cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Precision X-ray Spectrometer

Multiple-deep-slit x-ray spectrometer.---A Bragg spectrometer was provided with two collimators, each consisting of a number of thin parallel strips of lead, separated a distance 1/166 times their length so as to produce many deep parallel slits. By this construction, radiation from a considerable area of the target passes through one or other of the slits of the first collimator, a large area of the specimen is thus irradiated, and also reflected radiation passing through one or other of the deep slits of the collimator fastened to the ionization chamber reaches a large area of cross section of that chamber; therefore the intensity of the ionization is relatively much greater than for the ordinary spectrometer. Any type of flat specimen can be studied, since in the large area irradiated properly oriented crystals are sure to be present, for some angles at least. The intensity curves obtained show sharp peaks, therefore lines can be accurately measured even when only 2\ensuremath{'} of arc apart. Moreover, the large intensity available enables such peaks to be located for large angles between the axis of the collimators, increasing the accuracy. A test with a small sheet of steel gave accurate measurements of the $\mathrm{MoK}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}$ and $\mathrm{K}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{2}$ peaks, the wave-length ratio coming out 1.00604 in agreement with Duane's value 1.00605. Also the expansion of the steel to 475\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C was readily observed, the shift of 9\ensuremath{'} giving a coefficient of 12 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$. The change in atomic distance produced by stretching a steel strip beyond its elastic limit was also measured, the contraction at an angle of 82\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the stress being 0.265 per cent. This instrument should prove useful in studying the effect of any agency tending to change the interatomic distances.
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum K+ (TRIC) Channel Does Not Carry Essential Countercurrent during Ca2+ Release

The charge translocation associated with sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ efflux is compensated for by a simultaneous SR K+ influx. This influx is essential because, with no countercurrent, the SR membrane potential (Vm) would quickly (<1 ms) reach the Ca2+ equilibrium potential and SR Ca2+ release would cease. The SR K+ trimeric intracellular cation (TRIC) channel has been proposed to carry the essential countercurrent. However, the ryanodine receptor (RyR) itself also carries a substantial K+ countercurrent during release. To better define the physiological role of the SR K+ channel, we compared SR Ca2+ transport in saponin-permeabilized cardiomyocytes before and after limiting SR K+ channel function. Specifically, we reduced SR K+ channel conduction 35 and 88% by replacing cytosolic K+ for Na+ or Cs+ (respectively), changes that have little effect on RyR function. Calcium sparks, SR Ca2+ reloading, and caffeine-evoked Ca2+ release amplitude (and rate) were unaffected by these ionic changes. Our results show that countercurrent carried by SR K+ (TRIC) channels is not required to support SR Ca2+ release (or uptake). Because K+ enters the SR through RyRs during release, the SR K+ (TRIC) channel most likely is needed to restore trans-SR K+ balance after RyRs close, assuring SR Vm stays near 0 mV.
“Changing the Text”: Modeling Council Capacity to Produce Institutionalized Change

Collaboration is a ubiquitous approach to change, but is notoriously difficult and not definitively linked to desirable outcomes. Not surprisingly, the collaboration literature is replete with numerous facilitators and barriers to collaborative efforts. The current study aimed to develop a parsimonious model of factors influencing the success of collaborative efforts both internal and external to the council, including, (a) features of the council environment, (b) intermediate outcomes including the empowerment of members in the council context and the degree to which councils have generated social capital and (c) the extent to which collaborative efforts are occurring in a community context supportive of their aims. In particular, this study examines whether these factors affect the extent to which councils are positioned to achieve institutionalized change, or changes “in the text” that govern front line providers’ (e.g., police, advocates) practices in the community response to intimate partner violence. Results suggest that perceived member empowerment, generation of social capital, and supportive community context are the most important predictors of the extent to which councils foster shifts in institutionalized change. Features of the council environment are only indirectly related to the degree to which institutionalized change is ultimately fostered as mediated by the generation of social capital. This suggests that the ability of members to act as change agents and the extent to which those in power support council efforts figure more prominently to facilitate or constrain council efforts than council functioning itself.
Solubilization of molecular elements of scintillons: bioluminescent particles from dinoflagellates.

Scintillons are particles found in extracts of the bioluminescent dinoflagellateGonyaulax which emit a flash of lightin vitro when the pH is lowered from 8 to 5.7. Although extracts also contain active soluble elements, namely a substrate (luciferin) and enzyme (luciferase), simple washing of scintillons does not release substantial quantities of these elements. By extracting at a high ionic strength, a protein-bound form of the substrate has been reversibly dissociated, while treatment with the detergent Triton X-100 or aging releases the enzyme. The results suggest that the substrate-binding protein is bound to the particle chiefly by electrostatic forces, whereas the attachment of luciferase involves instead hydrophobic interactions, and that the two are present in the particles in approximately equal amounts. The results also indicate that the properties of the components of the reaction are not greatly changed when they are particulate. The molecular organization of this system and its physiological meaning are discussed.
Porcine small bowel allotransplantation.

Results of near-total small bowel allotransplantation in pigs are considered. The overall survival is 5.5 days which is comparable to the results in untreated canine transplants. The application of this form of transplantation clinically is briefly discussed. Some specific problems related to the procedure in the pig are considered.
Notes: On a Remez-type inequality for trigonometric polynomials

We obtain a Remez-type inequality for a trigonometric polynomial Q"n of degree at most n with real coefficients @?Q"n@?"C"("("-"@p","@p"]@?(1/2)(2/sin(@l/4))^2^n@?Q"n@?"C"("E"),@l@?(0,2@p], where E@?(-@p,@p] is a measurable set with |E|>=@l. This estimate is asymptotically sharp as @l->0+, that is, for the best constant C"n","R(@l) in this inequality, C"n","R(@l)=(1/2)(8/@l)^2^n(1+o(1)). We also extend this result to polynomials with complex coefficients.
Comparative protein modeling by satisfaction of spatial restraints

Approximately one third of known protein sequences are related to at least one known protein structure. As a result, an order of magnitude more sequences can be modeled by comparative modeling than there are experimentally determined protein structures. A large fraction of these models has an accuracy approaching that of a low resolution X-ray structure or a medium resolution nuclear magnetic resonance structure. The number of applications where homology modeling has been proven useful is growing rapidly.
Indigenous Mexican Migrants in the United States

The multiple pasts and futures of the Mexican nation can be seen in the faces of the tens of thousands of indigenous people who each year set out on their voyages to the north, as well as the many others who decide to settle in countless communities within the United States. To study indigenous Mexican migrants in the United States today requires a binational lens, taking into account basic changes in the way Mexican society is understood as the twenty-first century begins. This collection explores these migration processes and their social, cultural, and civic impacts in the United States and in Mexico. The studies come from diverse perspectives, but they share a concern with how sustained migration and the emergence of organizations of indigenous migrants influence social and community identity, both in the United States and in Mexico. These studies also focus on how the creation and re-creation of collective ethnic identities among indigenous migrants influences their economic, social, and political relationships in the United States. of California, Santa Cruz
mmTEXlam® - A Graphical User Interfaced Design Code for Laminated Textile Fabric Composites

mmTEXlam® is a graphical userinterfaced program developed to calculate the elastic constants and A, B, and D matrices of textile fiber reinforced composite laminates. Architectures modeled are unidirectional, two-dimensional (2-D) biaxial weaves and braids, 2-D triaxial braids and 3-D four-step circular and multiinterlock braids. Each fabric composite, and its representation unit cell (RUC) is defined. Within the RUC, the geometrical description of all yarns are defined along with the interstitial matrix. Based on the iso-strain assumption, the constitutive matrix of the composite was developed and from that the elastic constants were deduced. The laminate analysis was based on the classical lamination theory. For a defined stacking sequence, A, B, and D matrices were computed. And then from the A matrix, the elastic constants were computed, from the laminate. The .Dll of the FORTRAN program is embedded in a MS Visual Basic 6.0 to capture its graphical and point-click features. * Graduate Student * Director, Center for Composite Materials Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Associtae Fellow AIAA Copyright© 2000 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction Composite materials reinforced with fiber preforms made by either weaving, braiding or knitting fiber yarns are being considered for potential structural applications in the aircraft and automotive industries. Such fiber reinforced "textile" composites potentially have better out-ofplane stiffness, strength, and toughness properties than tape laminates. The stiffness and strength are generated by the fiber architecture. They have potential for improved impact and delamination resistance. The architecture of a textile fiber preform is complex, and therefore, parameters controlling its mechanical properties are numerous. This necessitates development of analytical models to predict the thermal and mechanical properties of textile composites. A number of analytical and numerical techniques have been used to analyze both woven and braided composites. All of the proposed models exploit the periodicity of the textile architecture to isolate a representative unit cell (RUC). The RUC is assumed to lie in the interior of the composite away from edge effects. Overall properties are calculated by making certain assumptions about the RUC internal geometry and deformation field. Analytical models used in the past are presented in references [1-19]. Some of the more recent models for analyzing woven and braided composites are highlighted below. In 1 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (c)2001 American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics or Published with Permission of Author(s) and/or Author(s)' Sponsoring Organization.
Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Antagonists for Atherosclerosis and Cardiometabolic Disorders: New Hopes, Old Concerns?

The endocannabinoid system (EC) system is a recently characterized physiological system that comprises the G protein–coupled CB1 and CB2, as well as additional yet unidentified receptors, their endogenous ligands termed endocannabinoids (lipid mediators generated in the brain and peripheral tissues, which elicit a broad range of biological effects similar to those of marijuana), and the enzymes and membrane transporter(s) involved in the biosynthesis/degradation and cellular uptake/release of these lipid mediators.1 The dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system has recently been implicated in numerous human diseases, and its pharmacological modulation is a very promising strategy to treat various inflammatory, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic disorders, ischemia/reperfusion damage, as well as cancer and pain.1,2 CB2 receptors are predominantly expressed in immune and hematopoietic cells, but to a lesser extent also in the myocardium, and in coronary endothelial and smooth muscle cells.1,3 Activation of CB2 receptors mediates various antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive effects,1 and has recently been shown to attenuate atherosclerosis progression in an apolipoprotein E knockout mouse model of the disease, presumably by reducing the proliferative capacity and interferon (INF)-γ production of lymphoid cells, and inhibiting macrophage chemotaxis and migration.4 CB2 receptors activation also attenuates the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α– or bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS])-induced vascular inflammatory response, and inflammation associated with ischemic reperfusion injury.3,5 The CB1 receptor is widely distributed in the central nervous system and at lower levels in various peripheral tissues (eg, myocardium, adipose tissue, liver, etc), and it has been shown to play an important role in regulating body weight, energy balance, as well as glucose and lipid/fat metabolism.1,2 Tonic activation of CB1 receptors by endocannabinoids may also contribute to cardiovascular risk factors in patients with obesity/metabolic syndrome and diabetes, such as plasma lipid alterations, abdominal obesity, …
Microcomputer based low-head gravity-flow bubbler irrigation system design.

Abstract Low-head bubbler irrigation systems are microirrigation systems that are based on gravity flow, operate at pressure heads as low as 1 m, and require no filtration or pumping. Despite their simplicity and advantages, low-head bubbler systems are not used in many countries. This is mainly due to lack of a well-defined design procedure to facilitate design and installation. A computer program called bubbler was developed for low-head gravity bubbler irrigation system design and analysis. It is a PC-based program that works under DOS environment. It takes minimal data input, and solves the hydraulics of low-head gravity distribution of water from multiple outlet pipe systems. The input includes elevation of the water source, crop and row spacing, field size, and elevation of the four corners of the field. The output includes the mainline, submain, and lateral sizes, delivery hose size, delivery hose elevations, and cost estimates. An example design is presented. The program can be used to evaluate alternative designs in minutes to decide the physical and economic feasibility of the system.
Comparison of HF Radar and ADCP Surface Currents at the Delaware Bay Mouth

Coastal surface currents measured remotely by high frequency (HF) radar are compared with those from in situ acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) deployed in both Eulerian and Lagrangian configurations. Two 25 MHz CODAR SeaSondesreg, located at Cape May, NJ and Cape Henlopen, DE, continuously measure surface currents at the Delaware Bay mouth. The radars measure surface current hourly with a spatial resolution of approximately 1.5 km using ideal antenna patterns. Surface currents in this area are dominated by strong semidiurnal tidal exchange between the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, which can reach velocities of 190 cm/s. An upward looking 600 KHz ADCP with a vertical resolution of 0.5 m was deployed on a seafloor frame 1.5 km east of Cape Henlopen within the radar footprint for 38 days. A downward looking 600 KHz ADCP with a vertical resolution of 1 m was mounted on a research vessel and operated continuously along a transect within the radar footprint for 41 hours. Velocities from the uppermost complete bin of the seafloor mounted ADCP are compared with the nearest radar measurement. Velocities from the shallowest bin of the ship mounted ADCP are compared with the nearest radar measurement in both time and space. No interpolation was done. Regression analysis indicates correlation coefficients (R) between the radar and ADCPs of 0.8 to 0.9 for current magnitude and 0.7 to 0.8 for current direction. Complex correlation analysis yields correlation coefficients greater than 0.9 with the ADCP observations veering clockwise from the radar observations by 0.3deg to 0.6deg. The root mean square (RMS) difference of magnitudes indicates that radar measurements of surface current magnitude are 19.4% greater than those made by the moored ADCP and 8.2% less than those made by the ship ADCP.
A cognitive interpretation of negative transfer and forgetting of paired associates

A new interpretation of negative transfer and forgetting is presented, using concepts of storage and retrieval from memory. According to the interpretation given, one process in negative transfer is interference with the stroage of new items, produced by carryover of the encodings of stimuli and responses from earlier pairings. The other process in transfer, and the main process in forgetting, is interference with the retrieval process, produced mainly by the inclusion of the same stimuli in two retrieval systems. These ideas are used to interpret three empirical results. The first came from measurements of difficulty in two stages of paired-associate memorizing that were obtained for four paradigms of negative transfer. A second finding is based on a series of different retention tests given after interpolated learning in the four paradigms. And the third result consists of evidence that recall of two responses paired with the same stimulus is independent.
Spectrum of Cardiovascular Diseases in Asian-American Racial/Ethnic Subgroups

Purpose To compare the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) across Asian-American subgroups (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese) and non-Hispanic white (NHW) subjects in a mixed-payer, outpatient health care organization in California. Methods Electronic health records from 2007 to 2010 were examined for 94,423 Asian and NHW patients. Age-adjusted prevalence rates of CHD, stroke, and PVD, defined by physician International Classification of Diseases, Version 9, codes, were directly standardized to the NHW population. Age-adjusted odds ratios were calculated by the use of logistic regression for each Asian subgroup, by sex, compared with NHWs. Results The range of age-adjusted prevalence rates were: CHD (1.7%−5.2%), stroke (0.3%−1.8%), and PVD (0.9%−3.4%). The adjusted odds ratios of CHD were significantly higher for Filipino women (1.66; 95% confidence interval; 1.13−2.43) and men (1.47, 1.05−2.06) and Asian Indian men (1.77, 1.43−2.21), and significantly lower for Chinese women (0.72, 0.55−0.94) and men (0.78, 0.65−0.93), compared with NHWs. The odds of stroke were significantly greater for Filipino women (2.02, 1.22−3.34). The odds of PVD were generally lower for all Asian subgroups. Conclusion There is considerable heterogeneity across Asian subgroups for prevalent CHD, stroke, and PVD. Future research should disaggregate Asian subgroups and cardiovascular outcomes to inform targeted prevention and treatment efforts.
Trial design: blood pressure control and weight gain prevention in prehypertensive and hypertensive smokers: the treatment and prevention study.

Background Cigarette smokers with elevated blood pressure (BP) are at substantially higher risk for cardiovascular events compared to normotensive smokers. Although smoking cessation should be a primary treatment goal for these patients, increases in body weight accompanying smoking abstinence may further increase BP. Intervention strategies that facilitate smoking cessation and modify adverse changes in body weight and BP are needed.
Prediction of Psychopathology and Functional Impairment by Positive and Negative Schizotypy in the Chapmans’ Ten-year Longitudinal Study

The present study examined the predictive validity of psychometrically assessed positive and negative schizotypy in the Chapmans’ 10-year longitudinal data set. Schizotypy provides a useful construct for understanding the etiology and development of schizophrenia and related disorders. Schizotypy and schizophrenia share a common multidimensional structure that includes positive and negative symptom dimensions. Recent cross-sectional studies have supported the validity of psychometric positive and negative schizotypy; however, the present study is the first to examine the predictive validity of these dimensions. The Chapmans’ longitudinal data provided an ideal opportunity because of the large sample size, high reassessment rate, and extended interval between assessments. A total of 534 psychometric high-risk and control participants were initially assessed, and 95% of this sample was reinterviewed 10 years later. As hypothesized, positive and negative schizotypy uniquely predicted the development of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. At the reassessment, both positive and negative schizotypy predicted psychotic-like, schizotypal, and paranoid symptoms, as well as poorer adjustment. The positive dimension was associated with mood and substance use disorders and mental health treatment. Negative schizotypy was associated with schizoid symptoms and social impairment at the follow-up. The results extend the growing validity findings for psychometrically assessed positive and negative schizotypy by demonstrating that they are associated with the development of differential patterns of symptoms and impairment.
Inhibition of Bacterial Ribosome Assembly: a Suitable Drug Target?

Summary: The assembly of bacterial ribosomes is viewed with increasing interest as a potential target for new antibiotics. The in vivo synthesis and assembly of ribosomes are briefly reviewed here, highlighting the many ways in which assembly can be perturbed. The process is compared with the model in vitro process from which much of our knowledge is derived. The coordinate synthesis of the ribosomal components is essential for their ordered and efficient assembly; antibiotics interfere with this coordination and therefore affect assembly. It has also been claimed that the binding of antibiotics to nascent ribosomes prevents their assembly. These two contrasting models of antibiotic action are compared and evaluated. Finally, the suitability and tractability of assembly as a drug target are assessed.
Evaluation of serum Amphiregulin levels in breast cancer patients and cancer-free controls

Background Expression of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor ligand, Amphiregulin, has been associated with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. As Amphiregulin is proteolytically released from the surface of breast cancer cells, we investigated the levels of Amphiregulin in the serum of breast cancer patients and cancer-free women to evaluate its potential utility as a breast cancer biomarker.
Seamless correction of the sickle cell disease mutation of the HBB gene in human induced pluripotent stem cells using TALENs

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common human genetic disease which is caused by a single mutation of human β-globin (HBB) gene. The lack of long-term treatment makes the development of reliable cell and gene therapies highly desirable. Disease-specific patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have great potential for developing novel cell and gene therapies. With the disease-causing mutations corrected in situ, patient-derived hiPSCs can restore normal cell functions and serve as a renewable autologous cell source for the treatment of genetic disorders. Here we successfully utilized transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), a recently emerged novel genome editing tool, to correct the SCD mutation in patient-derived hiPSCs. The TALENs we have engineered are highly specific and generate minimal off-target effects. In combination with piggyBac transposon, TALEN-mediated gene targeting leaves no residual ectopic sequences at the site of correction and the corrected hiPSCs retain full pluripotency and a normal karyotype. Our study demonstrates an important first step of using TALENs for the treatment of genetic diseases such as SCD, which represents a significant advance toward hiPSC-based cell and gene therapies.
Investigating the relationship between learning style preferences and teaching collaboration skills and technology: An exploratory study

This paper reports on an exploratory study that investigates the relationship between participants' learning style preferences and their perceptions of a professional workshop on collaboration and technology to support collaboration. The Learning Preference Scale-Students (LPSS) (Owens & Barnes, 1992) was administered to identify participants' learning style preferences as cooperative, competitive and/or individualized. Using cluster analysis two groups, or categories, of learning style preferences among the participants emerged. Group 1 showed a strong preference for the cooperative learning style, and Group 2 showed a strong preference for competitive and cooperative learning styles. Group 1 rated the workshop more positively than Group 2. However, Group 2 reported a larger increase in self-efficacy compared to those in Group 1 (18.9% vs. 6.0%). Both groups provided different suggestions regarding the content of the workshop. Group 1 suggested adding more discussions and group exercises, whereas Group 2 suggested adding explicit theory or rules to govern behavior. These findings indicate that learning styles should be considered as a potential variable that influences learning outcomes and preferences.
Factors relating to gender specificity of unloading-induced declines in strength†

Introduction: This investigation aimed to: (1) confirm whether women were more vulnerable to the negative neuromuscular adaptations elicited by muscle unloading and if so, (2) determine which physiological mechanism(s) explain those gender-related differences. Methods: Healthy young men (20.7 ± 0.3 years) and women (20.3 ± 0.3 years)—(N = 12/group)—participated by completing neuromuscular functional tests before and after 7 days of unloading. Results: During isokinetic testing of peak torque, work performed, and power, women displayed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater declines in performance than men at 1.05 and 2.09, but not 0.53 rads/s. During maximal isometric contractions, women experienced greater strength decrements. Similar gender-specific adaptations to unloading were found in EMG activity, but not muscle mass, neuromuscular transmission, or force relative to EMG. Conclusions: Women are more susceptible to the adaptations of muscle unloading, and disturbances in neural drive from the central nervous system are probably responsible. Muscle Nerve 46: 210–217, 2012
Functional analysis of Pitx during asexual regeneration in a basal chordate

SUMMARY Embryogenesis in ascidians is the classic example of mosaic development, yet within this phyla a number of colonial species exist which as adults can reproduce entire bodies asexually. The colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri is an excellent model to study this process: on a weekly basis it regenerates all somatic and germline tissues, and while these processes have been characterized morphologically at high-resolution over the last 70 years, almost nothing is known regarding the genetic basis of asexual development and its relationship to embryogenesis. In this study, we functionally characterized the role of the paired-related homeobox transcription factor, Pitx, during this regenerative process. During ascidian embryogenesis Pitx seems to be multifunctional and involved in the formation of multiple tissues, including the stomodeum, pituitary gland, and determination of left-right asymmetry, similar to other deuterostomes. Previous spatial-temporal expression studies during asexual regeneration in Botryllus adults suggest the same roles in this developmental program. Here, we analyzed Pitx function using RNA interference at distinct stages of asexual development. Pitx phenotypes were described focusing on each developmental stage both in vivo, and via histological analysis, and were found to correspond to expression patterns; with the exception that normal asymmetries in the gut were not affected by knockdown. As mRNA destruction is not instantaneous, we found that by tailoring our short interfering double-stranded RNA delivery different developmental processes could be studied independently. This allows a reverse genetic approach to dissect asexual developmental pathways, even in cases involving multifunctional, ubiquitously expressed genes like Pitx.
Corporate Governance Research in Accounting and Auditing: Insights, Practice Implications, and Future Research Directions

SUMMARY: Over the past two decades, the corporate governance literature in accounting and auditing has grown rapidly. To better understand this body of work, we discuss 12 recent literature review or meta-analysis papers and summarize selected results (i.e., clusters of papers with new and interesting results) from recent empirical research papers, after reviewing the findings of over 250 studies. Our corporate governance focus is primarily on corporate board and audit committee issues. We discuss the major insights from this literature and the practice implications of these findings. In addition, we identify a number of opportunities for future research. In particular, we make suggestions for: (1) improved research paradigms in corporate governance, (2) extensions of existing research, and (3) new or emerging lines of research.
A NOVEL, ELASTICALLY-BASED, REGENERATIVE BRAKE AND LAUNCH ASSIST MECHANISM

This paper presents the development of a regenerative brake and launch assist (RBLA) mechanism that stores energy in an elastic medium. Automotive regenerative braking systems harness kinetic energy while a vehicle decelerates, and subsequently uses that stored energy to assist propulsion. Commercially available hybrid vehicles use generators, batteries, and motors to electrically implement regenerative braking and increase overall vehicle efficiency. With the intent to apply regenerative braking technology to conventional automobiles equipped with only an internal combustion engine, a spring-based mechanical device is proposed. This RBLA concept implements clutches, gears, a ratchet and a spring. The mechanism captures energy from, and releases energy to, an additional shaft allowing the axle to continually rotate. Governing equations were formulated and validated by a dynamic simulation. In creating the detailed design, an optimization determined ideal spring and mechanism dimensions. A physical prototype was designed and fabricated to demonstrate the concept. A model of the proposed springbased RBLA shows an increase in the urban fuel efficiency for an average sedan.
Survival following mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure in adult men

Study design Survival following mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure has important implications for medical decision-making and allocation of expensive resources for critical care. Procedure We reviewed a 5-year experience with mechanical ventilation in 383 men with acute respiratory failure and studied the impact of patient age, cause of acute respiratory failure, and duration of mechanical ventilation on survival. Survival rates were 66.6 percent to weaning, 61.1 percent to ICU discharge, 49.6 percent to hospital discharge, and 30.1 percent to 1 year after hospital discharge. When our data were combined with 10 previously reported series, mean survival rates were calculated to be 62 percent to ventilator weaning, 46 percent to ICU discharge, 43 percent to hospital discharge, and 30 percent to 1 year after discharge. Of 255 patients weaned from mechanical ventilation, 44 (17.3 percent) required an additional period of mechanical ventilation during the same hospitalization. Results Age had a significant influence on survival to hospital discharge and on that to 1 year after hospital discharge, and the cause of acute respiratory failure had a significant influence on survival only to weaning. Survival was best in younger patients and those with COPD or postoperative respiratory failure and worst in patients resuscitated after cardiac or respiratory arrest. Increased duration of mechanical ventilation significantly reduced survival only to hospital discharge. Overall survival was significantly affected by age and cause of acute respiratory failure, but not by duration of mechanical ventilation. Conclusion We conclude that age, cause of acute respiratory failure, and duration of mechanical ventilation have specific influences on the generally poor outcome of mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure.
Bodies in Action: Corporeal Agency and Democratic Politics

A better appreciation of the material, distributed quality of human agency can illuminate subtle dynamics of domination and oppression and reveal resources for potentially liberatory political action. Materialist accounts of agency nevertheless pose challenges to the notion of personal responsibility that is so crucial to political obligation and democratic citizenship. To guard against this danger, we need to sustain the close connection between agency and a sense of selfhood that is individuated, reflexive, and responsive to norms. Yet we should acknowledge that reflexive selfhood is not the whole of individual agency for the sources of agency extend beyond the individual herself. We also need to recognize the ways that both reflexivity and norm-responsiveness are themselves embodied capacities. When properly conceived, a materialist view of agency can increase awareness of our often-unwitting contributions to systematic inequalities of power and extend our political responsibilities in emancipatory dir...
Precise Stability Phase Transitions for $\ell_1$ Minimization: A Unified Geometric Framework

l1 minimization is often used for recovering sparse signals from an under-determined linear system. In this paper, we focus on finding sharp performance bounds on recovering approximately sparse signals using l1 minimization under noisy measurements. While the restricted isometry property is powerful for the analysis of recovering approximately sparse signals with noisy measurements, the known bounds on the achievable sparsity1 level can be quite loose. The neighborly polytope analysis which yields sharp bounds for perfectly sparse signals cannot be readily generalized to approximately sparse signals. We start from analyzing a necessary and sufficient condition, the “balancedness” property of linear subspaces, for achieving a certain signal recovery accuracy. Then we give a unified null space Grassmann angle-based geometric framework to give sharp bounds on this “balancedness” property of linear subspaces. By investigating the “balancedness” property, this unified framework characterizes sharp quantitative tradeoffs between signal sparsity and the recovery accuracy of l1 minimization for approximately sparse signal. As a consequence, this generalizes the neighborly polytope result for perfectly sparse signals. Besides the robustness in the “strong” sense for all sparse signals, we also discuss the notions of “weak” and “sectional” robustness. Our results concern fundamental properties of linear subspaces and so may be of independent mathematical interest.
Self-calibration of input-match in RF front-end circuitry

The input match of RF front-end circuitry can degrade significantly due to process faults and parasitic package inductances at its input pad. The proposed technique ascertains the input match frequency of the circuit by using a built-in self-test (BiST) structure, determines the frequency interval by which it needs to be shifted to restore it to the desired value, and then feeds back a digital word to the low-noise amplifier (LNA), which adaptively corrects its input-match in real-time. The circuitry presented in the paper offers the advantages of low power overheads (the circuits can be powered off when not in use), robustness, no requirements of digital signal processing cores or processors, and fast calibration times (less than 30 /spl mu/s). This proof of concept is demonstrated by designing a cascode LNA and the complete self-calibration circuit in IBM 0.25-/spl mu/m CMOS RF process.
Measurement of Hemodynamics in Atherogenic Swine Using Ultrasound

Local blood velocity patterns in the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries of conscious miniature swine were studied with a pulsed ultrasonic Doppler velocity meter (PUDVM). An arteriovenous shunt between the right iliac artery and vein was surgically produced in Group 1. Grout) I was subsequently fed a 2% cholestrol based atherogenic diet for a period of 6 months. Group II was also fed the diet but had no AV shunt, and Group III received a normal diet and had no AV shunt. The swine with the AV shunt developed significantly less atherogenic plaques throughout the arterial system compared with Group II. Group I had a markedly higher blood flow in the abdominal aorta and shunted vessels in comparison to similar vessels for Groups II and III. Coincident with the higher blood flow in Group I. was a higher mean shear stress at the walls of the abdominal aorta and iliac (shunt).
Using drawings to support learning from dynamic visualizations

Dynamic visualizations can enhance science learning by making unseen processes visible. To study how drawing supports learning from visualizations, the drawing group illustrated their ideas after interacting with molecular visualizations and the interaction group had more time to explore the visualizations. The drawing group learned more and made more precise interpretations of the visualizations than the interaction group.
Harmonizing Standards for Death Determination in DCDD.

Overby and colleagues (2015) provide a thoughtful analysis of the current inadequacies of informed consent in organ donation after circulatory determination of death (DCDD) and offer a series of pr...
Ion pumps in epithelial cells: sorting, stabilization, and polarity

The P-type family of ion-transporting ATPases includes all of the isoforms of Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), the plasma membrane and organellar Ca(2+)-ATPases, gastric H(+)-K(+)-ATPase, and the recently characterized nongastric H(+)-K(+)-ATPases, among others. In epithelial cells, members of this pump family generate the cation gradients responsible for vectorial fluid and solute transport. To carry out this function, each P-type ATPase must be restricted to a specific membrane domain. Newly synthesized ion pumps must be sorted to their appropriate destinations and retained there after their delivery. Recently, progress has been made toward understanding the signals and targeting pathways that epithelial cells employ to generate anisotropic pump distributions. The mechanisms involved in generating these pump distributions may serve as well to regulate pump function.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES ON NORMAL HUMAN MYELOID ELEMENTS.

The development of representative myeloid elements is traced by correlated light and electron microscopy. Cytoplasmic changes during maturation of granulocytes from the myeloblast include loss of basophilia, development of the endoplasmic reticulum complex, decrease in number of mitochondria, and granule formation. The endoplasmic reticulum vesicles increase in size and number during the promyelocyte and myelocyte stages, accompanied by the appearance of non-specific and specific granules, and decrease again during the cytosomal maturation of the metamyelocyte. A reduction in number of mitochondria is noted through the metamyelocyte stage. The apparent continuity of the limiting membranes of both the granules and mitochondria with those of the cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum suggests a direct connection among cytosomal organelles. The role of the endoplasmic reticulum in granulogenesis is discussed. Maturation of the nucleus involves a loss of nucleolar differentiation by a loosening of the compact fibrillar aggregates, and progressive chromatin condensation.
The Acquisition of Consolidated Rail Corporation (A and B)

SUBJECT AREAS: mergers and acquisitions, hostile takeovers, bidding wars, two-tiered offers, valuation by multiples, competitive strategy, takeover defenses, deregulation, valuing merger synergies, industry consolidation CASE SETTING: Fall 1996 to Spring 1997, USA, railroads, 23,500 employees, $3.7B sales. REQUESTS FOR COPIES: To receive a copy of this case, please contact Harvard Business School Publishing, 60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163. Phone: (800) 545-7685. E-Mail: MAILTO:custserv@hbsp.harvard.edu Or you may contact Ben Esty via e-mail MAILTO:besty@hbs.edu Situation: On October 15, 1996, Virginia-based CSX Corporation and Pennsylvania-based Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), the first and third largest railroads in the Eastern United States, announced their intent to merge in a friendly deal worth $8.3 billion. This deal was part of an industry-wide trend towards consolidation and promised to change the competitive dynamics of the Eastern rail market. In the A case, students, as shareholders, must decide whether to tender shares into the front-end of a two-tiered acquisition offer. To make this decision, they must value Conrail as an acquisition target and understand the structure of CSX's offer. Eight days after CSX Corporation announced it was going to buy Conrail for $88.65 per share, Norfolk Southern Corporation made a hostile $100 per share bid for Conrail. Over the next several months, the potential acquirers upped their bids while exchanging criticism in the popular press, prompting analysts to call this one of the nastiest takeover battles of the 1990s. The B case is set in January 1997, just before Conrail shareholders are scheduled to vote on the proposed deal with CSX. The case analyzes the bidding war for Conrail and the various provisions in Pennsylvania's strict anti-takeover law which restricts the market for corporate control. Although the cases were designed to be taught over two consecutive days, they can be taught in a single session. Both cases provide an opportunity to value a large-scale acquisition using comparable transactions and discounted merger synergies. The A case, in particular, analyzes and uncontested takeover, illustrates the mechanics of a two-tiered offer, and provides a vehicle to discuss various anti-takeover provisions including poison pills, lock-up options, break-up fees, and no-talk clauses. The B case analyzes a contested takeover offer, explores the strategic and financial implications of a bidding war, and challenges the assumption that failure to acquire is a zero net present value endeavor. It also examines the nature of and economic basis for regulating of the market for corporate control. While these cases were written for a module on corporate control in an advanced corporate finance course, they have also been used with executives in a special program on valuation and in an introductory corporate finance program.
Experimental Prevention of Bark Beetle Transmission of Ceratocystis ulmi (Buis.) Moreau with the Systemic Insecticide Chipman R-6199

Trunk-implantation treatment of American elm trees with any of three dosages of the systemic insecticide Chipman R-6199 ( O,O -diethyl S -(2-diethylamino)-ethyl phosphorothioate [hydrogen oxalate salt]) was effective in preventing bark beetle transmission of Ceratocystis ulmi (Buis.) Moreau. Successful bark beetle transmission of the fungus in control trees occurred only from beetle cagings during the interval from May '10 through .June 10. During this period, 30% of the control trees became infected with the fungus and showed symptoms of the disease, The mean length of beetle-feeding niches was always 1.5 mm. or less in treated trees, and 3.3 mm. or greater in control trees. In every diseased tree, the minimum-length niche that penetrated at least to the cambium was 3 mm. long. On the basis of this limited knowledge of niche-length requirements, a 96.3% reduction in the number of infectible niches resulted from insecticidal treatment. The insecticide, at '10grams per tree, was effective in reducing the length of feeding niches for the entire 80-day study perriod following treatment.
Differential modulation of Ca2+-activated K+ channels by substance P

Substance P released from motoneurons or primary afferent nerves innervating the gut is an excitatory noncholinergic regulator of gastrointestinal motility and has been shown to stimulate contractions in longitudinal colonic muscle. By using the patch-clamp technique on single myocytes from the longitudinal muscle of the rabbit colon, we have studied the action of the peptide on membrane conductances. In cell-attached patches, addition of the peptide to the bath activates a large conductance Ca2(+)-activated K+ channel. At peptide concentrations (10(-12) M) that did not result in cell contraction, K+ channels were activated in a synchronized, cyclical fashion. The activation did not occur in the presence of nifedipine (10(-6) M), a blocker of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels. The activation was also absent when the cells were depolarized in 126 mM KCl-Ringer solution. In contrast, at a concentration of the peptide (10(-7) M) that resulted in cell contraction, there was a transient activation of K+ channels, followed by a prolonged inhibition. Nifedipine (10(-6) M) did not block the K+ channel activation by this concentration of the peptide. Removal of bath Ca2+ abolished activation of the K+ channels by both the high and low concentrations of substance P. These results indicate that substance P exerts its effect via two different membrane pathways for extracellular Ca2+.
“Lady Britannia, her Children, her Step-Children and her Neighbours”: Race and the Regulation of Consumption in Colonial Burma, c.1890

By the time the Royal Commission on Opium travelled to Burma in December of 1893 in the course of its investigation into opium policy in British India, the province had developed a system of opium regulation that differed significantly from that of any other province in British India. Assumptions about the right of the colonial state to regulate the consumption habits of Burmese subjects collided with an evolving set of discourses about race to create a new regulatory system for opium that distinguished among potential consumers based on ethnicity. The previous chapter started to explain the way that the development of this system was influenced by increasing Burmese and British concern about Burmese opium use after the creation of the province of British Burma and by the Aitchison memorandum’s articulation of a distinction between Burmese consumers and Chinese and Indian consumers. The final conquest of the independent Burmese kingdom in 1885 gave the British administration control of a multiethnic population with sizeable Shan and Kachin populations in addition to other ethnic minority groups. These groups’ potential as opium consumers had to be taken into account in devising an opium policy for the newly conquered territory.