cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond the sequence : Cellular organization of genome function

Genomes are more than linear sequences. In vivo they exist as elaborate physical structures, and their functional properties are strongly determined by their cellular organization. I discuss here the functional relevance of spatial and temporal genome organization at three hierarchical levels: the organization of nuclear processes, the higher-order organization of the chromatin fiber, and the spatial arrangement of genomes within the cell nucleus. Recent insights into the cell biology of genomes have overturned long-held dogmas and have led to new models for many essential cellular processes, including gene expression and genome stability.
Elovl4 5-bp-deletion knock-in mice develop progressive photoreceptor degeneration.

PURPOSE: To develop and characterize a heterozygous knock-in mouse model carrying the 5-bp deletion in Elovl4 (E_mut+/-) and to study the pathology underlying Stargardt-like macular degeneration (STGD3). METHODS: E_mut+/- mice were generated by targeting a 5-bp deletion (AACTT) in the Elovl4 gene by homologous recombination. E_mut+/- mice of age 2 to 18 months and age-matched wild-type (Wt) littermate control animals were analyzed for the expression of Elovl4 transcript, ELOVL4 protein, photoreceptor-specific genes, and retinal fatty acid composition. Functional retinal changes were evaluated by electroretinography (ERG) and by morphologic and ultrastructural criteria. RESULTS: E_mut+/- mice retinas showed the presence of both Wt and mutant Elovl4 transcripts and proteins. Morphologic evaluation revealed cone photoreceptor ultrastructural abnormalities as early as 2 months of age, accumulation of lipofuscin in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and subretinal deposits at later ages. Shortening of rod outer segments (OS) was observed at approximately 10 months of age. Both cone and rod changes progressed with age. Unlike rod-specific genes, expression of selected cone specific genes was significantly reduced by 7 months of age. Mixed rod-cone and light-adapted b-waves were higher than normal at both 8 and 15 months. Levels of the fatty acids 20:5 (P = 0.027), 22:5 (P = 0.040) and 24:6 (P = 0.005) were found to be significantly lower in the retinas of E_mut+/- mice than in retinas of control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: E_mut+/- animals display characteristic features associated with Stargardt-like macular degeneration and serve as a model for the study of the mechanism underlying STGD3.
Improvements to a microelectronic design and fabrication course

This paper presents improvements made to a complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication laboratory course to increase student learning and student impact (enrollment). The three main improvements to the course discussed include: 1) use of a two-mask MOS process that significantly reduced the time students took previously to design, fabricate, and verify the electrical properties of a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) process; 2) students' use of a semicustom integrated circuit (IC) design that significantly reduced the average design and processing time of previous years; and 3) development and implementation of a system of course prerequisites, which allowed a larger number of students to enroll in the course.
Evaluation of Clinical Pharmacy Services in a Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Setting

Background:The Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System in Dallas, TX, provides a unique opportunity for clinical pharmacists to work as providers. Even though clinical pharmacists are actively involved in patient care, many of their efforts remain undocumented, resulting in an underestimation of the importance of their services and missed opportunities for improvements and new directions.Objective:To document and evaluate the services of a hematology/oncology clinical pharmacy in the outpatient setting.Methods:Pendragon Forms 3.2 software was used to design the documentation template. The template was designed to collect diagnoses, supportive care issues, drug-specific interventions, and prescriptions written. This template was uploaded to the personal digital assistant (PDA) for documentation. Patient-specific information was documented in a password-protected PDA. Data collected from November 1, 2002, to October 31, 2003, were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Clinical pharmacists were involved i...
Ossifying Fibroma in a Miniature Rex Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

In humans and animals, ossifying fibroma is a benign neoplasm that most frequently affects the mandible, often resulting in cosmetic deformities and malocclusion. It is considered rare in animals and most frequently affects young horses. A surgical biopsy of a solitary mass located beneath the gingiva in the right maxillary region, which had overgrown teeth and expanded the adjacent hard palate from a 6-year-old miniature Rex rabbit was submitted for light microscopic examination. The submitted incisional biopsy specimen was pale pink, firm, and nodular. Histopathologically, the neoplasm was composed of fibroblastic cells separated by abundant collagen. The neoplastic cells were interwoven with osteoblasts surrounding islands of mineralized, bony matrix containing few, widely spaced, often empty, lacunae. Minimal inflammation was present. Based on the histopathologic features, the tumor was diagnosed as an ossifying fibroma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an ossifying fibroma in a rabbit.
Comparing ramp and pitfall traps for capturing wandering spiders

Abstract Pitfall traps are a common and inexpensive sampling method for epigeal spiders. They are most effective when the top edge of the trap is flush with the soil surface, which is not always possible if soil disturbance is prohibited, the soil layers are thin or the substrate is only exposed rock. Ramp traps are also inexpensive to construct and do not require soil disturbance, making them an appealing alternative to pitfall traps. We tested the efficacy of ramp traps for capturing wandering spiders at the Fort Pierre National Grassland in central South Dakota, USA. We set parallel transects of pitfall and ramp traps during three sampling periods from late May to early August 2010. Ramp traps captured twice as many individuals and, on average, 1.1 ± 0.34 SE more species than pitfall traps. Overall, ramp traps outperformed pitfall traps, and ramp traps are better for non-permanent sampling at point-specific locations.
The management of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia who require anticoagulant therapy

For patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), reexposure to heparin is generally not recommended. However, these patients are likely to require anticoagulation therapy at some point in the future. During acute HIT, when thrombocytopenia and anti-heparin-platelet factor 4 antibodies (or HIT antibodies) are present, therapy with heparin must be avoided. In patients with subacute HIT, when platelets have recovered but HIT antibodies are still present, therapy with heparin should be avoided. In patients with a remote history of HIT, when HIT antibodies have cleared, heparin reexposure may be safe, although recurrent HIT has been described in some patients. For all of these patients, the use of alternate anticoagulant agents, including direct thrombin inhibitors and anti-Xa agents, is preferable. There is an increasing amount of data supporting the use of these alternative agents in a wide variety of clinical circumstances, including thromboprophylaxis and treatment of acute thrombosis. Except for a few clinical situations, it is generally possible to avoid heparin reexposure in patients with a history of HIT.
Molecular genetic analysis of cold–regulated gene transcription

Chilling and freezing temperatures adversely affect the productivity and quality of crops. Hence improving the cold hardiness of crop plants is an important goal in agriculture, which demands a clear understanding of cold stress signal perception and transduction. Pharmacological and biochemical evidence shows that membrane rigidification followed by cytoskeleton rearrangement, Ca 2+ influx and Ca 2+ –dependent phosphorylation are involved in cold stress signal transduction. Cold–responsive genes are regulated through C–repeat/dehydration–responsive elements (CRT/DRE) and abscisic acid (ABA)–responsive element cis elements by transacting factors C–repeat binding factors/dehydration–responsive element binding proteins (CBFs/DREBs) and basic leucine zippers (bZIPs) (SGBF1), respectively. We have carried out a forward genetic analysis using chemically mutagenized Arabidopsis plants expressing cold–responsive RD29A promoter–driven luciferase to dissect cold signal transduction. We have isolated the fiery1 ( fry1 ) mutant and cloned the FRY1 gene, which encodes an inositol polyphosphate 1–phosphatase. The fry1 plants showed enhanced induction of stress genes in response to cold, ABA, salt and dehydration due to higher accumulation of the second messenger, inositol (1,4,5)– triphosphate (IP 3 ). Thus our study provides genetic evidence suggesting that cold signal is transduced through changes in IP 3 levels. We have also identified the hos1 mutation, which showed super induction of cold–responsive genes and their transcriptional activators. Molecular cloning and characterization revealed that HOS1 encodes a ring finger protein, which has been implicated as an E3 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme. HOS1 is present in the cytoplasm at normal growth temperatures but accumulates in the nucleus upon cold stress. HOS1 appears to regulate temperature sensing by the cell as cold–responsive gene expression occurs in the hos1 mutant at relatively warm temperatures. Thus HOS1 is a negative regulator, which may be functionally linked to cellular thermosensors to modulate cold–responsive gene transcription.
Volterra series analysis and synthesis of a neural network for velocity estimation

The motion detection problem occurs frequently in many applications connected with computer vision. Researchers have studied motion detection based on naturally occurring biological circuits for over a century. In this paper, we propose and analyze a motion detection circuit which is based on nerve membrane conduction. It consists of two unidirectional neural networks connected in an opposing fashion. Volterra input-output (I-O) models are then derived for the network so that velocity estimation can be cast as a parameter estimation problem. The technique is demonstrated through simulation.
Debunking the myth of the Nintendo generation: how doctoral students introduce new electronic communication practices into university research

Current research on the influence of electronic communication technologies such as electronic mail, World Wide Web, electronic journals, bibliographic databases, and on-line card catalogs suggest that they broaden academic research communities and change the ways researchers work. However, it is less well-understood how these changes take place. One explanation is that the mechanism for change is generational: doctoral students transform research disciplines as they apply new electronic communication skills they “grew up with.” This article examines this explanation and related claims through evidence from a study of 28 graduate students and their advisors in four disciplines at eight U.S. research universities. Although all the doctoral students used electronic communication technologies in various ways, their work practices reinforced existing patterns of work and resource use in their disciplines. Students used electronic communication to (1) mimic the electronic communication patterns of their advisor, (2) differentiate or specialize their research with respect to their advisor or research specialty, (3) enhance the social connections and material resources their advisor or institution provided to them, and/or (4) ease or improve “hands-on” research techniques (textual analysis, wet lab work, programming, statistical analysis) that their advisor or research group delegated to them.
Educational Reform Networks: Changes in the Forms of Reform

New professional learning “networks” are expanding which link people together for common purposes of learning. These networks typically involve a sense of shared purpose, psychological support, voluntary participation and a facilitator. A number of specific networks are described. Analysis shows that networks have great power, but they are also fragile, necessitating continuous negotiation of tensions.
Natural linewidth as a functional of

Abstract Letting N = 4 + e (with | e | ≪ 1 ) be the dimensionality of space–time, we work out the mathematics of the fluctuation underlining natural linewidths, using electromagnetic transitions as the template. The calculation is done in its entirety for the Lyman alpha ( Ly α ) transition of hydrogen, including the probability distribution governing e. A new scale (i.e., a new physical constant), ℘ M , which interfaces the four-dimensional world with extra dimensions, enters into the problem. This new scale can be measured in a table-top two-electron, two-photon correlated transition, discussed in the Letter.
Scopolamine Patch-Induced Unilateral Mydriasis

Tnansderm Scōl patches, containing scopolamine, have become a very popular and effective treatment for nausea and vomiting accompanying chemotherapy. We report two patients in whom unilateral fixed and dilated pupils related to scopolamine developed while undergoing chemotherapeutic protocols for bone marrow transplant (BMT). Both patients had neurologic consultations and neuroimaging as a result of the mydriatic pupils. CASE REPORTS Patient 1, a 20-year-old woman, was undergoing allogenic BMT for acute lymphocytic leukemia. She had a history of common migraine but had never experienced visual symptoms with her migraine. On the day before receiving her BMT, she had a headache and blurred vision and was found to have a fixed and dilated pupil on the left.
III-Nitride Photonic Crystals for Blue and UV Emitters

We report the nanofabrication and characterization of triangular lattice array of photonic crystals (PCs) with diameter/periodicity as small as 100/180 nm on III-nitride Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) using electron beam lithography and inductively-coupled-plasma dry etching. Under optical pumping, a maximum enhancement factor of 20 was obtained from the PCs for emission light intensity at the wavelength of 475 nm at room temperature. Under current injection, the total power at 20 mA of 300 × 300 μm 2 unpackaged LED chips revealed an increase by 63% and 95% for 460 nm blue and 340 nm UV LEDs, respectively, as a result of the PC formation. Our results show that the fabrication of PCs enhances the power output significantly on the III-nitride LEDs, which currently have very low external quantum efficiency especially in the UV range.
Infliximab for inpatient psoriasis management--is there a role?

Background: While outpatient management is a realistic goal for most psoriasis patients, inpatient hospitalization may be required for severe acute exacerbations. The paradigm of inpatient psoriasis treatment has changed as reflected in an overall decline in admissions as well as the introduction of several new agents for patients with moderate to severe disease. With these changes as well as the changes in inpatient health care delivery, the costs of inpatient psoriasis therapy need to be re‐examined. Purpose: To determine the mean charges and length of stay associated with inpatient admissions for psoriasis and compare these with the potential charges for infliximab administration in the inpatient setting. Methods: Inpatient psoriasis admissions were identified from the State of Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) non‐confidential database from 1994 to 2003. The mean length of stay and total charges associated with psoriasis admissions were determined and adjusted to current values b...
Optimal compliance design for grinding robot tool holders

A simple and effective solution to the robot grinding problem is introduced, which significantly reduces vibrations during grinding without additional actuators or active control. The objective is to determine the optimal compliance design for grinding robot tool holders. It is found that the degree of correlation between the dynamic behavior of the wheel in the directions normal and tangent to the desired workpiece surface has a direct effect on the grinding performance. This fact is utilized to determine the optimal tool holder compliance design through analysis, simulation and experimentation. The resulting design conclusions have been incorporated in an end-effector which was successfully tested for the grinding of weld seams.
Identification of Amino Acid Residues Involved in the Inactivation of Cytochrome P450 2B1 by Two Acetylenic Compounds: The Role of Three Residues in Nonsubstrate Recognition Sites

The homologous rat cytochrome P450s 2B1 and 2B2 differ by 13 amino acids. A chimeric construct of P450 2B1/2B2 was used in conjunction with several site-directed mutants to identify key residues involved in the inactivation of P450 2B1 by two acetylenic compounds, 17α-ethynylestradiol (17EE) and tert -butyl 1-methyl-2-propynyl ether (tBMP). 17EE is a mechanism-based inactivator of P450 2B1 but not of P450 2B2. We show here that tBMP is also a mechanism-based inactivator of P450 2B1 and not P450 2B2. Minimal loss in 7-ethoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)coumarin (7-EFC) activity was observed when P450 2B1 G478A was incubated with either inactivator, suggesting that this residue plays a role in the inactivation. However, P450 2B2 A478G behaved like wild-type P450 2B2, indicating that this residue alone is not sufficient for inactivation. A chimeric construct of P450 2B1/2B2 that is essentially P450 2B1 with five residues of P450 2B2 (including residue 478), was not inactivated by either tBMP or 17EE, suggesting that these five residues are important for inactivation. Sequential mutagenesis of the chimeric construct to quadruple (S407T-N417D-A419T-G478A) and triple (S407T-N417D-A419T) mutants of P450 2B1 did not result in inactivation by either inactivator. However, the triple mutant with mutations only in non-substrate recognition site (SRS) regions still exhibits wild-type P450 2B1 7-EFC O -deethylation activity with a K m value of 25 μM and V max of 8 nmol/min/nmol P450. These results demonstrate that substitution of three non-SRS residues in P450 2B1 leads to protection against inactivation of 2B enzymes by these two acetylenic compounds.
Genome-wide analysis reveals a major role in cell fate maintenance and an unexpected role in endoreduplication for the Drosophila FoxA gene Fork head

Transcription factors drive organogenesis, from the initiation of cell fate decisions to the maintenance and implementation of these decisions. The Drosophila embryonic salivary gland provides an excellent platform for unraveling the underlying transcriptional networks of organ development because Drosophila is relatively unencumbered by significant genetic redundancy. The highly conserved FoxA family transcription factors are essential for various aspects of organogenesis in all animals that have been studied. Here, we explore the role of the single Drosophila FoxA protein Fork head (Fkh) in salivary gland organogenesis using two genome-wide strategies. A large-scale in situ hybridization analysis reveals a major role for Fkh in maintaining the salivary gland fate decision and controlling salivary gland physiological activity, in addition to its previously known roles in morphogenesis and survival. The majority of salivary gland genes (59%) are affected by fkh loss, mainly at later stages of salivary gland development. We show that global expression of Fkh cannot drive ectopic salivary gland formation. Thus, unlike the worm FoxA protein PHA-4, Fkh does not function to specify cell fate. In addition, Fkh only indirectly regulates many salivary gland genes, which is also distinct from the role of PHA-4 in organogenesis. Our microarray analyses reveal unexpected roles for Fkh in blocking terminal differentiation and in endoreduplication in the salivary gland and in other Fkh-expressing embryonic tissues. Overall, this study demonstrates an important role for Fkh in determining how an organ preserves its identity throughout development and provides an alternative paradigm for how FoxA proteins function in organogenesis.
Effectiveness of scalene node biopsy for staging of lung cancer in the absence of palpable adenopathy

Scalene node biopsy (SNB) has been performed in patients with lung cancer at the Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center if any of the following criteria has been present: (1) potentially resectable central lesion by chest radiograph, or (2) significant cardiac or pulmonary dysfunction, thereby placing the patient at increased risk for thoracotomy, or (3) a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma prior to SNB. Within these guidelines, a retrospective study was undertaken to determine the benefit of routine SNB in the absence of clinically palpable scalene nodes. In a 2-year period beginning April 1981, 56 patients (37 males) presented with radiographic evidence of lung carcinoma without clinical evidence of scalene adenopathy. Approximately half of the lesions were of a central position. While the majority had symptoms of cough, hemoptysis, or chest pain, the primary lung lesion was identified on routine chest radiograph in 15 (27%). In only three was there no history of smoking, the remainder having at least a 20-pack-year history of cigarette use. Following a routine evaluation, 57 SNBs were performed alone or in concert with other surgical procedures (mediastinoscopy, bronchoscopy). Of these, only two (3.5%) were diagnostic and indicative of unresectable disease. While in one patient no additional procedure was performed, a simultaneous Chamberlain procedure in the other confirmed that the patient was unresectable for cure. In the remaining patients, tissue diagnosis of cancer was obtained through other maneuvers. Because of the low probability that SNB in the absence of clinically palpable nodes altered the management of lung cancer, we do not believe it to be of benefit in the diagnosis or staging of this disease.
Representational flexibility and specificity following spatial descriptions of real-world environments

Current theories are mixed with regard to the nature of mental representations following spatial description reading. Whereas some findings argue that individuals' representations are invariant following text-based, map-based, or first-person experience, other studies have suggested that representations can also exhibit considerable flexibility. In the current project we investigated the influences of spatial description perspectives and depictions on the nature of mental representations. In Experiment 1, participants exhibited more flexibility following survey, compared to route, spatial descriptions. With extended study time, though, flexibility following route descriptions increased. In Experiment 2, complementary maps further enhanced flexibility for route-based descriptions. Interestingly, increased exposure to these maps actually reduced flexibility following survey descriptions. These results demonstrate that the nature of our spatial mental representations depends upon a variety of factors; delineating these factors is critical for resolving debates concerning the malleable and invariant characteristics of spatial memory.
Series Active Filter control and implementation for utility interface of multiple adjustable speed drives

The control of Series Active Filter (SAF) to meet IEEE 519 standard for harmonic voltage source front-end based multiple adjustable speed motor drives, is reported in this paper. The series active filter design, control, implementation and issues in the practical application for utility interface of multiple three-phase six-pulse diode rectifier with dc side capacitor fed 480V, 150kW motor drives are investigated. The simulation and experimental results validate series active filter performance for utility interface of multiple ASDs under practical utility conditions.
The Primary Hyperoxalurias

The primary hyperoxalurias (PHs) are rare disorders of glyoxylate metabolism in which specific hepatic enzyme deficiencies result in overproduction of oxalate. Due to the resulting severe hyperoxaluria, recurrent urolithiasis or progressive nephrocalcinosis are principal manifestations. End stage renal failure frequently occurs and is followed by systemic oxalate deposition along with its devastating effects. Due to the lack of familiarity with PHs and their heterogeneous clinical expressions, the diagnosis is often delayed until there is advanced disease. In recent years, improvements in medical management have been associated with better patient outcomes. Although there are several therapeutic options that can help prevent early kidney failure, the only curative treatment to date is combined liver-kidney transplantation in patients with type I PH. Promising areas of investigation are being identified. Knowledge of the spectrum of disease expression, early diagnosis, and initiation of treatment before renal failure are essential to realize a benefit for patients.
Special Education Requirements for General Education Certification A National Survey of Current Practices

The purpose of the present study was to conduct a national survey to determine the state certification requirements general educators must meet (if any) in the area of special education. The survey was undertaken to study how states were responding to the increased demand placed on general educators to serve many more students with special needs. The results revealed that approximately three fourths of the states require general education teachers to have a course or two in special education or meet some specific competency criteria. The notion that such a cursory exposure to special education could prepare general educators to serve children with special needs is questioned, and future research examining the relationship between training experiences and competencies in serving students is recommended.
Controlling disassembly line with multi-kanban system

A way to implement the pull system in a disassembly line is to use a multi-kanban model. The model employs several types of kanbans attached to both components and subassemblies. The heart of the system lies in the kanban routing mechanism which allows routing of kanbans in multi-directions based on real time conditions. This mechanism creates minimum amount of residual inventory while satisfying varying demand levels. It also helps regulate the requests for subassembly from upstream workstations when a breakdown occurs at a workstation. This reduces blockage and starvation of subassemblies at workstations other than the broken workstation. In this paper, we discuss the difficulties involved in utilizing the multi-kanban mechanism. We thoroughly investigate several scenarios of the disassembly line setting including a scenario with common products, a scenario with component discriminating demand, a scenario in the presence of products with multiple precedence relationships, and a scenario with workstation breakdowns. These scenarios represent various disassembly environments that a facility may face when dealing with the disassembly of both single and multiple products on a single line. In each scenario, we examine effectiveness of the multi-kanban model using three performance measures, viz., the inventory level, the level of satisfied demand, and the customer waiting time. We compare these results with the ones generated from the same line that employs a traditional push system. Using simulation, we demonstrate that the overall performance of the disassembly line using multi-kanban mechanism outperforms the disassembly line with the traditional push system.
Machine Reading as a Process of Partial Question-Answering

This paper explores the close relationship between question answering and machine reading, and how the active use of reasoning to answer (and in the process, disambiguate) questions can also be applied to reading declarative texts, where a substantial proportion of the text's contents is already known to (represented in) the system. In question answering, a question may be ambiguous, and it may only be in the process of trying to answer it that the "right" way to disambiguate it becomes apparent. Similarly in machine reading, a text may be ambiguous, and may require some process to relate it to what is already known. Our conjecture in this paper is that these two processes are similar, and that we can modify a question answering tool to help "read" new text that augments existing system knowledge. Specifically, interpreting a new text T can be recast as trying to answer, or partially answer, the question "Is it true that T?", resulting in both appropriate disambiguation and connection of T to existing knowledge. Some preliminary investigation suggests this might be useful for proposing knowledge base extensions, extracted from text, to a knowledge engineer.
Monolithically self-assembled organic active materials integrated with thermoelectric for large spectrum solar harvesting system (Presentation Recording)

We designed and studied a radial junction composed by a photovoltaic and thermoelectric array based on ZnO and CdTe nanowires surrounded by an absorbing organic self assembled in order to efficiently convert UV-visible and IR energy into electricity. The hot anode of n-type ZnO nanowires was fabricated using a thermal process on pre-seeded layer and results to be crystalline with a transmittance up to 92 % and a bandgap of ~ 3.32 eV. Conductivity measurements reveal diode-like behavior for the ZnO nanowires. The organic layer was deposited between the anode and cathode at room temperature The organic layer is composed of oppositely charged porphyrin metal (Zn(II) and Sn(IV)(OH)2) derivatives that are separately water soluble, but when combined form a virtually insoluble solid. The electron donor/acceptor properties (energy levels, band gaps) of the solid can be controlled by the choice of metals and the nature of the peripheral substituent groups of the porphyrin ring. A defect free sub nanometer deposition was achieved using a layer-by-layer deposition onto both ZnO and Bi2Te3 nanowires. The highly thermoelectric structure, which acts as a cold cathode, is composed of p-type Bi2Te3 nanowires with a thermoelectric efficiency (ZT) between ~0.7 to 1, values that are twice that expected for bulk Bi2Te3. Optoelectronic and structural properties shows that with 6 nm of organic layer it is possible to form a 3% efficient solar device with an enhanced thermo electric effected with a temperature gradient of 300 C.
Passive Thermal Management Using Phase Change Materials: Experimental Evaluation of Thermal Resistances

Limited heat dissipation and increasing power consumption in processors has led to a utilization wall. Specifically due to high transistor density, not all processors can be used continuously without exceeding safe operating temperatures. This is more significant in mobile electronic devices which, despite relatively large chip area, are limited by poor heat dissipation — primarily natural convection from the exposed surfaces. In the past, solid-to-liquid phase change materials (PCMs) have been employed for passive thermal control — absorbing energy during the phase change process while maintaining a relatively fixed temperature. However, the lower thermal conductivity of the liquid phase after melting often limits the heat dissipation from the PCM, and in the liquid state, the material can flow away from the desired location. Here we focus on characterization of thermal performance of PCMs with the goal of evaluating dry (gel-to-solid/amorphous-to-crystalline) phase change materials which are intended to mitigate the pumpout issue. Critical thermophysical properties include the thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and latent heat of the phase/state change. The thermal resistance throughout the phase change process is measured by in-house rig which miniaturizes the reference bar method for use with infrared temperature sensing.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Oral Contraceptives and High Blood Pressure: Changes in Plasma Renin, Renin Substrate and Aldosterone Excretion

In this communication I will review for you studies, stimulated by clinical observations in certain of our hypertensive patients, which first suggested the possibility of a cause and effect relationship between the use of oral contraceptives and either the development or enhancement of high blood pressure.
Specific heat of URu 2 Si 2 in fields up to 42 T: Clues to the hidden order

The large $\ensuremath{\Delta}C$ observed at 17.5 K in ${\mathrm{URu}}_{2}{\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ is inconsistent with the small, $0.04{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ moment measured for the antiferromagnetism observed starting (perhaps coincidentally) at the same temperature. We report measurements of this specific-heat transition, thought to be due to some hidden order, in magnetic fields between 24 and 42 T, i.e., through the field-region where three metamagnetic transitions are known to occur at 35.8, 37.3, and 39.4 T. The response of $\ensuremath{\Delta}C$ in single crystal ${\mathrm{URu}}_{2}{\mathrm{Si}}_{2}$ to magnetic field, which includes a change to $\ensuremath{\Delta}C$ being possibly associated with a first-order phase transition for high fields, is analyzed to shed further light on the possible explanations of this unknown ordering process. At fields above 35 T, a new high-field phase comes into being; the connection between this high-field phase revealed by the specific heat and earlier magnetization data is discussed.
Answer to Questions for the Record Submitted to Professor Patricia W. Moore Following the Hearing on 'The State of Class Actions Ten Years after the Enactment of the Class Action Fairness Act'

This is Professor Moore’s response to questions for the record submitted to her after the hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, U.S. House of Representatives, on "The State of Class Actions Ten Years After the Enactment of the Class Action Fairness Act" on February 27, 2015. The questions submitted to her asked whether, when determining the requirements of class certification, Congress should limit a class to those individuals "with the same or similar injuries" or those individuals whose damages or injuries have been sustained due to "the same or similar proximate cause" or "the same product or activity."The response begins by noting that the wording of the questions appeared designed to eliminate what the majority witnesses at the hearing termed "no-injury class actions." The response argues that the term "no-injury class action" is a recently-invented term without roots in the law of class actions, and that the term is misleading when applied indiscriminately to all class actions. The substantive law, whether federal or state, determines when a person is "injured," and the majority witnesses’ assertion that certain class members have suffered "no injury" contravenes the governing substantive law.The response then more specifically addresses the suggested language in the questions submitted. The suggested limitations, if passed by Congress, would restrict class actions. First, it is unclear how the broad-brush language would be applied to class actions for injunctive relief, such as civil rights cases. Second, the language sounds like existing law, but those seeking to eliminate so-called "no-injury class actions" intend that the language should be interpreted in a new and more radical way so to make it much more difficult to obtain class certification than under existing law. Third, the language would in essence require a class, at certification, to include only class members who could prove their case on the merits. That would constitute an impermissible "fail-safe" class allowing any class member who did not prove her case on the merits to escape being bound by the class judgment. Fourth, the existing certification requirements of commonality, typicality, and predominance provide sufficient tools for federal judges to rigorously apply the standards to unique factual situations.The response also notes that the Civil Rules Advisory Committee is currently considering numerous changes to Rule 23, so that legislation is premature. Finally, the response calls for Congress to require the public release of data on federal class actions.
Physiological and Growth Tolerance in Wheat to Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) Injury

Plant tolerance to injury from insect herbivores has several advantages as a pest management approach. However, its use is limited because mechanisms conferring plant tolerance are not well understood. We hypothesize that plant physiological responses, specifically photosynthesis, substantially contribute to plant tolerance to arthropod injury. This hypothesis was tested on 3 wheat ( Triticum eastivum L.) lines that differed in their mode of resistance to the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). The lines were ‘Arapahoe’ (a susceptible line), PI 137739 (an antibiotic line), and PI 262660 (a tolerant line). These lines were grown in a greenhouse, aphids were maintained on plants for 1 wk, and physiological responses of these lines were determined. Light curve and fluorescence data indicated that the primary mechanism for photosynthetic rate reduction in aphid-injured leaves is via interference of the photochemical efficiency at the initial stage of photosynthesis. Aphid-injured seedlings had lower light-saturation points, which suggested less efficient use of light energy compared with control seedlings. Immediately after aphid removal, aphid injury reduced chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic rates in all lines, but PI 137739 (with antibiosis) had significantly greater photosynthetic rate reduction. Photosynthetic rates of the tolerant line, PI 262660, began recovering 3 d after aphid removal with complete photosynthetic recovery 7 d after aphid removal. This gradual photosynthetic compensation did not occur in the other 2 lines. PI 262660 also had greater leaf area and more dry matter when compared with the other cultivars. This study demonstrates that photosynthetic adjustments can significantly contribute to plant tolerance resulting from arthropod injury. Moreover, evidence here indicates that an active plant defense through antibiosis comes at the cost of reduced capacity for physiological tolerance and compensation.
Photographs and Descriptions of Cup-Fungi—I. Peziza

(1915). Photographs and Descriptions of Cup-Fungi—I. Peziza. Mycologia: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 90-93.
Both External and Internal Calcium Reduce the Sensitivity of the Olfactory Cyclic-Nucleotide-Gated Channel to cAMP

Both external and internal calcium reduce the sensitivity of the olfactory cyclic-nucleotide-gated channel to cAMP. In vertebrate olfaction, odorous stimuli are first transduced into an electrical ...
Craniofacial Malformations: Clinical and Genetic Considerations

The pediatrician is in the best position to observe craniofacial malformations, to evaluate more closely the craniofacial complex, and to be alert for morphologic changes that may herald additional, and sometimes, more severe underlying defects.
Conclusion: The Structure of Power

The fiscal strains which emerged in the 1970s were not simply the result of economic downturn and militant public sector unionism. They had their roots in past policies of economic growth and social control, and in the powers of corporations and unions which shaped those local policies — policies which catalyzed intense breakdowns in local social control.
Application of Symmetry

In this chapter we continue developing the general symmetry formalism that we started developing in the preceding chapter. Here we study the theory and practice of the application of symmetry in science. The practice is based on the symmetry principle, stating roughly that the effect is at least as symmetric as the cause, and the theory is the proof of that principle. The proof starts with a discussion of the concept of causal relation, followed by a clarification of certain points concerning the nature of science, from which we are led to the equivalence principle, stating roughly that equivalent causes imply equivalent effects. The symmetry principle follows almost immediately from the equivalence principle. In the application of symmetry in science the symmetry principle can be used in two ways: minimalistically, to set a lower bound on the symmetry of the effect, and maximalistically, to set an upper bound on the symmetry of the cause. Numerous examples are presented. The application of symmetry in quantum systems is briefly discussed.
Questions and controversies: the role of necroptosis in liver disease

Acute and chronic liver injury results in hepatocyte death and turnover. If injury becomes chronic, the continuous cell death and turnover leads to chronic inflammation, fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Controlling liver cell death both in acute injury, to rescue the liver from acute liver failure, and in chronic injury, to curb secondary inflammation and fibrosis, is of paramount importance as a therapeutic strategy. Both apoptosis and necrosis occur in the liver, but the occurrence of necroptosis in the liver and its contribution to liver disease is controversial. Necroptosis is a form of regulated necrosis which occurs in certain cell types when caspases (+/−cIAPs) are inhibited through the RIPK1-RIPK3 activation of MLKL. The occurrence of necroptosis in the liver has recently been examined in multiple liver injury models with conflicting results. The aim of this review is to summarize the published data with an emphasis on the controversies and remaining questions in the field.
Reason and Faith in God

The topic of “reason and faith in God” has challenged philosophers and theologians since the beginning of their disciplines, and it has left many inquirers confused. The key notions of faith and reason are often left unclear, and this complicates inquiry about faith in God. Many inquirers end up puzzled about the significance of the distinction between reason and faith. This paper outlines an approach to reason and faith in God that explains how faith in God can be well-grounded in reason as evidence, even if reason as an argument does not apply in a case. It identifies distinctive roles for experience and defense in an account of faith in God.
Fertility Transitions and Schooling Dividends in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Experience of Vanguard Countries

Countries at the vanguard of Africa’s fertility transition can now serve as a test case in debating this region’s prospects for, and catalysts of, a first demographic dividend. In this chapter, we use simple decomposition methods to estimate dividends among these vanguard countries, focusing on schooling dividends. On average, declines in national fertility were followed by reduced dependency ratios and, ultimately, substantial boosts to public spending per pupil. While a few countries also achieved schooling progress over this period without a decline in fertility, they might have seen even bigger gains had dependency ratios declined during that period. A step-by-step analysis of the dividend-production process suggests that once fertility declines, the key hurdle is to convert low economic dependency into greater savings and investments. This warrants emphasis on policies supporting steady declines in fertility, savings, and productive investments.
Cyclic Irrigation Increases Irrigation Application Efficiency and Decreases Ammonium Losses

Abstract Cyclic irrigation using pressure compensated drip emitters was evaluated for irrigation application efficiency, nutrient efficacy, and plant growth. The experiment, a RCBD with four replications was conducted in a simulated nursery using high volumes of irrigation which are common in container-grown ornamental nurseries in the southeastern United States. A container-grown plant production area, subdivided into 16 separate plots, allowed for the collection of all irrigation water leaving each plot. Rudbeckia fulgida Ait. ‘Goldsturm’ and Cotoneaster dammeri Schneid. ‘Skogholm’ plants were potted into 3.8 liter (#1) containers in a pine bark: sand substrate (8:1 by vol) and irrigated with either 900 ml (1.2 in) of water applied once a day [900 ml (1×)], 450 ml (0.62 in) applied in two cycles [450 ml (2×)], 300 ml (0.41 in) applied in three cycles [300 ml (3×)], or 150 ml (0.21 in) applied in six cycles [150 ml (6×)]. A cycle consisted of a one-hour rest interval between each irrigation allotment. At...
The Negative Effect Fallacy: A Case Study of Incorrect Statistical Reasoning by Federal Courts

This article examines the negative effect fallacy, a flawed statistical argument first utilized by the Warren Court in Elkins v. United States. The Court argued that empirical evidence could not determine whether the exclusionary rule prevents future illegal searches and seizures because “it is never easy to prove a negative,” inappropriately conflating the philosophical and arithmetic definitions of the word negative. Subsequently, the Court has repeated this mistake in other domains, including free speech, voting rights, and campaign finance. The fallacy has also proliferated into the federal circuit and district court levels. Narrowly, our investigation aims to eradicate the use of the negative effect fallacy in federal courts. More broadly, we highlight several challenges and concerns with the increasing use of statistical reasoning in court decisions. As courts continue to evaluate statistical and empirical questions, we recommend that they evaluate the evidence on its own merit rather than relying on convenient arguments embedded in precedent.
Sensor-based legged robot homing using range-only target localization

This paper demonstrates a fully sensor-based reactive homing behavior on a physical quadrupedal robot, using onboard sensors, in simple (convex obstacle-cluttered) unknown, GPS-denied environments. Its implementation is enabled by our empirical success in controlling the legged machine to approximate the (abstract) unicycle mechanics assumed by the navigation algorithm, and our proposed method of range-only target localization using particle filters.
Pulmonary Nuclear Medicine

Ventilation-perfusion (or Quotient; hence, abbreviation V/Q) scan is an imaging technique aimed at interrogating the respective physiological functions. It is indicated for pulmonary embolism (PE) or thromboembolism.
The Debate Judge as “Critic of Argument”: Toward a Transcendent Perspective

Much contemporary debate scholarship considers which judging paradigm should prevail. Recognizing that any paradigm may be appropriate for one debate, but not for all, this essay presents an altern...
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Risperidone Subcutaneous Implants in Stable Patients With Schizophrenia

A subcutaneous risperidone implant (RI) formulation was developed to improve medication adherence in schizophrenia. Two phase 1 studies were conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of RI in adult patients with schizophrenia. In study 1, all subjects were stable on 4 mg oral risperidone; subsequently, the first subject received 375 mg RI for 1 month, and the remaining subjects received 375 mg RI for 3 months. In study 2, all subjects were stable on oral risperidone 4 mg, 6 mg, or 8 mg and subsequently received RI 480 mg, 720 mg, or 960 mg, respectively, for 6 months. Blood samples were collected at prespecified time points. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were determined in both studies. In both studies risperidone total active moiety plasma concentrations following RI increased slowly, reached therapeutic levels within approximately 2 days, and remained relatively stable. In study 1, the average concentration for RI was 81.3% of the oral trough concentration and 27.5% of the oral peak concentration. In study 2, the steady-state concentration for RI was comparable to the oral trough concentration of the corresponding dose. Patient disease status remained stable with no major safety issues. RI may represent an alternative formulation for schizophrenia treatment with a lower peak-to-trough plasma drug ratio than oral risperidone.