cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microfabricated electrohydrodynamic pumps

Abstract Pumping is often cited as a general application which motivates the development of microfabricated motors and other actuators. In that spirit, this paper studies microfabricated electrohydrodynamic fluid pumps. In electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumping, fluid forces are generated by the interaction of electric fields and charges in the fluid. In contrast to forces generated by mechanical pumping using an impeller or bellows, EHD pumping requires no moving parts and consequently offers the possibility of simplified fabrication and high reliability. This paper discusses electrohydrodynamic pumping and issues concerning its use in micronsize scale systems. The fundamental operating principles of the EHD pump are outlined and examples of configurations which meet the requirement for inducing free electric charge are shown. The possible performance achievable in micron size-scale regimes is indicated. Issues concerning fluid conductivity, instability and surface tension are addressed. A microfabricated structure which demonstrates the EHD pumping of a highly insulating silicone oil is described. The structure consists of an array of 10 μm by 235 μm highly doped, LPCVD polycrystalline silicon electrodes patterned over silicon nitride. The electrode array is excited with a traveling wave of electric potential. Pumping results are qualitatively described. This paper describes a study of electrohydrodynamic pumping, including issues concerning its application to micron size-scale systems. The fundamental operating principles of EHD pumps are outlined and the possible performance achievable in micron size-scale regimes is indicated. Surface and bulk instabilities are addressed. Finally, the preliminary results of an EHD pumping experiment with a microfabricated structure are described. A practical requirement for EHD pumping is the induction of free electric charge in the volume of the fluid to be pumped or on its interface with another material. Charge accumulation on a material interface is readily achievable; however, if one material is a fixed rigid wall, such as the wall of a conduit, no pumping can take place. Consequently, the practical application of microfabricated EHD pumps may require the induction of free charge in the volume of the fluid, possibly by temperature-induced conductivity gradients. A further constraint on the usefulness of EHD pumping is its reduced effectiveness with conducting fluids. Hence its usefulness in many situations, including biological environments, may be limited. Another possible difficulty may be fluid instabilities; however, these instabilities may be useful for mixing and cooling purposes. Yet, it remains to be seen if they can compete with molecular diffusion in micron-size scale systems. Finally, it seems clear that surface tension will be a dominant force in virtually any micron-scale system with a liquid surface. In spite of these difficulties, electrohydrodynamic interactions may prove to be a reasonable way to achieve pumping without moving parts.
Management training to ensure excellent team performance

Purpose – This paper aims to highlight areas in which targeted management training will have the greatest impact on creating effective teams. Design/methodology/approach – The current best practices from the research literature are presented such that a reasonable program of management training for effective teamwork is proposed. Findings – Training professionals have an opportunity to demonstrate their value to organizations by delivering targeted training about how to manage teams through the planning, staffing, launch, and conclusion of a team. Practical implications – Professional trainers can provide a needed link from the known best practices for managing teamwork to educating team managers about how to instill those best practices within their teams. Originality/value – This paper links factors leading to effective teamwork with a rational for and the key subjects areas that should comprise management training focused on the effective management of teams.
Hexosaminidase A activity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abnormalities of GM2 ganglioside metabolism owing to hexosaminidase A (Hex A) deficiency have been associated with ALS phenotypes. The clinical features described in these ALS patients with Hex A deficiency include early onset, positive family history, and/or long disease duration. In an attempt to determine prospectively the incidence of Hex A deficiency within an ALS population, the records of The Mount Sinai Medical Center ALS Clinic were reviewed to select those patients with "atypical" ALS (total N = 52), i.e. onset before age 35, positive family history, and/or disease duration greater than 90 months. The control group (total N = 50), "typical" ALS patients, did not fulfill any of these historical criteria. Hex A activity determined in isolated peripheral blood leukocytes was normal in all typical ALS patients (mean 67.3%). Hex A deficiency was not found in any atypical ALS patients. Thus, Hex A deficiency apparently is an unusual etiology of typical or atypical ALS but is of medical and genetic importance in individual families.
Improved language modeling for conversational applications using sentence quality

In this paper, we propose a new approach to build language models for conversationals system using a a corpus of text as a opposed to a live or a Wizard-of-Oz collection. Each sentence in the corpus is assigned a “quality” that reflects the developer's intuition for how likely that sentence is to be spoken by a real user to the live system. Language Models (LM) are built for each sentence quality and these are subsequently interpolated to produce the final model. We also have built a classifier that assigns sentence qualities to the data, and whose subsequent language models achive similar improvements in word and turn error rate.
Laboratory Development and Lecture Renovation for a Science of Food and Cooking Course.

Several years ago, a new nonscience majors course, The Science of Food and Cooking, was developed at our institution. The course covered basic scientific concepts that would normally be discussed in a typical introductory chemistry course, in the context of food and food preparation. Recently, the course has been revamped in three major ways: (1) the incorporation of a laboratory component, (2) the reorganization of the lecture topics, and (3) the inclusion of a field trip. A week-by-week explanation of the course curriculum is provided, as is the description of the laboratory experiments conducted during the course. A brief description of the group excursion to a local distillery is given.
Colorectal Cancer Screening: Do We Practice What We Preach?

Objective: Compliance rates for colorectal cancer screening have been reported as low, and ignorance is the most common factor sighted to explain this. The aim of this study was to determine screening compliance among colorectal surgeons assumed to be educated of the risks of colorectal cancer. Methods: A postal survey was distributed to the members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Results: A total of 1195 members were surveyed. All respondents indicated that they advocate screening. Colonoscopy every 10 years and annual fecal occult blood testing were the most common strategies advocated to individuals with baseline risk. Colonoscopy every 5 years and annual fecal occult blood testing were the most common strategies advocated to patients with a first-degree relative with polyps or cancer. Most of these colorectal surgeons initiated their screening before 50 years of age. Conclusion: Colorectal cancer screening compliance is high among members of the American Society of Colon and Rect...
Some Anoplura of the Oriental Region. A Study of Hoplopleura Pacifica Ewing and Allies

Hoplopleura rajah, n.sp., from Rattus surifer, Laos, is described. It is a member of the group of Oriental and Pacific Hoplopleura typified by H. pacifica Ewing. The group is defined mainly on the basis of nymphal morphology. Included members of the pacifica group are as follows: pacifica, oenomydis Ferris, irritans Kuhn & Ludwig, sicata Johnson, dissicula Johnson, and rajah. H. pectinata (Cummings) is considered related to the pacifica group on the basis of nymphal morphology.
EFFECT OF NONMEAT PROTEINS ON GELATION PROPERTIES OF PORCINE MUSCLE PROTEINS

The effects of 2% (w/w) soy protein isolate (ISP) or sodium caseinate (SC) on thermally induced protein gels made of extracted salt-soluble porcine muscle proteins were studied. Effects of heating rates (17, 39 and 93°C/h) at various myofibrillar protein concentrations (32, 43 and 54 mg/mL) were compared with gels containing ∼ 19 mg/mL additional nonmeat protein and evaluated for interactions between meat and nonmeat proteins. Gel strength of protein extracts with 2% ISP added was increased about 24%. When 2% SC was added, gel strength increased about 70%, both because of greater total protein content. ISP and SC decreased gel strength when compared with controls at the same total protein content which means that they will contribute to softening of product texture when used in meat mixtures. Water holding capacity of protein extracts was improved by 4% and 37% when 2% ISP and 2% SC were added, respectively.
Mechanisms of regulating tubulin synthesis in cultured mammalian cells

Colchicine and nocadazole both depolymerize microtubules in cultured fibroblasts and lead to a rapid inhibition of tubulin synthesis. The level of translatable tubulin mRNA is greatly reduced in drug-treated cells as demonstrated by translation in a reticulocyte-derived in vitro protein synthesizing system. A model of tubulin synthesis regulation is proposed in which the elevated level of unpolymerized tubulin in drug-treated cells inhibits the formation of new tubulin mRNA and the preexisting message decays rapidly. In agreement with this model, tubulin message is found to be short-lived and has an approximately 2 hr half-life in cells treated with actinomycin D. Another prediction of the proposed model is that destabilization of microtubules without a concomitant increase in free tubulin will not inhibit tubulin synthesis. Vinblastine also disrupts microtubules but leads to the aggregation of tubulin into large paracrystals with an apparent decrease in the concentration of free tubulin. This drug does not inhibit tubulin production but rather leads to a measurable enhancement of tubulin synthesis.
Distributed design sensitivity computations on a network of computers

Abstract As a means to support an interactive design environment an algorithm for distributing design sensitivity computations over a network of computers is proposed. These computations are carried out using both the continuum-discrete approach and an adjoint variable method for design sensitivity analysis. Since only finite element post-processing data are required design sensitivity information can be evaluated outside established finite element analysis codes. Apollo's industry standard Network Computing System and standard Unix features are used to support the client-server model that is used for distributed design sensitivity computations. For numerical implementation a network of Apollo workstations has been used. Speedup and efficiency are used as measures of effectiveness for the distributed algorithm. Performance of the algorithm is demonstrated with two structural models that differ considerably in total number of degrees of freedom, design variables and constraints. Almost linear speedups are obtained without requiring any modification of the established finite element analysis software that is used to support design sensitivity computations.
Host-feeding of three parasitoid species on Bemisia tabaci biotype B and implications for whitefly biological control

Parasitoids in the genera Encarsia and Eretmocerus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are important biological control agents of whiteflies through their reproductive as well as host-feeding activities. The feeding capacities of female parasitoids of three species with different reproductive strategies [Encarsia sophia (Girault & Dodd), Encarsia formosa Gahan, and Eretmocerus melanoscutus Zolnerowich & Rose] on their host, sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), were evaluated on cabbage in a single-instar no-choice experiment in the laboratory and a mixed-instar choice experiment in the greenhouse. In both single- and mixed-instar experiments, significant differences in host-feeding capacities were found among the three parasitoid species. Encarsia sophia exhibited superior capacity of host-feeding compared to E. formosa and E. melanoscutus. In the single-instar experiment, parasitoids fed more on younger (smaller) hosts than older (larger) hosts. In the mixed-instar experiments, all three parasitoid species exhibited a clear preference for feeding on older hosts compared to younger hosts. Total number of whitefly nymphs fed on by E. sophia was approximately three times that of the other two parasitoid species. Whitefly mortality accounted for by host-feeding by E. sophia was up to 59.7%, and, thus, equivalent to parasitization. The significance of host-feeding of E. sophia for biological control of B. tabaci is discussed.
Interdisciplinary and military determinants of scientific productivity: A cross-lagged correlation analysis

Abstract This paper explores the contemporaneous and intergenerational relationships among various scientific endeavors and military activity. Using European historical data from 1500 to 1900 A.D., generational (or 25-yr) fluctuations were examined for nine categories of scientific discovery and invention and for two aspects of military activity. A cross-lagged correlational analysis indicated that (a) casualties (but not war duration) has a significant negative contemporaneous association with medical discoveries, (b) several scientific disciplines display positive intergenerational influences (e.g., medicine, geology, and chemistry on biology), and (c) astronomy exhibits a negative intergenerational impact on technology, medicine, biology, and geology. The findings were discussed in terms of both stimulating interdisciplinary information exchanges and inhibitory competitive recruitment.
The relationships between biomass burning, land-cover/-use change, and the distribution of carbonaceous aerosols in mainland Southeast Asia: a review and synthesis

Biomass burning is a major source of black carbon aerosols. These aerosols have negative human health impacts and can affect the radiation budget and climate both directly and indirectly. Uncertainty regarding the contribution of biomass burning to the concentration of aerosols is higher in Southeast Asia than in some other regions of substantial biomass burning because of other sources of pollution such as significant fossil fuel combustion. The shifting agricultural tradition is still evident in the region. Significant expansion of cash crop production is also associated with biomass burning, as is the seasonal burning of crop residue. The effects of such land-use processes extend into the atmosphere, and localized events have regional and global implications for air-pollution-related health effects and climate. This article synthesizes the issue of biomass burning and aerosols in the context of land-use practices in Southeast Asia and makes suggestions of how to use available data sources in an integra...
The identification of peptide modifications derived from gel‐separated proteins using electrospray triple quadrupole and ion trap analyses

Microspray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in combination with database search routines has become a powerful tool for the identification of proteins from femtomole amounts of material following gel electrophoresis and in-gel digestion procedures. However, artifactual modification of susceptible residues can arise during gel electrophoresis, leading to unexpected peptide mass shifts during mass analysis. Consequently, collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra generated from these derivatized peptides can defy direct interpretation by automated database search routines and remain unidentified. Here, we evaluate the MS/MS spectra of peptides carrying oxidized derivatives of tryptophane and methionine residues, and various modifications of cysteine. We demonstrate that certain of these modifications generate characteristic fragmentation patterns or "fingerprints", during CID analysis, the knowledge of which can facilitate the interpretation of the spectra. We will show that these signature fragment ions are predominantly produced during the CID analysis of singly charged ions although they can be observed in the MS/MS spectra of the doubly charged species as well. In other cases, the CID spectrum lacks a characteristic fingerprint and the modification remains silent. However, CID spectra of related peptides, differing only by their modifications, are similar and all or part of the fragment ion spectra will have shifted by a discreet mass, which facilitates the identification of the modified residue. At the same time, the comparison of related spectra can prevent misinterpretations such as the assignment of a residue mass to the wrong amino acid or a neutral loss fragment ion to a gamma- or b-ion.
Atomic-level spatial distributions of dopants on silicon surfaces: toward a microscopic understanding of surface chemical reactivity

Abstract We have investigated the interaction of phosphine (PH 3 ) and diborane (B 2 H 6 ) with the Si(001) surface using scanning tunneling microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Experiment and theory show that the formation of PSi heterodimers is energetically favorable compared with formation of PP dimers. The stability of the heterodimers arises from a large strain energy associated with formation of PP dimers. At moderate P coverages, the formation of PSi heterodimers leaves the surface with few locations where there are two adjacent reactive sites. This in turn modifies the chemical reactivity toward species such as PH 3 , which require only one site to adsorb but require two adjacent sites to dissociate. Boron on Si(001) strongly segregates into localized regions of high boron concentration, separated by large regions of clean Si. This leads to a spatially-modulated chemical reactivity which during subsequent growth by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) leads to formation of a rough surface. The implications of the atomic-level spatial distribution of dopants on the rates and mechanisms of CVD growth processes are discussed.
Antepartum nonobstetrical surgery at ≥23 weeks' gestation and risk for preterm delivery.

Objective We sought to describe the influence of antepartum nonobstetrical surgical procedures performed at viable fetal gestational ages (GAs) on incidence of preterm delivery. Study Design This was a retrospective case series of patients requiring nonobstetrical surgery at ≥23 weeks' gestation at the Mayo Clinic during the interval 1992 through 2014. Data were abstracted for maternal demographic variables, operative procedure, anesthetic type, whether intraoperative fetal monitoring was employed, and both GA and method of delivery. Results In all, 111 patients underwent 121 operative procedures at a mean GA of 29.2 weeks (range, 23–37 weeks). The majority of procedures were completed under general anesthesia (88/121, 73%), with intraoperative fetal monitoring performed in 14 cases (14/121, 12%); fetal loss occurred during a single unmonitored procedure. Outcome data were available for the majority of patients (86/111, 78%) with preterm delivery occurring in 41% (35/86) at a mean GA of 36.9 weeks (range, 25–41 weeks). Mean interval from procedure to delivery was 7.7 weeks, with 9 patients (9/86, 10%) delivering within 1 week of surgery. Neither procedures requiring entry into the abdominal cavity ( P = .65) nor GA at time of procedure ( P = 1.0) statistically influenced the risk of preterm delivery. Conclusion Nonobstetrical surgical procedures performed at or beyond fetal viability increased the incidence of preterm delivery regardless of surgical site or timing of procedure, however the risk of intraoperative or immediate postoperative obstetrical complications was relatively low.
Compatibility of stainless steel with Pb-17 at. pct. Li

The corrosion of type 316 stainless steel and Sandvik HT9 by static Pb-17 at. pct Li between 300 and 500 °C was studied. The resulting weight losses were significantly greater than those of these steels in lithium. The corrosive attack was very uniform, and the roomtemperature tensile properties of the steels were unaffected by the exposure. The application of molten Pb-17 at. pct Li as a tritium-breeding fluid in conjunction with ferrous alloys in a fusion reactor may be limited to 400 °C or below.
Issues in the assessment of physical activity in women.

Women spend forty-plus hours a week at a full-time job and anywhere from twenty-five to forty-five hours a week working in the home. All this household work often seems unavoidable, like death and taxes.” (Schor, 1992, page 83)
GENERIC PROPERTIES OF THE COMPLEMENTARITY PROBLEM

Givenf: R+n→ Rn, the complementarity problem is to find a solution tox ≥ 0,f(x) ≥ 0, and 〈x, f(x)〉 = 0. Under the condition thatf is continuously differentiable, we prove that for a generic set of such anf, the problem has a discrete solution set. Also, under a set of generic nondegeneracy conditions and a condition that implies existence, we prove that the problem has an odd number of solutions.
Lo imperfecto es enemigo de lo bueno: leyes antielusión versus innovación de usuario abierta

Normal 0 21 false false false ES-CL X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Digital Rights Management, law-backed technological control of usage of copyrighted works, is clearly imperfect: It often fails to stop piracy and frequently blocks non-infringing uses. Yet the drive to correct these imperfections masks a deeper conflict, between the DRM system of anticircumvention and open development in the entire surrounding media environment. This conflict, at the heart of the DRM schema, will only deepen, even if other aspects of DRM can be improved. This paper takes a systemic look at the legal, technical, and business environment of DRM to highlight this openness conflict and its effects. /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
Improving the sensitivity of high-frequency subharmonic imaging with coded excitation: a feasibility study.

Purpose: Subharmonic intravascular ultrasoundimaging (S-IVUS) could visualize the adventitialvasa vasorum, but the high pressure threshold required to incite subharmonic behavior in an ultrasound contrast agent will compromise sensitivity—a trait that has hampered the clinical use of S-IVUS. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using coded-chirp excitations to improve the sensitivity and axial resolution of S-IVUS. Methods: The subharmonic response of Targestar-pTM, a commercial microbubbleultrasound contrast agent (UCA), to coded-chirp (5%–20% fractional bandwidth) pulses and narrowband sine-burst (4% fractional bandwidth) pulses was assessed, first using computer simulations and then experimentally. Rectangular windowed excitation pulses with pulse durations ranging from 0.25 to 3 μs were used in all studies. All experimental studies were performed with a pair of transducers (20 MHz/10 MHz), both with diameter of 6.35 mm and focal length of 50 mm. The size distribution of the UCA was measured with a CasyTM Cell counter. Results: The simulation predicted a pressure threshold that was an order of magnitude higher than that determined experimentally. However, all other predictions were consistent with the experimental observations. It was predicted that: (1) exciting the agent with chirps would produce stronger subharmonic response relative to those produced by sine-bursts; (2) increasing the fractional bandwidth of coded-chirp excitation would increase the sensitivity of subharmonic imaging; and (3) coded-chirp would increase axial resolution. The experimental results revealed that subharmonic-to-fundamental ratios obtained with chirps were 5.7 dB higher than those produced with sine-bursts of similar duration. The axial resolution achieved with 20% fractional bandwidth chirps was approximately twice that achieved with 4% fractional bandwidth sine-bursts. Conclusions: The coded-chirp method is a suitable excitation strategy for subharmonic IVUSimaging. At the 20 MHz transmission frequency and 20% fractional bandwidth, coded-chirp excitation appears to represent the ideal tradeoff between subharmonic strength and axial resolution.
From Lions to Legos, Oh My! Learning and Innovation Go Hand in Hand

(2010). From Lions to Legos, Oh My! Learning and Innovation Go Hand in Hand. Marketing Education Review: Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 7-8.
Interactions of simulated rain solutions and leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Abstract Experiments were performed to determine interactions of simulated rain and plant foliage. Relative rates of element penetration, leaching, and cell permeability of first trifoliate leaves of Phaseoulus vulgaris L. were examined after exposure to simulated acidic rain. In buffer solutions, 63 Ni, 65 Zn, and 36 Cl penetrated leaves faster at lower pH levels (2.7–3.0) than at pH 5.7. In general, penetration increased as time of exposure increased. 65 Zn was incorporated into foliage more rapidly than the other two isotopes used. Foliar leaching of Ni was greater at pH 5.7 than at low pH while the opposite situation occurred with 36 Cl. 65 Zn leached similarly at all pH levels tested. Leaf cell permeabilities of 63 Ni and 36 Cl were greater after exposure to low pH rainfalls than at pH 5.7. Rainfall acidity had no effect on cell permeability of 65 Zn. pH measurements were made of 50 μl simulated rainfall droplets as drying/absorption occurred. Droplet pH increased from an initial pH of 5.7 and 4.1 to pH 6.1 and 4.2, respectively. However, at initial pH levels of 3.1 and 2.7 the pH near the end of the drying/absorption period was 2.0 and 1.4, respectively. At the present time there are no data documenting that constituents in ambient rainfalls either benefit plants or nutrient removal by leaching would limit plant productivity. For P. vulgaris , each ion studied had its own response to simulated acidic rain.
Antibodies to immune response gene products inhibit the IgM and IgG antibody response but not the development of resistance to Toxoplasma gondii

We have examined the effects of a monoclonal antibody directed against immune response gene products on the appearance of antibodies and development of resistance to Toxoplasma gondii. In vivo administration of a single dose of anti-I-Ak antibody to C3H/He (H-2k) and not BALB/c (H-2d) mice suppressed both the IgM and IgG response to two different strains of Toxoplasma. Administration of anti-I-Ak antibody to mice 5 days before and 10 days after infection resulted in complete inhibition of IgM and a more pronounced inhibition of IgG response to Toxoplasma. Under these experimental conditions, development of resistance against a subsequent challenge with a virulent strain of Toxoplasma was not affected. The microbicidal and tumoricidal activities of macrophages obtained from anti-I-Ak-treated, Toxoplasma-infected mice and mice infected with Toxoplasma alone were equivalent. Mice treated with anti-I-Ak antibody demonstrated a decreased proliferative response to lipopolysaccharide, a B-cell mitogen. Enumeration of B-cell numbers in anti-I-Ak-treated mice revealed a pronounced decrease in B-cell counts.
Observation of a nonlocal Pancharatnam phase shift in the process of induced coherence without induced emission

A Pancharatnam phase shift, which is similar to Berry's topological phase, is introduced into the idler path between two down-converters in an experiment on induced coherence without induced emission. Although the idler beams in such an experiment do not take part in interference, the Pancharatnam phase shift is observable in the interference of the signal beams. This is clearly a nonlocal manifestation of Pancharatnam's phase.
A systematic modeling framework of superstructure optimization in process synthesis

A systematic framework is presented for the representation of superstructures and derivation of optimization models in process synthesis. The state task network (STN) and state equipment network (SEN) are proposed as the two fundamental representations of superstructures for process systems involving mass, heat and momentum transfer. The mathematical modeling of either of the two representations is performed with generalized disjunctive programming (GDP), and then converted systematically into mixed integer linear programs/mixed integer non-linear programs (MILP/MINLP) problems. The application of this methodology is illustrated with the synthesis of distillation sequences, with and without heat integration, which lead to MILP problems. It is shown that ad hoc models that have been reported in the literature can be systematically derived, and in the case of separation sequences with heat integration, a new improved model is derived. Numerical results for comparing alternative models are also presented.
A decomposition method for generation scheduling of hydro systems with delays and unpredictable changes in natural inflows

Abstract This paper presents a decomposition/coordination method for scheduling of hydro generation in a multi-reservoir systems. Key ideas include time decomposition, coordination and parallel processing. In our method, constraints on reservoir storage, water discharge and spillage are relaxed by using the multiplier method. Time delays of water discharge from upstream reservoirs are handled by creating new state variables, while unpredictable changes in natural inflows are dealt with by utilizing the variational feedback nature of the control strategy. A four reservoir system is used as an example to demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and superiority over some existing methods.
Failure analysis of three uncemented titanium-alloy modular total hip stems

Abstract The reasons leading to the in vivo failure of three Acumatch M-series titanium-alloy modular implants in cementless total hip arthroplasty were investigated. The implants were in service for a period ranging from 18 to 36 months. Two were fractured in vivo and the other was retrieved secondary to aseptic loosening after 18 months in service. Macroscopic examination showed close topographical similarities between the two fractured implants. Dark elliptical region on the fractured surface indicated the occurrence of fatigue process accompanied with corrosion (corrosion fatigue). The presence of numerous latent microcracks demonstrates additional embrittlement of implant structure assisted by environment (hydrogen). Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of fretting, pitting, plastic deformation, and stress-induced corrosion cracking. Two implants (Cases I and II) fractured in identical way, while the third modular implant subjected to lower loads did not exhibit fracture, but it exhibited significant Al release. Taper performance is influenced by metallurgy, the load carried and the effect of the local microenvironment. Methods to reduce the impact of these factors may reduce the incidence of taper related failure.
A comparison of synthetic and measured solar continuum intensities and limb darkening coefficients

The paper compares recent center-limb studies of optical and IR continuum intensities (over the wavelength range 0.3-2.4 microns, with the data tabulated in the form of second- and fifth-order polynomial fits to empirical limb darkening curves) by Pierce and Slaughter (1977) and by Pierce et al. (1977) with predictions based on several current photospheric thermal structure models, using calibrated specific intensity measurements by Labs and Neckel (1968, 1970) to set an absolute temperature scale. The thermal structure in best quantitative agreement with the measurements of Pierce and Slaughter and Pierce et al. is the semiempirical model of Vernazza, Avrett and Loeser (1976). The temperatures in this model must be scaled upward, however, by a factor of 1.015 plus or minus 0.0005 to be consistent with the Labs and Neckel absolute calibration of continuum high points in the 0.40-0.65 micron region.
Involuntary motion tracking for medical dynamic infrared thermography using a template-based algorithm

In medical applications, Dynamic Infrared (IR) Thermography is used to detect the temporal variation of the skin temperature. Dynamic Infrared Imaging first introduces a thermal challenge such as cooling on the human skin, and then a sequence of hundreds of consecutive frames is acquired after the removal of the thermal challenge. As a result, by analyzing the temporal variation of the skin temperature over the image sequence, the thermal signature of skin abnormality can be examined. However, during the acquisition of dynamic IR imaging, the involuntary movements of patients are unavoidable, and such movements will undermine the accuracy of diagnosis. In this study, based on the template-based algorithm, a tracking approach is proposed to compensate the motion artifact. The affine warping model is adopted to estimate the motion parameter of the image template, and then the Lucas-Kanade algorithm is applied to search for the optimized parameters of the warping function. In addition, the weighting mask is also incorporated in the computation to ensure the robustness of the algorithm. To evaluate the performance of the approach, two sets of IR image sequences of a subject’s hand are analyzed: the steady-state image sequence, in which the skin temperature is in equilibrium with the environment, and the thermal recovery image sequence, which is acquired after cooling is applied on the skin for 60 seconds. By selecting the target region in the first frame as the template, satisfactory tracking results were obtained in both experimental trials, and the robustness of the approach can be effectively ensured in the recovery trial.
Stress urinary incontinence: Where are we now, where should we go?

Stress urinary incontinence results from specific damage to the muscles, fascial structures, and nerves of the pelvic floor. Scientific data are accumulating about the nature of each of these injuries. As we begin to define the damage occurring in each element of the continence mechanism, we should be able to precisely select treatment plans on the basis of the abnormality found in individual patients. For example, a woman who has lost all neural control of her pelvic muscles could be saved the useless frustration of attempting pelvic muscle strengthening, whereas a woman with intact but weak muscles can be made continent with exercise. Before these advances can be realized, we must change our current empiric approach that assigns women to treatment because they have stress urinary incontinence to one that asks about the status of each part of the continence mechanism.
Effective Magnetic Anisotropy and Magnetostriction of Monocrystals

The effective magnetic anisotropy energies associated with the domain theory are derived to second order for cubic crystals. These effective anisotropy energies are expressed in terms of the intrinsic anisotropy for an undeformed crystal, the magnetostriction, and the elastic moduli. Also, in the process of deriving the effective anisotropy energies to second order, the expression for the magnetostriction of a cubic crystal is expanded to sixth order in the direction cosines for the magnetization. The interrelation between the effective anisotropy in domains and domain walls is studied and its influence upon the domain configuration suggested.
Effects of surgical approach on functional outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation of intra-articular distal humeral fractures: a systematic review.

Fractures of the distal humerus are uncommon injuries, constituting between 0.5% and 7% of all fractures and 30% of all elbow fractures. Up to 96% of these injuries are intercondylar, or AO type C, distal humeral fractures involving the articular surface. These fractures are notoriously difficult to treat, presenting the surgeon with multiple challenges including the complex anatomy of the elbow joint itself, articular surface comminution, and frequently, osteopenic or osteoporotic bone stock. Anatomic reduction of the joint surface, restoration of the overall anatomic axes of the extremity, and stable fixation allowing for early elbow mobilization are keys to achieving a good surgical outcome. Early motion is critically important after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of these fractures because the elbow joint capsule is very prone to scarring, and immobilization past 3 weeks has been linked with poorer outcomes. A number of well-described approaches are at the surgeon’s disposal for exposure of the distal humerus. These include the olecranon osteotomy, triceps-reflecting anconeus pedicle (TRAP), BryanMorrey (triceps reflecting), paratricipital (AlonsoLlames, bilaterotricipital, triceps sparing), triceps
An analysis of Indonesian language for interlingual machine-translation system

This paper presents BIAS (Bahasa Indonesia Analyzer System), an analysis system for Indonesian language suitable for multilingual machine translation system. BIAS is developed with a motivation to contribute to on-going cooperative research project in machine translation between Indonesia and other Asian countries. In addition, it may serve to foster NLP research in Indonesia. It start with an overview of various methodologies for representation of linguistic knowledge and plausible strategies of automatic reasoning for Indonesian language. We examine these methodologies from the perspective of their relative advantage and their suitability for an interlingual machine-translation environment. BIAS is a multi-level analyzer which is developed not only to extract the syntactic and semantic structure of sentences but also to provide a unifying method for knowledge reasoning. Each phase of the analyzer is discussed with emphasis on Indonesian morphology and case-grammatical constructions.
Use of genetic algorithms for learning and design of optimal fuzzy trackers

A methodology for combining genetic algorithms (GA) and fuzzy algorithms for learning and design of optimal fuzzy trackers is presented. With the aid of genetic algorithms, optimal rules of fuzzy logic controllers and membership functions can be designed without human operator's experience and/or control engineer's knowledge. The approach presented here involves searching the decoded parameters of the membership functions and finding the optimal control rules based upon a fitness value which is defined in terms of a performance criterion. Two applications are presented: the first application deals with a GA that adjusts the fuzzy tracker at run-time on the basis of performance indices, and the second application deals with a Model Reference Adaptive Algorithm which is based on a crisp model of the closed loop system. The GA changes the parameters of the fuzzy tracker and the fuzzy membership functions in such a way that the closed loop system behaves like the reference model.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The pharate adult clasper as a tool for measuring chitin synthesis and for identifying new chitin synthesis inhibitors

A rapid, reliable, repeatable bioassay for measuring chitin synthesis is described. It utilizes the clasper from male pharate adult European corn borers and measures the incorporation of [14C]N-acetylglucosamine. Chitin synthesis is maximum in claspers taken from animals 5 and 6 days postpupation. The system is very sensitive to inhibition by the phenylbenzoyl ureas and polyoxins and should be useful for identifying potential inhibitory agents.
Contraceptive outcomes among post-partum and post-abortal adolescents

Abstract Between January 1992 and January 1993, there were 280 teens (ages 13–18) who either delivered a baby or terminated a pregnancy at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Of these, 92 chose to contracept with Norplant implants, and 188 chose another method including "no" method. In July 1993, telephone interviews were conducted with 37 of those who chose Norplant implants and 41 of the non-Norplant implants users. After 1 year, 47% of oral contraceptive (COC) users had discontinued the method compared to only 16% of Norplant implants users ( P
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: characteristics of a primary generalized epilepsy.

Summary: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a primary generalized epilepsy that affects approximately 7% of adolescent and adult epilepsy patients. JME is characterized by myoclonic seizures alone or combined with generalized tonic-clonic seizures or absence seizures. Seizures are precipitated by sudden awakening, sleep deprivation, photic stimulation, and alcohol consumption. The ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) shows a typical 4- to 6-Hz polyspike and wave pattern; the interictal EEG may be normal. Valproate controls seizures in approximately 80% of JME patients and is recommended for successful management of this disorder.
An embedded 0.8 V/480 /spl mu/W 6b/22 MHz flash ADC in 0.13-/spl mu/m digital CMOS process using a nonlinear double interpolation technique

For high-data-rate wireless communication, low-voltage baseband converters integrated with DSP in deep submicrometer processes are area- and power-efficient. Through careful architecture selections and circuit techniques, this paper demonstrates a low-voltage (0.8 V), low-power (480 /spl mu/W), 6-b/22-MHz flash-interpolation ADC which occupies 0.3 mm/sup 2/ and achieves 33 dB SNDR and 47 dB SFDR. The power efficiency of this converter is 0.6 pJ/conv-step which compares favorably with all published results. We also introduce a nonlinear double interpolation technique that enables the use of a 0.13-/spl mu/m standard digital CMOS process without special resistors.
Absence of spontaneous peroxisome proliferation in enoyl-CoA hydratase/L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase-deficient mouse liver: Further support for the role of fatty acyl CoA oxidase in PPARα ligand metabolism

Abstract Peroxisomes contain a classicall-hydroxy-specific peroxisome proliferator-inducible β-oxidation system and also a second noninducibled-hydroxy-specific β-oxidation system. We previously generated mice lacking fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX), the first enzyme of the l-hydroxy-specific classical β-oxidation system; these AOX−/− mice exhibited sustained activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), resulting in profound spontaneous peroxisome proliferation in liver cells. These observations implied that AOX is responsible for the metabolic degradation of PPARα ligands. In this study, the function of enoyl-CoA hydratase/l-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (l-PBE), the second enzyme of this peroxisomal β-oxidation system, was investigated by disrupting its gene. Mutant mice (l-PBE−/−) were viable and fertile and exhibited no detectable gross phenotypic defects.l-PBE−/− mice showed no hepatic steatosis and manifested no spontaneous peroxisome proliferation, unlike that encountered in livers of mice deficient in AOX. These results indicate that disruption of classical peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation system distal to AOX step does not interfere with the inactivation of endogenous ligands of PPARα, further confirming that the AOX gene is indispensable for the physiological regulation of this receptor. The absence of appreciable changes in lipid metabolism also indicates that enoyl-CoAs, generated in the classical system inl-PBE−/− mice are diverted tod-hydroxy-specific system for metabolism byd-PBE. When challenged with a peroxisome proliferator,l-PBE−/− mice showed increases in the levels of hepatic mRNAs and proteins that are regulated by PPARα except for appreciable blunting of peroxisome proliferative response as compared with that observed in hepatocytes of wild type mice similarly treated. This blunting of peroxisome proliferative response is attributed to the absence of l-PBE protein inl-PBE−/− mouse liver, because all other proteins are induced essentially to the same extent in both wild type and l-PBE−/− mice.
Materials Development for the CR5 Solar Thermochemical Heat Engine

The counter-rotating-ring receiver/reactor/recuperator (CR5) solar thermochemical heat engine is a new concept for production of hydrogen that allows for thermal recuperation between solids in an efficient counter-current arrangement. At the heart of the CR5 system are annular rings of a reactive solid ferrite that are thermally and chemically cycled to produce oxygen and hydrogen from water in separate and isolated steps. This design is very demanding from a materials point of view. The ferrite rings must maintain structural integrity and high reactivity after months of thermal cycling and exposure to temperatures in excess of 1100 °C. In addition, the design of the rings must have high geometric surface area for gas-solid contact and for adsorption of incident solar radiation. After performing a series of initial screenings, we chose Co0.67 Fe2.33 O4 as our baseline working material for a planned demonstration of CR5 and have begun additional characterization and development of this material. Our results to date with powders are consistent with the expectation that small particle sizes and the application of a support to inhibit ferrite sintering and enhance the chemistry are critical considerations for a practical operating device. Concurrent with the powder studies, we are using Robocasting, a Sandia-developed technique for free form processing of ceramics, to manufacture monolithic structures with complex three-dimensional geometries for chemical, physical, and mechanical evaluation. We have demonstrated that ferrite/zirconia mixtures can be fabricated into small three-dimensional monolithic lattice structures that give reproducible hydrogen yields over multiple cycles.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Effects of the amylose–amylopectin ratio on starch–hydrocolloid interactions

Abstract Combinations of 4 rice starches with amylose (AM) contents of 0%, 15%, 22%, and 28% and 8 hydrocolloids (xanthan, guar gum, CMC, sodium alginate, HPMC, κ-, ι-, λ-carrageenan) were used (4.75% starch and 0.25% hydrocolloid). With a few exceptions, addition of a hydrocolloid increased peak and final η, breakdown, setback, G″, and η*, K, and ηa,100 values. It is concluded that the AM content of the starch was a greater determinant of pasting, paste, and gel properties than was the added hydrocolloid at the 19:1 (w/w) starch–hydrocolloid ratio used. Reinforced is the previous conclusion that the properties of a starch–hydrocolloid combination are determined by the specific combination.