cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF PARTICIPATORY PARTNERSHIPS

This article details the outcomes of an innovative, qualitative inquiry exploring specific behaviors that facilitate the creation of equitable, community-based partnerships. Based on a convenience sample of 18 community members, service providers, and graduate student researchers previously engaged in 2 community assessment efforts, I used the critical incident technique to identify 121 unique, facilitating behaviors. These behaviors were then inductively categorized into a behavioral taxonomy containing 9 domains of interest, ranging from gaining entree to increasing community member comfort and willingness to participate to ensuring community does not feel “used or researched.” These findings offer a unique and critically important contribution to the fields of community-based research, practice, and service learning by identifying specific behaviors that foster equitable, participatory partnerships.
Design and analysis of a small-scale magnetically levitated energy harvester utilizing oblique mechanical springs

In this work, we present an electromagnetic, vibration-powered energy harvester utilizing hardening and negative stiffness mechanisms simultaneously. Since most vibrational energy sources’ frequency–response spectrum are broadband, the energy harvester is designed to generate electrical power across a wider frequency range. This nonlinear energy harvester consists of a magnetic mass in-between two stationary magnets. However, instead of using a guiding structure or tight-fit container, oblique mechanical springs are used to align the moving magnet and eliminate Coulomb dry friction. The hardening effect of the magnetic springs increases the resonant frequency of the system, and the negative stiffness behavior of the mechanical springs improves the harvester’s response towards the lower frequency spectrum. A nonlinear dynamic model of the device is developed using conservation laws, and a proof-of-concept prototype is fabricated. Simulations and experiments show good agreement and exhibit broad frequency spectra. For a base excitation of 0.75 g, the proposed prototype generates a peak voltage and normalized power density of approximately 2.95 V and 0.136 mW/cm3g2, respectively. Although the normalized power density is not optimized, the prototype performs well with respect to other state-of-the-art electromagnetic energy harvester designs. Optimization of the proposed hand-held energy harvester prototype allows for the replacement of chemical batteries used in wireless sensor networks and mobile applications.
A Copper-Catalyzed N-Alkynylation Route to 2-Substituted N-Alkynyl Pyrroles and Their Cyclization into Pyrrolo[2,1-c]oxazin-1-ones: A Formal Total Synthesis of Peramine

Screening of a variety of ligands and reaction conditions for the copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of alkynyl bromides with pyrroles, reveals that the use of the phenanthroline ligand 4,7-dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline affords a range of ynpyrroles in good to moderate yields. Furthermore, the utility of these ynpyrroles is demonstrated in the preparation of a series of pyrrolo[2,1- c ][1,4]oxazin-1-ones and a formal total synthesis of the pyrrole natural product peramine.
Understanding the process of jointing in brittle rock masses

Joints are the most ubiquitous structural discontinuity in the earth’s crust, occurring in a wide variety of rock types and tectonic environments, and they represent the most common result of brittle fracture of rock under natural conditions (Pollard and Aydin, 1989). As structural discontinuities, joints may significantly affect the stiffness, strength, and fluid transport properties of rock, and these effects are dependent on joint geometry. Thus, knowledge of the detailed geometric characteristics of joints is crucial for many engineering applications. At the present time such information is best obtained through direct geologic mapping, although borehole and geophysical techniques are making rapid progress toward the levels of resolution required to characterize joints in the subsurface.
Laparoscopic Component Separation

Laparoscopic component separation is utilized in selected patients with ventral hernias too large to achieve primary fascial closure without undue tension, hence the lateral fascial release. This chapter describes indications, essential steps, variations, and complications of this procedure. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.
School Breakfast Program Participation and Rural Adolescents' Purchasing Behaviors in Food Stores and Restaurants.

BACKGROUND Little is known about adolescents' food purchasing behaviors in rural areas. This study examined whether purchasing food at stores/restaurants around schools was related to adolescents' participation in school breakfast programs and overall diet in rural Minnesota. METHODS Breakfast-skippers enrolled in a group-randomized intervention in 2014 to 2015 (N = 404 from 8 schools) completed 24-hour dietary recalls and pre/post surveys assessing food establishment purchase frequency. Healthy Eating Index Scores (HEI-2010) were calculated for each student. Student-level school breakfast participation (SBP) was obtained from school food service records. Mixed-effects regression models estimated: (1) whether SBP was associated with store/restaurant use at baseline, (2) whether an increase in SBP was associated with a decrease in store/restaurant use, and (3) whether stores/restaurant use was associated with HEI-2010 scores at baseline. RESULTS Students with increased SBP were more likely to decrease fast-food restaurant purchases on the way home from school (OR 1.017, 95% CI 1.005, 1.029), but were less likely to decrease purchases at food stores for breakfast (OR 0.979, 95% CI 0.959, 0.999). Food establishment use was associated with lower HEI-2010 dairy component scores (p = .017). CONCLUSIONS Increasing participation in school breakfast may result in modest changes in purchases at food establishments.
Progesterone receptor A promotes invasiveness and metastasis of luminal breast cancer by suppressing regulation of critical microRNAs by estrogen.

Distal metastasis of luminal breast cancer is frequent and incurable, yet the metastasis mechanisms are poorly understood. Estrogen, even at postmenopausal concentrations, suppresses invasiveness of luminal breast cancer cells through the estrogen receptor (ER). Invasive tumors overexpress the short progesterone receptor A (PR-A) isoform. Even at postmenopausal concentrations, progesterone activates PR-A, inducing invasiveness by counteracting estrogen's effects, particularly when cells are hypersensitized to progesterone by PR-A overexpression. To interrogate the role of this cross-talk in metastasis, we investigated selective cross-talk mechanisms of PR-A with ER. We developed a quantitative PCR-based lymph node infiltration assay to address the slowness of metastasis of tumor xenografts. We found that 15 microRNAs (miRNAs) are regulated by progesterone via PR-A, but not the longer PR-B isoform, with increased progesterone sensitivity when PR-A was overexpressed. Two of these miRNAs whose induction (miR-92a-3p) or repression (miR-26b-5p) by estrogen was suppressed by progesterone plus PR-A were critical for the PR-A–ER cross-talk causing a gene-regulatory pattern of invasiveness and metastasis and complete rescue of invasiveness in vitro. Constitutive expression of miR-92a-3p or inhibition of miR-26b-5p profoundly suppressed metastasis. Finally, in primary breast tumors, PR-A expression was correlated negatively with miR-92a-3p expression and positively with miR-26b-5p expression. Therefore, hormonal cross-talk of PR-A with ER is probably a fundamental mechanism that enables metastasis of luminal breast cancer. Moreover, miRNA biomarkers of hyperactive PR-A may help predict metastatic potential of luminal breast tumors. Further, miR-92a-3p and miR-26b-5p may reveal target pathways for selective intervention to suppress hormone-regulated metastasis, both pre- and postmenopause.
Cardiology electronic consultation (e-consult) use by primary care providers at VA medical centres in New England.

IntroductionE-consultations (e-consults) were implemented at VA medical centers to improve access to specialty care. Cardiology e-consults are among the most commonly requested, but little is known...
Pedestrians/Bicyclists and Autonomous Vehicles: How Will They Communicate?

Interpersonal roadway communication is a vital component of the transportation system. Road users communicate to coordinate movement and increase roadway safety. Future autonomous vehicle research ...
ACute muscle and tendon injuries in athletes.

The goal of early treatment of acute soft tissue strains and contusions is prevention of further hemorrhage into injured tissues. Mild injuries are most common and routinely heal without incident; moderate and severe injuries may take weeks or months to heal and have a high incidence of complication such as myositis ossificans. The incidence of complication can be decreased by waiting for full painless range of motion of the injured extremity before allowing the athlete to return to competition. Rehabilitation minimizes the risk of reinjury.
A functional analysis of social reinforcement in vicarious verbal conditioning

This article reports the results of 629 subjects in three experiments designed to replicate and extend the phenomenon of vicarious verbal conditioning. Experiment I replicated the finding that subjects who responded most to vicarious verbal conditioning were aware of the contingency involved. Experiment II attempted to examine the effects of prior history with the verbal reinforcer on vicarious verbal conditioning by providing seven groups of subjects with varying classic conditioning histories prior to vicarious verbal conditioning. The null results associated with this experiment were hypothesized to be due to the fact that the vicarious verbal conditioning took place in a language laboratory where the subjects could hear but not see the model. Experiment III replicated Experiment II in a live group context as was done in Experiment I. The results showed a) that vicarious verbal conditioning was again found to take place, b) that associating the verbal reinforcer with a tone or tone plus money via forward classic conditioning potentiated the effects of the verbal reinforcer, c) that backward classic conditioning did not potentiate the reinforcer, d) nor did either of two sensitization procedures potentiate the effects of the verbal reinforcer. Both aware and unaware subjects evidenced vicarious verbal conditioning.
Hidden Markov models with random restarts versus boosting for malware detection

Effective and efficient malware detection is at the forefront of research into building secure digital systems. As with many other fields, malware detection research has seen a dramatic increase in the application of machine learning algorithms. One machine learning technique that has been used widely in the field of pattern matching in general—and malware detection in particular—is hidden Markov models (HMMs). HMM training is based on a hill climb, and hence we can often improve a model by training multiple times with different initial values. In this research, we compare boosted HMMs (using AdaBoost) to HMMs trained with multiple random restarts, in the context of malware detection. These techniques are applied to a variety of challenging malware datasets. We find that random restarts perform surprisingly well in comparison to boosting. Only in the most difficult “cold start” cases (where training data is severely limited) does boosting appear to offer sufficient improvement to justify its higher computational cost in the scoring phase.
Solving the general inter-ring distances optimization problem for concentric ring electrodes to improve Laplacian estimation

Superiority of noninvasive tripolar concentric ring electrodes over conventional disc electrodes in accuracy of surface Laplacian estimation has been demonstrated in a range of electrophysiological measurement applications. Recently, a general approach to Laplacian estimation for an (n + 1)-polar electrode with n rings using the (4n + 1)-point method has been proposed and used to introduce novel multipolar and variable inter-ring distances electrode configurations. While only linearly increasing and linearly decreasing inter-ring distances have been considered previously, this paper defines and solves the general inter-ring distances optimization problem for the (4n + 1)-point method. General inter-ring distances optimization problem is solved for tripolar (n = 2) and quadripolar (n = 3) concentric ring electrode configurations through minimizing the truncation error of Laplacian estimation. For tripolar configuration with middle ring radius αr and outer ring radius r the optimal range of values for α was determined to be 0 < α ≤ 0.22 while for quadripolar configuration with an additional middle ring with radius βr the optimal range of values for α and β was determined by inequalities 0 < α < β < 1 and αβ ≤ 0.21. Finite element method modeling and full factorial analysis of variance were used to confirm statistical significance of Laplacian estimation accuracy improvement due to optimization of inter-ring distances (p < 0.0001). Obtained results suggest the potential of using optimization of inter-ring distances to improve the accuracy of surface Laplacian estimation via concentric ring electrodes. Identical approach can be applied to solving corresponding inter-ring distances optimization problems for electrode configurations with higher numbers of concentric rings. Solutions of the proposed inter-ring distances optimization problem define the class of the optimized inter-ring distances electrode designs. These designs may result in improved noninvasive sensors for measurement systems that use concentric ring electrodes to acquire electrical signals such as from the brain, intestines, heart or uterus for diagnostic purposes.
Somatostatin signaling in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

e13563 Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (SCC) is a subset of lung cancer responsible for ~ 25% of non small cell lung carcinoma. Unfortunately, targeted therapies in SCC have not to ...
Phase-Field Modeling of Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) Evolution: Considering Cracking and Dissolution during Battery Cycling

The Lithium-ion battery (LIB) degrades over time, which compromises its electrochemical performance and mechanical integrity, eventually battery safety. The evolution of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is one of the main reasons for the above degradation. The performance and longevity of LIB highly depend on the stability of the SEI. Unfortunately, the SEI layer is not electrochemically and mechanically stable due to the dissolution and cracking of the SEI during battery cycling. In this paper, a phase field model is developed to provide insight into the interaction of cracking and dissolution of the SEI layer. SEI layer experiences stress concentration and de/intercalation, which lead to the cracking of layer; meanwhile, the SEI species may have further reactions with the electrolyte which may lead to dissolution. The cracking of the SEI layer can result in more surfaces to react with electrolyte and further dissolution.
Treatment of Laryngeal Dystonia

The three types of laryngeal dystonia are discussed: adductor spasmodic dysphonia, abductor spasmodic dysphonia, and adductor breathing dystonia. The usual speech and breathing symptoms for each are reviewed. Voice tremor is another movement disorder that can accompany the spasmodic dysphonias and affect treatment outcomes. Two functional disorders, muscular tension dysphonia and paradoxical vocal fold movement disorder, can either accompany or appear similar to the laryngeal dystonias but respond to behavioral therapy alone. The usual treatment course for each of the laryngeal dystonias is provided.
A Framework for Examining the Effects of Industrial Funding on Academic Freedom and the Integrity of the University

Industrial funding of research in universities is not new. Philanthropic support of basic research and investment in the development of commercial products such as nylon have generally been regarded as beneficial to both society and industry. In these instances, the universities consider that they have served both well and with no loss in integrity. Other university-developed technologies, such as a number of chemical pesticides, have been viewed with mixed blessings.' Recent increased industrial support in biotechnology, microelectronics, and automation now raises additional concerns. Industry currently spends $250-$300 million per year on research and development in universities.2 Edward David, President of Exxon Research and Engineering, recommends tripling this figure over the next ten years because he regards it to be "economically and socially desirable," and because "fine science and technique created in academia [are] not effectively coupled to the
Why do gentlemen prefer blondes

It is well known although rarely acknowledged in polite company that in Westem cultures there exists a distinct esthetic/sexual preference among men for blondes over brunettes (Anstis S M, personal communication) (1,2). A similar preference for women of lighter than mean skin color is also seen in many nonWestern cultures throughout the world (3). Indeed, in many countries, there is almost an obsessive preoccupation with 'improving one's complexion' an obsession to which the cosmetics industry has been quick to pander with innumerable useless skin products. In some of these cultures, women also show a similar although not quite as marked affinity for men of lighter skin. Havelock Ellis (4) suggested that men prefer rotund features in women and that blonde hair emphasized the rotundity by blending in better with the body outline. Another view is that infants' skin and hair color tends to be lighter and the preference for blonde women may simply reflect the fact that, in humans, neotonous features in females may be secondary sexual characteristics (5). Here, I propose a third view that is not incompatible with the two theories described above, but has the added advantage of being consistent with more general biological theories of mate selection. Several authors have suggested that certain florid displays of secondary sexual characteristics such as the peacock's tail or the rooster's bright-red wattles may serve the purpose of 'informing' the female that the suitor is healthy and free of dermal parasites (6,
Bringing Students’: Experience to the Learning Process:

Experience has been the focus of many approaches to student engagement and active learning. However, how can students make that critical connection between their own experiences and what they are s...
Distinct error rates for reference and non-reference genotypes estimated by pedigree analysis

Abstract Errors in genotype calling can have perverse effects on genetic analyses, confounding association studies and obscuring rare variants. Analyses now routinely incorporate error rates to control for spurious findings. However, reliable estimates of the error rate can be difficult to obtain because of their variance between studies. Most studies also report only a single estimate of the error rate even though genotypes can be miscalled in more than one way. Here, we report a method for estimating the rates at which different types of genotyping errors occur at biallelic loci using pedigree information. Our method identifies potential genotyping errors by exploiting instances where the haplotypic phase has not been faithfully transmitted. The expected frequency of inconsistent phase depends on the combination of genotypes in a pedigree and the probability of miscalling each genotype. We develop a model that uses the differences in these frequencies to estimate rates for different types of genotype error. Simulations show that our method accurately estimates these error rates in a variety of scenarios. We apply this method to a dataset from the whole-genome sequencing of owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae) in three-generation pedigrees. We find significant differences between estimates for different types of genotyping error, with the most common being homozygous reference sites miscalled as heterozygous and vice versa. The approach we describe is applicable to any set of genotypes where haplotypic phase can reliably be called, and should prove useful in helping to control for false discoveries.
Datos sobre los minerales

Los minerales son substancias como el calcio, el fosforo, el hierro y el zinc que se encuentran en las rocas y la tierra. Tambien, se necesitan para tener una nutricion adecuada. Hay 16 minerales diferentes que sabemos que son necesarios en nuestra dieta. Varios otros minerales pueden ser necesarios en cantidades pequenas. This 4-page fact sheet was written by R. Elaine Turner and Wendy J. Dahl and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, November 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1341
Multiple Zero-Sequence Harmonic Injection Method using Optimized Coefficients

This paper presents an optimized modulation method to increase the DC-link voltage utilization in DC to AC converters. Inspired by third-harmonic injection method, several zero-sequence harmonic components are injected to the reference voltage waveform to enhance the DC-link voltage utilization factor. For this purpose, the amplitude of the fundamental component as well as the other components are extracted to obtain the maximum output voltage without overmodulation. This problem is defined as an optimization problem with inequality constraints and solved by the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Consequently, the DC-link voltage utilization factor is enhanced. The zero-sequence components, also, are eliminated automatically in the line-to-line voltages. The performance of the proposed method is investigated using simulation and experimental results.
The policy challenges to managing global soil resources

Abstract The global soilscape is a resource commons that is essential to society. Social science has been engaged in theoretical and empirical research as to how commons can be effectively managed, especially at a global scale, for more than 50 years. This has provided some rules and guideposts for their sustainable management, rules relevant to the soil commons. Presently, there is an international soil policy vacuum. The absence of binding policy helps explain the inability to implement scientific tools, such as soil C climate mitigation strategies, at significant levels over the past two decades. At national and subnational scales, especially in the USA which is considered here, there are a multitude of public and private soil health policies and programs, with vastly different scales and funding resources. These are largely not well coordinated, but according to polycentric management theory, may be viewed as a complex system, with evolving emergent properties and resulting impacts. Soil science must connect with business leaders, social scientists, policy implementers, politicians and others to develop a more coherent and effective policy web, one which might eventually lead to binding international agreements. This is likely to be a multi-generational effort, but will provide intellectually stimulating challenges for present and future generations of scholars.
Shareholder Rights: Citizens United and Delaware Corporate Governance Law

This paper examines Citizens United in light of Delaware Corporate Governance Law. One aspect of that case, and the campaign finance cases generally, is the association rights of shareholders. That is, the ability of shareholders to prevent corporate funds (that they are the owners of) to further political goals they do not support. The Citizens United decision says that "corporate democracy" allows shareholders to protect themselves. Therefore, protecting shareholder rights is not a compelling interest that justifies state action.I theorize that shareholder association rights cannot be protected adequately under current Delaware corporate law. If this is true, then it presents alternate grounds for limiting a corporation's political activities distinct from the speech equalization arguments put forward by opponents of such limits.
O Futuro da Enfermagem: Prevendo a profissão em 2050

Atualmente, os enfermeiros estao praticando uma disciplina autonoma e cientifica nos EUA. Sua pratica tem um âmbito holistico, tendo recebido o reconhecimento da sociedade. Muitos pesquisadores tem estudado o futuro da Enfermagem, especulando como os enfermeiros cuidarao da populacao em 2050. Eles sao otimistas em relacao ao futuro da profissao. Houve um aumento na quantidade de teorias de Enfermagem na ultima decada, e tudo indica que elas continuarao a surgir. A disciplina amadurecera ainda mais. A profissao continuara a acumular [...]
Sex differences in nicotine reinforcement and reward: influences on the persistence of tobacco smoking.

The factors that acutely reinforce tobacco smoking behavior can be divided into nicotine and non-nicotine contributions. Substantial laboratory-based research suggests that the smoking behavior of women, relative to that of men, is less sensitive to manipulations of nicotine and more sensitive to manipulations of non-nicotine factors, such as smoking-associated environmental stimuli (e.g., cues). This chapter examines controlled human research on sex differences in acute nicotine reinforcement (i.e., self-administration behavior) and reward (self-reported ratings of the hedonic characteristics of a substance). Compared to men, women self-administer nicotine to a lesser degree, and nicotine pre-treatment alters their subsequent smoking or nicotine self-administration to a lesser extent. On the other hand, smoking reinforcement and reward in women are influenced more by non-nicotine factors, such as the presence of smoking cues, accurate verbal information about the nicotine content of cigarettes, and controllability over smoking pattern. These differences in responsiveness to nicotine versus non-nicotine factors may help explain why women have greater difficulty quitting in general, and with nicotine patch in particular, compared to men. Clinical research may be able to take advantage of these differences to develop improved interventions for smoking cessation in women, a change with important public health implications.
Feasibility Study of Springing Model Tests of a Great Lakes Bulk Carrier.

A feasibility study is described in which springing bending moment response of a 1000-ft ore ship model was measured in the Robinson Model Basin at Webb Institute of Naval Architecture. Regular waves of length between 6 and 14 inches were generated to excite a 1:144-scale model hinged at midships over a range of forward speeds between 1.0 and 4.5 ft/sec. Significant springing was obtained under resonant conditions which corresponded to 39.6 and 19.5 rad./sec., respectively, for each of the connecting beams used. Analytical solution of the model springing phenomenon is also given using Goodman's theory, and correlation between experimental and theoretical results is shown to be encouraging. The need for more extensive experimental studies is indicated.
Exploitation and Growth

I develop a model of exploitation—coercive wealthtransfer—and growth based on social importance. Exploitationreduces growth since the return to capital falls with exploitationcosts. Initial relative wealth across groups—the measureof social importance—determines which group is the exploiterand how costly exploitation will be. The exploiter selects anexploitation path that maintains its dominant position and rarelymaximizes current transfers. Productive minorities and fast-growinggroups are most prone to exploitation. International sanctions,if strong, end exploitation; otherwise they increase exploitationand reduce growth. Segregation and apartheid are broadly consistentwith the theory.
Global land investments in the bio‐economy: evidence and policy implications

For countries dependent on agriculture, the recent wave of investor interest in farmland could, in principle, help set in motion a virtuous cycle of economic growth and poverty reduction. A large literature documenting failure of such investments documents the risks involved. To appreciate associated opportunities and challenges, we review past experience, quantify country-level potential for area expansion versus intensification, and identify determinants of countries’ attractiveness for investors in the initial stages of the “land rush.” The fact that weak land governance seems to increase, rather than reduce, land demand justifies an emphasis on improving institutions, transparency, and accountability while at the same time providing concrete suggestions for policy and research.
Using Cumulant Functions in Queueing Theory

A new approach for obtaining the transient solution for the first and second moments of the system size in a finite capacity M/M/1 queueing systems is developed. The approach uses the cumulant generating function which has previously been used in the analysis of compartmental models but has not been used to analyze queueing systems.
Platelet function normalization after a prasugrel loading‐dose: time‐dependent effect of platelet supplementation

Summary. Background: Hemostatic benefits of platelet transfusions in thienopyridine-treated acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients may be compromised by residual metabolite in circulation.Objectives: To estimate the earliest time after a prasugrel loading-dose when added platelets are no longer inhibited by prasugrel's active metabolite.Methods: Baseline platelet reactivity of healthy subjects (n = 25, 30 ± 5 years, 68% male) on ASA 325 mg was tested using maximum platelet aggregation (MPA, ADP 20 μm) and VerifyNow® P2Y12 and was followed by a 60 mg prasugrel loading-dose. At 2, 6, 12 and 24 h post-dose, fresh concentrated platelets from untreated donors were added ex-vivo to subjects’ blood, raising platelet counts by 0% (control), 40%, 60% and 80%. To estimate the earliest time when prasugrel's active metabolite's inhibitory effect on the added platelets ceases, platelet function in supplemented samples was compared across time-points to identify the time when effect of supplementation on platelet function stabilized (i.e. the increase in platelet reactivity was statistically similar to that at the next time-point).Results: Supplemented samples showed concentration-dependent increases in platelet reactivity vs. respective controls by both MPA and VerifyNow® at all assessment time-points. For each supplementation level, platelet reactivity showed a sharp increase from 2 to 6 h but was stable (P = NS) between 6 and 12 h.Conclusions: The earliest measured time when supplemented platelets were not inhibited by circulating active metabolite of prasugrel was 6 h after a prasugrel loading-dose. These findings may have important implications for prasugrel-treated ACS patients requiring platelet transfusions during surgery.
Multi-converter power electronic systems: definition and applications

In multi-converter power electronic systems, different converters such as DC/DC choppers, DC/AC inverters, and AC/DC rectifiers are used in source, load, and distribution subsystems to provide power at different voltage levels and forms. Most of the loads are also in the form of power electronic converters and motor drives. The most popular examples of these systems are automotive systems and more electric/hybrid electric vehicles. These systems have unique characteristics, dynamics, and stability problems that are just beginning to be appreciated. In this paper, we take a closer look at multiconverter power electronic systems and address the fundamental problems faced in these systems.
Is Pay-for-Performance Effective? Evidence from the Hedge Fund Industry

Using voluntary decisions to limit investment, we investigate if the high pay-performance sensitivities of hedge fund managers cause them to prevent overinvestment. Our results show that the primary objective of hedge fund managers is to hoard assets. We find that for funds closed to new investors performance shifts from outperformance in the preclosing period to average performance in the post-closing period. Funds that reopen are still too large to regain their outperformance. We also find that funds with higher outflow restrictions are less likely to close and experience significantly higher performance loss over time. These results suggest that the high pay-performance deltas are not strong enough to prevent overinvestment and are offset by investor outflow restrictions.
Multimedia transmission link protocol-a proposal for digital information transmission in HFC cable systems

The modern hybrid fiber coax (HFC) CATV cable plant offers an excellent high-speed digital transmission medium between the CATV's headend and individual homes. Cable companies are laying high-capacity, high-speed digital backbone networks connecting their headends and the outside world together. Therefore, if we could design an access network via the HFC cable plant to the backbone network then we would have a complete information super-highway system. This is the motivation for our work.
Heat Stress and Injury Prevention Practices During Summer High School Football Training in South Texas

The purpose was to describe practice conditions influencing the risk of heat stress to athletes in summer football training in South Texas high schools, and to compare these conditions to ACSM recommendations for heat stress/injury risk reduction in this population. Thirty (N=30) high school summer football practices were observed. Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was measured before/after practices and practices were observed for: duration/structure; athlete clothing; and rest break frequency/duration/content. Practices averaged 125±31 min and WBGT (pre- to post-practice) was 29.7±2.1°C to 31.2±2.2°C for morning, and 31.2±1.6°C to 28.9±1.2°C for evening practices. Most practices included contact (93%), and a majority were full-contact (53%). Most athletes wore full pads (83%) and medium/dark colored clothing (73%). Outside of scheduled breaks athletes removed helmets (63%), sat/knelt (63%), and had access to fluid (90%). Athletic trainers were present at 93% of the practices. A typical practice had 3 rest breaks, each lasting approximately 5 min. During breaks, athletes were provided fluid (93%), removed helmets (89%), and sat/knelt (76%), but were rarely provided shade (2%). While none of the practice sessions were conducted in conditions warranting the cancellation of outside activity (WBGT>33.1°C), the environmental data confirms that this region presents athletes with a very high risk of heat stress/injury. While a majority of the schools were taking many of the precautionary measures recommended by ACSM, many of the guidelines were not being followed. Governing bodies of high school athletics need to encourage compliance with recommendations for the reduction of heat stress/injury in this population.
Influence of carbon source on cell surface topology of Thermomonospora curvata.

Abstract The appearance of cell surface protuberances in Thermomonospora curvata correlated with cell-bound exoenzymes which could be removed by brief sonication. Mycelia grown on cellulose or xylan had numerous protuberances and retained 20 to 25% of endoglucanase and endoxylanase at cell surfaces, while those grown on pectin or starch had few protuberances and negligible bound pectinase or amylase.
The physician as an estimator of hospital stay.

The abilities of physicians to estimate the length of stay of their hospital patients was investigated. Two estimates were made; one at admission request and another after a prescribed number of days of hospitalization. Data are presented as correlation coefficients between actual and estimated lengths of stay and as conditional frequency functions of actual given an estimated length of stay. Differences between physicians in surgical and medical service are shown. It is concluded that physicians' estimates may be a useful source of data for operating an elective patient scheduling system.
Target-specific variants of Flp recombinase mediate genome engineering reactions in mammalian cells.

Genome engineering relies on DNA-modifying enzymes that are able to locate a DNA sequence of interest and initiate a desired genome rearrangement. Currently, the field predominantly utilizes site-specific DNA nucleases that depend on the host DNA repair machinery to complete a genome modification task. We show here that genome engineering approaches that employ target-specific variants of the self-sufficient, versatile site-specific DNA recombinase Flp can be developed into promising alternatives. We demonstrate that the Flp variant evolved to recombine an FRT-like sequence, FL-IL10A, which is located upstream of the human interleukin-10 gene, and can target this sequence in the model setting of Chinese hamster ovary and human embryonic kidney 293 cells. This target-specific Flp variant is able to perform the integration reaction and, when paired with another recombinase, the dual recombinase-mediated cassette exchange reaction. The efficiency of the integration reaction in human cells can be enhanced by ‘humanizing’ the Flp variant gene and by adding the nuclear localization sequence to the recombinase.
Estimation of Shortwave Direct Radiative Forcing of Biomass-Burning Aerosols Using New Angular Models

Abstract Using a new angular distribution model (ADM) for smoke aerosols, the instantaneous top-of-atmosphere (TOA) shortwave aerosol radiative forcing (SWARF) is calculated for selected days over biomass-burning regions in South America. The visible and infrared scanner data are used to detect smoke aerosols and the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) scanner data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission are used to obtain the broadband radiances. First, the ADM for smoke aerosols is calculated over land surfaces using a discrete-ordinate radiative transfer model. The instantaneous TOA shortwave (SW) fluxes are estimated using the new smoke ADM and are compared with the SW fluxes from the CERES product. The rms error between the CERES SW fluxes and fluxes using the smoke ADM is 13 W m−2. The TOA SWARFs per unit optical thickness for the six surface types range from −29 to −57 W m−2, showing that smoke aerosols have a distinct cooling effect. The new smoke ADM developed as part of thi...
Fluorescent Derivatization Method of Proteins for Characterization by Capillary Electrophoresis- Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate with Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detection

A fast and improved sample preparation scheme was developed for protein analysis using capillary electrophoresis-sodium dodecyl sulfate (CE-SDS) with laser-induced fluorescence detection. This CE-SDS method was developed as a purity assay for recombinant monoclonal antibodies (rMAbs). In this assay, rMAbs are derivatized with the fluorogenic reagent 3-(2-furoyl)-quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (FQ) in the presence of a nucleophile (CN-), which fluoresces only upon covalent binding to the protein. Purification after labeling is therefore not necessary to remove unreacted reagents. Proteins are incubated at 75 degrees C for 5 min to facilitate denaturation and labeling. For nonreduced preparation, rMAbs are labeled at pH 6.5 with a dye-to-protein (D/P) molar ratio of 50:1, which forms conjugates having 6 +/- 4 FQ labels. For reduced preparation, rMAbs are labeled at pH 9.3 with a D/P molar ratio of 10:1, which generates light chain conjugates incorporated with 3 +/- 2 FQ labels. Labeling artifacts such as fragmentation or aggregation are absent with use of alkylation reagents. This efficient labeling scheme generates detection limits for FQ-labeled rMAbs as low as 10 ng/mL. In comparison to other labeling strategies, labeling proteins with FQ has the advantage of speed, ease of use, and robust quantification.
Avian Mortality at Oil Pits in the United States: A Review of the Problem and Efforts for Its Solution

Oil production operations produce waste fluids that may be stored in pits, open tanks, and other sites accessible to wildlife. Birds visit these fluid-filled pits and tanks ("oil pits"), which often resemble water sources, and may become trapped and die. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has a program to reduce these impacts by locating problem pits, documenting mortality of protected wildlife species, and seeking cleanup or corrective action at problem pits with the help of state and federal agencies regulating the oil industry. Species identification and verification of protected status for birds recovered from oil pits are performed at the USFWS National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. From 1992 to 2005, a minimum of 2060 individual birds were identified from remains recovered from oil pits, representing 172 species from 44 families. The taxonomic and ecological diversity of these birds indicates that oil pits pose a threat to virtually all species of birds that encounter them. Ninety-two percent of identified bird remains belonged to protected species. Most remains identified at the Forensics Laboratory were from passerines, particularly ground-foraging species. Based on Forensics Laboratory and USFWS field data, oil pits currently cause the deaths of 500,000-1 million birds per year. Although law enforcement and industry efforts have produced genuine progress on this issue, oil pits remain a significant source of mortality for birds in the United States.
CODESIM: A compact discrete event simulator

CODESIM is a compact software facility1 that supports discrete event simulation modeling. Written in Fortran, the CODESIM routines enable facile model construction with a maximum of modeler independence. CODESIM requires no inputs, handles queuing without buffer movement, provides built-in trace control, and permits arbitrary user naming and typing of entity attributes. Statistical routines for data collection and reporting are provided by the CODESIM software—all outputs are in the user domain, as are additional model input parameters, etc. Thus, CODESIM represents a no-frills tool for discrete event simulation. Its advantages include a free programmer structure, speed, size, interactive use, and potential for both machine and language portability.
Teaching academies: Honoring and promoting teaching through a community of expertise

An old way of honoring teaching lies in the fellowship found within a group of individuals who share an appreciation for excellent teaching; this academy paradigm is becoming more prevalent in institutions today.
Do Stream Mayflies Exhibit Trade-Offs Between Food Acquisition and Predator Avoidance Behaviors?

AbstractOrganisms often experience trade-offs between behaviors necessary for food acquisition and predator avoidance. In mesocosms and microcosms, we manipulated the risk and resource environments of grazing mayflies (Baetis bicaudatus) common in streams near the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL) in western Colorado, USA. We exposed mayflies to treatments with or without chemical cues from predatory brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and high or low levels of benthic algal resources to test the nonconsumptive effects of predators and food availability on grazer foraging behavior, predator-avoidance behavior, growth rates, and the effect of grazers on accrual of algal food resources. Total drift (daytime + nighttime) of Baetis was significantly reduced under conditions of fish cues and high food levels. However, daytime drift, a risky food-search behavior, was negligible in all cases except the no-fish-cue/low-food treatment. Therefore, predator-induced nocturnal periodicity of drift behavior w...
PHOSPHORUS CYCLING IN AN EELGRASS (ZOSTERA MARINA L.) ECOSYSTEM1

Rates of uptake and excretion of phosphorus by both roots and leaves of eelgrass (Zostefu mwina L. ) were dependent on the orthophosphate concentration of the medium. In a typical shallow tidal pool dominated by eelgrass, the interstitial reactive phosphorus concentrations of the sediments were as high as 75 pg-atom/liter, while in the water they were ca. 2. The plants absorbed 166 mg P/m2-day from the sediments, assimilated 104 in the production of fresh eelgrass, and excreted 62 into the water. An amount equivalent to about 41% of the reactive phosphorus excreted, or 3 metric tons P/day, was exported from the lagoon into the Bering Sea. These results add a new pathway to the phosphorus cycle for estuaries containing vascular plants.
Inhibition of Lipase and Lipolysis in Milk

Summary The storage stability of milk lipase was markedly increased by the addition of glutathione, hydroquinone, and potassium thiocyanate. These results indicate that the loss of lipase activity on aging milk results mainly from oxidative changes. The greater effectiveness of glutathione in stabilizing milk lipase may indicate the importance of sulfhydryl groups for this enzyme activity. The heat inactivation of milk lipase followed first-order kinetics. The pH of optimum stability was in the range of 6.6–7.6. Milk lipase was very sensitive to photo-inactivation and to oxidizing agents. The stability of milk lipase to heat, light, hydrogen peroxide, and copper, like storage stability, was greater in whole milk than in skimmilk. It is suggested that the sulfhydryl groups in the membrane material of the fat globules are preferentially oxidized, thus protecting the lipase system. The inhibition of lipolysis was greatly decreased when inhibitors were applied after activation treatments of lipolysis. The evidence indicates that this protection of the lipase system may be due to a specific enzyme-substrate combination which results from the activation treatments. It is concluded that the lipase system is affected by the activation treatments of lipolysis.
Characterization of Electrical Properties of Low Temperature GaAs

LT GaAs(220°C) was grown on an n+ substrate and capped with n+ GaAs grown at 600°C (n-i-n). Complete IV and CV measurements were performed. The IV characteristics exhibit ohmic, trap-filling and space-charge-limited regimes. We have developed a model based upon the compensation of background shallow acceptors by deep donor traps, large concentrations of which have been shown to exist in LT GaAs. Computer simulation of the IV curve is compared with experimental results. The “breakdown” is attributed to trapfilling under electron injection. It is also found that when the voltage across the structure is changed, the current takes several seconds to reach steady state. This is consistent with our model, which assumes slow trapping and detrapping in the LT GaAs. High frequency CV measurements show the capacitance to be fairly constant for voltages below “breakdown”.
Review Article: Sleep, Epilepsy, and the EEG in Infancy and Childhood

Each of the major epileptic syndromes that occur in infants and children demonstrates relationships to sleep and wakefulness that are particular to that syndrome. These relationships include activation or suppression of clinical seizures during certain portions of the sleep-wake cycle, differences in symptomatology of the seizures or in seizure type, alterations in distribution or morphology of epileptiform waveforms, and changes in duration and composition of sleep stages. Knowledge of the interactions between sleep and seizures helps to increase understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying epilepsy, as well as to improve clinical diagnosis. (J Child Neurol 1989;4:84-94).