cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Simplified Cycle Simulation Model for the Performance Rating of Refrigerants and Refrigerant Mixtures

Abstract A simulation program, CYCLE11, which is useful for the preliminary evaluation of the performance of refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures in the vapour compression cycle is described. The program simulates a theoretical vapour-compression cycle and departures from the theoretical cycle that occur in a heat pump and in a refrigerator. The cycles are prescribed in terms of the temperatures of the external heat-transfer fluids with the heat exchangers generalized by an average effective temperature difference. The isethalpic expansion process is assumed. The program includes a rudimentary model of a compressor and a representation of the suction line and liquid line heat exchange. Refrigerant thermodynamic properties are calculated by using the Carnahan-Starling-DeSantis equation of state. Refrigerant transport properties are not included in the simulations. The program can generate merit ratings of refrigerants for which limited measured data are available. An example of simulation results stresses the need for careful application of simplified models and consideration for the assumptions involved.
Lack of coordination between glucose-6-phosphatase and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities in rat hepatocytes maintained in primary culture

Glucose-6-phosphatase activity decreases whereas gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activity increases during hepatocarcinogenesis and the maintenance of hepatocytes in primary culture. This report describes the effect of culture conditions that are known to preserve hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity on gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activity. The results indicate that the regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities is not coordinated in primary cultures of hepatocytes.
Low Energy X-Ray and $\gamma$ -Ray Detectors Fabricated on n-Type 4H-SiC Epitaxial Layer

Schottky barrier diode (SBD) radiation detectors have been fabricated on n-type 4H-SiC epitaxial layers and evaluated for low energy x- and γ-rays detection. The detectors were found to be highly sensitive to soft x-rays in the 50 eV to few keV range and showed 2.1 % energy resolution for 59.6 keV gamma rays. The response to soft x-rays for these detectors was significantly higher than that of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) SiC UV photodiodes. The devices have been characterized by current-voltage (I-V) measurements in the 94-700 K range, thermally stimulated current (TSC) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD) rocking curve measurements, and defect delineating chemical etching. I-V characteristics of the detectors at 500 K showed low leakage current ( nA at 200 V) revealing a possibility of high temperature operation. The XRD rocking curve measurements revealed high quality of the epitaxial layer exhibiting a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the rocking curve ~3.6 arc sec. TSC studies in a wide range of temperature (94-550 K) revealed presence of relatively shallow levels ( ~0.25 eV) in the epi bulk with a density ~7×1013 cm-3 related to Al and B impurities and deeper levels located near the metal-semiconductor interface.
Plus and Minus Single-Stranded DNA Separately Encapsidated in Adeno-Associated Satellite Virions

Based on physical and chemical determinations, the mnolecular weight of the type 4 adeno-satellite virus is 5.4 X 106 daltons, and the virion contains 1.4 X 106 daltons of DNA. Denaturation and renaturation studies indicate that the viral genome is a single-stranded DNA molecule and that each virion contains either a minus or a plus strand. Upon extraction, the minus and plus strands unite to form double-stranded DNA molecules with no obvious excess of unpaired strands.
Non-heme iron enzymes: Contrasts to heme catalysis

Non-heme iron enzymes catalyze a wide range of O2 reactions, paralleling those of heme systems. Non-heme iron active sites are, however, much more difficult to study because they do not exhibit the intense spectral features characteristic of the porphyrin ligand. A spectroscopic methodology was developed that provides significant mechanistic insight into the reactivity of non-heme ferrous active sites. These studies reveal a general mechanistic strategy used by these enzymes and differences in substrate and cofactor interactions dependent on their requirement for activation by iron. Contributions to O2 activation have been elucidated for non-heme relative to heme ligand sets, and major differences in reactivity are defined with respect to the heterolytic and homolytic cleavage of O—O bonds.
Electrocatalytic reactivity for oxygen reduction of palladium-modified carbon nanotubes synthesized in supercritical fluid

Abstract The electrocatalytic reactivity of palladium-modified carbon nanotubes (Pd-CNTs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated at the glassy carbon electrode surface in 1 M H2SO4 saturated by oxygen. Carbon nanotubes modified by palladium nanoparticles were synthesized in supercritical carbon dioxide and characterized by transmission electron micrograph. The electrocatalytic activity of the CNTs film and Pd-CNTs film toward oxygen reduction was studied using cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry methods. The molecular oxygen reduction at the Pd-CNTs electrode started at a more positive potential than that at the CNTs electrode. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed in which the ORR may proceed through two-step two-electron processes for the Pd-CNTs modified electrode. Experimental results revealed that Pd-CNTs possess a remarkable activity and high stability for oxygen reduction in acid medium, which implies the potential applications of the Pd-CNTs for constructing electrodes of fuel cells.
The crisis of the Cogito

If Descartes's Cogito can be held as the opening of the era of modern subjectivity, it is to the extent that the “I” is taken for the first time in the position of foundation, i.e., as the ultimate condition for the possibility of all philosophical discourse. The question raised in this paper is whether the crisis of the Cogito, opened later by Hume, Nietzsche and Heidegger on different philosophical grounds, is not already contemporaneous to the very positing of the Cogito.
The Oxidation Behavior of the √3×√3 Ag and Au/Si(111) Surfaces at Room Temperature Studied by Photoemission

The differences of the room temperature oxidation behavior of ordered Ag/Si(111) and Au/Si(111) surfaces were studied by surface sensitive soft x-ray photoemission spectroscopy obtained with synchrotron radiation. Si surfaces covered with a monolayer of Ag or Au, once annealed to display a √3×√3 LEED pattern, were believed to be passivated against oxidation according to earlier reports. This work shows that these two surfaces oxidize but in a different way. Up to 104 L O2 exposures, the observed valence band of the Au/Si surface’s valence band electron energy distribution curve is almost identical to that of the surface before oxygen exposure. But the corresponding Si 2p core level spectrum shows a small chemically shifted component indicating an initial stage of the formation of Si oxide. This chemically shifted signal becomes a strong peak at −3.7 eV below the clean Si position, characteristic of SiO2, after subsequent O2 exposures up to 1010 L. The Ag/Si system behaves in a similar fashion, but oxide growth saturates at 108 L, and the final oxides formed include a distribution of suboxides in addition to SiO2. Clearly, oxide formation is not prohibited by the presence of the ordered Au or Ag metal overlayer but delayed. Although the onset of oxidation is delayed compared to that for the clean Si surface, due to the metal-silicon bonding, the oxide formation is much faster once the surface starts to oxidize.
Evidence that large synaptic vesicles containing substance P and small synaptic vesicles have a surface antigen in common in rat.

Abstract Synaptic vesicles were purified from rat brain synaptosomes by osmotic lysis and chromatography on CPG-3000 controlled-pore glass beads. Large (∼ 100 nm) synaptic vesicles containing the peptide substance P (SP) were shown to be immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal antibody previously shown by W.D. Matthew, L. Tsavaler and L.F. Reichardt ( J. Cell Biol. , 91 (1981) 257–269) to selectively immunoprecipitate small (∼ 50 nm) synaptic vesicles from brain. Precipitation of SP-containing vesicles showed a saturable dependence on antibody concentration. These findings constitute direct, immunochemical evidence that large, peptidergic synaptic vesicles and small synaptic vesicles from brain have a surface antigen in common.
Assessment of neonatal electroencephalography (EEG) background by conventional and two amplitude-integrated EEG classification systems.

Objective To determine the agreement among conventional electroencephalography (CEEG) terminology background classification and a simple and an advanced amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) system, and to evaluate whether aEEG interpreter experience or electrographic seizures affect this agreement. Study design CEEG background was classified by traditional interpretive criteria for 144 neonatal recordings, from which a single channel was converted to aEEGs. These aEEGs were independently interpreted by neonatologists according to the simple and advanced classification systems. Results Interreader agreement was better with the simple aEEG system compared with the advanced aEEG system (multirater κ, 0.66 vs 0.44). Fair-to-moderate agreement was found between both of the aEEG classification systems and CEEG (simple: κ, 0.34 to 0.45; advanced: κ, 0.36 to 0.45). Agreement did not vary significantly based on the aEEG interpreter experience or the presence of seizures. Conclusions Neonatologists found better agreement using the simple aEEG system regardless of their expertise or the presence of seizures. This finding has implications for patient selection in future multicenter neonatal neuroprotection studies.
Craniocerebral trauma in the child abuse syndrome: radiological observations.

Experience with craniocerebral trauma in 712 physically abused children is reviewed. Ninety-three (13%) had evidence of head trauma (cranial and/or intracranial). Seventy-seven of these patients had computed tomography (CT) of the head, and 47 had CT evidence of intracranial injury. Extracerebral fluid collections, predominantly convexity subdural hemorrhage, were the most common acute intracranial lesions. Concurrent intracranial and skeletal trauma (cranial and/or ectracranial) was present in 33 of the 47 patients (70%) with intracranial injury. A high incidence of skull fractures (45%) in those children with intracranial lesions suggest a significant role for impact head injuries (“battering”) in the pathogenesis of craniocerebral trauma in the child abuse syndrome. Greater emphasis on CT examination in evaluation of the abuse infant and child is recommended.
Towards understanding members’ general participation in and active contribution to an online travel community

Abstract Online travel community has been considered central to models of Internet marketing and electronic commerce in the travel industry. The successful operation of an online travel community depends on the understanding of member participation in and active contribution to the online travel community. This study evaluates an integrated model of an online travel community using structural equation modeling. The results of the study indicate that participation in the travel community is driven mainly by social and hedonic benefits, while level of active contribution can be explained by three instrumental, efficacy, and expectancy related incentives. Implications for the development of a dynamic and sustainable online travel community are discussed.
Economics of Butanol Fermentation using Hyper-Butanol Producing Clostridium Beijerinckii BA101

An economic assessment is presented to produce butanol from corn using the hyperbutanol producing strain of Clostridium beijerinckii BA101. Butanol is produced in batch reactors and recovered by distillation with a total acetone, butanol, and ethanol (ABE) productivity of 0.38 g L−1 h−1. For a plant with 150,000 metric tons of ABE production capacity per year, the production equipment cost and total working capital cost is $33.2× 106 and $109.56× 106, respectively. This is based on a lang factor of 3 for a plant annexed to an already existing corn milling plant in the mid-west region of the United States of America. Based on an ABE yield of 0.42, and a corn price of $71 ton−1, butanol production cost is projected to be $0.55 kg−1. Further improvements, such as increased yield of 0.45 and savings in electricity and steam will reduce this price to $0.44 kg−1. Various other alternatives such as a lang factor of 4.5 and increased corn price have also been considered in this assessment.
Identifying Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction by Fluorescence Imaging: A Comparative Study of Imaging Modalities to Assess Renal Function and Degree of Obstruction in a Mouse Model

Purpose: Radiological imaging is the mainstay of diagnosing ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Current established radiological modalities can potentially differentiate the varying degrees of obstruction but they are limited in functionality, applicability and/or comprehensiveness. Of particular concern is that some tests require radiation, which has long-term consequences, especially in children.Materials and Methods: We investigated the novel use of Genhance™ 680 dynamic fluorescence imaging to assess ureteropelvic junction obstruction in 20 mice that underwent partial or complete unilateral ureteral obstruction. Ultrasound, mercaptoacetyltriglycine renography, magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence imaging were performed.Results: Our model of partial and complete obstruction could be distinguished by ultrasound, mercaptoacetyltriglycine renography and magnetic resonance imaging, and was confirmed by histological analysis. Using fluorescence imaging distinct vascular and urinary parameters were id...
On the extinction of radiation by a homogeneous but spatially correlated random medium: reply to comment

In response to comments by Borovoi [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A19, 2517 (2002)] on my earlier work [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A18, 1929 (2001)], the kinetic approach to extinction is compared with the traditional radiative transfer formalism and advantages of the former are illustrated with concrete examples. It is pointed out that the basic differential equation dI(l)=-cσI(l)dl already implies perfect randomness (absence of correlations) on small scales. One of the consequences is that the extinction of radiation in a negatively correlated random medium cannot be treated within the traditional framework. This limits the usefulness of the Jensen inequality. Also, simple counterexamples to theorems given in the first reference above and in Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 276, 1374 (1984) are presented.
Race and sex influence clearance of nifedipine: results of a population study.

Objective To estimate oral clearance of nifedipine and to determine demographic and clinical covariates that affect nifedipine clearance in a clinical population. Methods Apparent oral clearance of nifedipine and protein binding were measured in 226 patients receiving sustained-release nifedipine formulations for hypertension and coronary artery disease (black men, n = 111; black women, n = 27; white men, n = 64; white women, n = 24). Mean age ± SD was 71 ± 11 years, and mean weight was 86 ± 17 kg. Nifedipine concentrations were analyzed by HPLC, protein binding was measured by equilibrium dialysis, clearance and covariate effects were estimated by a nonlinear mixed effects population model, and statistical analyses were performed by a nonlinear mixed-effects model (clearance) and ANOVA (protein binding). Results Clearance was significantly slower in black subjects (8.9 ± 0.7 mL/min/kg; mean ± SE) compared with white subjects (11.6 ± 0.8 mL/min/kg; P = .00004) and in men compared with women (9.3 ± 0.6 versus 12.1 ± 1.5 mL/min/kg; P = .0021). Reported alcohol use (alcohol, 8.6 ± 1.1 versus no alcohol, 10.8 ± 0.6 mL/min/kg; P = .0002) and smoking status (smoker, 8.8 ± 2.0 versus nonsmoker, 10.2 ± 0.6 mL/min/kg; P = .0362) also affected nifedipine clearance. Race and sex had no effect on protein binding of nifedipine (P = .29 and P = .44, respectively). No effects of age, stable coronary artery disease, or reported intake of β-blockers on nifedipine clearance were detected in this primarily elderly population with hypertension. Conclusions The data suggest that race, sex, and environmental factors are identifiable sources of interindividual variation in the oral clearance of nifedipine, a CYP3A substrate. Our experience also suggests that data from clinical populations may be biased with regard to age, sex, and formulation selection, and covariates may not be independently distributed, which can limit analyses. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2000) 68, 130–142; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2000.108678
Racial Diversity, Voter Turnout, and Mobilizing Institutions in the United States:

Race is often identified as uniquely defining and influencing electoral processes in the United States. However, little empirical research has investigated the consequences of racial diversity for ...
A photographic recorder for the determination of wind‐velocity gradients

As a part of the work connected with the development of methods for the measurement of evaporation from land- and water-surfaces, the Climatic Research Division of the Soil Conservation Service has found it necessary to make simultaneous observations of measurements of wind-velocity at several different levels. Since the observations were of necessity carried on at a distance from sources of public power, various obvious means of recording a number of simultaneous observations were not possible. No instruments for recording wind-velocity from more than two points simultaneously were available to us. After considering the possibility of adapting other recorders to produce the desired record, it was decided that photographing the dials or faces of several counters might offer the surest, and, in the end, the simplest way of obtaining the multiple records necessary.
Multiple-Source Slepian-Wolf Coding Under a Linear Equation Correlation Model

In this work we present practical coding schemes for the problem of lossless distributed source coding for multiple sources. We consider two scenarios - the classical Slepian-Wolf case where there is no feedback from the terminal to the sources and a case where there is feedback from the terminal to the source encoders. The correlation model of interest is given by a system of linear equations, a generalization of the work of Stankovic et al. '06. We propose a transformation of correlation model and a way to determine proper decoding schedules, both of which are required to obtain the optimal sum rate. Our scheme allows us to exploit more correlations than those in the previous work. Simulation results show that the proposed coding scheme has lower sum rate than previous work in both scenarios.
Epidemiologic studies of exposure to prenatal infection and risk of schizophrenia and autism

In this review, we provide a synopsis of work on the epidemiologic evidence for prenatal infection in the etiology of schizophrenia and autism. In birth cohort studies conducted by our group and others, in utero exposure to infectious agents, prospectively obtained after biomarker assays of archived maternal sera and by obstetric records was related to an increased risk of schizophrenia. Thus far, it has been demonstrated that prenatal exposure to influenza, increased toxoplasma antibody, genital-reproductive infections, rubella, and other pathogens are associated with schizophrenia. Anomalies of the immune system, including enhanced maternal cytokine levels, are also related to schizophrenia. Some evidence also suggests that maternal infection and immune dysfunction may be associated with autism. Although replication is required, these findings suggest that public health interventions targeting infectious exposures have the potential for preventing cases of schizophrenia and autism. Moreover, this work has stimulated translational research on the neurobiological and genetic determinants of these conditions.
R69-20 An Analog Card Capacity Correlator as Applied to OCR

This paper describes a special analog correlator which is used for optical character recognition (OCR). The correlator is built around a special" card capacity read only storage (CCROS)" memory. Each bit in this CCROS memory is represented by a 1-pF capacitor, which may be removed from the circuit by appropriately punching a special Hollerith card on which is printed one plate of the capacitor. The other plate of the capacitor is printed on a printed circuit board pressed against the reverse side of the card, and the portion of the card between the two plates forms the capacitor's dielectric.
Clinical and biologic significance of nuclear unrest in Wilms tumor.

BACKGROUND Nuclear unrest is a term applied to Wilms tumors (WT) with favorable histology that show nuclear enlargement similar to that seen in anaplasia but with no abnormal mitotic figures. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical and pathogenetic significance of WT with nuclear unrest. METHODS The authors reviewed primary nephrectomy specimens and clinical data from 173 patients who were treated for WT on 1 of 5 consecutive clinical trials at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A subset of 70 patients was selected for p53 immunohistochemistry. Seventeen samples of recurrent tumors were also reviewed. RESULTS WT with nuclear unrest had age and stage distribution similar to that for WT with favorable histology. Patients who had tumors with favorable histology, nuclear unrest, and anaplastic histology had 5-year cumulative incidences of recurrence of 12.2%, 22.2%, and 36.4%, respectively (P = 0.010). Despite the difference in recurrence incidence, patients who had tumors with nuclear unrest and patients who had tumors with favorable histology had nearly identical overall survival. Immunostaining for p53 was positive in 2 of 24 tumors (8.3%) with favorable histology, 1 of 25 tumors (4%) with nuclear unrest, and 16 of 21 tumors (76%) with anaplastic histology (P < 0.001). Histologic review of samples from recurrent tumors showed that 7 of 10 of primary tumors converted from favorable histology to either nuclear unrest or anaplastic histology in the recurrent tumor. CONCLUSIONS WT with nuclear unrest more closely resembles favorable histology than anaplastic histology, both clinically and pathogenetically. Analysis of samples from recurrent tumors suggests that WT with nuclear unrest represents an intermediary in the continuum from favorable histology to anaplastic histology. For treatment stratification, it is appropriate to continue grouping nuclear unrest with favorable histology, although a larger analysis will be necessary to confirm the current findings. Cancer 2003;97:2318–26. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11325
Grey-Box Modeling for HCCI Engine Control

High fidelity models that balance accuracy and computation load are essential for real-time model-based control of Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines. Grey-box modeling offers an effective technique to obtain desirable HCCI control models. In this paper, a physical HCCI engine model is combined with two feed-forward artificial neural networks models to form a serial architecture grey-box model. The resulting model can predict three major HCCI engine control outputs including combustion phasing, Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP), and exhaust gas temperature (Texh). The grey-box model is trained and validated with the steady-state and transient experimental data for a large range of HCCI operating conditions. The results indicate the grey-box model significantly improves the predictions from the physical model. For 234 HCCI conditions tested, the grey-box model predicts combustion phasing, IMEP, and Texh with an average error less than 1 crank angle degree, 0.2 bar, and 6 °C respectively. The grey-box model is computationally efficient and it can be used for real-time control application of HCCI engines.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Robust estimation of multivariate jump-diffusion processes via dynamic programming

In this work we present a framework for estimation of a rather general class of multivariate jump-diffusion processes. We assume that a continuous unobservable linear diffusion processes system is additively mixed together with a discrete jump processes vector and a conventional multi-variate white-noise process. This sum is observed over time as a multi-variate jump-diffusion time-series. Our objective is to identify realizations of all components of the mix in a robust and scalable way. First, we formulate this model as an Mixed-Integer-Programming (MIP) optimization problem extending traditional least-squares estimation framework to include discrete jump processes. Then we propose a Dynamic Programming (DP) approximate algorithm that is reasonably fast & accurate and scales polynomially with time horizon. Finally, we provide numerical test cases illustrating the algorithm performance and robustness.
Adaptive temporal difference learning of spatial memory in the water maze task

The Morris water maze task is a spatial memory task in which an association between cues from the environment and position must be learned in order to locate a hidden platform. This paper details the results of using a temporal difference (TD) learning approach to learn associations between perceptual states, which are discretized using a self organizing map (SOM), and actions necessary for a robot to successfully locate the hidden platform in a ldquodryrdquo version of the water maze task. Additionally, the adaptability of the temporal difference learning approach in non-stationary environments is explored.
THE GRAPH OF AN ABSTRACT POLYTOPE

Recently a generalization of simple convex polytopes to combinatorial entities known as abstract polytopes has been proposed. The graph of an abstract polytope of dimension d is a regular connected graph of degree d. Given a connected regular graph F of degree d, it is interesting to find out whether it is the graph of some abstract polytope P. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for this, in terms of the existence of a class of simple cycles in P satisfying certain properties. The main result in this paper is that if a pair of simple convex polytopes or abstract polytopes have the same two-dimensional skeleton, then they are isomorphic. Every twodimensional face of a simple convex polytope or an abstract polytope is a simple cycle in its graph. Given the graph of a simple convex polytope or an abstract polytope and the simple cycles in this graph corresponding to all its two-dimensional faces, then we show how to construct all its remaining faces. Given a regular connected graph F and a class of simple cyles D ,in it, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions under which ~is the class of two-dimensional faces of some abstract polytope which has r as its graph.
Reliability problems in state‐of‐the‐art GaAs devices and circuits

A review of the reliability status of GaAs discrete devices and integrated circuits is given. In the present survey of new devices and circuits it is shown that a significant number of reliability problems continue to persist.
Recombinant BCG expressing Mycobacterium tuberculosis major extracellular proteins

rBCG30, the first vaccine against tuberculosis demonstrated more potent than BCG in preclinical studies, is the prototype of a class of vaccines that utilize BCG as a host organism for expressing and secreting Mycobacterium tuberculosis major extracellular proteins. The vaccine is based on the concept that extracellular proteins of intracellular pathogens are key immunoprotective molecules. rBCG30, which expresses and secretes large amounts of the M. tuberculosis 30 kDa major secretory protein, is currently in human clinical trials.
Transdermal Delivery Devices: Fabrication, Mechanics and Drug Release from Silk

Microneedles are a relatively simple, minimally invasive and painless approach to deliver drugs across the skin. However, there remain limitations with this approach because of the materials most commonly utilized for such systems. Silk protein, with tunable and biocompatibility properties, is a useful biomaterial to overcome the current limitations with microneedles. Silk devices preserve drug activity, offer superior mechanical properties and biocompatibility, can be tuned for biodegradability, and can be processed under aqueous, benign conditions. In the present work, the fabrication of dense microneedle arrays from silk with different drug release kinetics is reported. The mechanical properties of the microneedle patches are tuned by post-fabrication treatments or by loading the needles with silk microparticles, to increase capacity and mechanical strength. Drug release is further enhanced by the encapsulation of the drugs in the silk matrix and coating with a thin dissolvable drug layer. The microneedles are used on human cadaver skin and drugs are delivered successfully. The various attributes demonstrated suggest that silk-based microneedle devices can provide significant benefit as a platform material for transdermal drug delivery.
Dendritic spine abnormalities in the occipital cortex of C57BL/6 Fmr1 knockout mice

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited mental retardation. Observed neuropathologies associated with FXS include abnormal length, morphology, and density of dendritic spines, reported in individuals with FXS and in Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, an animal model of FXS. To date, however, these neuropathologies have been studied in Fmr1 KO mice bred in a FVB background (a strain with genetic mutations that complicate interpretation of results) and findings have been inconsistent. Here, Golgi-Cox impregnation was used to investigate length, morphology, and density of dendritic spines on layer V pyramidal neurons in visual cortices of Fmr1 KO and wildtype (WT) mice bred in a C57BL/6 background. We report that spine abnormalities in these animals parallel abnormalities reported in humans with FXS, perhaps to a greater degree than KO mice bred in an FVB background. Specifically, Fmr1 KO mice bred in a C57BL/6 background exhibited significantly more longer dendritic spines and fewer shorter spines, as well as more spines with immature-appearing morphology and fewer with mature-appearing morphology than WT littermates. Spine length abnormalities were demonstrated to be largely independent of spine morphology abnormalities, as the length phenotype was observed in KOs even within a morphological category. Fmr1 KO mice also had a greater overall spine density than WTs. These findings provide powerful support for the essence of the dendritic spine abnormalities in the absence of FMRP, now found to be largely consistent with human data across two mouse backgrounds.
Oil Migration in a chocolate confectionery system evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging

: Oil migration is a common problem in composite chocolate confectionery products resulting in softening of chocolate and hardening of the filling. Spatial and temporal changes in the liquid oil content of a 2-layer peanut butter and chocolate model system were evaluated using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique. The experimental factors were chocolate particle size, milk fat content, emulsifier concentration, degree of temper, and storage temperature. The responses were migration rate and overall change in signal intensity (amount of migration). Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA), particle size, milk fat content, and storage temperature were significant factors for oil migration rates. Milk fat content and temperature were significant factors for overall change in signal intensity.
Natural history of a plant trait: branch-system abscission in Paleozoic conifers and its environmental, autecological, and ecosystem implications in a fire-prone world

Within conifers, active abscission of complete penultimate branch systems is not common and has been described mainly from juveniles. Here I present evidence for the abscission of penultimate branch systems within early so-called walchian conifers—trees with a plagiotropic branching pattern. The specimens studied originate from a middle Early Permian gymnosperm-dominated flora within the middle Clear Fork Group of north-central Texas. Complete branch systems of three walchian conifer morphotypes are preserved; all have pronounced swellings and smooth separation faces at their bases. The source plants grew in a streamside habitat under seasonally dry climatic conditions. The evolution of active branch abscission appears to correspond to an increase in the size of conifers, and this combination potentially contributed to the restructuring of conifer-rich late Paleozoic landscapes. Moreover, trees shedding branch systems and producing abundant litter have the potential to affect the fire regime, which is a factor of evolutionary importance because wildfires must have been a source of frequent biotic disturbance throughout the hyperoxic Early Permian.
Application of Feedback Control Method to Workforce Management in a Service Supply Chain

Success of services businesses depend on how well the workforce is managed. Having the right size of workforce and the right skill set of the workforce at the right time under dynamic demand environments are challenges that many service businesses face. Demand disturbances in services businesses are typically managed by adjusting the resource levels such as acquiring additional resources from larger pool (borrowing resources from the corporate levels for departmental level needs), and releasing resources back to the larger pool for transferring and cross training of the workforce. However, the resource adjustments for changing the level of workforce are not as easy as acquiring or scraping materials as in manufacturing supply chain. Ineffective policies of the resource adjustment can produce undesirable effects such as oscillation between acquisition and release of workforce, and amplified oscillation through the stages of the service processes. In this work, we attempt to apply control theoretic principl...
Numeracy and Algebra: A Path to Full Participation in Community and Society?

Numeracy is the understanding of the meaning and interpretation of natural phenomena and is an important skill for full participation in society. Everyday there are numerous situations that require individuals to interpret quantitative information for personal decision making and understanding of significant public issues. However, the gap between individuals’ numeracy needs and their understanding of numeracy has widened. Thus, organizations and scholars have attempted to explain the value and nature of numeracy. This article discusses how and why numeracy is important for full participation in society.
Numerical Study of Heat Transfer in High Speed Microflows

() Heat transfer characteristics in microchannels have been investigated using a finite element based hydrodynamic model with first order slip/jump boundary conditions. Results for high-speed gas flow for two separate cases for a microchannel with an aspect ratio of 5 have been compared with published DSMC results. Helium and nitrogen have been utilized as working fluid and the Knudsen number ranges from slip to transition regime. Presented results show that hydrodynamic model has excellent shock capturing capability for high speed micro flows.
Active steganalysis of spread spectrum image steganography

We propose two active steganalysis schemes for spread spectrum image steganography. One is a simple estimate and subtract type algorithm that does not exploit higher order statistics while the other one is more sophisticated. We present conditions for successful steganalysis along with experimental results. Experiments show that the second method can extract up to 70% of message bits for large message sizes while the simple scheme saturates at 45%.
Crowdsourcing: a valid alternative to expert evaluation of robotic surgery skills

Background Robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery is common, but requires unique training. A validated assessment tool for evaluating trainees' robotic surgery skills is Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills. Objective We sought to assess whether crowdsourcing can be used as an alternative to expert surgical evaluators in scoring Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills. Study Design The Robotic Training Network produced the Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills, which evaluate trainees across 5 dry lab robotic surgical drills. Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills were previously validated in a study of 105 participants, where dry lab surgical drills were recorded, de-identified, and scored by 3 expert surgeons using the Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills checklist. Our methods-comparison study uses these previously obtained recordings and expert surgeon scores. Mean scores per participant from each drill were separated into quartiles. Crowdworkers were trained and calibrated on Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills scoring using a representative recording of a skilled and novice surgeon. Following this, 3 recordings from each scoring quartile for each drill were randomly selected. Crowdworkers evaluated the randomly selected recordings using Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills. Linear mixed effects models were used to derive mean crowdsourced ratings for each drill. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the correlation between crowdsourced and expert surgeons' ratings. Results In all, 448 crowdworkers reviewed videos from 60 dry lab drills, and completed a total of 2517 Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills assessments within 16 hours. Crowdsourced Robotic-Objective Structured Assessments of Technical Skills ratings were highly correlated with expert surgeon ratings across each of the 5 dry lab drills ( r ranging from 0.75-0.91). Conclusion Crowdsourced assessments of recorded dry lab surgical drills using a validated assessment tool are a rapid and suitable alternative to expert surgeon evaluation.
Conditional Value-at-Risk: Optimization Approach

A new approach for optimization or hedging of a portfolio of finance instruments to reduce the risks of high losses is suggested and tested with several applications. As a measure of risk, Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) is used. For several important cases, CVaR coincides with the expected shortfall (expected loss exceeding Values-at-Risk). However, generally, CVaR and the expected shortfall are different risk measures. CVaR is a coh erent risk measure both for continuous and discrete distributions. CVaR is a more consistent measure of risk than VaR. Portfolios with low CVaR also have low VaR because CVaR is greater than VaR. The approach is based on a new representation of the performance function, which allows simultaneous calculation of VaR and minimization of CVaR. It can be used in conjunction with analytical or scenario based optimization algorithms If the number of scenarios is fixed, the problem is reduced to a Linear Programming or Nonsmooth Optimization Problem. These techniques allow optimizing portfolios with large numbers of instruments. The approach is tested with two examples: (1) portfolio optimization and comparison with the Minimum Variance approach; (2) hedging of a portfolio of options. The suggested methodology can be used for optimizing of portfolios by investment companies, brokerage firms, mutual funds, and any businesses that evaluate risks. Although the approach is used for portfolio analysis, it is very general and can be applied to any financial or non-financial problems involving optimization of percentiles.
The Professional is Political: Removing Motherhood from Political Discourse

Since the 1960’s women have frequently participated in politics. From environmentalism to drunk driving, women have utilized their unique positions in society to speak out. The discourse utilized by women in the political sphere has often framed their participation as legitimate because of their status as mothers or nurturers. Such discourse has been criticized by numerous feminist scholars over the years because of its reductionist and gender-reinforcing norms. Nonetheless, the power of the “personal is political” is strong, calling on emotion to connect the speaker to a broad audience. Yet, recent debates at both the national and local level demonstrate that women may be retreating from the traditional public performance of self as mother in certain political arenas. This article describes this reversal of identity performance as displayed during federal testimony on health insurance reform and during state implementation discussions in Oregon. Such a trend raises new questions about modern identity performance and how media and institutional factors might influence the reflection of personal experience in the public sphere. The trend raises concerns about institutional capture and inappropriate policy formulation as a result of the silenced feminine experience
Low temperature phase transitions in V 4 H 3

Tetragonal V4H3 was examined by the Debye-Scherrer technique and by X-ray diffractometry at temperatures below 300 K. Two structural transitions were indicated. The observable changes in metal-metal atom distances may be manifestations of hydrogen ordering.
Albert Einstein’s relativistic road ‘less traveled’: A review The road to relativity: the history and meaning of Einstein’s ‘The Foundation of General Relativity’, by Albert Einstein (Facsimile German Manuscript) and foreword by John Stachel, with annotations and commentary by Hanoch Gutfreund and Jürgen Renn

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –I took the one less travelled by,And that has made all the difference.(Robert Frost, from The Road Not Taken, in the Mountain Interval collection, 1915/1916)Lon...
Test Case Generation Using Activity Diagram and Sequence Diagram

In this paper, we present an approach to generate test cases by usingtogether the UML activity diagram and the sequence diagram. Our approach consists of transforming the sequence diagram into a graph called Sequence Graph (SG) and transforming the activity diagram to the Activity Graph (AG). Henceforth, System Graph (SYG) is formed by integrating the two graphs i.e. SG and AG. The SYG is then traversed to form the test cases. We have used DFS (Depth First Search) method as a Graph Optimization technique .for traversing the SYG.It was observed that the test cases obtained from this method is not only exhaustive but also optimized. The test case thus generated is suitable for system testing and detect the operational, interact and, scenario faults.Our approach is also capable of handling the state explosion problem in case of concurrent systems.
Engaging a Wider Community: The Academic Library as a Center for Creativity, Discovery, and Collaboration

abstractAcademic libraries have reported long-term declines in circulation, reference transactions, reserves, and in-house library materials usage. Increasingly, libraries are perceived as being less critical to the academic enterprise. Are these trends irreversible? Perhaps public libraries and some innovative academic libraries can provide us with some answers. A 2014 IMLS survey of public libraries reported increased visitation and circulation over the past decade. Community outreach, in the form of programming, and investments in collection development contributed to these outcomes. Purchasing additional public workstations also bore results. This article discusses these and other findings along with ways to re-conceptualize our mission and marketing goals. In addition, it also outlines different strategies for using programming and technology initiatives to help academic libraries reconnect with a broader community paying particular attention to experiences at Montclair State University.
Time to reflect: Supporting health services over time by focusing on collaborative reflection

When health services involve long-term treatment over months or years, providers have the ability, not present in acute emergency care, to collaboratively reflect on clients' changing health data and adjust interventions. In this paper, we discuss temporality as a factor in the design of health information technology. We define a temporal spectrum ranging from time-critical services that benefit from standardization to long-term services that require more flexibility. We provide empirical evidence from fieldwork that we performed in organizations providing long-term behavioral and mental health services for children. Our fieldwork in this context complements and provides contrasts to previous CSCW studies performed in time-critical hospital settings. Current literature shows a bias toward standardized records and routines in the implementation of health information technology, a policy that may not be appropriate for long-term health services. We discuss how the design of information systems should vary based on temporal factors.
Superdielectrics Polymers

A giant type of polarization appears in certain highly aromatized polymeric solids. It arises when (a) the structure can inherently dissociate to form electronic carriers, and (b) when there are long domains of equivalent sites for freed electroonic carriers to rove about in response to an external electric field. It is referred to as 'nomadic' polarization, and joins the familiar electronic, atomic, and dipolar orientation types as a fourth molecular mode of polarization. Applications for the new super-dielectrics based upon these concepts will be many; including improved capacitor materials for better energy storage and control, low visibility coatings, obscuration, and EMP shielding, while in microcircuitry applications are transducers and parametric circuits. Progress in this promising new field is reviewed. A discussion of structures essential for nomadic polarization is given, together with some new results exemplifying these concepts. Future work and trends are suggested.
Electro-acupuncture therapy in a patient with a total artificial heart

Interaction between the electrical system of implanted cardiovascular devices and electrical stimulation of acupuncture points (electro-acupuncture) can be life-threatening. As a result, there is reluctance to use this modality in patients who have been implanted with any cardiac device. A patient with a total artificial heart was successfully treated with electro-acupuncture for inflammatory arthritis without any adverse events. This case illustrates the safety of electro-acupuncture in patients with a total artificial heart.
Treatment of androgenic disorders in women: acne, hirsutism, and alopecia

Androgen excess disorders--acne, alopecia, and hirsutism--can be treated effectively with endocrine therapy such as androgen receptor blockers or antagonists, or with androgen suppression. Spironolactone, estrogen, and dexamethasone are considered the most effective approaches to treatment. Whatever the modality, careful planning is key to success, with recognition that response rates vary from patient to patient. A treatment regimen generally continues for at least 2 years.
Potentiation of Benzo[α]pyrene Tumorigenesis in the Progeny of Female Hamsters Injected with Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant

SummarySarcomas induced by benzo[α] pyrene in the mature offspring of hamsters injected sc on the second day of pregnancy with Freund's incomplete adjuvant appeared earlier and grew more rapidly than did similarly induced tumors in the offspring of untreated mothers. Though females were intrinsically more susceptible than males to BP tumorigenesis, the enhancing effect of the adjuvant was approximately equal in male and female offspring.