cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical and Experimental Comparison of the Notch Tip Stresses in a Laminated Plate

A crack in a laminated, composite plate was modeled using numerical methods. The experimental results used to validate this analysis were for a (0,±45, 90) v graphite-epoxy plate with a center notch oriented normal to the loading direction. Two two-dimensional finite-element models were used to determine the size of the crack tip damage zones. One involved a purely elastic analysis; in the other, the element ply stiffness was completely discounted if the stresses exceeded the Tsai-Hill failure criterion. Diagrams showing the growth and shape of the ply damage zones at increasing load levels were developed for both models. The size of the subcracks in each ply were linearly related to the opening-mode stress intensity factor Kf. A critical stress intensity factor approach, an instability approach, and a new fracture load prediction method based on load-vs-load-bearing-area diagrams were used to predict the fracture load. Since this new method provided close upper and lower limits on the fracture load and is possibly applicable to complicated structures, it was considered the best of the three methods.
New magnetically induced super resolution disk by using exchange-coupled magnetic layers

Readout process of a new type of magnetically induced super resolution (MSR) disk was analyzed by calculating a domain shape in exchange-coupled ferrimagnetic layers. Analysis revealed that a suitable wall energy density at an interface between the layers existed for improving readout characteristics. This result obtained from calculation was confirmed by experiments. An areal recording density of 2.4 Gb/in/sup 2/ was achieved by using an 830 nm wavelength laser.
Benzene and naphthalene sorption on soil contaminated with high molecular weight residual hydrocarbons from unleaded gasoline

Abstract For complex nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), the composition of the NAPL retained in the pore space of geologic material weathers until the residual NAPL no longer acts a liquid and exists as discrete regions of hydrocarbon (termed residual hydrocarbons) in association with the geologic media (water wet media), or as thin film coatings on the media (NAPL wet media). In this study, the residual hydrocarbons were found to resist separation from the soil solids even when subjected to shaking in batch reactors. In addition, the magnitude of solute sorption was significantly higher for a low organic carbon soil contaminated with residual hydrocarbons than for natural soil organic carbon.
The state's stake in educational reform

This article argues that the recent national reports on educational reform must be understood as manifestations of the influence of capital and the state. The considerable pressure exerted on the schools by representatives of state capitalism does not guarantee that the proposed reforms will be enacted, however. The contradictory nature of the school's location in the democratic capitalist state, coupled with various forms of teacher and student resistance to the reports' recommendations, afford the opportunity for progressive educators to strip away the mystique of the school as a neutral site and to challenge the dominant ideology.
Sun glint and sea surface salinity remote sensing

The Aquarius/SAC-D mission will employ three L-band (1.41 GHz) radiometers dedicated to remote sensing of sea surface salinity. The mission will be in a dawn/dusk sun- synchronous orbit with the beam oriented toward the night time side of the orbit in order to limit interference from the Sun. The effect of surface roughness on solar radiation reflected from the surface will be examined. It will be shown that including the small scale roughness (waves) can have a major impact. Also, it will be shown that when the small scale waves are included it is possible to have significant radiation reflected into the main beam during seasonal extremes when a portion of the main beam is on the illuminated side of day-night terminator.
Interferon action in human fibroblasts: Induction of 2′, 5′-oligoadenylate synthetase in the absence of detectable protein kinase activity

In several strains of human fibroblasts, treatment with human α- or β-interferon (IFN) resulted in an induction of 2′, 5′-oligoadenylate synthetase but no protein kinase activity. The antiviral and anticellular effects of IFN are elicited in these cells in the absence of detectable IFN-induced protein kinase activity.
Dendritic cell-based human immunodeficiency virus vaccine

Dendritic cells (DC) have profound abilities to induce and coordinate T-cell immunity. This makes them ideal biological agents for use in immunotherapeutic strategies to augment T-cell immunity to HIV infection. Current clinical trials are administering DC-HIV antigen preparations carried out ex vivo as proof of principle that DC immunotherapy is safe and efficacious in HIV-infected patients. These trials are largely dependent on preclinical studies that will provide knowledge and guidance about the types of DC, form of HIV antigen, method of DC maturation, route of DC administration, measures of anti-HIV immune function and ultimately control of HIV replication. Additionally, promising immunotherapy approaches are being developed based on targeting of DC with HIV antigens in vivo. The objective is to define a safe and effective strategy for enhancing control of HIV infection in patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy.
Anatomical evidence for transsynaptic influences of estrogen on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.

Several studies have demonstrated that estrogen modulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein within the adult hippocampus and cortex. However, mechanisms underlying this regulation are unknown. Although an estrogen response element (ERE)-like sequence has been identified within the BDNF gene, such a classical mechanism of estrogen-induced transcriptional activation requires the colocalized expression of estrogen receptors within cells that produce BDNF. Developmental studies have demonstrated such a relationship, but to date no studies have examined colocalization of estrogen receptors and BDNF within the adult brain. By utilizing double-label immunohistochemistry for BDNF, estrogen receptor-α (ER-α), and estrogen receptor-β (ER-β), we found only sparse colocalization between ER-α and BDNF in the hypothalamus, amygdala, prelimbic cortex, and ventral hippocampus. Furthermore, ER-β and BDNF do not colocalize in any brain region. Given the recent finding that cortical ER-β is almost exclusively localized to parvalbumin-immunoreactive GABAergic neurons, we performed BDNF/parvalbumin double labeling and discovered that axons from cortical ER-β-expressing inhibitory neurons terminate on BDNF-immunoreactive pyramidal cells. Collectively, these findings support a potential transsynaptic relationship between estrogen state and cortical BDNF: By directly modulating GABAergic interneurons, estrogen may indirectly influence the activity and expression of BDNF-producing cortical neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 468:347–360, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reward revision and the average reward markov decision process

We integrate two numerical procedures for solving the average reward Markov decision process (MDP), standard successive approximations and modified policy iteration with reward revision. Reward revision is the process of revising the reward structure of a second, more computationally desirable MDP so as to produce, in the limit, an optimality equation having a fixed point identical to that associated with the original MDP. A numerical study indicates that for MDP's having a non-sparse transition structure with a small number of relatively large entries per row, the addition of reward revision can have significant computational benefits.
Calcium binding to cardiac troponin C

Abstract The binding of Ca2+ to cardiac troponin C was studied by determining changes in the fluorescence and circular dichroism of the protein and by following changes in the free Ca2+ concentration by means of a Ca2+-specific electrode. Cardiac troponin C contains three Ca2+-binding sites which fall into two classes —two sites with a higher affinity and one with a lower affinity. The higher-affinity sites also bind Mg2+ which competes with the Ca2+.
Estrogen negatively regulates rat gonadotropin releasing hormone (rGnRH) promoter activity in transfected placental cells.

Abstract To dissect the functional architecture of the rat gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) gene promoter and its regulation by estrogen, gene transfer studies were performed in a placental cell line. 5'-Deletional constructs demonstrated that cis-acting elements important for rGnRH promoter activity in placenta were contained within a region of the proximal promoter between −73 and −16 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site. In addition, an inhibitory region was found from −903 to −424. Deletion of sequences to −424 which removed the inhibitory region, produced a promoter fragment which exhibited a 50% inhibition of GnRH promoter activity in the presence of estrogen (E) and cotransfected estrogen receptor. Negative regulation by E was retained in constructs deleted to −73 bp. We conclude that sequences important for placental cell expression and estrogen regulation of rGnRH lie within the region from −73 to −16. In addition, potential represser sequences active in placental cells are present between −903 to 424.
Effect of valsartan on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide in patient with chronic heart failure: Comparison with enalapril

Background: Plasma concentration of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a strong prognostic indicator for patients with heart failure at all stages of disease. Several clinical trials have demonstrated convincingly that neuro hormonal modulation on renin angiotensin system (RAS) decreases plasma BNP level and results in favorable outcome. But there are still limited comparative data on the neuro-hormonal modulatory effect of the two RAS inhibitor, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker. Methods and results: This study was prospective, multicenter, randomized, open label controlled study involving 727 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 45%. Patients were assigned to receive valsartan (target dose of 160mg bid) or enalapril (target dose of 10mg bid) for 12 months. We compared plasma BNP, CRP level and echocardiographic parameters before and after treatment with valsartan or enalapril. BNP levels were significantly decreased after 12-month treatment with valsartan (3841.9± 6482.6 vs. 899.5± 2982.9, p< 0.01) or enalapril (3497.8± 5984.8 vs. 1096.1± 2680.3, p< 0.01). D t s 1 w w i w
Transportation Rates, Production and Location in the Moses-Weber Triangle: A Note

Abstract This paper provides a simple way to examine the role of quantity discounted transportation rates on the independence between optimum location and the level of output within the context of the Weber–Moses triangular model. Utilizing our approach, we conclude that the propositions derived by Miller and Jensen, and Ziegler relating to the case of quantity discounted transportation rates are not sufficient to insure independence between optimum location and output. Specifically, we show that for the case of quantity discounted transportation rates the independence between output and optimum location crucially depends upon whether the elasticities of transportation rates with respect to quantity are constant and identical; and the ratio of marginal products is equal to the ratio of marginal transportation costs. These results are quite different from Miller and Jensen's or Ziegler's.
Magnetic localization for perching UAVs on powerlines

Perching on powerlines to recharge provides a unique opportunity to extend the mission duration capabilities of small-scale UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of localizing an aircraft using the magnetic field generated by a current carrying wire through state estimation and hardware development. By using an Extended Kalman Filter to track the real and imaginary components of the magnetic field signal, we overcome the problems posed by the field's phase-amplitude ambiguity and demonstrate the ability to track an aircraft flying at speeds up to 8 m/s at a distance of 4 meters from the wire. We conclude that the achieved performance is adequate for controlling a bird-scale UAV in a dynamic perching maneuver and that our system would generalize to real world scenarios.
Monte Carlo modeling and measurements of actinic flux levels in Summit, Greenland snowpack

Abstract Knowledge of actinic flux levels in snowpack is needed to find the influence of snowpack photochemical processes on atmospheric composition. Measurements show that while
A method for obtaining more precise measures of excreted organic carbon1

A new method for concentrating and measuring excreted organic carbon by lyophilization and scintillation counting is efficient, improves measurable radioactivity of carbon 14, and increases precision for estimates of organic carbon excreted by phytoplankton and macrophytes.
Evidence-Based Clinical Prevention in the Era of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: The Role of the US Preventive Services Task Force

For more than 3 decades, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has made recommendations regardingclinicalpreventiveservicesforasymptomaticadultsand childreninprimarycare,basedonarigorousanalysisofthe best available evidence. Members of the task force are experts selected from fields involved in preventive services for a broad range of health conditions encountered in primary care. A broader array of experts including disease specialists provided detailed peer reviews of task force evidence summaries and draft recommendations. The USPSTF has an interest in improving the health of the public and helping ensure access to preventive care.
City Growth under Conflict Conditions: The View from Nyala, Darfur:

The developing world today is challenging conventional accounts of city growth and change. In Africa, for example, conflict and mass displacement are reconfiguring the urban landscape in ways that are hard to ignore. This paper analyzes how conflict and the arrival of a large humanitarian aid infrastructure influence the dynamics of city growth and bring about a distinct spatial structure, niche gentrification, and informal economy in Nyala, Darfur. Using data from a three-year field study, we show how the size and socio-spatial organization of the city changed, the directions in which the city grew, and the factors that drove these changes. We look at interaction patterns between residents of Nyala itself and those now residing in internally displaced person (IDP) camps on the edge of the city. We show that considerations of both insecurity and risk are vitally important to understanding the processes of conflict urbanization. Conflict generates a distinctive social structure as internal displaced people, international aid workers, and long-time urban residents all move within the city.
Simulation and analysis of vehicle-to-Grid operations in microgrid

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is gaining interests as means to provide reliability for power to the grid with the ability to supply power from energy storage in the vehicle. This paper presents simulation results of V2G operations in a microgrid for evaluation of reliability of the grid. It also proposes a charging and discharging control method based on the current load and battery status to relieve power load during peak hours and smooth out the load profile. Simulations are performed under both normal and “islanded” operation, i.e., disconnected from the utility grid. The results are significant in that V2G operations contribute to energy reliability on the site during emergency and cost savings in electricity bills and fuels for generators by reducing peak load.
Thermal and electrical evaluation of SiC GTOs for pulsed power applications

For applications which require high peak current and fast rise time, silicon carbide (SiC) material is ideal because of its ability to tolerate high localized temperatures generated during switching. This research was performed to investigate SiC devices for pulse power applications and to analyze the failure of the devices. Seven 2 mm/spl times/2 mm SiC gate turn-off thyristors (GTOs) manufactured by Cree, Inc., Durham, NC, were evaluated. The devices were tested at single shot and under repetitive stress using a ring-down capacitor discharge circuit. The current pulsewidth was 2 /spl mu/s with a peak current of 1.4 kA (current density of 94.6 kA/cm/sup 2/) and a maximum di/dt of 2.36 kA//spl mu/s. The maximum power dissipated within the devices was 240 kW. Thermal modeling of these devices was done using ANSYS to analyze the heating and cooling. A two-dimensional model was used that included the device package and bonding materials. The maximum amount of power dissipated was calculated from the 1000-A, 2-/spl mu/s pulse. No further power input was added to the model and the heat transfer was plotted on an exponential scale. It was found that heat applied to a 2-/spl mu/m-thick region of the fingers yielded a temperature greater than 800/spl deg/C in the device. It took 1.0E/sup -02/ s for this heat to dissipate and for the device to return to 23/spl deg/C. The minimum and maximum stresses were found to be -2.83E/sup +09/ Pa and 4.06E/sup +08/ Pa, respectively.
Evidence for Instant Blood-Mediated Inflammatory Reaction in Clinical Autologous Islet Transplantation

A nonspecific inflammatory and thrombotic reaction termed instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) has been reported when allogenic or xenogenic islets come into contact with blood. This reaction is known to cause significant loss of transplanted islets. We hypothesized that IBMIR occurs in patients undergoing total pancreatectomy followed by autologous islet transplantation (TP-AIT) and tested this hypothesis in 24 patients and in an in vitro model. Blood samples drawn during the peritransplant period showed a significant and rapid increase of thrombin-anti-thrombin III complex (TAT) and C-peptide during islet infusion, which persisted for up to 3 h, along with a decreased platelet count. A concomitant increase in levels of inflammatory proteins IL-6, IL-8 and interferon-inducible protein-10 was observed. An in vitro model composed of pure islets plus autologous blood also demonstrated significantly increased levels of TAT (p<0.05), C-peptide (p<0.05), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p<0.05) and MCP-1 (p<0.05), as well as strong tissue factor expression in islets. Islet viability decreased significantly but was rescued by the presence of low-molecular-weight dextran sulfate. In conclusion, AIT-induced elevation of TAT and destruction of islets suggests that IBMIR might occur during AIT. Modulating this process may help improve islet engraftment and the insulin independence rate in TP-AIT patients.
A low bias algorithm to estimate negative SNRs in an AWGN channel

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is an important parameter in many receivers. In this letter, we derive a maximum-likelihood estimate of the amplitude of a binary phase-shift keying modulated signal and develop an iterative SNR search algorithm. Low bias is achieved for low SNR.
Deep brain stimulation compared with methadone maintenance for the treatment of heroin dependence: a threshold and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Aims To determine the success threshold at which a theoretical course of deep brain stimulation (DBS) would provide the same quality of life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness for heroin dependence as methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Design We constructed a decision analysis model to calculate QoL after 6 months of MMT and compared it to a theoretical course of DBS. We also performed a cost-effectiveness analysis using societal costs of heroin dependence, MMT and DBS. Setting Systematic literature review and meta-analysis Participants Patients (n = 1191) from 15 trials administering 6 months of MMT and patients (n = 2937) from 45 trials of DBS for movement disorders. Measurements Data on QoL before and after MMT, retention in MMT at 6 months, as well as complications of DBS and their impact on QoL in movement disorders. Findings We found a QoL of 0.633 (perfect health = 1) in heroin addicts initiating MMT. Sixty-six per cent of patients completed MMT, but only 47% of them had opiate-free urine samples, resulting in an average QoL of 0.7148 (0.3574 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over 6 months). A trial of DBS is less expensive ($81 000) than untreated (or relapsed) heroin dependence ($100 000), but more expensive than MMT ($58 000). A theoretical course of DBS would need a success rate of 36.5% to match MMT, but a success rate of 49% to be cost-effective. Conclusions The success rate, defined as the percentage of patients remaining heroin-free after 6 months of treatment, at which deep brain stimulation would be similarly cost-effective in treating opiate addiction to methadone maintenance treatment, is estimated at 49%.
SYMake: a build code analysis and refactoring tool for makefiles

Software building is an important task during software development. However, program analysis support for build code is still limited, especially for build code written in a dynamic language such as Make. We introduce SYMake, a novel program analysis and refactoring tool for build code in Makefiles. SYMake is capable of detecting several types of code smells and errors such as cyclic dependencies, rule inclusion, duplicate prerequisites, recursive variable loops, etc. It also supports automatic build code refactoring, e.g. rule extraction/removal, target creation, target/variable renaming, prerequisite extraction, etc. In addition, SYMake provides the analysis on defined rules, targets, prerequisites, and associated information to help developers better understand build code in a Makefile and its included files.
The Managed Growth Trickle-Up Theory

Abstract My title is designed to elicit warm vibes from the free marketeers as well as from the public controllers. For when devising programs to relate the interests of the poor and the environment, it is as necessary to seek consensus in order to progress as it is in other contexts2. The managed growth trickle-up theory is designed to be a response by local and regional governments to move with alacrity in the provision of racially and economically integrated housing. Surely, now that Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 19744 is law, localities and regions can no longer blame their segregative practices on bureaucratic HUD bungling. The locus of blame is now not only clearer; failure to integrate housing is also more expensive.
It's a Long Way Home: International Student Adjustment to Living in the United States

This study addresses the need for information helpful in retaining international college students studying in the United States. This research compares the adjustment of 182 international students ...
3D structure of the Earth's lower mantle

Abstract We present an overview of the present knowledge of the Earth's lower mantle 3D structure, as currently obtained owing to progress, in the last ten years, in seismic tomography as well as forward modelling of seismic travel times and waveforms. We discuss constraints that seismic modelling brings to the debate concerning major geodynamical questions, in particular the issue of global ‘1 layer’ or ‘2 layer’ circulation, of the missing geochemical reservoir, as well as of the role in global dynamics of the thermochemical boundary layer at the base of the mantle.
On the conductance of slots

The external radiation conductance G of narrow half-wave axial and transverse slots on a circular cylinder, a ribbon, a knife edge, and a right-angle wedge are computed. The method is based on finding the total power radiated assuming a sinusoidal variation of voltage along the slot. The theoretical values of G for the ribbon of width 2d are applied to the case of a half-wave slot cut in the narrow face of a rectangular waveguide which has a flush mounted plate or flange of width 2d .
On modeling network congestion using continuous-time bivariate Markov chains

We consider a model of congestion for computer networks based on a continuous-time finite-state homogeneous bivariate Markov chain. The model can be used to evaluate, via computer simulation, the performance of protocols and applications in a network with random path delays and packet losses due to traffic congestion. Only one of the processes of the bivariate Markov chain is observable. In our application, that process represents the dynamics of traffic congestion along a network path in terms of packet delay or packet loss. The other is an underlying process which affects statistical properties of the observable process. Thus, for example, the interarrival time of observed events is phase-type. The general form of the bivariate process studied here makes no assumptions on the structure of the generator of the chain, and hence, neither the underlying process nor the observable process is necessarily Markov. We present an expectation-maximization procedure for estimating the generator of a bivariate Markov chain given a sample path of the observable process. We compare the performance of the estimation algorithm to an earlier approximate estimation procedure based on time-sampling.1
A Mouse Model of Albright Hereditary Osteodystrophy Generated by Targeted Disruption of Exon 1 of the Gnas Gene

Albright hereditary osteodystrophy is caused by heterozygous inactivating mutations in GNAS, a gene that encodes not only the alpha-chain of Gs (Galphas), but also NESP55 and XLalphas through use of alternative first exons. Patients with GNAS mutations on maternally inherited alleles are resistant to multiple hormones such as PTH, TSH, LH/FSH, GHRH, and glucagon, whose receptors are coupled to Gs. This variant of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy is termed pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a and is due to presumed tissue-specific paternal imprinting of Galphas. Previous studies have shown that mice heterozygous for a targeted disruption of exon 2 of Gnas, the murine homolog of GNAS, showed unique phenotypes dependent on the parent of origin of the mutated allele. However, hormone resistance occurred only when the disrupted gene was maternally inherited. Because disruption of exon 2 is predicted to inactivate Galphas as well as NESP55 and XLalphas, we created transgenic mice with disruption of exon 1 to investigate the effects of isolated loss of Galphas. Heterozygous mice that inherited the disruption maternally (-m/+) exhibited PTH and TSH resistance, whereas those with paternal inheritance (+/-p) had normal hormone responsiveness. Heterozygous mice were shorter and, when the disrupted allele was inherited maternally, weighed more than wild-type littermates. Galphas protein and mRNA expression was consistent with paternal imprinting in the renal cortex and thyroid, but there was no imprinting in renal medulla, heart, or adipose. These findings confirm the tissue-specific paternal imprinting of GNAS and demonstrate that Galphas deficiency alone is sufficient to account for the hormone resistance of pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a.
Will the Legacy of Our Past Provide Us With a Legacy for the Future

Mr Puller,* colleagues, distinguished guests—it is indeed my pleasure to open this meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association in Cincinnati, Ohio, marking the 72nd year in the history of the Association. This is a most historic year in the life of the profession of physical therapy because it does mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the first education program for the training of physical therapists in this country. Thus, the central theme about which this address will be based is: Will the legacy of our past provide us with a legacy for the future? To answer that question, we must look at the evolution of our profession, from what appeared to us as technical status, to somewhere in between, and now to the brink of professionalism.…
Utility assessment based on individualized patient perspectives

A novel approach to utility assessment is presented which enables the elicitation of an individualized understanding of the patients’ perspective. The result illuminates what dimensions of health are regarded as important in the patient’s own terms. This approach is in contrast to traditional utility assessment, which is conducted in prescribed terms, is difficult to apply with confidence on an individual basis and solicits a nonreusable single value for a specific outcome of a decision context. This paper discusses a method which attempts to elicit a complete, comprehensive and operational system of attribute scales to describe the relevant attributes of health in an individual’s personal perspective. The result is a personalized model that can be used to score any health in those terms with re-usable components. Piloting investigations with this fundamental approach reveal potential as a foundation for simple or complex multiattribute modeling and as promising with respect to psychometric evaluation. The systematic approach is grounds for expectation of automation and consistency which could raise the level of applied decision analysis in medical decisions.
Pseudo-pseudo-hypoparathyroidism in a child.

This is a report of the youngest known patient with pseudo-pseudo-hypoparathyroidism and the first child with the syndrome to be described in the American literature. In 1952 Albright et al . first reported this syndrome in an adult. The prefix "pseudo-pseudo-" was adopted because in a previously described syndrome, pseudo-hypoparathyroidism, the clinical findings described below plus convulsions had been associated with elevated concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and depressed concentrations of calcium in the serum. The patient is a white girl, age 7½ years, with retarded intellectual development and obesity (41.3 kg). There was no history of tetany or convulsions. Physical examination revealed round face, strabismus and stubby fingers. The fingernails and toenails were short and very wide. There were circular bluish areas over the thorax, abdomen and thighs. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, total protein, albumin and globulin were normal as was the alkaline phosphatase activity. Concentrations of inorganic phosphorus in the serum ranged from 6.9 to 7.8 mg/100 ml. An Ellsworth-Howard test was negative, but the parathyroid extract used may not have been potent. Roentgenograms of the hands revealed abnormally short, bowed metacarpals and short phalanges, with bone age of 13 to 14 years. There was calcification of soft tissues of the feet. The ratio of width to length of the thumbnail was 2.8. Similar ratios obtained with children of similar age ranged from 1.1 to 1.4. It is suggested that the ratio of width to length of the thumbnail be included in the physical examination of children with convulsions of unknown etiology, in an effort to identify more patients with pseudo-hypoparathyroidism. The mother had marked shortening of the fifth digit of each hand, with the site of the fifth knuckle replaced by a dimple. Her face was not especially round and she appeared to be of average intelligence. Roentgenogram of the mother's hands showed shortening of the right fourth and fifth metacarpals and the left fourth metacarpal, with extensive calcification of soft tissues in both hands and wrists. Pseudo-pseudo-hypoparathyroidism and pseudo-hypoparathyroidism exhibit a "vertical" familial pattern. This genetic pattern may be seen in diseases due to genes in the heterozygous state (i.e., so-called dominant genes). There is as yet no evidence that the two syndromes represent sex-linked genetic patterns.
Rociletinib, a third generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor: current data and future directions

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Major advances have been made since the discovery of driver mutations and their targeted therapies, especially in the treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Despite their initial efficacy in the majority of the patients with such driver mutations, all targeted therapies are limited by the eventual development of resistance mechanisms.Areas Covered: EGFR T790M mutation is a common resistance mechanism after treatment with first or second generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). Rociletinib is one of the third generation EGFR TKIs with activity against T790M and activating EGFR mutations while sparing the wild-type EGFR. In this review, we discuss the current understanding and available data on rociletinib, including the side effects associated with the medication. We will also review the BEAMing plasma test to detect T790M mutation without the need for repeat biopsy. Lastly, we review the potential resistance mechanisms after progression...
Reply to Comments on “Thinking About Our Work: Effects of Publishing on Therapists”

171 1 Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati. Correspondence should be addressed to Walter N. Stone, MD, 23 DeSilva Island Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941. E-mail: w_stone@comcast.net. I am pleased to add my thoughts to the excellent commentaries by Pepper and Solomita. Pepper begins with a very useful quotation from Heisenberg, noting that to observe something simply changes it. He describes in some detail his inner processes in managing the publication of his new book in relation to informing his patients that he has been writing about them. He compares the writing with the problematic issue in training settings where boundaries are blurred (sometimes quite detrimentally to all involved) when faculty of the training site lead process groups for trainees. In his vignette about leaving a copy of his book where his patients could easily find it, he comments about some of his own exhibitionism (I assume about illustrating his clinical skill). However, Pepper notes that sometimes there are previously unexamined fantasies about him as well as particular resistances. Even the book’s subtitle, A Conspiracy of Silence, exposed a member’s previously undiscussed low self-esteem and the intent of her silence to protect the leader. Other fantasies about him were expressed and seemed to open up areas that had not been dealt with earlier, and it seems that by writing and publishing the book, he brought into awareness that he did more than provide therapy. Solomita describes her experience as similar to my own, in that she had not considered her own response to revealing that she had written about her patients. Furthermore, like me, she did not think that she had altered her responses after the patients had learned of her writings. She continues to reflect on the positive elements in writing, particularly my discussing the writing with my patients (a process I firmly believe in). In the process of writing, she notes (as did I) that one pays
Stage flow pattern and the discriminating criterion of the large stream turbines

The technical difficulty of turbine varying condition calculation was discussed in detail.The concept of stage flow pattern was proposed.The stage flow pattern discriminated criterion of isentropic stream was derived exactly based on thermodynamic relational expressions.The author finds out that stage flow pattern is the inherent characteristic of stage.These achievements will enrich the turbine varying condition theory.
Simplified Method For Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Interstitial Brachytherapy Applications

Although three-dimensional (3-D) treatment planning has primarily been used for external beam radiation therapy, the advantages of 3-D treatment planning can be realized for brachytherapy applications. As with teletherapy, the use of 3-D treatment planning for brachytherapy can provide both superior dose distribution as well as detailed evaluations of the relationship of dose and volume in critical structures and target tissues. Conventional 3-D treatment planning uses computed tomography (CT) scans to localize structures; however, localizing individual brachytherapy sources on each CT slice can be impractical for routine clinical use. In the transition from two-dimensional to 3-D localization and dose evaluation of interstitial perineal templates in particular, a practical method of seed localization on a postimplant CT dataset has been developed. This method does not utilize dummy sources and, as such, does not require individual seed locations to be identified. Instead, the position of the afterloading catheter is defined as a reference line by connecting its location as seen on the axial CT slices and seed locations defined along its length. Full volumetric calculations can then be performed, including dose-volume histograms (DVH) for critical organs and tumor volumes. Source localization and normal tissue doses were calculated using both orthogonal films and the 3-D method for a series of perineal template guided implants. Point dose calculations of the rectum and bladder were obtained from orthogonal films and were then compared to the corresponding DVHs for these organs.
Modulated Expression of Specific tRNAs Drives Gene Expression and Cancer Progression

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are primarily viewed as static contributors to gene expression. By developing a high-throughput tRNA profiling method, we find that specific tRNAs are upregulated in human breast cancer cells as they gain metastatic activity. Through loss-of-function, gain-of-function, and clinical-association studies, we implicate tRNAGluUUC and tRNAArgCCG as promoters of breast cancer metastasis. Upregulation of these tRNAs enhances stability and ribosome occupancy of transcripts enriched for their cognate codons. Specifically, tRNAGluUUC promotes metastatic progression by directly enhancing EXOSC2 expression and enhancing GRIPAP1—constituting an “inducible” pathway driven by a tRNA. The cellular proteomic shift toward a pro-metastatic state mirrors global tRNA shifts, allowing for cell-state and cell-type transgene expression optimization through codon content quantification. TRNA modulation represents a mechanism by which cells achieve altered expression of specific transcripts and proteins. TRNAs are thus dynamic regulators of gene expression and the tRNA codon landscape can causally and specifically impact disease progression.
Entropic Determinants and Barriers in the Formation of RNA Secondary Structures

Any nucleic acid structure that contains single-stranded (ss) segments is dominated by entropy, but molecular-level information about these entropic determinants are inaccessible to direct experiments. A new Monte Carlo (MC) simulation has been developed based on a recently reported backbone conformational formula (BCV/-c) for RNAs. BCV/-c analytically enumerates all conformational states on the sugar-phosphate backbone. It has been validated rigorously against experiments, and the new MC algorithm, NUCLEIC, is atomistically accurate, computationally efficient, as well as predictive. We used NUCLEIC to investigate the entropic landscape of a comprehensive set of RNA secondary structures including: hairpins, stem-loops, symmetric and asymmetric bulges, 2-way, 3-way and 4-way junctions, as well as triplexes and quadruplexes. We found strong evidence that the kinetic barriers to the formation of many of these secondary structural elements are determined by the entropic bottlenecks associated with the unpaired ss tracts on each structure, though the thermodynamic free energy factor that stabilizes them come predominantly from base stacking. Based on these entropy data, we computed the rates of formation of various secondary structures and found that the kinetics of different pathways leading to the same product structure often have significantly different rates. These results highlight the importance of a molecular-level understanding of entropy as a defining factor behind RNA structures.
Intellectuals and political strategy: hegemony, posthegemony, and post-Marxist theory in Latin America

ABSTRACTRecent work on posthegemony has sought to displace the theory of hegemony as the primary mode of understanding politics, particularly with respect to Latin America. However, this work has yet to address the history of the theory of hegemony in Latin America itself. The present article traces the history of the theory of hegemony as a reference point for Marxists in twentieth century Argentina, working through key texts from the theory’s regional introduction by Hector Agosti, through the work of Pasado y Presente, to that of Ernesto Laclau. I argue that the theory of hegemony in the Argentine context has historically served to place intellectuals and their productions at the centre of history, and has conceived of political strategy and organisation from this perspective. Understanding this limitation and its history, I conclude, will give posthegemony theory the strategic and conceptual bearings by which to surpass the problematic of hegemony.
Voltammetric determination of diffusion coefficients in polymer membranes

The diffusion-controlled transport of ions and molecules through polymer membranes utilized in chemical and biosensors is often the key factor determining the response characteristics of these sensors. In this paper, a simple voltammetric method is described for the determination of diffusion coefficients of redox molecules in resistive polymer membranes using a planar electrochemical cell (PEC) with a 5 μm radius carbon fiber as working electrode. In the proposed method, the diffusion coefficients are assessed from the scan rate dependence of the peak (or limiting) currents in linear sweep or cyclic voltammograms. The accuracy of the method is estimated through simulations using the method of Nicholson and Shain describing the quantitative relationship between the measured peak current (ip) and the square root of the scan rate (v1/2). The proposed method has been used for measuring the diffusion coefficients of ferrocene derivatives in highly resistive aqueous solutions, organic solvents, plasticizers, and plasticized PVC membranes. The measured diffusion coefficients are in agreement with theoretical models and previously reported values.
Female germ cell tumors (GCT): The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) experience

5539 Background: Due to their rarity, little is known about female GCT biology and response to therapy. Management is largely based on studies of male GCT and epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: We...
Energy Consumption Modeling of Stereolithography-Based Additive Manufacturing Toward Environmental Sustainability

Summary Additive manufacturing (AM), also referred as three-dimensional printing or rapid prototyping, has been implemented in various areas as one of the most promising new manufacturing technologies in the past three decades. In addition to the growing public interest in developing AM into a potential mainstream manufacturing approach, increasing concerns on environmental sustainability, especially on energy consumption, have been presented. To date, research efforts have been dedicated to quantitatively measuring and analyzing the energy consumption of AM processes. Such efforts only covered partial types of AM processes and explored inadequate factors that might influence the energy consumption. In addition, energy consumption modeling for AM processes has not been comprehensively studied. To fill the research gap, this article presents a mathematical model for the energy consumption of stereolithography (SLA)-based processes. To validate the mathematical model, experiments are conducted to measure the real energy consumption from an SLA-based AM machine. The design of experiments method is adopted to examine the impacts of different parameters and their potential interactions on the overall energy consumption. For the purpose of minimization of the total energy consumption, a response optimization method is used to identify the optimal combination of parameters. The surface quality of the product built using a set of optimal parameters is obtained and compared with parts built with different parameter combinations. The comparison results show that the overall energy consumption from SLA-based AM processes can be significantly reduced through optimal parameter setting, without observable product quality decay.
Environmental Benign Electrokinetics for Landslide Mitigation

Landslide is one of the major geological disasters that pose serious threat to the communities. The use of electrochemical stabilization techniques can provide effective remediation for shallow and intermediate depth landslide failures through cohesive weak soils. It is a promising alternative to conventional remediation measures under situations where regular construction loads might trigger catastrophic landslide failure. Electrokinetic treatment, however, requires a large amount of electricity that is typically produced with a mobile fuel-based generator. The high fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission lead to undesirable economic and environmental consequences. Renewable energy such as the wind and solar energy provides a promising electricity supply for electrochemical treatment. This paper provides a conceptual analysis on the electrochemical treatment with renewable wind energy. The results show that electrokinetic soil improvements using a renewable generator can be more economical than the traditional generator. It is an environmental friendly option for electrokinetic stabilization of landslide.
Apuntes para una teoría de la traducción latinoamericana

The article addresses the following questions from the perspective of history: Is there a Latin American translation theory? What are its contents? First, it identifies the “Latin American need” for translation resulting from the emergence of nation states, and describes its specificities through a comparison with the initial debate on modern Western translation theory carried out in Germany at the beginning of the 19th century. It then traces the subsequent diverse uses of translation as a procedure in the search for identity. Finally, it discusses the debate between Arguedas and Cortazar at the end of the 1960s, which reveals the tension underlying a Latin American theory of translation. On the basis of the debate and of history itself, the article concludes that one of the main roles of translation in Latin America has been to designate markers of foreignness as a cultural self-definition mechanism.
Micro/nano manufacturing of novel multifunctional layers for hydrogen production from water splitting

Liquid/gas diffusion layers (LGDLs) function as a medium to transport heat, electrons, and reactants/products in/out of the PEMECs simultaneously with minimum losses of electrical interfacial, thermal, and fluidics. As multifunctional layers, they are located between the catalyst layer (CL) and bipolar plate (BP), and play a critical role in enhancing the performance of water splitting in proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells (PEMECs). With the help of the advanced micro/nano manufacturing methods, novel LGDLs with planar surface, small thickness and well-controllable pore morphologies are fabricated. The new thin LGDLs with different pore morphologies are also in-situ tested in PEMECs and a superior performance has been achieved. This novel thin LGDLs can be a new guide for future research and development towards high-efficiency and low-cost hydrogen energy.
CRISPR System: From Adaptive Immunity to Genome Editing

CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary genome-editing tool. Understanding how Cas9 recognizes DNA and how to control its function will be critical in improving the system. We used single-molecule FRET to elucidate a key validation step during DNA target recognition. We also used X-ray crystallography to show how a Cas9 inhibitor is able to permit DNA binding but prevent cleavage. Finally, CRISPR research is notable not just for the exciting applications, but also for its profound ethical implications.
Global Indios: The Indigenous Struggle for Justice in Sixteenth-Century Spain. By Nancy E. van Deusen. (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2015. Pp. xi, 336. $26.95.)

This book reveals previously overlooked aspects of slavery, law, and race in the early Spanish Empire. In particular, it contributes to a growing body of scholarship exploring the indigenous slave ...