cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-GG-I-02: Evolution of Adrenal Gland Perfusion with Anti-Angiogenic Therapy: A CT-Based Approach

Purpose: In radiology it is important to understand and interpret anatomical changes which correlate with treatment plans. Several anticancer agents exist that affect tumor vasculature growth and normal vessel growth. Monitoring these effects with CTimaging may be useful to guide dosing of treatment. Observing perfusion of certain organs it possible to monitor vessel competency. If perfusion is constant over time, it can be assumed there is no significant change in vasculature, and no damage due to chemotherapeutics. In contrast, significant changes in perfusion over time may suggest a decrease in normal vessel growth as a result of therapy. Method and Materials: Patients receiving the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor sorafenib underwent CTimaging every six weeks, beginning with baseline studies. A “jog scan” tracked perfusion through the highly fenestrated adrenal glands. Sixteen pairs of adrenal images were contoured, with each of the sixteen scans representing different perfusion time intervals from 0–90 seconds. The mean pixel values of each gland were obtained and compared over time for any significant changes in pixel value that could indicate change in vascular perfusion over time. Further calculations were performed isolating the medullary component of the glands because of its high vascularity. Results: The average change in maximum pixel values from baseline to six weeks after treatment initiation demonstrated a 4.58% increase in peak pixel value for both adrenals, with a subsequent decrease of 3.2% in the third scan. Changes in the medullary region demonstrated a 6.1% increase in pixel value in comparison to the entire adrenal area. Conclusion: Manual contouring of adrenal glands in conjunction with calculated maximum pixel values revealed changes in adrenal perfusion between baseline and therapy‐monitoring CT scans. The continued monitoring of perfusion could prove beneficial to the radiologic diagnosis of significant anatomical changes as a result of chemotherapy.
Electron-Electron Distances in Spin-Labeled Low-Spin Metmyoglobin Variants by Relaxation Enhancement

Thirteen single-cysteine variants of myoglobin were prepared by overexpression of apoprotein, spin labeling, and reconstitution with hemin. This procedure resulted in a protein with fewer hemichrome impurities than was obtained by an overexpression of holo-protein followed by spin labeling. Coordination of cyanide to the met heme formed low-spin complexes. Iron-nitroxyl interspin distances in the range of 17–30 A were determined by saturation recovery measurements of the enhancement of the nitroxyl spin lattice relaxation rates between ∼30–140 K, and by spin-echo measurements of the enhancement of spin-spin relaxation rates at 10–30 K. Interspin distances were also calculated, using the molecular modeling program Insight II (Accelrys, San Diego, CA). For most variants, distances determined from the temperature dependence of spin-echo intensities at a pulse spacing of 200 ns agree with distances measured by saturation recovery and calculated with Insight II within about an angstrom, which is within experimental uncertainties. Measurements of interspin distances via spin-spin relaxation enhancement have the advantages that maximum effects are observed for slower metal relaxation rates than are required for spin-lattice relaxation enhancement, and the impact diminishes as r−3 instead of r−6, as with spin-lattice relaxation enhancement, which permits measurements at longer distances.
Respiration as measured by scanning calorimetry reflects the temperature dependence of different soybean cultivars

Abstract Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is grown in many countries and climates. Twenty-two North American soybean cultivars from six different maturity groups were grown from seed under the same conditions. Measurement of metabolic heat rate of leaf tissue with a scanning calorimeter revealed that the slope of heat rate versus temperature when plotted on Arrhenius axes showed abrupt changes reflecting changes in metabolism. The chilling response temperature for all cultivars was near 17.5°C. The maximum tolerable temperature for all cultivars was near 43.5°C. Differences in response to temperatures between the extremes relate to maturity group, follow latitudinal trends, and represent adaptation to different climates. Smaller differences were also observed between cultivars in the same maturity group. Selection of cultivars of soybean for best growth in different climates has resulted in relatively rapid adaptation to local temperatures.
Genetically-associated variations in the development of reflex movements and synaptic junctions within an early reflex pathway of mouse spinal cord.

The embryonic development of reflex forelimb movements produced by cutaneous stimulation of the forepaw was examined in five inbred strains of the house mouse, Mus musculus. A quantitative electron microscopic study of synapse formation between the neurons that comprise the spinal cutaneous reflex arc was also carried out on specimens from three of the strains subjected to reflex testing. This investigation provides evidence that there is significant genetically-associated variability in the developmental timing of synapse formation within this disynaptic pathway and in the reflex behavior which it mediates. Specifically, it was found that C57BL/6J embryos had greater numbers of synaptic junctions in the reflex pathway at embryonic days 14–16, and they also showed reflex movements earlier than LP/J embryos. C57BL/6J embryos also showed a more rapid increase in the number of boutons during this embryonic period. CBA/CaJ embryos displayed a temporal pattern of development that differed from both C57BL/6J and LP/J. At E15, CBA/CaJ embryos were more similar to LP/J with regard to both reflex activity and synapse number, but by E16, CBA/CaJ values for both of these measures were more similar to C57BL/6J. On the basis of the data detailed in the text, we suggest that the strains differ in the following manner: C57BL/6J embryos develop boutons rapidly but appear to be relatively inefficient in the actual formation of synaptic junctions; CBA/CaJ embryos develop boutons at a slower rate than C57BL/6J but form synaptic junctions more efficiently; LP/J embryos develop boutons slowly and are also relatively inefficient in forming synaptic junctions. The genetic implications of — and some developmental processes which might be responsible for — the observed strain differences in the timing of synaptic development are discussed in the text. There was no detectable genetic variability of the basic sequence in which the neurons of the cutaneous reflex arc develop their synaptic connections. For all three strains examined, the data indicated that synaptic closure occurred in a retrograde sequence with respect to the direction that neurotransmission normally flows between the neurons of this pathway. This finding agrees with results obtained by other investigators from a number of diverse vertebrate species, and such a widespread lack of variability implies that a retrograde sequencing of synapse formation is involved in the development of specific neuronal connectivities.
Tillage management to mitigate herbicide loss in runoff under simulated rainfall conditions.

Conservation tillage mitigates soil loss in cropland because plant residues help protect the soil, but effects on pesticide movement in surface runoff are not as straightforward. Effects of soil disturbance on surface runoff loss of chlorimuron and alachlor were evaluated utilizing runoff trays. Soil in the trays was either disturbed (tilled) and kept bare or was not tilled, and existing decomposed plant residue was left on the surface. Rainfall (25 mm, 20 min) was simulated 1 d after alachlor (2.8 kg ha−1) or chlorimuron (54 g ha−1) application, and runoff was collected. Runoff fractions were analyzed for herbicide and sediment. Total alachlor loss from bare plots was greater than that in no-tillage plots (4.5% vs. 2.3%, respectively). More than one-third of total alachlor lost from bare plots occurred in the first l of runoff, while no-tillage plots had less runoff volume with a more even distribution of alachlor concentration in the runoff during the rainfall simulation and subsequent runoff period. In contrast, more chlorimuron was lost from no-tillage plots than bare plots (12% vs. 1.5%) even though total runoff volume was lower in the no-tillage plots (10.6 mm vs. 13.6 mm). This was attributed to dense coverage with partially decomposed plant residue in no-tillage plots (1652 kg ha−1) that intercepted chlorimuron. It was likely that chlorimuron, a polar compound, was more easily washed off surface plant residues and transported in runoff.
The Decision-Theoretic Lockean Thesis

AbstractCertain philosophers maintain that there is a ‘constitutive threshold for belief’: to believe that p just is to have a degree of confidence that p above a certain threshold. On the basis of this view, these philosophers defend what is known as ‘the Lockean Thesis’, according to which it is rational to believe that p just in case it is rational to have a degree of confidence that p above the constitutive threshold for belief. While not directly speaking to the controversy over the Lockean Thesis, this paper defends the general idea behind it—namely, the thesis that there is some threshold such that it is rational to believe that p if and only if it is rational to have a degree of confidence greater than that threshold. This paper identifies the threshold in question—not with the alleged constitutive threshold for belief—but with what I call ‘the practical threshold for rational belief’. Roughly, the thesis defended here is that it is rational to believe that p if and only if it is rational to have ...
Optical design of endoscopic shape-tracker using quantum dots embedded in fiber bundles

Colonoscopy is the current gold standard for colon cancer screening and diagnosis. However, the near-blind navigation process employed during colonoscopy results in endoscopist disorientation and scope looping, leading to missed detection of tumors, incorrect localization, and pain for the patient. A fiber optic bend sensor, which would fit into the working channel of a colonoscope, is developed to aid navigation through the colon during colonoscopy. The bend sensor is comprised of a bundle of seven fibers doped with quantum dots (QDs). Each fiber within the bundle contains a unique region made up of three zones with differently-colored QDs, spaced 120° apart circumferentially on the fiber. During bending at the QD region, light lost from the fiber's core is coupled into one of the QD zones, inducing fluorescence of the corresponding color whose intensity is proportional to the degree of bending. A complementary metal oxide semiconductor camera is used to obtain an image of the fluorescing end faces of the fiber bundle. The location of the fiber within the bundle, the color of fluorescence, and the fluorescence intensity are used to determine the bundle's bending location, direction, and degree of curvature, respectively. Preliminary results obtained using a single fiber with three QD zones and a seven-fiber bundle containing one active fiber with two QDs (180° apart) demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. Further developments on fiber orientation during bundling and the design of a graphical user interface to communicate bending information are also discussed.
Sa'ah Naagháí Bik'eh Házhóón: An ethnography of Navajo educational communication practices

Navajo Community College is a bilingual/bicultural college on the Navajo Nation. The educational philosophy is Sa'ah Naaghai Bik'eh Hozhoon, the Dine traditional living system. This study describes and explicates Navajo educational communication practices as enacted at Navajo Community College. Ethnographic fieldwork indicates Sa'ah Naaghai Bik'eh Hozhoon in the curriculum and the classroom means incorporating the following aspects of Navajo philosophy into lectures, activities, and assignments: (a) focusing on a sense of place, (b) focusing on duality in life, (c) focusing on Dine identity, and (d) using the rhetorical form of “enactment.” The impact of these communication practices is discussed, both for instructors who work with Navajo students and instructors who desire to enhance their awareness of cultural influences in education.
The Internet of Things Has a Gateway Problem

The vision of an Internet of Things (IoT) has captured the imagination of the world and raised billions of dollars, all before we stopped to deeply consider how all these Things should connect to the Internet. The current state-of-the-art requires application-layer gateways both in software and hardware that provide application-specific connectivity to IoT devices. In much the same way that it would be difficult to imagine requiring a new web browser for each website, it is hard to imagine our current approach to IoT connectivity scaling to support the IoT vision. The IoT gateway problem exists in part because today's gateways conflate network connectivity, in-network processing, and user interface functions. We believe that disentangling these functions would improve the connectivity potential for IoT devices. To realize the broader vision, we propose an architecture that leverages the increasingly ubiquitous presence of Bluetooth Low Energy radios to connect IoT peripherals to the Internet. In much the same way that WiFi access points revolutionized laptop utility, we envision that a worldwide deployment of IoT gateways could revolutionize application-agnostic connectivity, thus breaking free from the stove-piped architectures now taking hold. In this paper, we present our proposed architecture, show example applications enabled by it, and explore research challenges in its implementation and deployment.
Husserl's conception of Hume's problem: Toward a transcendental hermeneutic of Hume'sTreatise

L'A. montre comment Kant et Husserl ont tous deux decele chez Hume un probleme a regler par une philosophie transcendantale, probleme cependant tres different chez les deux. L'A. etudie le «Traite de la nature humaine» de Hume et s'appuie sur une problematique de Mall pour analyser la continuite entre Hume et Husserl
Competitive absorption of quaternary ammonium and alkali metal cations into a Nafion cation-exchange membrane

Abstract The competitive absorption of salt mixtures containing tetramethylammonium (TMA) and/or tetraethylammonium (TEA) cations, respectively, into a Nafion™ 117 cation-exchange membrane, under equilibrium conditions, was measured experimentally and modelled theoretically. Uptake experiments were performed, with Nafion equilibrated in an aqueous 0.1 M nitrate salt solution containing either: (a) one of the two quaternary ammonium cations and Li + , Na + , or Cs + or (2) a mixture of TEA and TMA. Equilibrium absorption of the various two-component salt solutions in Nafion was modelled using the molecular-level partition coefficient theory developed by Bontha and Pintauro [Chem. Eng. Sci. 49 (1994) 3835]. Without the use of adjustable parameters, the model predicted accurately cation concentrations for all salt systems except Cs + /TMA. The observed and computed absorption selectivity ordering in Nafion was (CH 3 CH 2 ) 4 N + >(CH 3 ) 4 N + >Cs + >Na + >Li + . The failure of the model to predict cation uptake for Cs + /TMA mixtures was attributed to small errors in the computation of an ion hydration parameter for TMA, coupled with the fact that the Cs + and TMA cations were nearly the same size.
Radiofrequency energy treatment effects on articular cartilage

Partial-thickness cartilage erosion and fibrillation is commonly encountered during arthroscopic examination. These changes may occur secondary to acute injury or as a result of slow degenerative changes associated with aging. Unfortunately, no one technique has the versatility to allow the orthopaedic surgeon to debride partial-thickness lesions, prevent their recurrence, and halt their progression. Historically, radiofrequency energy (RFE) has been used in the fields of neurosurgery, oncology, cardiology, and, more recently, in musculoskeletal surgery for arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy procedures. RFE has the advantages of being safe, relatively inexpensive, and easy to use via arthroscopy. In addition, at least 5 major manufacturers now provide an array of probes designed for arthroscopic application. Although the effects of RFE on the joint capsule are well documented through controlled research, there are few reports on its effects on articular cartilage and those reports that are present in the peer-reviewed literature provide conflicting information. RFE can rapidly contour and smooth fine fibrillations associated with chondromalacic cartilage, but it does not appear to be a tool that can be used safely for ablating larger fronds (>1.0 mm) and stabilizing delaminated areas. Bipolar probes, at recommended settings, operate at temperatures in excess of 100°C, often result in rapid chondrocyte death to depths greater than 2.0 mm from the articular surface, and should not be used for thermal chondroplasty. RFE with temperature control, though far safer than bipolar RFE, kills cells to a depth of approximately 0.75 mm and further evaluation of its safety and long-term efficacy should be performed before it can be recommended for clinical use. Although anecdotal reports indicate that RFE may have application for performing thermal chondroplasty, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to determine the optimal settings and guidelines for its use.
A Critical, Objective Review of Performance Feedback

ABSTRACT Providing information to employees about their past performance is a widely used strategy in organizations. The effects of performance feedback, however, have not been previously systematically evaluated. A total of 126 applications of feedback in organizations was reviewed. Each feedback application was evaluated in terms of the consistency of its effects. Effects were differentiated according to whether feedback was used alone or in combination with rewards and/or goal setting procedures and according to selected characteristics of feedback. The results of this review indicate that (1) feedback does not uniformly improve performance; (2) adding rewards and/or goal setting procedures to feedback improves the consistency of its effects; and (3) some characteristics of feedback are more consistently associated with improved performance than others. An analysis of the ways in which feedback might operate and consideration of basic research suggest that it will be effective to the extent that it is ...
Modeling the Response of a Transient Thermal System Using Gaussian Processes

Estimating sensitivities and the uncertainties associated with variable parameters can be prohibitively expensive for complex systems, particularly when sampling techniques, e.g., Monte Carlo, are employed. One approach is to define a response surface based on easy to compute functions using least squares fitting. However, such a surface does not pass through each of the data points and makes it difficult to determine the degree of interaction between the parameters of the system. Parameter interactions can be accurately determined using global sensitivity, but it is computationally expensive. Gaussian Processes can be used to create an inexpensive to evaluate response surface that is an accurate representation of the data. The paper describes the use of Gaussian Processes in conjunction with global sensitivity to examine the behavior of a thermal system, showing that the combination is an effective tool.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The k3 coefficient in non-paraxial (lambda)/NA scaling equations for resolution, depth of focus, and immersion lithography

The Rayleigh's equations for resolution and depth of focus(DOF) have been the two pillars of optical lithography, defining the dependency of resolution and DOF to wavelength and to the numerical aperture (NA) of the imaging system. Scaling of resolution and DOF as well as determination of k 1 and k 2 have been depending on these two equations. However, the equation for DOF is a paraxial approximation. Rigorously solving the optical path difference as a function of wavelength and NA produces a DOF depending on the inverse of the square of the numerical half aperture instead of the numerical full aperture. Using this new DOF scaling equation and a new coefficient of DOF k 3 , the previously determined DOF have been shown to be overestimated by 10%-20% at NA of 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. The equation for resolution does not suffer from paraxial approximation but both new equations remove an ambiguity when the refractive index in the imaging medium is larger than unity. Application to immersion lithography using these equations is included.
Nature-Based Design of Aperiodic Linear Arrays with Broadband Elements Using a Combination of Rapid Neural-Network Estimation Techniques and Genetic Algorithms

The developments presented in this paper address the challenge of determining the optimal element positions in nonuniformly spaced broadband phased-array antennas in order to best meet desired performance criteria. Specifically, this is accomplished by introducing a new nature-based design technique that couples a robust genetic-algorithm (GA) optimizer with rapid neural-network (NN) estimation procedures. These provide performance criteria as functions of the element positions over the entire scanning range and bandwidth of operation. The objective of this GA-NN technique is to determine the optimal element positions for a broadband aperiodic linear phased-array antenna in order to minimize element VSWRs and sidelobe levels. The NN estimation procedures circumvent the need for computationally intensive full-wave numerical simulations during the optimization process, which would ordinarily render such an optimization task impractical. The effectiveness of the new GA-NN design synthesis technique is demonstrated by considering an example where a nonuniformly spaced linear phased array of ten stacked patch antennas is optimized for operation within a given bandwidth and scanning range.
Multiple breeding strategies in the swift fox, Vulpes velox

Little is known of the mating system of the swift fox or how it compares to other socially monogamous mammals. In a 4-year study of 188 swift foxes, we used microsatellite analysis at 11 loci along with spatial observations to investigate swift fox mating strategies. The mating strategies used by swift foxes were highly diverse. Previous field observations have indicated that the swift fox is socially monogamous. However, we found that extrapair mating was a common breeding strategy; 52% of offspring were sired by a male that was not the mate of their mother. There was also variation in the structure of social groups. Of 59 social groups, the most common consisted of a male and female pair (93% of social groups); however, four stable trios of both one female and two males (5%) and two females and one male (2%) were also evident. The trio groups were spatially associated, and at least one member of each trio was highly related to a member in at least one other trio. Swift foxes also engaged in mate switching, which refutes the prevailing hypothesis that they always mate for life. Thus, we found that the mating system of the swift fox is highly diverse and substantially more complex than previously believed. We discuss factors that may influence which strategies are adopted and whether they are adaptive.
Selection in Air Traffic Control: Is Nonradar Training a Predictor of Radar Performance?

Objective: The purpose of the current research was to investigate whether performance in nonradar training would predict performance in radar training. Background: There is a discussion in the Federal Aviation Administration about the necessity of keeping nonradar training as part of the required selection criteria for radar controllers. In nonradar training, controllers separate traffic by relying on the estimated time over navigational fixes printed on flight progress strips, rather than monitoring the perceptually available positional information on a radar screen. The two ways of controlling traffic—nonradar and radar—are different along a number of dimensions. Method: Sixteen participants were taught to control simulated air traffic using nonradar and radar procedures. Performance on final radar scenarios was predicted from cognitive variables; performance on earlier, simpler radar scenarios; and performance on nonradar scenarios. Results: Performance during nonradar trials predicted final radar performance (i.e., collisions and landed aircraft count) independent of the predictive power of cognitive variables and above and beyond earlier radar training. Conclusion: Performance in nonradar training enhanced users' ability to predict radar performance, even in addition to the predictive power of simpler, earlier radar performance variables. Good nonradar performers had higher situation awareness in the radar environment. Application: Performance in a nonradar environment may serve as an important selection tool in assessing the performance of student controllers in radar environments. The results indicate the need for future research with field controllers.
Forecasting the FOMC's interest rate setting behavior: a further analysis

We develop a model to forecast the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC's) interest rate setting behavior in a nonstationary discrete choice model framework by Hu and Phillips (2004). We find that if the model selection criterion is strictly empirical, correcting for nonstationarity is extremely important, whereas it may not be an issue if one has an a priori model. Evaluating an array of models in terms of their out-of-sample forecasting ability, we find that those favored by the in-sample criteria perform worst, while theory-based models perform best. We find the best model for forecasting the FOMC's behavior is a forward-looking Taylor rule model. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What Is the Prognostic Significance of Pulmonary Hypertension in Heart Failure

Increased left ventricular filling pressure is a hallmark of heart failure (HF) caused by left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Within the closed hemodynamic system, increased LV filling pressure results in elevated pressures in the left atrium and pulmonary venous vasculature. When pulmonary hypertension (PH, defined by mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] >25 mm Hg) is associated with an abnormally elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP >15 mm Hg) or left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP >18 mm Hg),1 it has been variably termed World Health Organization (WHO) Group 2 PH,1 pulmonary venous hypertension,2 “postcapillary PH,”3 or “passive PH.”4 Article see p 644 Patients with LVD also have a propensity to develop a precapillary pulmonary arterial contribution to PH, reflected by an increased transpulmonary gradient (TPG, defined as mPAP-PCWP that exceeds 12 to 15 mm Hg) or an elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR, defined as TPG/cardiac output that exceeds 2.5 to 3 Wood units [WU]).5,6 This type of PH, which is “out of proportion” to underlying left-sided disease in the setting of normalized volume status, has been termed “mixed PH,” given both precapillary and postcapillary contributions to elevated PAP.7 PH in HF can be simplistically organized along 2 sequential dyads: (1) the presence or absence of a significant precapillary contribution to elevated PAP (ie, mixed PH as opposed to purely passive PH) and (2) if present, the relative fixed (ie, nonreversible with lowering left-sided filling pressures) or reactive (ie, reversible with reduction of left-sided filling pressures) character of the precapillary contribution to PH (Figure). Figure. Diagnostic framework for pulmonary hypertension in heart failure (HF). mPAP indicates mean pulmonary artery pressure; PCWP, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure; PVR, pulmonary vascular resistance; and PH, pulmonary hypertension. There are no widely established cut-points to define PVR and transpulmonary …
The isolation and properties of the predominant anaerobic bacteria in the caeca of chickens and turkeys

Synopsis Several anaerobic techniques and a number of different media were compared for the isolation of the anaerobic bacteria from chicken and turkey caeca. Under optimal conditions it was possible to isolate more than 25 per cent of the total flora. An analysis was made of the anaerobic bacteria isolated from 5‐week‐old chickens, the organisms being divided into groups based on morphological and some physiological criteria. It was found that the Gram‐negative non‐sporing anaerobes (Bacteroidaceae) and the Gram‐positive non‐sporing rods and bifidobacteria were present in almost equal proportions and formed about 80 per cent of the flora isolated. The rest of the flora consisted mainly of peptostreptococci (15 per cent) together with a number of organisms including curved rods which have not been characterised. So far five distinct groups of Gram‐negative anaerobes (Bacteroidaceae) have been isolated from chickens and turkeys, together with three groups of Gram‐positive non‐sporing rods and bifidobacteri...
Carbon nanotube wires and cables: Near-term applications and future perspectives

Wires and cables are essential to modern society, and opportunities exist to develop new materials with reduced resistance, mass, and/or susceptibility to fatigue. This article describes how carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offer opportunities for integration into wires and cables for both power and data transmission due to their unique physical and electronic properties. Macroscopic CNT wires and ribbons are presently shown as viable replacements for metallic conductors in lab-scale demonstrations of coaxial, USB, and Ethernet cables. In certain applications, such as the outer conductor of a coaxial cable, CNT materials may be positioned to displace metals to achieve substantial benefits (e.g.reduction in cable mass per unit length (mass/length) up to 50% in some cases). Bulk CNT materials possess several unique properties which may offer advantages over metallic conductors, such as flexure tolerance and environmental stability. Specifically, CNT wires were observed to withstand greater than 200,000 bending cycles without increasing resistivity. Additionally, CNT wires exhibit no increase in resistivity after 80 days in a corrosive environment (1 M HCl), and little change in resistivity with temperature (<1% from 170–330 K). This performance is superior to conventional metal wires and truly novel for a wiring material. However, for CNTs to serve as a full replacement for metals, the electrical conductivity of CNT materials must be improved. Recently, the conductivity of a CNT wire prepared through simultaneous densification and doping has exceeded 1.3 × 106 S/m. This level of conductivity brings CNTs closer to copper (5.8 × 107 S/m) and competitive with some metals (e.g.gold) on a mass-normalized basis. Developments in manipulation of CNT materials (e.g. type enrichment, doping, alignment, and densification) have shown progress towards this goal. In parallel with efforts to improve bulk conductivity, integration of CNT materials into cabling architectures will require development in electrical contacting. Several methods for contacting bulk CNT materials to metals are demonstrated, including mechanical crimping and ultrasonic bonding, along with a method for reducing contact resistance by tailoring the CNT-metal interface via electroless plating. Collectively, these results summarize recent progress in CNT wiring technologies and illustrate that nanoscale conductors may become a disruptive technology in cabling designs.
Lifetime characterization of capacitive RF MEMS switches

The first experimental characterization of dielectric charging within capacitive RF MEMS switches has been demonstrated. Standard devices have been inserted into a time domain setup and their lifetimes have been characterized as a function of actuation voltage. Switch lifetimes were measured using a dual-pulse waveform with 30 to 65 V of actuation voltage. Resulting lifetimes were between 10/sup 4/ and 10/sup 8/ switch actuations, demonstrating an exponential relationship between lifetime and actuation voltage.
Posttraumatic Endolymphatic Hydrops

• A case of posttraumatic endolymphatic hydrops that was confirmed by a positive glycerin test is reported. Although head trauma has been implicated as a cause of hydrops, few such cases are reported in the literature. Careful consideration of perilymphatic fistula must be accorded before a diagnosis of posttraumatic hydrops is made.
The use of silver and silver plus gold conductors with the ferro low temperature tape

For low temperature co-firable ceramic tape to play a significant role in the replacement of both alumina for high temperature packaging and conventional thick film hybrid materials on alumina it is essential that a full range of stable conductors, resistor and capacitor materials be available that are compatible with the LTCC during the firing process. The FERROTAPE A6 system provides for the first time such a range of materials to complement the unique properties of the tape, (low microwave insertion loss, K=5.9 and compatibility with silver conductors). The tape can be used with either silver or gold conductors and a technological breakthrough now allows both silver and gold to be used together as a result of the development of a novel via material. This paper presents information on the complete range of FERROTAPE A6 materials. >
Coastal Exploitation, Land Loss, and Hurricanes: A Recipe for Disaster

Southern Louisiana occupies a dynamic landscape, marked by coastal wetlands interrupted by both natural and human-made levees, and vulnerable to both the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers and major storms coming off the Gulf of Mexico. It is also a region into which, for centuries, exiled and threatened populations have moved and found refuge. Systematic and dramatic changes along the entire reach of the Mississippi River coupled with activities within the region's wetlands such as levee construction, canal dredging, and petroleum extraction have contributed to both pollution and extensive coastal land loss. In this article, I discuss the recent hurricanes in light of the relationship between Louisiana and the rest of the United States and the environmental and community degradation that has occurred along the coast. I focus on petroleum development, the most recent and extensive natural resource to shape southern Louisiana's wealth and economy.
Academic and practitioner interests regarding emerging technologies in accounting

In this paper we investigate the differences between practitioner and academic interests in emerging technologies. We compare and contrast the results of an accounting faculty survey to the AICPA’s (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) Top Technology list. It appears that academics and practitioners have significantly different interests concerning emerging technologies. Furthermore, technology interests for both groups change over time. We then discuss the problems that arise from the differing points of view and suggest some possible solutions.
PREDICTING GROSS PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

Our goal was to construct a simple, highly aggregated model, driven by easily available data sets, that accurately predicted terrestrial gross primary productivity (GPP; carboxylation plus oxygenation) in diverse environments and ecosystems. Our starting point was a fine-scale, multilayer model of half-hourly canopy processes that has been parametrized for Harvard Forest, Massachusetts. Over varied growing season conditions, this fine-scale model predicted hourly carbon and latent energy fluxes that were in good agreement with data from eddy covariance studies. Using an heuristic process, we derived a simple aggregated set of equations operating on cumulative or average values of the most sensitive driving variables (leaf area index, mean foliar N concentration, canopy height, average daily temperature and temperature range, atmospheric transmittance, latitude, day of year, atmospheric CO2 concentration, and an index of soil moisture). We calibrated the aggregated model to provide estimates of GPP similar to those of the fine-scale model across a wide range of these driving variables. Our calibration across this broad range of conditions captured 96% of fine-scale model behavior, but was computationally many orders of magnitude faster. We then tested the assumptions we had made in generating the aggregated model by applying it in different ecosystems. Using the same parameter values derived for Harvard Forest, the aggregated model made sound predictions of GPP for wet-sedge tundra in the Arctic under a variety of experimental manipulations, and also for a range of forest types across the OTTER (Oregon Transect Ecosystem Research) transect in Oregon, running from coastal Sitka spruce to high-plateau mountain juniper.
Efficient power harvesting from the mobile phone audio jack for mHealth peripherals

A tremendous opportunity currently exists to enable practical and portable mHealth tools by taking advantage of the ubiquity of mobile phones across the world. To this end, we describe the design of a circuit to efficiently harvest energy from the standard audio jack of a mobile phone to power mHealth peripherals, lowering cost, reducing size, and improving the practicality of portable medical devices. This design not only obviates the need to charge or change an extra battery but also is universally compatible with all phones. The audio output channels of several popular phones were characterized in order to determine the range of design parameters. Using these data, different power harvesting topologies are presented, simulated, and compared. A PCB implementation was used to measure and confirm the performance. Compared with prior art, which have achieved 21% and 47% efficiency, this design is able to achieve greater than 77% efficiency by using a tunable impedance matching network.
Preliminary Injunctions in the Obamacare Religious-Objection Lawsuits II: An Amicus Brief for Mersino v. Sebelius

Various corporations, profit and nonprofit, have sued to be exempted from abortion-related mandates of Obamacare because of religious objections. They have also asked for preliminary injunctions against government enforcement of the offending provisions until the merits are decided. This paper is an amicus brief on the preliminary injunction issue for one of those cases, Mersino v. Sebelius. I argue for 4 points:1. The government’s loss from a wrong injunction are limited by the dollar expenditure it would require for the government to pay for the disputed contraceptives for Mersino’s employees until the merits are decided, and it could recover even that from Mersino later.2. In determining Mersino’s loss from a wrong injunction, the court should keep in mind that Sebelius is protected by qualified immunity from liability for a new kind of legal dispute, and so even if Mersino’s losses can be quantified, they are irreparable.3. Other Sixth Circuit opinions involving preliminary injunctions have overlooked the fact that the 2002 6th Circuit Overstreet test has been superseded by the 2007 Supreme Court Winter test, and that the 2009 Supreme Court Nken test is for stays, in explicit contrast to preliminary injunctions.4. The court should use the Posner sliding-scale rule for balancing the equities. This makes a case like the present one far easier to decide.
Leucine Attenuates the Endotoxin-induced Reduction in Skeletal Muscle Protein Synthesis in Neonatal Pigs

Sepsis decreases protein synthesis (PS) in skeletal muscle and mitigates the anabolic response to Leucine (Leu) in mature animals. To determine if supplemental Leu can stimulate muscle PS in the ne...
Use of Vilsmeier Reagent for the Solid-Phase Synthesis of 1,5-Disubstituted 4,5-Dihydro-1H-imidazoles and Disubstituted 4,5-Dihydro-1H-imidazolylbenzimidazoles

The solid-phase synthesis of novel imidazolines and dihydroimidazolylbenzimidazoles is described. Resin-bound diamines, derived from resin-bound N-acylated amino acid amides, were cyclized using Vilsmeier reagent to yield imidazolines following cleavage. Similarly, cyclization of resin-bound tetraamines having two secondary amines and an o-dianiline yielded dihydroimidazolylbenzimidazoles following cleavage.
Liddle's disease: abnormal regulation of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels by beta-subunit mutation

Liddle's disease is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by severe low renin hypertension ("pseudoaldosteronism") that has been genetically linked to a locus on chromosome 16 encoding the beta-subunit of an amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel (ASSC) (15). Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) express ASSC that are functionally indistinguishable from those expressed by Na(+)-reabsorbing renal epithelial cells (3, 5). The amiloride-sensitive Na+ conductance in PBL from affected and unaffected individuals from the original Liddle's pedigree was examined using whole cell patch clamp. Typically, the basal Na+ currents in cells from affected individuals were maximally activated. Basal Na+ currents in cells from unaffected individuals were minimal and could be maximally activated by superfusion with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (CPT-cAMP). Affected cells could not be further stimulated with CPT-cAMP. Superfusion with a supermaximal concentration of amiloride (2 microM) inhibited both the cAMP-activated Na+ conductance in unaffected cells and the constitutively activated inward conductance in affected cells. Cytosolic addition of a peptide identical to the terminal 10 amino acids of the truncated beta-subunit normalized the cAMP-mediated but not the pertussis toxin-induced regulation of the mutant ASSC. The findings show that lymphocyte ASSC are constitutively activated in affected individuals, that a mutation of the beta-subunit alters ASSC responsiveness to specific regulatory effectors, and that the cellular mechanism responsible for the pathophysiology of Liddle's disease is abnormal regulation of Na+ channel activity. These findings have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications and provide a cellular phenotype for the diagnosis of pseudoaldosteronism.
Skolithos linearis Haldeman from the Carrara Formation (Cambrian) of California

Skolithos linearis Haldeman is reported from the Carrara Formation of the Nopah Range, California. The trace is Middle Cambrian in age based on stratigraphic position. Paleobiology of the trace and possible inhabiting organism are discussed.--Journal abstract.
A Brain Tumor Segmentation Method Based on Level Set

Brain tumor segmentation is a very important image processing step in diagnosis,treatment and research.But it is still a challenging task due to varying in size,shape,location,and image intensities within and around the tumor.Proposed a new brain tumor segmentation method based on the level set method using the gradient and the intensity distribution information in magnetic resonance images.A new energy function is defined to match the brain tumor intensity distribution more accurately.The proposed method is used to brain magnetic resonance images,it can segment the tumor correctly.The proposed method segments correctly compared with the traditional level set method.
Application and Optimization Design of Insulating Protective Cover in Power Distribution Networks

In this paper,the application of insulating protective cover in power distribution networks is discussed.Aiming at the safety problem of insulating protective cover in live line work of power distribution networks,we analyze the cover steps,operating safety and hot melt phenomenon of insulation cover material and advance some measures,such as remote-controlled operation with insulation operating arm,enlargement of internal space.From the aspects of insulating protective cover structure(hiding scope and volume),material and color,we put forward the design ideas,such as sinuous design,adding the edge of skirt.Example results show that the proposed method can improve the flexibility and safety of insulating protective cover.
On automatic control over elevator's movements for high building by single-chip

This article introduces an automatic control system of elevator's movements for high building whose kernel control device is intel80C31 singlechip,additional outer circuit and fitting compile language program,from the respects of system request,hardware design,and software design,etc. For the hardware part,the controlling devices such as up-down movement,open-close door,approaching layer collection,motor drive,keys scanning,Hall sensor,layer position digital display,up-down call indicative circuit are all introduced.For the software part,a survey for the system program design,inside RAM distribution and functional analysis are then discussed with emphasis on the major program's logical construction following a brief and separate introduction to the subprogram's construction and function of keys scanning,layer position collection,and display.
New York dentistry a century and a quarter ago. Selections from an upstate dentist's diary.

Charles C. Elmendorf, a dentist in the upstate New York village of Penn Yan, kept a daily diary from 1863 to 1910. The author has selected the years 1872 and 1873 for examination, since these were years of major ferment in the practice of dentistry. The foot-treadle drill was invented, the use of the rubber dam and cohesive gold foil became standard practice. Dentists were struggling to use the newly introduced anesthetics. Organized dentistry was in its infancy and licensing was not yet adopted. The profession was also plagued by swarms of poorly trained or even untrained men who entered the field, and by the extortion of dentists by the Goodyear Dental Rubber Co., a practice that ended only after a rousing fight led by the eminent Dr. S.S. White, and a sensational murder case.
Identification of G protein-coupled receptors required for vitellogenin uptake into the oocytes of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.

Previous studies suggested that a membrane receptor might be involved in mediating vitellogenin (Vg) uptake and juvenile hormone (JH)-regulated remodeling of follicular epithelium (also called ‘patency’). G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family is one of the largest membrane receptor protein families and controls many key physiological processes. To investigate the role of GPCRs in insect reproduction and juvenile hormone-regulated Vg uptake, we performed a comprehensive RNA interference (RNAi) screen targeting GPCRs in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Out of 112 GPCRs tested, knockdown of 41 GPCRs resulted in a reduction in fecundity. Interestingly, RNAi against two GPCRs (a Rhodopsin-like receptor and a Dopamine D2-like receptor) led to a significant reduction in Vg accumulation in developing oocytes. Functional assays of these two GPCRs showed that JH triggers a dose-dependent inhibition of intracellular cAMP levels in HEK293 cells expressing Tribolium Dopamine D2-like receptor. These data suggest that Dopamine D2-like receptor plays crucial roles in regulating Vg uptake and is a promising candidate membrane receptor mediating JH regulation of patency in the red flour beetle.
Extracting knowledge from historical databases for process monitoring using feature extraction and data clustering

Abstract For most chemical plants, a major obstacle inhibiting the application of cutting edge fault detection and diagnosis is that many of the best methods require data organized into groups before training is possible. Data clustering and non-linear dimensionality reduction are underutilized tools for this task and this study evaluates how they can work in tandem to extract knowledge from chemical process data sets. Two non-linear dimensionality reduction techniques and principal component analysis as well as two clustering techniques are studied on industrial case studies and a simulation