different (p = 0.40, ratio of variance F-test). Both methods for estimating initial heparin infusion rates gave mean APTT values in the center of the therapeutic range, but the variance in the APTTs of Group 2 patients was significantly smaller (p = 0.004) than that of Group 1. The pharmacokinetic model was more precise and reliable. This model should be valuable for insuring heparin's therapeutic effect without exposing patients to the potential risk of hemorrhage.
Alternative Human Cell Models for Neuropsychiatric Research: Induced Neuronal Cells, Olfactory Epithelium, and Related Resources

Abstract Understanding the altered function of the human brain is central to neuropsychiatric research. Although studies in genetics, brain imaging, postmortem brains, and animal models have greatly expanded our knowledge about neuropsychiatric disorders, much less is known about the changes at the molecular and cellular levels in live brain cells. It is crucial to fill this gap to further advance our understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders and to move forward to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Recently, induced pluripotent stem cells have been highlighted as key tools to study live brain cells from patients with brain disorders. There have been, however, alternative approaches to study live brain cells using cell fate conversion (direct reprogramming) or reprogramming-free methods. In this chapter, we will summarize these alternative human cell models and discuss their utilities and potentials in neuropsychiatric research.
Introduction: The journey to magnetic fusion energy

Remarkable scientific and technical progress has been made in fusion energy research, a global enterprise that has been under way for more than 65 years. Although the time scale for commercial realization of fusion energy remains uncertain, its potential to address the world’s need for large-scale clean energy solutions motivates strong support for fusion research in many countries. The decision to construct ITER, an experiment to explore the science and technology of a burning plasma, marks a watershed in fusion history and the start of the ITER era. The book introduces the major science and technology issues for magnetic fusion energy systems, and explores the progress in the field by examining the contributions to fusion understanding from experimental machines, both leading up to the ITER era, and continuing as the ITER facility is constructed. The book describes some key technological developments and provides one example of a fusion power plant design.
Diagnostic Testing in the Emergency Department of Atrial Fibrillation

Workup of atrial fibrillation starts with a thorough history and physical exam. Physical exam should focus on heart sounds, an irregular pulse, and signs of heart failure. Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is by electrocardiogram showing the absence of P waves and an irregularly irregular rhythm. Laboratory testing includes electrolytes and kidney function, hemoglobin, thyroid function, brain natriuretic peptide, and cardiac enzymes. A chest radiograph can help diagnose gross thoracic or cardiac abnormalities and the presence of heart failure. Lastly, echocardiography is important in evaluating structural cardiac defects and also the presence of blood clots in the atrium or atrial appendages.
Measurement of the unsteady lift of thick airfoils in incompressible turbulent flow

Abstract The unsteady lift spectrum for airfoils in turbulent flow has been measured in a water tunnel experiment. The results provide validation data for analytical models that account for the effect of airfoil thickness on the high frequency gust response. A series of four airfoils with elliptical leading edge profiles and thickness-to-chord ratios ranging from 8% to 16% were tested in grid-generated turbulence. The turbulent velocity spectrum was measured using Laser Doppler Velocimetry, and was found to be reasonably well approximated by an isotropic, homogeneous turbulence model. The unsteady force measurement setup and calibration procedure were designed to minimize the effect of system resonances, and contamination from facility vibration was reduced using a multiple coherence noise removal technique. Measurements of the unsteady lift spectrum were made at six speeds over the Reynolds number range 0.5–1.6 million, and the results were collapsed into a non-dimensional force spectrum for the non-dimensional frequency range 1 fc / U ∞ 10 . The experimental results agree very well with theory and confirm the importance of accounting for thickness to avoid overprediction of the forces in the high frequency range.
The Copyright Holdout Problem and New Internet-Based Services

This chapter examines the holdout problem involving a copyright holder’s refusal to license digital content to internet users or third-party intermediaries despite the possibilities of socially valuable uses. It begins with two case studies illustrating the classic holdout problem, which often arises when transaction costs are high or when parties have drastically different expectations. The first case study focuses on the developments concerning Google Books. The second case study examines YouTube and the emergent development of user-generated content. The chapter concludes with three sets of preemptive legal responses that can help address the internet-related copyright holdout problem: limitations and exceptions in copyright law, compulsory or statutory licensing arrangements, and exogenous constraints imposed by competition law.