cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RNA Sequencing Analysis of the msl2msl3, crl, and ggps1 Mutants Indicates that Diverse Sources of Plastid Dysfunction Do Not Alter Leaf Morphology Through a Common Signaling Pathway.

Determining whether individual genes function in the same or in different pathways is an important aspect of genetic analysis. As an alternative to the construction of double mutants, we used contemporary expression profiling methods to perform pathway analysis on several Arabidopsis thaliana mutants, including the mscS-like (msl)2 msl3 double mutant. MSL2 and MSL3 are implicated in plastid ion homeostasis, and msl2 msl3 double mutants exhibit leaves with a lobed periphery, a rumpled surface, and disturbed mesophyll cell organization. Similar developmental phenotypes are also observed in other mutants with defects in a range of other chloroplast or mitochondrial functions, including biogenesis, gene expression, and metabolism. We wished to test the hypothesis that the common leaf morphology phenotypes of these mutants are the result of a characteristic nuclear expression pattern that is generated in response to organelle dysfunction. RNA-Sequencing was performed on aerial tissue of msl2 msl3 double, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 1 (ggps1), and crumpled leaf (crl) mutants. While large groups of co-expressed genes were identified in pairwise comparisons between genotypes, we were only able to identify a small set of genes that showed similar expression profiles in all three genotypes. Subsequent comparison to the previously published gene expression profiles of two other mutants, yellow variegated 2 (var2) and scabra3 (sca3), failed to reveal a common pattern of gene expression associated with superficially similar leaf morphology defects. Nor did we observe overlap between genes differentially expressed in msl2 msl3, crl, and ggps1 and a previously identified retrograde core response module. These data suggest that a common retrograde signaling pathway initiated by organelle dysfunction either does not exist in these mutants or cannot be identified through transcriptomic methods. Instead, the leaf developmental defects observed in these mutants may be achieved through a number of independent pathways.
Inductive Coupled Plasma Etching of High Aspect Ratio Silicon Carbide Microchannels for Localized Cooling

High aspect ratio microchannels using high thermal conductivity materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) have recently been explored to locally cool micro-scale power electronics that are prone to on-chip hot spot generation. Analytical and finite element modeling shows that SiC-based microchannels used for localized cooling should have high aspect ratio features (above 8:1) to obtain heat transfer coefficients (300 to 600 kW/m2·K) required to obtain gallium nitride (GaN) device channel temperatures below 100°C. This work presents experimental results of microfabricating high aspect ratio microchannels in a 4H-SiC substrate using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching. Depths of 90 μm and 80 μm were achieved with a 5:1 and 12:1 aspect ratio, respectively. This microfabrication process will enable the integration of microchannels (backside features) with high-power density devices such as GaN-on-SiC based electronics, as well as other SiC-based microfluidic applications.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Restoration of adenylate cyclase responsiveness in murine myeloid leukemia permits inhibition of proliferation by hormone. Butyrate augments catalytic activity of adenylate cyclase.

Mechanisms of leukemic cell clonal dominance may include aberrations of transmembrane signaling. In particular, neoplastic transformation has been associated with reduced capacity for hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. In the present study, prostaglandin E, a hormonal activator of adenylate cyclase that has antiproliferative activity in myeloid cells, and cholera toxin, an adenylate cyclase agonist that functions at a postreceptor site by activating the adenylate cyclase stimulatory GTP-binding protein (Gs), were studied for antiproliferative activity in two murine myeloid cell lines. FDC-P1, an interleukin 3 (IL 3)-dependent myeloid cell line and a tumorigenic IL 3- independent subline, FI, were resistant to these antiproliferative agents. The in vitro ability of the “differentiation” agent, sodium butyrate, to reverse their resistance to adenylate cyclase agonists was studied. The antiproliferative action of butyrate involved augmentation of transmembrane adenylate cyclase activity. Increased adenylate cyclase catalyst activity was the primary alteration of this transmembrane signaling group leading to the functional inhibitory effects on leukemia cells, although alterations in regulatory G- proteins appear to play a secondary role.
ALCOHOLISM, ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY AND DRUG USE IN A CRIMINAL POPULATION

The authors investigate the interaction of alcoholism, antisocial personality, and drug use in a criminal population on probation and parole. Men with antisocial personality had higher rates of alcoholissn and illicit drug use than men without. Both antisocial symptomatology and degree of illicit drug use added independently to the predictability of alcoholism. The investigative importance of the relationship between these three disorders is discussed.
Tipping point: factors influencing a patient's decision to proceed with bariatric surgery.

Abstract Background Despite the fact that bariatric surgery is the most effective intervention for morbid obesity, only a fraction of obese patients, even after undergoing evaluation for surgery, decide to undergo the surgery. Opting out by patients is fairly common yet little is known about factors that lead a patient to decide to undergo surgery. Objective The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify factors that "tipped the scales" in the patient's experience leading to a decision to move ahead with surgery. Setting The study was carried out in the bariatric surgical clinic of a southeastern regional medical center. Methods This qualitative descriptive study utilized semistructured interviews with patients (n = 24) at the time of their "decision visit" to determine the factors related to their positive decision to move forward. A modification of Colaizzi's procedural steps of analysis was used to extract, organize, and analyze data for central themes. Results Two main factors leading participants to decide to move ahead with bariatric surgery were their own worsening health issues and low energy levels that limited their activities. Participants also noted additional factors that impacted their "tipping point" such as financial considerations and family influences. Conclusions The decision to move ahead with bariatric surgery is influenced by many factors to which this research provides additional insight. Further research is warranted to fully understand this phenomenon and develop appropriate outreach and educational approaches.
Glaciological twins: basally controlled subglacial and supraglacial lakes

Subglacial lakes beneath ice streams of Antarctica and supraglacial lakes observed on the flanks of the Greenland ice sheet may seem to be unrelated. The former derive their water from energy dissipation associated with basal friction, the latter from atmospherically driven surface melting. However, using numerical models of ice and water flow, it is shown here that they share a common relationship to basal conditions that implies that surface lakes (or depressions that could host lakes under warmer atmospheric conditions) and basal lakes might exist in tandem.
Do Gender-Variant Preferences for Competition Persist in the Absence of Performance?

The well-established gender gap in preferences for competition has been attributed to gender-variant feelings about performing in competitive environments. Using a novel task with agency, in which subjects experience competition but cannot perform, we find evidence that performing may be sufficient but not necessary to generate gender-variant preferences for competition. This suggests that the gender-gap cannot be eliminated by correcting beliefs alone; that eliminating performance—for example, routinizing tasks—may not eliminate the gender gap; and that there may be heretofore unidentified determinants of preferences for competition—for example, men may prefer payment schemes that are based on social comparison. (JEL J16, C91, J24)
Randomized Block Coordinate Descent for Online and Stochastic Optimization

Two types of low cost-per-iteration gradient descent methods have been extensively studied in parallel. One is online or stochastic gradient descent (OGD/SGD), and the other is randomzied coordinate descent (RBCD). In this paper, we combine the two types of methods together and propose online randomized block coordinate descent (ORBCD). At each iteration, ORBCD only computes the partial gradient of one block coordinate of one mini-batch samples. ORBCD is well suited for the composite minimization problem where one function is the average of the losses of a large number of samples and the other is a simple regularizer defined on high dimensional variables. We show that the iteration complexity of ORBCD has the same order as OGD or SGD. For strongly convex functions, by reducing the variance of stochastic gradients, we show that ORBCD can converge at a geometric rate in expectation, matching the convergence rate of SGD with variance reduction and RBCD.
The other customer: The impact of self-image in restaurant patronage

The purpose of this research is to extend the understanding of self-congruity theory to the domain of restaurant patronage. In combination with sociometer theory, we propose a set of relationships among self-image, place commitment, and post-consumption behavior including loyalty and word-of-mouth. The hypotheses are tested on a sample of restaurant consumers in the United States. Analysis of the data demonstrates that while the consumer’s ideal self-image is a significant driver of place commitment and post-consumption behavior, his/her actual self-image is not a significant predictor of these constructs. These findings are considered, and implications for theory and practice are discussed.
A systematic evaluation of accelerating indoor airflow simulations using cross-platform parallel computing

With new advances in computer hardware and software, users now have widespread accessibility to multicore devices inside personal computers making it feasible for fast indoor airflow simulations. Some exciting preliminary results of a cross-platform parallel computing framework OpenCL using specific hardware were reported. However, those results are largely based on two hypotheses: 1. OpenCL code on all devices will generate the same results; 2. On the same device, running in parallel with multiple processors will be faster than running in sequential with a single processor. This study attempted to evaluate these two hypotheses by systematically studying the accuracy and computing speed of OpenCL for indoor airflow simulations. A Fast Fluid Dynamics (FFD) code was selected as an exemplar indoor airflow simulation program. To compare the cross-platform ability of OpenCL, the evaluation was performed using four Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and five Central Processing Units (CPUs) from three manufacturer...
Physiology and Ecology of Host Defense Against Microbial Invaders

Insects mount a complex hierarchy of defenses that pathogens must overcome to achieve successful infection. Behavioral avoidance and antiseptic behaviors by host insects reduce the degree of encounters with pathogens. Pathogens that contact or establish on a potential host face several barriers that restrict entrance into the hemocoel. Pathogens entering the hemocoel encounter a multipronged innate immune system. Humoral defenses primarily produce toxic molecules; hemocytes (granulocytes, plasmatocytes, oenocytoids) of the cellular defense can phagocytose or encapsulate the target pathogen; and melanization involves both humoral and cellular components to produce several responses that are lethal to the pathogen. Intracellular pathogens must overcome cellular xenophagy and RNA interference defenses. Understanding how host resistance evolves and spreads throughout a population is important to preserve entomopathogens as a pest management tool, and has been well studied in Bacillus thuringiensis . The development of host resistance to this pathogen and insect resistance management strategies are discussed.
CPU Package Design Optimization for Performance Improvement and Package Cost reduction

CPU packages continue to undergo significant changes to keep pace with demands of high performance silicon to meet market needs. In the last decades or so, increasingly CPU performance and frequency levels couples with lower product cost have been driving new package technologies. This paper illustrates an approach in CPU package design optimization for performance improvement and package cost reduction through effective capacitor usage and package layer count reduction. This involves the new proposed package stack-up designed to lower packaging cost and as well as mixed type capacitor usage in package power delivery.
An Examination of Factors that Affect the Management of Information Technology in Organizations

Information technology has changed the way that individuals and organizations interact with each other. New technological innovations have resulted in greater demands on IT departments to meet the needs of their internal and external customers and stakeholders. As a result of this, the management of information technology has become a very important issue within organizations. Previous research has indicated that the diffusion of information technology throughout a region can significantly impact the social and economic development of that territory; this is particularly true for developing countries. However, indications are that developing countries tend to have a common set of challenges that prevent them from fully capitalizing on these opportunities. Some of these challenges include deficiencies in technological, economic, as well as skilled human resources. The goal of this paper is to develop a theoretical framework to examine and analyze the factors that affect effective management of information technology within organizations. This framework is then examined empirically utilizing results from an exploratory survey questionnaire that was distributed to IT executives in three industries within developing regions. Organizational and managerial implications as well as future research directions are also presented.
High coupling two-port lithium niobate MEMS resonators using capacitive ground concept

The most important bottleneck for the use of lithium niobate (LN) films for making MEMS resonators is related to the fabrication process and it is particularly challenging when a bottom electrode needs to be included in the film stack to increase the resonator's capacitance per unit area. In this work, we propose to access the bottom electrode by using capacitive coupling rather than a direct resistive coupling. We utilize the high dielectric constant available from the Y-cut LN thin film to implement this concept. In this practical demonstration, we ground the bottom electrode, hence we call it “capacitive ground” concept. This approach eliminates the need for additional patterning of the bottom electrode and selective etching of the LN film over the bottom electrode. This demonstration is critical in the development of resonators with high out-of-band rejection and piezoelectric transformers.
High Pressure Oxidation of Metals: Tantalum in Oxygen

The temperature and pressure dependence of the reaction of tantalum in oxygen were investigated from 500° to 1000°C at pressures from 10 mm Hg to 600 psi total oxygen pressure. Tantalum was found to oxidize linearly under the above conditions. Three distinct regions of temperature dependence were found with different energies of activation. From 500° to 600°C the rate of oxidation of tantalum was found to be essentially independent of the oxygen pressure at the pressure investigated. The oxidation rate increases rapidly with an increase in pressure from 600° to 800°C. The dependence of the oxidation rate on the bulk concentration may be expressed by V = k′θ, where k′ is the specific rate constant and \(\theta=k_1C_{\text{O}_{2}}/(1\;+\;k_1C_{\text{O}_{2}})\), where k1is the equilibrium constant for the adsorption of oxygen on tantalum.
Modeling the dynamics of remobilized CO2 within the geologic subsurface

Abstract Long after CO2 is injected into a brine aquifer, most reservoir-scale fluid dynamic simulations predict large fractions of the original plume will become immobilized via capillary trapping and dispersed throughout the formation. We begin our analysis with a reservoir in this state and consider the effects caused by a depressurization of the domain (e.g. from a nearby production well or newly formed fracture between neighboring reservoirs) and predict the fraction of CO2 that will be remobilized as a result. We then model the dynamics of this remobilized CO2 in two distinct steps: (1) vertical rise within the reservoir, followed by (2) spreading of mobile CO2 into the far-field of the domain and justify this approach from a scaling analysis of the governing equations. We show that a model of relative permeability that takes account of insights from percolation theory near the minimum CO2 saturation leads to much more rapid rise and subsequent radial spreading of remobilized CO2 than a traditional empirical correlation such as the Brooks-Corey model. Furthermore, we find that over a broad range of remobilized CO2 mass fraction and Bond number, the radial extent of the mobile plume does not exceed a factor of 1.8 times the radius of the original immobilized CO2 region.
Personal Growth Initiative in the Therapeutic Process: An Exploratory Study ψ:

Personal growth initiative (PGI), an individual’s active and intentional engagement in the growth process, was originally developed as a potentially useful construct in therapy. Although it has repeatedly been related to psychological well-being and distress, few studies have examined PGI in clinical samples. The current study investigated the role of PGI in a sample of 295 clients at a community-serving training clinic. Data were collected at two time points. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a second-order model with four first-order PGI factors: Readiness for Change, Planfulness, Using Resources, and Intentional Behavior. Using cross-lagged panel analysis, PGI at Time 1 was found to predict psychological distress endorsed at Time 2 after accounting for distress at Time 1.
Ovarian hormones and vaginal blood flow: using laser Doppler velocimetry to measure effects in a clinical trial of post-menopausal women.

Objectives To describe the use of laser Doppler velocimetry for measurement of vaginal blood flow and report the effects of estrogen compared with estrogen-androgen treatment in post-menopausal women. Design Literature review of pelvic blood flow studies and sexual function. Findings from a prospective, randomized, parallel study. Setting Normal human volunteers in an academic research environment. Interventions Laser Doppler measurements of vaginal blood flow were compared before and after the administration of oral esterified estrogens or esterified estrogens plus methyltestosterone for four and eight weeks of daily drug administration. Main outcome measures Vaginal blood flow velocities. Results Laser Doppler velocimetry proved readily adaptable for measurement of vaginal blood flow. Although esterified estrogens plus methyltestosterone showed greater effects on blood flow than esterified estrogens alone, the results were not statistically significant. Conclusions Vaginal blood flow is an objective measure of sexual function which can be determined with laser Doppler velocimetry. The vasodilator effects of esterified estrogens and esterified estrogens with methyltestosterone are similar.
How specialized are specialized corpora? Behavioral evaluation of corpus representativeness for Maltese

In this paper we bring to light a novel intersection between corpus linguistics and behavioral data that can be employed as an evaluation metric for resources for low-density languages, drawing on well-established psycholinguistic factors. Using the low-density language Maltese as a test case, we highlight the challenges that face researchers developing resources for languages with sparsely available data and identify a key empirical link between corpus and psycholinguistic research as a tool to evaluate corpus resources. Specifically, we compare two robust variables identified in the psycholinguistic literature: word frequency (as measured in a corpus) and word familiarity (as measured in a rating task). We then apply statistical methods to evaluate the extent to which familiarity ratings predict corpus frequency for verbs in the Maltese corpus from three angles: 1) token frequency, 2) frequency distributions and 3) morpho-syntactic type (binyan). This research provides a multidisciplinary approach to corpus development and evaluation, in particular for less-resourced languages that lack a wide access to diverse language data.
The Ecological Awareness of an Anthropocene Philosopher

Ecological awareness is going to feel weird in the Anthropocene. Consider how thinking about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch troubles your sense of scale and responsibility. Floating in the Pacific...
Supervising Asian International Counseling Students: Using the Integrative Developmental Model

This conceptual article presents an application of the integrative Asian international counseling students developmental model (IDM) as a framework for supervising Asian international counseling students in the United States. Asian international supervisees’ characteristics and needs on four developmental levels and corresponding supervision interventions are discussed. Implications for clinical supervision, counselor education, and research are provided.
Formation of hot Jupiters through secular chaos and dynamical tides

The population of giant planets on short-period orbits can potentially be explained by some flavours of high-eccentricity migration. In this paper we investigate one such mechanism involving "secular chaos", in which secular interactions between at least three giant planets push the inner planet to a highly eccentric orbit, followed by tidal circularization and orbital decay. In addition to the equilibrium tidal friction, we incorporate dissipation due to dynamical tides that are excited inside the giant planet. Using the method of Gaussian rings to account for planet-planet interactions, we explore the conditions for extreme eccentricity excitation via secular chaos and the properties of hot Jupiters formed in this migration channel. Our calculations show that once the inner planet reaches a sufficiently large eccentricity, dynamical tides quickly dissipate the orbital energy, producing an eccentric warm Jupiter, which then decays in semi-major axis through equilibrium tides to become a hot Jupiter. Dynamical tides help the planet avoid tidal disruption, increasing the chance of forming a hot Jupiter, although not all planets survive the process. We find that the final orbital periods generally lie in the range of 2-3 days, somewhat shorter than those of the observed hot Jupiter population. We couple the planet migration to the stellar spin evolution to predict the final spin-orbit misalignments. The distribution of the misalignment angles we obtain shows a lack of retrograde orbits compared to observations. Our results suggest that high-eccentricity migration via secular chaos can only account for a fraction of the observed hot Jupiter population.
ATYPICAL CAUSE FOR TYPICAL CHEST PAIN: A RARE CASE OF ANGINA SECONDARY TO ANOMALOUS CORONARIES

Coronary artery anomaly (CAA) is found in approximately 5% of patients who undergo coronary angiogram for investigation of chest pain. A 56-year old male patient with history of a surgical repaired subaortic membrane by resection at age of 26, presented with typical chest pain. Electrocardiogram
Recent Preoperative Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection Is an Independent Risk Factor for Incidental Durotomy During Lumbar Discectomy

Study Design:Retrospective review.Objective:To investigate the association between lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) and incidental durotomy (ID) in patients with a diagnosis of disc herniat...
Characterization of restaurant soundscapes based on logged sound levels and occupancy measurements

Sound levels in a restaurant depend on a variety of factors including the restaurant’s room shape, materials, seating layout, and the levels of ambient and human-produced noise. To better understand the characteristics of restaurant acoustics in real world settings, an in situ study has been undertaken in a sampling of sit-down dining venues. Assorted geometric room characteristics, impulse responses, and background noise data were gathered from the spaces. Sound levels were also logged in the restaurants during operating hours simultaneously with occupant count and density using thermal imaging. The gathered data are analyzed to characterize the soundscapes of some existing restaurants. In particular, the research aims to understand how sound levels increase with occupancy and how specific architectural and design features such as seating style and density may contribute to experienced sound levels.Sound levels in a restaurant depend on a variety of factors including the restaurant’s room shape, materials, seating layout, and the levels of ambient and human-produced noise. To better understand the characteristics of restaurant acoustics in real world settings, an in situ study has been undertaken in a sampling of sit-down dining venues. Assorted geometric room characteristics, impulse responses, and background noise data were gathered from the spaces. Sound levels were also logged in the restaurants during operating hours simultaneously with occupant count and density using thermal imaging. The gathered data are analyzed to characterize the soundscapes of some existing restaurants. In particular, the research aims to understand how sound levels increase with occupancy and how specific architectural and design features such as seating style and density may contribute to experienced sound levels.
Auditing Autocomplete: Suggestion Networks and Recursive Algorithm Interrogation

Autocomplete algorithms, by design, steer inquiry. When a user provides a root input, such as a search query, these algorithms dynamically retrieve, curate, and present a list of related inputs, such as search suggestions. Although ubiquitous in online platforms, a lack of research addressing the ephemerality of their outputs and the opacity of their functioning raises concerns of transparency and accountability on where inquiry is steered. Here, we introduce recursive algorithm interrogation (RAI), a breadth-first search method for auditing autocomplete by recursively submitting a root query and its child suggestions to create a network of algorithmic associations. We used RAI to conduct a longitudinal audit of autocomplete on Google and Bing using a focused set of root queries -- the names of 38 US governors who were up for reelection -- during the summer of 2018. Comparing across search engines, we found a higher turnover rate among longer and lower ranked suggestions on both search engines, a higher prevalence of social media websites in Google's suggestions, a higher prevalence of words classified as a swear or a negative emotion in Bing's suggestions, and periodic shocks that spanned across most of our root queries. We open source our code for conducting RAI and discuss how it could be applied to other platforms, topics, and settings.
Chapter Three The Challenge of Secularism to Philosophical Ethics

Our symposium has had as its theme, “Ethics and the Challenges of Secularism.” Secularism, the sense that religious unbelief is the default option, is of central concern for ethics because despite claims to the contrary, it is not clear that a “thick” and robust ethic can stand alone apart from religious foundations, as in the case of Kantian deontology and its “postulates of practical reason,” or else more casually in the everyday moral intuitions by which most people live, but which are based on religious sensibilities handed down from the past. The alternatives seem to be either an unsatisfying, minimalist ethics of consent (I agree not to kill you without your consent if you agree not to kill me against my will) or else a utilitarianism of acts that leads to abhorrent conclusions.
Subaortic Membrane Papillary Fibroelastoma.

A 61-year-old male presented for an annual exam and received a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) which revealed a mobile mass arising from a subaortic membrane. Further investigations with a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and cardiac computerized tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed the presence of a mobile mass on a subaortic membrane. Cardiothoracic surgery was performed with an open operation removing the mass and subaortic membrane. Upon visual inspection, the mass was likened to a sea anemone and immunohistochemical staining performed pathologically confirmed the diagnosis of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma. This case represents the first reported example of a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) arising from a subaortic membrane. Although PFEs are benign cardiac tumors, proper identification and consideration for excision of these lesions may be indicated to prevent thromboembolic complications.
A Monte Carlo methodology for earthquake impact analysis on the electrical grid

Abstract Earthquakes present an all-encompassing threat to electrical power systems. Many grid components are highly vulnerable to direct and indirect earthquake damage. This paper presents a Monte Carlo based methodology to evaluate the seismic impact on a large & complex power system. The proposed methodology uses the concept of Performance Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) to quantify failure probabilities for individual assets in the power system. Individual assets are modeled using an augmented bus-branch model which leverages commonly used substation layouts to provide additional granularity. Seismic resilience is quantified using Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) to compute probability distributions for demand not served (DNS) in each studied scenario. The proposed methodology is applied to the IEEE Reliability Test System 1996 (RTS-96), which is used as a representative model of the Oregon network, and simulates the effect of a magnitude 8 earthquake. Simulated results are compared to historical data and recent benchmarking studies that examine the effect of cascading outages on the RTS-96. Results suggest that the probability of demand lost follows a comparable exponential trend to the benchmarks. Furthermore, the experiments indicate that gradual failures can result in a more robust system, as opposed to systems in which many hardened components fail simultaneously.
ZnO Nanoparticle/Graphene Hybrid Photodetectors via Laser Fragmentation in Liquid.

By combining the enhanced photosensitive properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles and the excellent transport characteristics of graphene, UV-sensitive, solar-blind hybrid optoelectronic devices have been demonstrated. These hybrid devices offer high responsivity and gain, making them well suited for photodetector applications. Here, we report a hybrid ZnO nanoparticle/graphene phototransistor that exhibits a responsivity up to 4 × 104 AW−1 and gain of up to 1.3 × 105 with high UV wavelength selectivity. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by pulsed laser fragmentation in liquid to attain a simple, efficient, ligand-free method for nanoparticle fabrication. By combining simple fabrication processes with a promising device architecture, highly sensitive ZnO nanoparticle/graphene UV photodetectors were successfully demonstrated.
Reflections on Gender Trouble Thirty Years Later: Reply to Hershatter, Loos, and Patel

I am most honored and perhaps also startled to read these comprehensive scholarly essays dedicated to the question of the appropriation of Gender Trouble in Asian studies. Sometimes “appropriation” is a problematic activity, such as the cultural appropriation of artworks and styles from minority communities, such as the indigenous, for the purposes of market circulation, profit, or the augmentation of human capital. But when texts such as Gender Trouble enter the global market of books, a different kind of appropriation becomes possible. The book is at once taken up and refused, indicating the limits of translation or marking a resistance to cultural imperialism.
An Evaluation of RFID Security Systems and their Effectiveness

Radio Frequency Identification has tremendous potential when applied to security systems. From anti-theft to physical access, the technology has been applied in numerous ways to both enhance existing systems and become the core component of brand-new ones. While not foolproof, the application of RFID in security systems is seen worldwide, and for good reason. The versatility of RFID is a key factor when considering the widespread use of the technology in various security systems. Passive and active tags provide functionalities that only increase the overall effectiveness of the technology. The ability to make both tags and readers mobile provides a flexibility that makes the technology even more popular. Cost is another major benefit when utilizing RFID for a security system. Tags can be produced for pennies on the dollar, allowing system designers to attach tags to an enormous number of objects or products. Keeping costs down not only allows for higher expansion, but a lower initial cost when installing a new system. This paper discusses the definition and history of RFID, as well as a detailed background on the technology and how it works.
Activated clotting times in the setting of eptifibatide use during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a prolongation of activated clotting times (ACT) with abciximab administration during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The impact of the short acting glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa inhibitor, eptifibatide, on ACT measurements has not been studied.
A Microeconomic View of Data Mining

We present a rigorous framework, based on optimization, for evaluating data mining operations such as associations and clustering, in terms of their utility in decision-making. This framework leads quickly to some interesting computational problems related to sensitivity analysis, segmentation and the theory of games.
How to loose confidence: probabilistic linear machines for multiclass classification.

In this paper we propose a novel multiclass classifier called the probabilistic linear machine (PLM) which overcomes the low-entropy problem of exponential-based classifiers. Although PLMs are linear classifiers, we use a careful design of the parameters matched with weak requirements over the features to output a true probability distribution over labels given an input instance. We cast the discriminative learning problem as linear programming, which can scale up to large problems on the order of millions of training samples. Our experiments on phonetic classification show that PLM achieves high entropy while maintaining a comparable accuracy to other state-of-theart classifiers.
Solvent Dynamics and Rrkm Theory of Clusters

In this chapter we consider the problem of reaction rates in clusters (microcanonical) modified by solvent dynamics. The field is a relatively new one, both experimentally and theoretically, and stems from recent work on well-defined clusters. We first review some theories and results for the solvent dynamics of reactions in constant-temperature condensed-phase systems and then describe two papers from our recent work on the adaptation to microcanonical systems. In the process we comment on a number of questions in the constant-temperature studies and consider the relation of those studies to corresponding future studies of clusters.
Replication of bacteriophage MS2. X. Phage-specific ribonucleoprotein particles found in MS2-infected Escherichia coli.

Phage-specific RNA-protein complexes formed during the MS2 infection process were examined. The fate of 32P-labeled parental viral RNA was followed to determine what RNA-protein interactions developed early in infection. In order to identify phage-specific ribonucleoprotein complexes at later times in infection, their protein or RNA components were labeled selectively with radioisotopes after suppression of bacterial macromolecular syntheses with Miracil D (Burroughs Wellcome and Co.). During the first nine minutes of infection, parental RNA was found in three phage-specific complexes: a “replicative complex” containing RNA synthetase and replicative intermediate RNA which sedimented faster than the 50 s ribosomal subunit; a particle composed of viral synthetase and single-stranded viral RNA sedimenting at approximately 40 s; and single-stranded viral RNA attached to a ribosomal subunit, also sedimenting at approximately 40 s. The only parental RNA not bound to protein or ribosomal subunits had been degraded. Later in infection, ribonucleoprotein particles similar to those found at early times, plus intermediates in the assembly of viral particles, were present. The replicative complex, as well as viral assembly intermediates, sedimented between 50 and 81 s. Three phage-specific species sedimented in a composite peak at approximately 45 s: a synthetase-viral RNA complex; viral RNA attached to a 30 s ribosomal subunit (both observed at earlier times of infection); plus a third species containing single-stranded progeny RNA, viral coat protein, and viral maturation protein. This third species appeared to be a direct precursor of mature phage particles.
A Geopotential Representation with Sampling Functions

Satellite-to-ocean altitudes measured to meter accuracy eventually can yield a geoid representation with significant short-wavelength structure over ocean areas. To cope conveniently with this expected detail, one suggested analytical technique would represent the geopotential or the geoid as an expansion in sampling functions that are linear combinations of spherical harmonics. Each of the sampling functions makes its principal contribution to the geopotential in a single geographical region. For a representation truncated after degree N, there are (N + 1) squared such functions associated with a like number of points distributed nearly regularly on the globe. The features of this geopotential representation can be illustrated by considering the case N = 22, for which an expansion in sampling functions can be produced that is equivalent to the geopotential of the 1969 Smithsonian standard earth.
Nonselective computed tomography angiography for detecting arterial blood flow to the distal limb following trauma in two small equids

Summary Two equids weighing <250 kg were examined several days after suffering severe mid-diaphyseal dorsal metatarsal lacerations. Distal limb vascular disruption was suspected in both cases. Nonselective computed tomography angiography with contrast medium injected peripherally via the jugular veins was used to evaluate the vascular supply to the distal limb. The use of this imaging technique demonstrated either intact or disrupted distal limb vasculature. The imaging results were verified with a positive long-term outcome in the case with a diagnosis of an intact vasculature and with histological findings of avascular necrosis in the case with a diagnosis of disrupted vasculature.
Summer syncope syndrome redux.

Abstract Background While antihypertensive therapy is known to reduce the risk for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke, it can often cause orthostatic hypotension and syncope, especially in the setting of polypharmacy and possibly, a hot and dry climate. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the results of our prior study involving continued use of antihypertensive drugs at the same dosage in the summer as in the winter months for patients living in the Sonoran desert resulted in an increase in syncopal episodes during the hot summer months. Methods All hypertensive patients who were treated with medications and admitted with International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code diagnosis of syncope were included. This is a 3-year retrospective chart review study. They were defined as "cases" if they presented during the summer months (May to September) and "controls" if they presented during the winter months (November to March). The primary outcome measure was the presence of clinical dehydration. The statistical significance was determined using the 2-sided Fisher's exact test. Results A total of 834 patients with an International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code diagnosis of syncope were screened: 477 in the summer months and 357 in the winter months. In patients taking antihypertensive medications, there was a significantly higher number of cases of syncope secondary to dehydration during the summer months (40.5%) compared with the winter months (29%) ( P = .04). No difference was observed in the type of antihypertensive medication used and syncope rate. The number of antihypertensives used did not increase the cases of syncope in either summer or winter. Conclusions An increased number of syncope events was observed in the summer months among people who reside in a dry desert climate and who are taking antihypertensive medications. The data confirm our earlier observations that demonstrated a greater number of cases of syncope among people who reside in a dry desert climate who were taking antihypertensive medications during summer months. We recommend judicious reduction of antihypertensive therapy in patients residing in a hot and dry climate, particularly during the summer months.
Effect of Ceria Particle-Size Distribution and Pressure Interactions in Chemo-Mechanical Polishing (CMP) of Dielectric Materials

Effect of ceria particle-size distribution and pressure interactions in CMP of dielectric materials and the subsequent surface generation mechanisms is investigated in detail. The removal rate is observed to correlate primarily with the slurry mean particle-size distribution (D50) and reach early rate saturation with decreasing particle size. Slurries with tighter particlesize distribution exhibit a logarithmic relationship with pressure, while a linear relationship is observed for wider distribution slurries. In contrast to the removal rate, surface roughness and degree of microscratches depend primarily on the tail distribution (D99) and increase with increasing particle size. The addition of a selective component to the slurry increases the rate differential between the slurries.
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Steel Spaceframe Techniques

This paper presents several basic construction techniques involved in using carbon fiber sandwich boards to reinforce a tubular steel spaceframe. Also described are tests on modular panels of various designs utilizing carbon fiber sandwich panels as a supporting member. Comparison of a conventional, all steel truss to several carbon fiber reinforced spaceframe techniques has been made as well as an analysis of the stiffness per mass and ultimate strength of each design. The design using structural rivets to connect aircraft grommets in the panels to steel strips welded to the tubing yielded the greatest benefits in stiffness per mass and ultimate strength.
Is it possible for FDA regulatory scientists and industry scientists to work together

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was established as a regulatory agency to protect the public health by ensuring that foods, medications, devices, and many other products are safe, effective, and properly labeled. William Abrams demonstrated that scientists from the pharmaceutical industry and the FDA can work together with integrity and synergy to develop scientific and educational programs, thus paving the way for more recent precompetitive collaborations between the “regulators” and the “regulated.” Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2012); 91 3, 390–392. doi:10.1038/clpt.2011.304
Abnormal pancreatic electrolyte secretion in cystic fibrosis. Reliability as a diagnostic marker.

. We performed pancreatic function tests on sixty-five cystic fibrosis (CF), and eleven control children. The technique used continuous IV infusion of cholecystokinin and secretin, with duodenal juice collection over a 90 min period, and was made quantitative by continuous duodenal infusion and distal collection of an unabsorbable marker (bromosulphthalein). Some CF patients had near normal pancreatic enzyme outputs, some had impaired but measurable levels, but most (79 %) had almost absent trypsin secretion. CF children with better pancreatic function, were younger and more likely to be male. All controls showed a large increase in bicarbonate concentration and secretion rate per kilogram body weight during the test, but most children with CF (96.5 %) did not. Because two of our CF patients had water and bicarbonate secretion within the control range, this finding does not exclude the diagnosis of CF. Sodium, potassium and chloride ion secretion in CF patients was lower than controls but overlap occurred. We found a linear correlation between acinar and tubular secretion in CF patients which indicates that there is probably not a primary genetic defect in pancreatic bicarbonate secretion in CF.
SNAP — A programming language for humanists

SNAP is a programming language for humanists. It is the basis of a recent college text Computer Programming in English by the author of this article (1), and it is used in a course on information processing that he teaches at Columbia University to graduate students with degrees in the humanities. A SNAP processor now runs on computers made by several manufacturers. A SNAP procedure consists of simple English sentences whose general style is described in Section 1. Some of the provisions for handling strings of characters are reviewed in a little more detail in Section 2. The primary use of SNAP is to process text material mechanically, and several kinds of text processing application that occur in librarianship, publishing, teaching, marketing, and humanistic research are categorized in Section 3. The immediate "practical" objectives of the course that the author gives at Columbia are discussed in Section 4. Some further reasons for teaching programming principles to humanists are discussed in Section 5. These include the role of the underlying concepts in the education of potential decision makers, in contemporary culture, in developing modes of thought that may evolve new ideas which do not necessarily involve the computer per se, and in catalyzing the formation of new interrelationships between humanistic and scientific research.
Uncertainty principles in risk finance

Purpose – The purpose of this editorial is to consider the existence and implications of epistemological constraints in the field of risk finance arising from statistical inequalities similar to the Cramer‐Rao lower bound (CRLB) of statistical estimation theory and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle (HUP) of quantum physics.Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual equivalence of the CRLB to the HUP suggests that certain statistical inequalities in the field of risk finance might imply practical constraints on knowledge analogous to those encountered in the measurement of subatomic particles. To explore this possibility, the editorial first considers the tradeoff between the variability of an estimator and the variability of the score of the associated joint probability distribution, and then interpret the latter quantity in a manner permitting the identification of real‐world counterparts.Findings – Under certain simple assumptions, the editorial finds that the estimation of two fundamental actuaria...