cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the use of moment invariants for the automated analysis of 3D particle shapes

A mathematical method is introduced to describe quantitatively the shape and shape evolution of precipitates in a two-phase microstructure. The method relies on the concept of moment invariants, i.e. combinations of second order moments that are invariant with respect to affine and/or similarity transformations. We introduce three invariants, one a shape discriminator, the other two aspect ratio discriminators. A normalized form of the invariants is defined and it is shown explicitly that any 3D shape must belong to a finite region of the normalized moment invariant space. The shape and bounds of this region are defined in terms of isoperimetric inequalities. Two examples of moment invariant applications are given: fitting the shape of second phase precipitates and the time evolution of a bimodal phase field simulation.
Leonardo da Vinci's Rule and Fractal Complexity in Dichotomous Trees

Abstract A coincidence involving Leonardo da Vinci's ratios of branch diameters (0·707) in bifurcating trees and the limit of branch length ratios where fractal branching of bifurcating trees becomes non-fractal (at 0·707) suggests that constancy of the diameter ratios forces a fractal elaboration of the branch tips. The cylinder equation r22 /r21 = b1 /2b2 suggests an equality that does not occur in fact (because the b2/b1 ratio is always smaller than da Vinci's ratio and further branching continues for fractal trees). The branching proliferates as a geometric progression. The resulting fractal complexity of the branch tips probably enhances the flow of fluids to and from leaves, creates a spacious bower, and lessens the crushing weight that would result from non-fractal branching. Tree growth upward is initially rapid but becomes regularly diminished by fractal elaboration. A hypothesis presented suggests the number of real branchings in some trees is limited by da Vinci's ratio. The old/(new + old) wood ratios converge to the original branch ratio meaning the dichotomous tree increases new wood by 2b2 × old wood at each branching. The linear dimension of the canopy (compared to the sum of the old and the end branches) also approaches the 0·707 constant at about five orders of branching, and if exceeding those orders there would seem to be adverse effects.
Creation of vessel-like patches enabled by poly(caprolactone)/collagen/elastin composite nanofibers

It is critical to fabricate ideal scaffolds for tissue engineered vascular graft. Nanofibers composted with collagen, elastin and polycaprolactone (PCL) were prepared by electrospinning. The obtained composite fibers had an average diameter around 300–500 nm. Mouse smooth muscles cells and endothelial cells cultured on these composite fibrous meshes showed enhanced cell attachment and accelerated cell proliferation. Three-dimesional cell-scaffolds construct were fabricated using layer-by-layer electrospinning technique. Taken together, the electrospun PCL fibers containing collagen, elastin and PCL show a great potential in vascular tissue engineering.
Are journalistic ethics self‐generated?

Ethicists in and out of the profession have argued that a journalist's precept to report only the truth is deduced, say, from utilitarianism's appeal to social utility or Rawls' appeal to justice as fairness. The mistake in this is indicated by an argument that the physician owes his or her professional ethic to the human need for health and the lawyer's to the human need for justice. The journalist, therefore, may well owe his or her professional regard for truthful reporting to everyone's need for news—a critical element in a democratic society. So, instead of basing journalistic ethics in the fashionable moral philosophies of the modern era, it is better to argue that it grows out of the special nature of the craft, as imbedded in a more venerable notion of self fulfilling social responsibility.
A Stage of Migration Approach to Understanding Nursing Home Placement in Latino Families

ABSTRACT This article introduces a dual application of Drachman and Ryan's stage of migration framework by applying the framework to an analysis of experiences of 25 nursing home residents with a prior history of migration from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The stages of premigration and departure, transit, and resettlement are discussed in relation to research findings about the residents' earlier migration to the mainland United States and more recent move into a nursing home. Implications for social work practice with residents, families, and as members of interdisciplinary teams are addressed.
Clonidine-induced suppression of plasma catecholamines in states of adrenal medulla hyperfunction

To assess adrenal medulla activity in states of hyperfunction, a single 0.3 mg oral dose of clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres®) was given to twelve patients with varying evidence of familial adrenal medullary hyperplasia and pheochromocytomas from kindreds with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 syndrome (MEN-2), seven patients with sporadic pheochromocytomas and six normal subjects. Mean arterial blood pressure and plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels were lower than baseline values 2h after clonidine in the normal subjects. Plasma epinephrine (E) rose in one normal but fell in the remainder after clonidine administration. In sporadic pheochromocytoma patients, E fell slightly in 4 and NE fell in 3 while mean arterial blood pressure was not significantly lower than baseline values in 7 patients 2 h after clonidine. In MEN-2, mean arterial blood pressure fell and there was a variabile response of plasma E and NE to clonidine, which appears to be related to the presence of detectable anatomic (CT scan) and functional (131I-mIBG scintigraphy) abnormalities of the adrenal medulla. These findings are thus compatible with the spectrum of adrenal medulla dysfunction and the presumed development of pheochromocytoma in this syndrome.
Minimum Effect of Non-Infinitesmal Intermediate Band Width on the Detailed Balance Efficiency of an Intermediate Band Solar Cell

This paper analyses the minimum deterioration of an intermediate band (IB) solar cell's conversion efficiency as a function of the IB's width. A central task in accomplishing this is to derive the emission spectrum of an IB material. The derivation is premised upon equilibria conditions and is derived under the stringent conditions that electronic transitions are limited to inter-band transitions coupled to photon emission or absorption. The resultant equilibrium emission spectrum is utilized to formulate expressions for the net photon flux and net power density absorbed by the IB material from a dual source solar geometry. Heuristic arguments are contrived to explain the relationship of the absorption coefficients and the absorptivity upon the conversion efficiency. Results indicate as the IB width increases, the conversion efficiency reduces to the limiting efficiency of a two-junction series-assembled tandem.
The Modeled Response of the Mean Winter Circulation to Zonally Averaged SST Trends.

The response of the atmospheric winter circulation in both hemispheres to changes in the meridional gradient of sea surface temperature (SST) is examined in an atmospheric general circulation model. Climatological SSTs are employed for the control run. The other runs differ in that a zonally symmetric component is added to or subtracted from the climatological SST field. The meridional structure of the variation in SST gradient is based on the observed change in zonally averaged SST over the last century. The SST trend has maxima of about 1 K at high latitudes of both hemispheres. Elsewhere, the increase in SST over the last century is fairly uniform at about 0.5 K. In both hemispheres the response to decreased SST gradients is decreased baroclinity in the lower troposphere and increased baroclinity in the upper troposphere, with the reverse response when the SST gradient is increased. Because the cases with decreased SST gradients correspond to warmer SSTs everywhere, they are accompanied by an increase in moisture and a general expansion of the troposphere. The warming cases in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter are marked by greatly increased tropical convection, a stronger subtropical jet that is shifted upward and equatorward, and a robust stationary-wave response. Many aspects of the response are remarkably consistent among the different warming experiments, both in pattern and amplitude. The storm-track response is weaker but still consistent among the different warming experiments. Despite general decrease in storm-track activity, there is a tendency for the upper-level NH storm tracks to strengthen at their downstream end and to weaken at their upstream and northward end. When the zonally symmetric SST anomaly field is subtracted from the climatological SST (resulting in lower SST with increased latitudinal gradient), the response is different in many fields and is considerably weaker. In the winter Southern Hemisphere the change in baroclinity of the low-level flow plays a greater role in the response than in the winter NH. The response in the storm track is zonal with a decrease in midlatitude storm-track activity in the warming cases and an increase in the case that has an increased SST gradient (and cooler SST). There is close correspondence between the pattern of response in all the experiments, irrespective of the sign of the SST anomaly field.
Public relations and philosophy: Parsing paradigms

This philosophical article examines how public relations researchers have engaged with Kuhn’s concept of a paradigm and have used it to set a research agenda for the field. I argue that Kuhn believed the social sciences to be inherently multi-paradigmatic, making the quest for a single, overarching paradigm for public relations research misguided. Instead, I lay out a four-paradigm schematic for the field, examining issues of semantic and cultural incommensurability and consequences for language use and research method and values. The article questions the definition of a mature discipline as often found in public relations literature and proposes that we might be more mature than we think if we are willing to accept a diversity of perspectives and their concomitant research values.
Safety of vein bypass grafting to the dorsal pedal artery in diabetic patients with foot infections

The results of 56 vein bypasses to the dorsal pedal artery performed in 53 diabetic patients who were admitted with ischemic foot lesions complicated by infection were reviewed. All patients had one or more of the following: infected ulcers (73%), cellulitis (45%), osteomyelitis (29%), gangrene (20%), or abscess (2%). Organisms were cultured from 84% of patients (average 2.6, range 1 to 9 organisms per infection). Elevated temperature (greater than 37.7 degrees C) or leukocytosis (greater than 9.0 x 10(3)/ml) were seen in 13% and 50% of patients, respectively. All patients were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, local debridement, wound care, and bed rest. Operative debridement or open partial forefoot amputation were required to control sepsis in 11 patients (20%). Treatment of infection delayed revascularization by an average of 10.7 days. All patients underwent autogenous vein bypasses to the dorsal pedal artery. Two grafts failed within 30 days (3.6%), and one patient died (1.8%). Wound infections developed in seven patients (12.5). One wound infection resulted in graft disruption and patient death at 2 months. Average length of stay of the initial hospitalization was 29.8 days. Fifty-two patients were discharged with patent grafts and salvaged limbs; however, 31 subsequent foot procedures and 35 rehospitalizations were required to ultimately achieve foot healing. Actuarial graft patency and limb salvage were 92% and 98%, respectively at 36 months. Pedal bypass to the ischemic infected foot is efficacious and safe as long as infection is adequately controlled first. The complexity of these situations often requires multiple surgical procedures and extensive wound care, resulting in prolonged or multiple hospitalizations.
Nature and Nurture of Human Pain

Humans are very different when it comes to pain. Some get painful piercings and tattoos; others can not stand even a flu shot. Interindividual variability is one of the main characteristics of human pain on every level including the processing of nociceptive impulses at the periphery, modification of pain signal in the central nervous system, perception of pain, and response to analgesic strategies. As for many other complex behaviors, the sources of this variability come from both nurture (environment) and nature (genes). Here, I will discuss how these factors contribute to human pain separately and via interplay and how epigenetic mechanisms add to the complexity of their effects.
Theoretical Studies of Self-Diffusion and Dopant Clustering in Semiconductors

(a) Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos,NM 87545, USA(b) Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA(c) Faculty of Science, VR-II, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavi´k, Iceland(d) Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle,WA 98195, USA(e) Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University,Columbus, OH 43210, USA(f) Computational Materials Group, Motorola, Inc., Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA(Received March 15, 2002; accepted May 25, 2002)PACS: 61.72.Ji; 66.30.Hs; 71.15.MbDensity functional theory studies have been performed to investigate the mechanisms of self-diffu-sion in Ge and the clustering of B in Si. In the case of self-diffusion of Ge, we find within theharmonic transition state theory a diffusion prefactor for the vacancy mechanism which is in goodagreement with experimental values. However, the activation energy is underestimated by nearly1 eV when the PW91 functional is used. We propose a cluster correction procedure involving thehybrid B3LYP functional which leads to an activation energy of 3.1 eV in agreement with theexperiment. The contribution of interstitial and exchange mechanisms is negligible. The reactionpathway for the B cluster formation in Si has also been studied. The cluster B
Effectiveness of Spring Burning as a Physical Management Tactic for Thrips in Phleum pratense L. (Poales: Poaceae)

Abstract. Timothy, Phleum pretense L., is an important forage crop in many western U.S. states. Thrips are an important pest of this crop. The effectiveness of field burning as an alternative management tactic for thrips is undocumented. Small-plot burn experiments were initiated with a hand-held torch in two fields in late winter 2007 and in one field on 5 March 2008. Thrips numbers assessed 2 weeks after burning. Grower-burned and nonburned fields were sampled post-burning for thrips on 20 March 2007 and 2008. In 2007, one experiment had relatively low overall abundance of thrips, and adults and larva were found only in nonburned plots. In the other 2007 experiment, more larvae were found in nonburned than burned plots, although adult numbers were similar. In 2008, the number of adults was greater in nonburned plots, while numbers of larvae were relatively low and were similar between burned and nonburned plots. There were no significant differences in thrips abundance between burned or nonburned grower...
Endotoxaemia during left ventricular assist device insertion: relationship between risk factors and outcome

Background. Endotoxaemia, caused by splanchnic ischaemia during surgery, is believed to trigger systemic inflammation and cause postoperative organ dysfunction. A relationship between the plasma concentration of endotoxin during surgery and known risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality (e.g. age, abnormal gastric tonometric variables) and adverse outcome after surgery has not been demonstrated. Methods. In a prospective study, the plasma concentration of endotoxin was measured in 12 patients undergoing implantation of a left ventricular assist device. Automated air gastric tonometry was performed in all patients. The relationship between plasma endotoxin concentration, risk factors, and postoperative outcome was explored. Results. Carbon dioxide gap increased from 0.7 (0.3) to 3.6 (1.6) kPa at the end of surgery. Endotoxin was detected in one of 12 patients at baseline and in nine of 12 patients at the end of surgery (P=0.003). A high plasma concentration of endotoxin at the end of surgery was associated with a higher carbon dioxide gap (r=0.59, P Conclusions. The finding of an association between high intraoperative plasma concentrations of endotoxin, abnormal gastric tonometric variables and adverse outcome supports the view that endotoxaemia is caused by gut hypoperfusion during surgery and is associated with postoperative organ dysfunction.
Flexible micro-tactile sensor for normal and shear elasticity measurements

This paper presents a tactile sensor capable of in-vivo measurement of Young's modulus and shear modulus of elasticity for soft tissue and other materials. The sensor is built by using polydimethylsiloxane as the structural material. A number of sensing cells of different stiffnesses are used in each sensor. The Young's modulus of the targeted object can be measured based on the relative deflections of adjacent sensing cells. The shear modulus measurement is enabled by using a quad electrode structure in each sensing cell. Experimental results show sensing resolution of 0.1MPa for Young's modulus measurement from 0.1MPa to 1MPa, and 0.05MPa for shear modulus measurement from 0.05MPa to 0.2MPa.
PROTEIN METABOLISM AND EXCHANGE AS INFLUENCED BY CONSTRICTION OF THE VENA CAVA : EXPERIMENTAL ASCITES AN INTERNAL PLASMAPHERESIS: SODIUM CHLORIDE AND PROTEIN INTAKE PREDOMINANT FACTORS

Constriction of inferior vena cava above the diaphragm is used to produce experimental ascites in the dog. This type of experimental ascites drains the body protein reserves, reduces the level of circulating plasma proteins, and in effect is an internal plasmapheresis. As the ascitic fluid is withdrawn and the proteins measured, we observe a production of ascitic protein (80-90 gm. per week) comparable to that removed by plasmapheresis (bleeding and replacement of red cells in saline). High protein diet tends to decrease the ascites but the protein content of the ascitic fluid may increase. Sodium chloride increases notably the volume of the ascites which accumulates and the total ascitic protein output increases. Sodium-free salt mixtures have a negative influence. High protein diet low in sodium salts gives minimal ascitic accumulation under these conditions. The question of circulation of the ascitic fluid is raised-how rapid is the absorption and the related accumulation?
Temperature effect on isometric tension is mediated by regulatory proteins tropomyosin and troponin in bovine myocardium.

The effect of temperature on isometric tension with and without the regulatory proteins tropomyosin and troponin was studied in bovine myocardium using a thin filament removal and reconstitution protocol. In control bovine myocardium, isometric tension increased linearly with temperature in the range 5–40 °C: isometric tension at 10 and 30 °C was 0.65 and 1.28 times that at 20 °C, respectively, with a Q10 of about 1.4. In actin filament-reconstituted myocardium without regulatory proteins, the temperature effect on isometric tension was less: isometric tension at 10 and 30 °C was 0.96 and 1.17 times that at 20 °C, respectively, with a Q10 of about 1.1. The temperature dependence of the apparent rate constants was studied using sinusoidal analysis. The temperature dependence of 2πb (rate constant of delayed tension phase) did not vary significantly with the regulatory proteins under the standard activating condition (5 mm MgATP, 8 mm Pi, 200 mm ionic strength, pCa 4.66, pH 7.00). Q10 for 2πb in control and actin filament-reconstituted myocardium was 3.8 and 4.0, respectively. There were two phases to the temperature dependence of 2πc (rate constant of quick recovery). In control and thin filament-reconstituted myocardium, Q10 for 2πc was approximately 5.5 in the low temperature range (≤ 25 °C) and 2.7 in the high temperature range (≥ 30 °C). In actin filament-reconstituted myocardium, Q10 for 2πc was 8.5 in the low temperature range and 3.6 in the high temperature range. The above results demonstrate that regulatory proteins augment the temperature dependence of isometric tension, indicating that the regulatory proteins may modify the actomyosin interaction.
The Supreme Court’s Janus Capital Case

In Janus Capital Group, Inc. v. First Derivative Traders, a divided Supreme Court created the unprecedented doctrine that the investment adviser to a mutual fund that drafted and distributed a false prospectus for the fund did not “make” a false statement under Rule 10b-5 because the fund, and not the adviser, had “ultimate authority” over the prospectus. The author argues that the decision was out of touch with reality because it failed to give proper consideration to the unique structure of the mutual fund industry. Furthermore, the decision is an illustration of judicial activism, and is likely to protect fund advisers and other corporate officials from liability for their own fraudulent actions.
The WarpEngine: an architecture for the post-polygonal age

We present the WarpEngine, an architecture designed for real-time imaged-based rendering of natural scenes from arbitrary viewpoints. The modeling primitives are real-world images with per-pixel depth. Currently they are acquired and stored off-line; in the near future real-time depth-image acquisition will be possible, the WarpEngine is designed to render in immediate mode from such data sources.The depth-image resolution is locally adapted by interpolation to match the resolution of the output image. 3D warping can occur either before or after the interpolation; the resulting warped/interpolated samples are forward-mapped into a warp buffer, with the precise locations recorded using an offset. Warping processors are integrated on-chip with the warp buffer, allowing efficient, scalable implementation of very high performance systems. Each chip will be able to process 100 million samples per second and provide 4.8GigaBytes per second of bandwidth to the warp buffer.The WarpEngine is significantly less complex than our previous efforts, incorporating only a single ASIC design. Small configurations can be packaged as a PC add-in card, while larger deskside configurations will provide HDTV resolutions at 50 Hz, enabling radical new applications such as 3D television.WarpEngine will be highly programmable, facilitating use as a test-bed for experimental IBR algorithms.
Diagnosis and Intervention in Vascular Diseases of the Abdomen

The first part of this chapter will deal with one of the topics most central to vascular intervention in the abdomen, that of gastrointestinal bleeding. There is no question that in today’s world, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is diagnosed and managed for the most part, endoscopically. Nonetheless, there are some cases in which GI bleeding requires imaging and percutaneous intervention for control.
Use of Irrigation Technologies for Vegetable Crops in Florida

Major horticultural crops in Florida are vegetables, small fruit, melons, and tree fruit crops. Approximately half of the agricultural area and nearly all of the horticultural crop land is irrigated. Irrigation systems include low-volume microirrigation, sprinkler systems, and subsurface irrigation. The present review was divided into two papers, in which the first part focuses on vegetable crop irrigation and the second part focuses on fruit tree crop irrigation. This first part also provides an overview of irrigation methods used in Florida. Factors affecting irrigation efficiency and uniformity such as design and maintenance are discussed. A wide range of soil moisture sensors (e.g., tensiometers, granular matrix, and capacitance) are currently being used in the state for soil moisture monitoring. Current examples of scheduling tools and automated control systems being used on selected crops in Florida are provided. Research data on the effect of irrigation scheduling and fertigation on nutrient movement, particularly nitrate, are reviewed. Concluding this review is a discussion of potential for adoption of irrigation scheduling and control systems for vegetable crops by Florida growers and future research priorities.
Analysis of 330kV transformer gap protection action

In view of the system with continuous single-phase grounding fault condition, the transformer neutral point gap is breakdown for many times, eventually lead to the accident of the transformer neutral point gap overcurrent protection action. The causes of the neutral gap zero sequence voltage and gap current are analyzed in detail by the fault oscillograph. The theoretical analysis and simulation calculation of zero sequence current in the non-full phase running state are carried on under different operation mode for double circuit lines. It is demonstrated that the continuous zero sequence voltage and zero sequence current in the condition of non-full phase is the main reason for the zero sequence current protection action of transformer gap. The feasible preventive measures to avoid similar accidents are put forward.
STUDY ON THE STATUS AND PROSPECTS IN NATURAL GAS HYDRATE

Natural gas hydrate,which is abundant and exceeds the whole combustible energy resources on earth,becomes a strategic energy in the 21st century.This paper mainly introduces the discovery of natural gas hydrate and its generation and formation,and summarizes the current exploration and development methods of natural gas hydrate,giving rise to a conclusion that China shall establish the short-term and long-term study plans and study the exploration and development methods of natural gas hydrate by means of its characteristic and identification mark.
Literature review on the government behavior of pharmaceutical industrial cluster

The domestic and foreign research literatures on the government behavior of pharmaceutical industry cluster was teased and analyzed from three aspects including the related concepts of pharmaceutical industry cluster government action, the government behavior of industrial cluster and the government behavior of pharmaceutical industry cluster. We found that foreign scholars mainly focused on the role of government played in industrial cluster and the government's policy on cluster, while the domestic ones usually focused on the life cycle theory of industrial clusters and the analysis of government level perspective and performed the relative empirical study.
Discrete Epidemic Models

This chapter introduces and studies discrete epidemic modeling. The chapter begins with single species discrete models of population growth. Tools for the analysis of single equation discrete models are introduced and applied to the population models. The concepts of 2-cycle, 4-cycle, and period doubling are introduced and illustrated. The chapter includes the mathematical tools for studying higher dimensional models, such as Jury conditions. It then applied these tools to study a discrete SIS and a discrete SEIS epidemic models. A generalization of the next-generation approach to discrete models is given and applied to the computation of the reproduction number of the SEIS and a two-patch SIS models. The chapter concludes with the introduction and analysis of a discrete SARS epidemic model.
Testing the demographic effects of divergent immigrants on small populations of Trinidadian guppies

Augmenting small and isolated populations with immigrants from elsewhere is a potentially powerful, yet controversial management tool. The goal of this approach was to increase population sizes via demographic and/or genetic rescue, but augmentation can also have the unintended consequence of breaking down local adaptation and reducing population fitness through outbreeding depression. In theory, outbreeding depression is more likely the more divergent immigrants are from the recipient population. Managers should therefore choose immigrant populations that are as adaptively and genetically similar as possible. However, for species of conservation concern, divergent source populations are often the only option. A crucial question that remains in applied conservation is whether the positive effects of augmentation with divergent immigrants will outweigh the potential risks of outbreeding depression. Here, we evaluate the demographic effects of augmenting small, inbred laboratory populations of Trinidadian guppies with two different types of immigrants: (1) adaptively divergent but genetically similar or (2) adaptively similar but genetically divergent, and compare them against the demography of control populations with no immigration. After 1–2 generations, we found that adult abundance remained constant or slightly declined over the duration of the experiment in the control populations. In contrast, adult recruitment and total abundance increased in augmented populations. Furthermore, treatments that received immigrants from the adaptively similar but genetically divergent population attained overall larger population sizes than those that received immigrants from the adaptively divergent but genetically similar population. Although our experimental design could not parse out the effects of demographic and genetic rescue, our results do suggest that augmentation can be better than no action, even in situations where only divergent immigrant sources are available.
The Emerging Role of the State In Latin America

The article is designed to (a) provide a theoretical framework for analyzing reforms in the role of the state; (b) assess the Latin America experience in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of core government functions at all levels of government (e.g. human resource management, financial management, tax and customs administration and cross-sectoral service delivery though excluding a detailed treatment of sector-specific areas such as education and health); and (c) examine the experience to date in Latin America of successfully implementing institutional reforms with respect to (i) private sector development (legal reforms to facilitate private transactions as well as provide a regulatory role for government in the face of market failures and their enforcement) and (ii) poverty alleviation particularly with respect to reforms in the social security system as well as the introduction of social investment funds.
Histone phosphorylation by TRPM6’s cleaved kinase attenuates adjacent arginine methylation to regulate gene expression

TRPM6 and TRPM7 are members of the melastatin-related transient receptor potential (TRPM) subfamily of ion channels. Deletion of either gene in mice is embryonically lethal. TRPM6/7 are the only known examples of single polypeptides containing both an ion channel pore and a serine/threonine kinase (chanzyme). Here we show that the C-terminal kinase domain of TRPM6 is cleaved from the channel domain in a cell type-specific fashion and is active. Cleavage requires that the channel conductance is functional. The cleaved kinase translocates to the nucleus, where it is strictly localized and phosphorylates specific histone serine and threonine (S/T) residues. TRPM6-cleaved kinases (M6CKs) bind subunits of the protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) molecular complex that make important epigenetic modifications by methylating histone arginine residues. Histone phosphorylation by M6CK results in a dramatic decrease in methylation of arginines adjacent to M6CK-phosphorylated amino acids. Knockout of TRPM6 or inactivation of its kinase results in global changes in histone S/T phosphorylation and changes the transcription of hundreds of genes. We hypothesize that M6CK associates with the PRMT5 molecular complex in the nucleus, directing M6CK to a specific genomic location and providing site-specific histone phosphorylation. M6CK histone phosphorylation, in turn, regulates transcription by attenuating the effect of local arginine methylation.
The Inverse Gaussian Distribution: Theory, Methodology, and Applications

(1989). The Inverse Gaussian Distribution: Theory, Methodology, and Applications. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 295-297.
A Further Strategic Move to Sustainability—A Case Study on IKEA

IKEA, a giant furniture company, has engaged in sustainability practices and reached substantial achievement. However, we found that there are several aspects of sustainability that IKEA can work to reduce ecological footprint and stay as a strong and unique leader in sustainability in the furniture industry. Our paper firstly reviews IKEA’s current sustainability practices, followed by the literature review on other furniture companies’ sustainable approaches of selecting and using raw materials. We found that IKEA could make sustainable transitions in materials to reduce their environmental impact and make strategic investments to maintain its leadership in industry. Solutions, implementation, and possible impediments are discussed.
Automatic Classification of Prostate Cancer Gleason Scores from Digitized Whole Slide Tissue Biopsies

Histological Gleason grading of tumor patterns is one of the most powerful prognostic predictors in prostate cancer. However, manual analysis and grading performed by pathologists are typically subjective and time-consuming. In this paper, we propose an automatic technique for Gleason grading of prostate cancer from H&E stained whole slide biopsy images using a set of novel completed and statistical local binary pattern (CSLBP) descriptors. First the technique divides the whole slide image into a set of small image tiles, where salient tumor tiles with high nuclei densities are selected for analysis. The CSLBP texture features that encode pixel intensity variations from circularly surrounding neighborhoods are then extracted from salient image tiles to characterize different Gleason patterns. Finally, CSLBP texture features computed from all tiles are integrated and utilized by the multi-class support vector machine (SVM) that assigns patient biopsy with different Gleason score of 6, 7 or ≥8. Experiments have been performed on 312 different patient cases selected from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and have achieved more than 79% classification accuracies, which is superior to state-of-the-art textural descriptors for prostate cancer Gleason grading.
Search systems and their features: What college students use to find and save information

Abstract College students have often been surveyed about their general information seeking behaviors. However, little has been done to explore what specific system features they use to find and save information when they are working on their real-life tasks. In this study, 32 college students were invited to an information interaction lab for a session in which they recalled a recently finished task and worked on a to-be-finished task using a computer in the lab. They were asked to complete questionnaires regarding what systems they used to finish their tasks and what features were helpful for searching and for saving information. Results showed that college students rely more heavily on the Internet sources than on library sources, even for their course related work. The study identified fourteen categories of system features helpful for information search and eight categories helpful for information saving. The findings have implications for designing systems that will better help people accomplish their tasks.
A Vinylogous Photocleavage Strategy Allows Direct Photocaging of Backbone Amide Structure

Side-chain modifications that respond to external stimuli provide a convenient approach to control macromolecular structure and function. Responsive modification of backbone amide structure represents a direct and powerful alternative to impact folding and function. Here, we describe a new photocaging method using histidine-directed backbone modification to selectively modify peptides and proteins at the amide N-H bond. A new vinylogous photocleavage method allows photorelease of the backbone modification and, with it, restoration of function.
Meteorological Data to Support Farming Needs

The availability of appropriate meteorological and agrometeorological databases is a major prerequisite for studying and managing the processes leading to agricultural and forest production. The building of databases for meteorological, phenological, soil, and agronomic information is inevitably a major priority. The key steps to database management are pertinent climate and agrometeorological data processing; data quality control; data archiving; timely access to data; and of utmost importance, information dissemination for use in both agricultural research and operational programs.
Mater semper certa est: motherhood is always certain.

The development of oocyte donation has led to a reexamination of the facets of motherhood: the genetic, gestational, and psychosocial contributions. In addition, the practice of oocyte donation has prompted a consideration of the unique psychosocial and legal aspects of this form of family building. In this section of Views and Reviews a summary and discussion of the long-term psychosocial adjustment of oocyte donor–conceived children and their parents is presented. Next, the current permeability around donor anonymity is investigated and questions regarding whether donor anonymity can still exist is discussed. Third, the evolution of oocyte cryopreservation and banking is reviewed and the future of oocyte banking is explored. Finally, as oocyte donation continues to grow and evolve, so too does the legal landscape in which it is practiced. Seminal legal cases are presented to describe the legal landscape that has shaped the practice of oocyte donation.
Developing Fractions as Multiplicative Relations: A Model of Cognitive Reorganization

In this chapter, I propose a stance on learning fractions as multiplicative relations through reorganizing knowledge of whole numbers as a viable alternative to the Natural Number Bias (NNB) stance. Such an alternative, rooted in the constructivist theory of knowing and learning, provides a way forward in thinking about and carrying out teaching-learning of fractions, while eschewing a deficit view that seems to underlie the ongoing impasse in this area. I begin with a brief presentation of key aspects of NNB. Then, I discuss key components of the alternative framework, called reflection on activity-effect relationship, which articulates the cognitive process of reorganizing one’s anticipations as two types of reflection that give rise to two stages in constructing fractions as numbers. Capitalizing on this framework, I then delineate cognitive progressions of nine fractional schemes, the first five drawing on operations of iterating units and the last four on recursive partitioning operations. To illustrate the benefits of the alternative, conceptually driven stance, I link it to findings from a recent brain study, which includes significant gains for adult participants and provides a glance (fMRI) into circuitry recruited to process whole number and fraction comparisons.
Future Directions in Minimally Invasive Surgery

The valuable insight provided by the authors of this textbook has allowed all of the editors to review the evolution of minimally invasive surgery and its current application to colon and rectal disease.
Visual supports to teach algebraic equations to a middle school student with autism spectrum disorder

AbstractStudents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are included more frequently in general education, and are increasingly expected to access and master core curricular content, including mathem...
Triplet Sensitization by Lead Halide Perovskite Thin Films for Efficient Solid-State Photon Upconversion at Subsolar Fluxes

Summary We investigate the rubrene triplet sensitization by perovskite thin films based on methylammonium formamidinium lead triiodide (MAFA) of varying thicknesses. The power-law dependence of both the MAFA photoluminescence (PL) intensity and upconverted emission is tracked as a function of the incident power density. Bimolecular triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) exhibits a unique power-law dependence with a slope change from quadratic-to-linear at the threshold Ith. The underlying MAFA PL power-law dependence dictates the power law of the upconverted PL: (1) below Ith, the slope of the upconverted PL is twice the value of the MAFA PL; (2) above Ith, it follows the same power law as the underlying recombination of mobile electrons and holes in the MAFA films. We find that the Ith shifts to subsolar incident laser powers when increasing the MAFA thickness above 30 nm. For the thickest MAFA film of 380 nm we find an upconversion threshold of Ith = 7.1 mW/cm2.
Exercise-associated electrolyte disorders

Abstract Clinically significant derangements in plasma electrolytes rarely occur outside of excessive exercise and/or extreme dietary habits. Overzealous hydration facilitates exercise-associated disorders of sodium concentration ([Na+]) as robust overhydration may induce hyponatremia, whereas severe fluid restriction may cause hypernatremia. Excessive exercise may facilitate plasma potassium ([K+]) disorders as prolonged endurance exercise may induce hypokalemia (profuse sweat losses), whereas unaccustomed high-intensity training may cause hyperkalemia (rhabdomyolysis). Restrictive diets coupled with extensive exercise may also lead to low (hypo) plasma levels of magnesium ([Mg++]), calcium ([Ca++]), or phosphate ([P−]), whereas fanatical supplementation may trigger high (hyper) blood levels of [Mg++], [Ca++], or [P−]. Thus, most exercise-associated electrolyte disorders in healthy individuals volitionally occur from improper training and/or unhealthy dietary habits and are largely preventable.
Key recommendations for improving AoL assessments: A longitudinal analysis of rater bias and reliability in embedded rubric-based measurements

Assurance of learning assessment results are used as a basis for curriculum changes at Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business–accredited institutions. Because budget constraints and ...
The Disposition Effect in Mutual Funds' Trades: The Role of Managers' Endurance

We use long-distance running as a quasi-natural experiment and study whether endurance activities affect fund managers' trading behavior. We find that funds with a larger share of marathon runner managers are less prone to the disposition effect. A higher representation of runner managers also predicts larger risk-adjusted excess returns. To account for endogeneity, we use the annual number of marathon events in funds’ states as an instrument for the proportion of runner managers and find a consistent outcome. Overall, these results provide behavioral evidence for the disposition effect among fund managers.
The Impact of Temporal Schemata: Understanding When Individuals Entrain Versus Resist or Create Temporal Structure

As the pace of contemporary work increases, organizations seek to coordinate their employees’ efforts, particularly through the temporal coordination of pace and rhythm. Yet, little research has ex...
None of your business: Media companies and disclosure of employment reductions:

Ethical obligations for news organizations and their parent companies announcing employment reductions were explored. Scholarship concerning multiple ethical perspectives was reviewed and analyzed....
Self-determination in young adults with autism spectrum disorder:

This study examined rates of and contributing factors to self-determination among young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Caregivers of young adults with autism spectrum disorder, 16–25 years, ...
Real-Time Decision Making for Underwater Big Data Applications Using the Apriori Algorithm

Underwater acoustic sensor networks (UWASNs) have been introduced as a new technology to extract the data for underwater real-time applications such as seismic monitoring, undersea monitoring and control, oil well inspection, military applications, and disaster prevention. This new technology adds more networking capabilities and enables real-time reporting. However, it is restricted to data sensing, forwarding and data transmission. Specifically, transmitting large volumes of data takes a long time and requires a lot of power to be executed. This has inspired our research activities to focus on building an underwater real-time computing system with the minimum execution time and low power consumption. In our research, valuable information is extracted underwater using data mining or compression algorithms. In our previous study, we proposed a set of real-time underwater embedded system (RTUWES) architectures that can handle multiple network configurations. In this study, we extend our research results to develop information extraction algorithms for big data underwater applications to meet real-time constraints. The system performance is assessed in terms of the end-to-end delay and power consumption. We have built a simulator for practical study. The simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of our proposed system based on an information extraction algorithm.
Timber Security Practices, Vulnerabilities, and Challenges in the Southern United States

A single timber theft incident can cost family forest landowners thousands of dollars. Preventing illegal timber harvesting is also an important component of sustainability. A survey of consulting ...
Multi-FSR Silicon Photonic Flex-LIONS Module for Bandwidth-Reconfigurable All-to-All Optical Interconnects

This article proposes and experimentally demonstrates the first bandwidth-reconfigurable all-to-all optical interconnects using a multi-Free-Spectral-Ranges (FSR) integrated 8 × 8 SiPh Flex-LIONS module. The multi-FSR operation utilizes the first FSR (FSR1) to steer the bandwidth between selected node pairs and the zeroth FSR (FSR0) to guarantee a minimum diameter all-to-all topology among the interconnected nodes after reconfiguration. Successful Flex-LIONS design, fabrication, packaging, and system testing demonstrate error-free all-to-all interconnects for both FSR0 and FSR1 with a 5.3-dB power penalty induced by AWGR intra-band crosstalk under the worst-case polarization scenario. After reconfiguration in FSR1, the bandwidth between the selected pair of nodes is increased from 50 to 125 Gb/s while maintaining a 25 Gb/s/ λ all-to-all interconnectivity in FSR0.
PABPN1, a Target of p63, Modulates Keratinocyte Differentiation through Regulation of p63α mRNA Translation

p63 is expressed from two promoters and produces two N-terminal isoforms, TAp63 and ΔNp63. Alternative splicing creates three C-terminal isoforms p63α, p63β, and p63δ, whereas alternative polyadenylation (APA) in coding sequence creates two more C-terminal isoforms p63γ and p63e. Although several transcription factors have been identified to differentially regulate the N-terminal p63 isoforms, it is unclear how the C-terminal p63 isoforms are regulated. Thus, we determined whether PABPN1, a key regulator of APA, may differentially regulate the C-terminal p63 isoforms. We found that PABPN1 deficiency increases p63γ mRNA through APA in coding sequence. We also found that PABPN1 is necessary for p63α translation by modulating the binding of translation initiation factors eIF4E and eIF4G to p63α mRNA. Moreover, we found that the p53 family, especially p63α, regulates PABPN1 transcription, suggesting that the mutual regulation between p63 and PABPN1 forms a feedback loop. Furthermore, we found that PABPN1 deficiency inhibits keratinocyte cell growth, which can be rescued by ectopic ΔNp63α. Finally, we found that PABPN1 controls the terminal differentiation of HaCaT keratinocytes by modulating ΔNp63α expression. Taken together, our findings suggest that PABPN1 is a key regulator of the C-terminal p63 isoforms through APA in coding sequence and mRNA translation and that the p63-PABPN1 loop modulates p63 activity and the APA landscape.