cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Numerical Solution for the Response of a Strip Transmission Line over a Ground Plane Excited by Ionizing Radiation

A numerical solution is presented that may be used to assess the effects of simultaneous excitation of a flat cable by a pulse of ionizing radiation, and by an internal electromagnetic pulse (IEMP) varying with both time and position along the line. The cable is allowed to be closely coupled to a reference conductor and transient changes in dielectric conductivity along the line are allowed.
Management Information Systems Software Evaluation

In November 1993, Saudi Aramco management endorsed a proposal to coordinate the development of the Management Information Systems (MISs) of four concurrent projects for its facilities Controls Modernization Program. The affected projects were the Ras Tanura Refinery Upgrade Project, the Abqaiq Plant Controls Modernization and the Shedgum and Uthmaniyah Gas plants Control Upgrade Projects. All of these projects had a significant requirement of MISs in their scope. Under the leadership of the Process and Control Systems Department, and MIS Coordination Team was formed with representatives of several departments. An MIS Applications Evaluation procedure was developed based on the Kepner Tregoe Decisions Analysis Process and general questionnaires were sent to over a hundred potential Vendors. The applications were divided into several categories, such as: Data Capture and Historization, Human User Interface, Trending, Reporting, Graphic Displays, Data Reconciliation, Statistical Analysis, Expert Systems, Maintenance Applications, Document Management and Operations Planning and Scheduling. For each of the MIS Application areas, detailed follow-up questionnaires were used to short list the candidate products. In May and June 1994, selected Vendors were invited to Saudi Arabia for an Exhibition which was open to all Saudi Aramco employees. In conjunction with this, the Vendors were subjected to amore » rigorous product testing exercise by independent teams of testers. The paper will describe the methods used and the lessons learned in this extensive software evaluation phase, which was a first for Saudi Aramco.« less
Differential effects of vitamin D treatment on inflammatory and non-inflammatory breast cancer cell lines

Vitamin D is a known regulator of breast cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and differentiation in vitro. Recent studies have suggested a preventative role for vitamin D in breast cancer development and suggested a possible therapeutic application of vitamin D for patients with various forms of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a highly aggressive and phenotypically unique form of breast cancer that has a very poor prognosis. IBC invades the dermal lymphatics of the breast as tumor emboli early in the course of the disease. Because of the invasive nature of IBC, novel therapeutics are needed desperately. In the current study we examined the effect of the active form of vitamin D, calcitriol, treatment on the aggressive IBC phenotype. Herein we demonstrate that although the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is present in both IBC and non-IBC cell lines, the effect of vitamin D treatment is significant only on the IBC cells. SUM149 IBC cells showed increased protein concentration in response to 24 h of calcitriol exposure; likely mediated by an increase in protein synthesis as opposed to increased cellular proliferation. In addition, treatment with 100 nM calcitriol showed a significant decrease in SUM149 migration (67.8 % decrease, P = 0.030), invasion (43.9 % decrease, P = 0.015), and tumor spheroid size (69.4 % decrease, P = 0.018) compared to nontreated control groups. Finally, calcitriol treatment of SUM149 cells led to significantly fewer IBC experimental metastases as compared to control. Our study demonstrates that calcitriol treatment of SUM149 affected several of the processes important for IBC metastasis but had little effect on MDA-MB-231 cells. Therefore, calcitriol treatment may have the potential to decrease the rate and incidence of metastasis in IBC patients.
Relevance of the Biosynthesis of Coenzyme Q10and of the Four Bases of DNA as a Rationale for the Molecular Causes of Cancer and a Therapy

In the human, coenzyme Q10 (vitamin Q10) is biosynthesized from tyrosine through a cascade of eight aromatic precursors. These precursors indispensably require eight vitamins, which are tetrahydrobiopterin, vitamins B6, C, B2, B12, folic acid, niacin, and pantothenic acid as their coenzymes. Three of these eight vitamins (the coenzyme B6, and the coenzymes niacin and folic acid) are indispensable in the biosynthesis of the four bases (thymidine, guanine, adenine, and cytosine) of DNA. One or more of the three vitamins required for DNA are known to cause abnormal pairing of the four bases, which can then result in mutations and the diversity of cancer. The coenzyme B6, required for the conversion of tyrosine to p-hydroxybenzoic acid, is the first coenzyme required in the cascade of precursors. A deficiency of the coenzyme B6 can cause dysfunctions, prior to the formation of vitamin Q10, to DNA. Former data on blood levels of Q10 and new data herein on blood levels of B6, measured as EDTA, in cancer patients established deficiencies of Q10 and B6 in cancer. This complete biochemistry relating to biosyntheses of Q10 and the DNA bases is a rationale for the therapy of cancer with Q10 and other entities in this biochemistry.
Puberty and Gender Interact to Predict Social Anxiety Symptoms in Early Adolescence

This study examines direct and interactive effects of puberty and gender on social anxiety symptoms in early adolescence. One hundred-six participants were assessed at ages 9.5 and 11 years. Results suggest that gender and puberty interact to predict social anxiety symptoms. Advanced puberty was associated with increased symptoms for girls only.
Attentional Modulation of Word Recognition by Children in a Dual-Task Paradigm

Purpose This study investigated an account of limited short-term memory capacity for children’s speech perception in noise using a dual-task paradigm. Method Sixty-four normal-hearing children (7–1...
Disposition of fragrance ingredient [14C]1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)ethanone in male Fisher rats following oral administration and dermal application

Abstract1. Disposition of 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)ethanone (β-OTNE), a fragrance ingredient in variety of consumer products, was investigated following a single oral (20 mg/kg) or a dermal (55 or 550 mg/kg) dose of [14C]β-OTNE to male Fisher rats.2. Following oral administration, 28% and 39% of the dose was recovered in urine and feces, respectively, 48 h following administration. About 73% of a 20 mg/kg dose was excreted in bile within 48 h post-administration supporting significant oral absorption of [14C]β-OTNE.3. Following dermal application to a covered site, absorption of [14C]β-OTNE 96 h following application was low (ca. 14%) and dose-independent. When the dose site was uncovered, the absorption increased to ca. 33% (55 mg/kg) and ca. 72% (550 mg/kg).4. [14C]β-OTNE was distributed to tissues following both routes of exposure with the highest radioactive equivalents found in bladder, liver, kidney, adipose and pancreas.5. Elimination of [14C]β-OTNE equivalent...
Robust reflection tomography in the time domain

The convergence of conventional reflection tomography is often uncertain when the starting velocity function is too far from the correct one. The time-domain reflection tomography that we present in this paper is more robust than conventional depth-domain reflection tomography. Our new tomographic method avoids some of the instabilities of conventional depth-domain tomography, by solving for a velocity model and reflector geometry defined in vertical-traveltime domain. These instabilities are often caused by the coupling between the velocity function and the depth-mapping of reflectors. Time-domain tomography keeps the distinction, which is typical of time processing, between the velocity function that best focuses the data and the velocity function that correctly maps the reflectors in depth. Time-domain reflection tomography is based on a new eikonal equation that is derived by a transformation of the conventional eikonal equation from depth coordinates (z; x) into vertical-traveltime coordinates ( ; ). The transformed eikonal enables the computation of reflections traveltimes independent of depth-mapping. This separation allows the focusing and mapping steps to be performed sequentially even in the presence of complex velocity functions, that would otherwise require “depth” migration. We compute the solutions of the transformed eikonal equation by solving the associated ray tracing equations. The application of Fermat’s principle leads to the expression of linear relationships between perturbations in traveltimes and perturbations in focusing velocity. We use this linearization, in conjunction with ray tracing, for the time-domain tomographic estimation of focusing velocity.
Evidence for Lack of Phosphatidic Acid and Phospholipase D Activity in Milk

Phosphatidic acid could not be demonstrated when milk was assayed for phospholipase D activity even when lecithin was added. The concentration of "free" choline in milk remained the same before and after addition of lecithin. However, phosphatidic acid and an increased concentration of "free" choline were demonstrated when cabbage phospholipase D was added to raw milk. The concentration of phosphatidic acid and "free" choline in milk increased appreciably when both lecithin and cabbage phospholipase D were added to raw milk. Phospholipase D activity in milk was assayed at 23.5 C, pH 5.6, in the presence of 10% vol/vol of diethyl ether and .015M calcium chloride. "Free" choline was determined by adjusting the acid whey from milk to pH 11 and adding a freshly prepared 3% methanolic solution of ammonium reineckate. The precipitated choline reineckate was washed, dissolved in acetone, and its absorbance measured at 520 nm. The absence or presence of phosphatidic acid was shown by thin-layer chromatography. These results refute a previous report which proposed that both phosphatidic acid and phospholipase D were in milk.
An analysis of career decision making from the point of view of information processing and decision theory

Abstract We review implications for career decision making (CDM) that might be drawn from recent studies of human information processing and decision making. Normative decision theory, the theory of how one ought to make choices, may be regarded as an idealized view of rationality towards which a person might strive. Descriptive studies, however, show how limited is the rationality of people's behavior when they are left to their own devices. Techniques of decision analysis have been developed for helping people to make better decisions. These methods might be of value to CDM, both in supplementing traditional guidance procedures, and in defining criteria used to evaluate CDM. However, decision analysis does have shortcomings, and there are problems that may arise when applying decision analysis to CDM. These problems are discussed and evaluated.
Noise-robust acoustic signature recognition using nonlinear Hebbian learning

We propose using a new biologically inspired approach, nonlinear Hebbian learning (NHL), to implement acoustic signal recognition in noisy environments. The proposed learning processes both spectral and temporal features of input acoustic data. The spectral analysis is realized by using auditory gammatone filterbanks. The temporal dynamics is addressed by analyzing gammatone-filtered feature vectors over multiple temporal frames, which is called a spectro-temporal representation (STR). Given STR features, the exact acoustic signatures of signals of interest and the mixing property between signals of interest and noises are generally unknown. The nonlinear Hebbian learning is then employed to extract representative independent features from STRs, and to reduce their dimensionality. The extracted independent features of signals of interest are called signatures. In the meantime of learning, the synaptic weight vectors between input and output neurons are adaptively updated. These weight vectors project data into a feature subspace, in which signals of interest are selected, while noises are attenuated. Compared with linear Hebbian learning (LHL) which explores the second-order moment of data, the applied NHL involves the higher-order statistics of data. Therefore, NHL can capture representative features that are more statistically independent than LHL can. Besides, the nonlinear activation function of NHL can be chosen to refer to the implicit distribution of many acoustic sounds, and thus making the learning optimized in an aspect of mutual information. Simulation results show that the whole proposed system can more accurately recognize signals of interest than other conventional methods in severely noisy circumstances. One applicable project is detecting moving vehicles. Noise-contaminated vehicle sound is recognized while other non-vehicle sounds are rejected. When vehicle is contaminated by human vowel, bird chirp, or additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) at SNR=0 dB, the proposed system dramatically decreases the error rate over normally used acoustic feature extraction method, mel-frequency cepstral computation (MFCC), by 26%, 36.3%, and 60.3%, respectively; and, over LHL by 20%, 2.3%, and 15.3%, respectively. Another applicable project is vehicle type identification. The proposed system achieves better performance than LHL, e.g., 40% improvement when gasoline heavy wheeled car is contaminated by AWGN at SNR=5 dB. More importantly, the proposed system is implemented in real-time field testing for months. The purpose is to detect vehicle with any make or model moving on the street with speed 10-35 mph. The missing rate is 1-2%, when vehicle is contaminated by any surrounding noises (human conversation, animal sound, airplane, wind, etc.) at SNR=0-20 dB. The false alarm rate is around 1%. To summarize, this study not only provides an efficient approach to extract representative independent features from high-dimensional data, but also offers robustness against severe noises.
Overcoming Thermal Problems in Multilayer Printed Circuit Boards

This paper will attempt to highlight significant problems of a thermal nature, encountered during 17 years' extensive use of multilayer printed circuit boards in high technology Avionics Systems, together with recommended corrective actions.
A method of mass tissue culture in bacteriological culture dishes.

Eine Methode der Massen-Gewebezuchtung in Petrischalen, geeignet fur Viruszuchtung und fur chemische Analysen, wird beschrieben, mit welcher, wenn ein gemeinsames, zusammenhangendes Plasmagerinnsel mit Zusatz von Embryonalextrakt und Amnionflussigkeit als Zuchtungsmedium benutzt wird. Ein besonders rasches, dichtes Kulturwachstum kann so leicht erzielt werden. Mikroskopische Beobachtung der Zellen ist bei 400facher Vergrosserung, im gewohnlichen und im invertierten Mikroskop, leicht moglich.
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors and primary antibody response in experimental nephrotic syndrome

The effect of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibitors on the primary antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in rats with aminonucleoside-of-puromycin (AP) nephrosis was studied. The response to SRBC was determined 5 days after intraperitoneal administration of SRBC by measuring IgM antibody-forming spleen cells (AFC). In nephrotic rats, SRBC were injected when animals were fully nephrotic. A significant decrease in the number of AFC (P < 0.05) and a significant increase in the plasma concentration of 6-keto-PGF1α (P < 0.02) were observed in 22 nephrotic rats compared to 24 normal rats. Treatment of nephrotic rats with indomethacin (5 mg/kg per day, 8 rats) and aspirin (200 mg/kg per day, 7 rats) initiated before the development of nephrosis returned the antibody response and the plasma level of 6-keto-PGF1α to normal, while the same treatment in control rats did not alter the antibody response. These data suggest that in AP nephrosis the observed decrease in antibody response to SRBC is likely due to an increase in PG production at the time of immunization.
A model of lodging repeat choice intentions.

Abstract A lodging offering involves tangible elements as well as intangible services. Therefore, the guest evaluates both the outcome and the process of service delivery. The influences on repeat choice intentions of the outcome and process dimensions of service quality are investigated using a regression model. Service quality does appear important for explaining lodging choice intentions. Results suggest that no one dimension of service quality captures the complexity of repeat choice intentions; several outcome and process quality dimensions are important. In other words, guests evaluate several dimensions when making lodging choices. Managerially, the lodging firm may wish to emphasize multiple dimensions when promoting their service to attract guests.
The effect of a contraceptive vaginal ring and oral contraceptives on the vaginal flora

Premenopausal women seeking a steroid contraceptive method were allowed to choose between a contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) containing levonorgestrel and estradiol used in a 3-week in, 1-week out regimen (n=20) and an oral contraceptive (OC) containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol in a 28-day regimen (n = 10). Cultures from the posterior vaginal fornix were obtained before therapy in both groups and monthly for 6 months for the CVR group and after 1, 3, and 6 months for the OC group. These cultures were streaked on specific media to provide quantitative aerobic and anaerobic, lactobacillus, Candida sp., Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae counts in micro-organisms per milliliter. A comparison of the number and types of organisms isolated from vaginal cultures obtained initially and at 6 months demonstrated no statistically significant differences in colony counts between CVR and OC users. The results of this study suggest that the use of the CVR is not associated with a greater growth of pathogens than is oral administration of a progestin and estrogen combination.
Learning Scoring Schemes for Sequence Alignment from Partial Examples

When aligning biological sequences, the choice of scoring scheme is critical. Even small changes in gap penalties, for example, can yield radically different alignments. A rigorous way to learn parameter values that are appropriate for biological sequences is through inverse parametric sequence alignment. Given a collection of examples of biologically correct reference alignments, this is the problem of finding parameter values that make the scores of the reference alignments be as close as possible to those of optimal alignments of their sequences. We extend prior work on inverse parametric alignment to partial examples, which contain regions where the reference alignment is not specified, and to an improved formulation based on minimizing the average error between the scores of the reference alignments and the scores of optimal alignments. Experiments on benchmark biological alignments show we can learn scoring schemes that generalize across protein families, and that boost the accuracy of multiple sequence alignment by as much as 25 percent.
Principal component analysis with missing data and its application to object modeling

Observation-based modeling can reduce the cost and effort of model constructions for tasks such as virtual reality environment. Object modeling from a sequence of range images has been formulated as a problem of principal component analysis with missing data (PCAMD), which can be generalized as a weighted least square (WLS) minimization problem. After all visible regions appeared over the whole sequence are segmented and tracked, a normal measurement matrix of surface normals and a distance measurement matrix of normal distances to the origin are constructed respectively. These two measurement matrices, with possibly many missing elements due to occlusion and mismatching, enable us to formulate multiple view merging as a combination of two WLS problems. The solution to the first WLS problem, which employs the quaternion representation of the rotation matrix, yields surface normals and rotation matrices. Subsequently the normal distances and translation vectors are computed by solving the second WLS problem. Experiments using synthetic data and real range images show that our approach is robust against noise and mismatch because it produces a statistically optimal object model by making use of redundancy from multiple views. A toy house model from a sequence of real range images is presented. >
Polymorphisms in integrin genes and lymphoma risk.

Abstract Immune deficiency is one of the best characterized and strongest known risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We studied the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in integrin genes that are important components in human innate immunity and the risk of NHL in a population-based case-control study of women in Connecticut, USA. A total of 373 tag SNPs in 33 gene regions were included in the analysis of 448 cases and 525 controls. The ADAM19 rs11466782 SNP was associated with an increased risk of lymphoma (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.28–2.35; P additive = 0.0004), and the ICAM3 rs2304240 (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.52–0.86; P additive = 0.002) and the PTGDR rs708486 SNPs (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63–0.90; P additive = 0.002) were associated with reduced risk of lymphoma. Two gene regions ( ADAM19 ( P = 0.009) and ICAM3 ( P = 0.009)) displayed global associations with lymphoma risk at the P
Gender, Skill, and Earnings in Professional Golf:

This article compares the PGA Tour to the LPGA by examining the relationship between skills and earnings on the two tours. Men on the PGA Tour play for bigger purses than do the women in the LPGA tournaments. But the men also play more rounds of golf over longer golf courses in front of more spectators and exhibit greater levels of skill than the women. The statistical results show which golf skills are the most valuable by estimating the effect of the skill on earnings. Furthermore, the results show that once skill levels are accounted for, women are not underpaid compared to men. Even though the tournament form of compensation rewards the relative skill levels within each tournament, the professional golf industry appears to reward the absolute level of skill with no gender bias.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach for General Hydrostatics Analysis

The present work applies finite-volume-based computational fluid dynamics code incorporating VOF (Volume of Fluid) technique to hydrostatics problems where the fluids are stationary. The governing equations describing multi-phase systems are solved as timedependent problems until the steady-state solution is obtained. Computational results are compared with the analytical results of problems involving relatively simple geometries. The presented results show a very good agreement between the CFD calculation and the analytical results obtained by the conventional fluid statics analyses. However, when curved surfaces are involved, further numerical experiments revealed that triangular mesh elements used in two-dimensional geometries and tetrahedral mesh elements used in threedimensional geometries significantly lower the accuracy of calculation in estimating the lines of action of the pressure forces. Mesh elements helpful to achieve good accuracy without spending an unnecessarily large amount of CPU time are also discussed in this paper.
Duplex-Guided Balloon Angioplasty from the Carotid to the Plantar Arteries

Over the last 12 years, our group has explored advantages and limitations of preoperative duplex arteriography of lower extremities as a sole imaging modality [1,2]. This experience has taught us that duplex scanning offers multiple unique features such as (1) arterial visualization regardless of its patency, (2) imaging of the arterial wall, (3) real-time visualization in the presence of limb motion, (4) up to five times magnification, (5) instant precise measurements, and (6) readily available various hemodynamic parameters such as flow direction, velocity, and waveform. These distinctive features have manifested into the use of duplex imaging for guidance of various venous and arterial therapies such as endovenous procedures and thrombin injection of pseudoaneurysms and have helped to establish the field of interventional vascular ultrasound.
Hip arthroscopy utilizing the supine position

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the merits of the supine position in arthroscopic surgery about the hip. Twenty consecutive patients successfully underwent arthroscopy by this technique. The procedure is performed on a standard fracture table with fluoroscopy. Traction is used to distract the hip for introduction of the instruments. Three standard arthroscopic portals are routinely used. Two portals are placed laterally over the superior aspect of the greater trochanter, and one is placed anteriorly. The procedure is effective and reproducible. It is user friendly to both the surgeon and the operating room staff. Additionally, the procedure uses existing operating room equipment with only minor modifications.
Influence of Rotations on Dose Distributions in Spinal Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)

Purpose To evaluate the impact of rotational setup errors on dose distribution in spinal stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Methods and Materials Thirty-nine cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from 16 SBRT treatment courses were analyzed. Alignment (including rotation) to the treatment planning computed tomography was performed, followed by translational alignment that reproduced the actual positioning. The planned fluence was then applied to determine the delivered dose to the targets and organs at risk. Results The mean planning target volume (PTV) was 71.01 mL (SD ± 60.05; range, 22.62–250.65 mL). Prescribed dose (to the 62–82% isodose) was 14–30 Gy in one to six fractions. The average rotational displacements were 0.38 ± 1.21, 1.12 ± 1.82, and –0.51 ± 2.0° with maximal rotations of –4.29, 5.76, and –6.64° along the x (pitch), y (yaw), and z (roll) axes, respectively. PTV coverage changed by an average of –0.07 Gy (SD ± 0.20 Gy) between the rotated and the original plan, representing 0.92% of prescription dose (SD ± 2.65%). For the spinal cord, planned with 2-mm expansion to create a planning organ at risk volume (PRV), the difference in minimum dose to the upper 10% of the PRV volume was 0.03 ± 0.3 Gy (maximum, 0.9 Gy). Other organs at risk saw insignificant changes in dose. Conclusions PRV expansion generally assures safe treatment delivery in the face of typically encountered rotations. Given the variability of delivered dose within this expansion for certain cases, caution should be taken to properly interpret doses to the cord when considering clinical dose limits.
Three-dimensional structure of the Gly121Tyr dimeric form of ornithine decarboxylase from Lactobacillus 30a.

Ornithine decarboxylases catalyze the conversion of ornithine to putrescine at the beginning of the polyamine pathway. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) from Lactobacillus 30a is a 990612 Da dodecamer composed of six homodimers. A single point mutation (Gly121Tyr) was found to prevent association of dimers into dodecamers. The dimeric protein has been crystallized at pH 7.0 in the presence of guanosine triphosphate (GTP). Crystals belong to space group P3221, with unit-cell parameters a = 111.8, c = 135.9 A and one monomer in the asymmetric unit. The structure was determined by molecular replacement and refined using simulated annealing to R = 0.211 at 2.7 A resolution. The GTP-binding site was analyzed in detail. The protein exhibits a novel binding mode for GTP which is different from that seen in most G-proteins or GTPases. Central to this binding scheme appear to be three lysines, Lys190, Lys374 and Lys382, which form salt bridges with the three phosphates, and Thr191, which hydrogen bonds with the guanine base. Furthermore, the structure suggests that there is some flexibility in the wing domain, which can change its orientation as the protein adapts to its environment. The active site is similar to that of the native enzyme, consistent with the observation that the enzyme activity does not depend on its dodecameric state.
The study of animal metacognition

Do nonhuman animals share humans' capacity for metacognition--that is, for monitoring or regulating their own cognitive states? Comparative psychologists have approached this question by testing a dolphin, pigeons, rats, monkeys and apes using perception, memory and food-concealment paradigms. There is growing evidence that animals share functional parallels with humans' conscious metacognition, although the field has not confirmed full experiential parallels and this remains an open question. This article reviews this new area of comparative inquiry and describes significant empirical milestones, remaining theoretical milestones and the prospects for continuing progress in a rapidly developing area. This research area opens a new window on reflective mind in animals, illuminating its phylogenetic emergence and allowing researchers to trace the antecedents of human consciousness.
Study on converter topologies for capacitive pulse forming network and energy storage units in electric ship

This paper addresses the study on converter topologies for capacitive pulse forming network and energy storage units in electric ships. The purpose of the study is to explore the power electronic converter topology, which has the least influence on the ship power system. The capacitive pulse forming network (PFN) is used for such applications as energizing pulse power loads. After discharge, the capacitor in the pulse forming network must be re-charged. The charging of bulk capacitors through the power electronic converter requires large instantaneous currents, resulting in a voltage drop in the Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) bus. The voltage drop can be compensated by releasing energy from the capacitive energy storage. The capacitor in the energy storage unit is also recharged after discharging the energy and suitable controlled converter must be selected to avoid any large instantaneous current from the MVDC bus. The extensive simulation study in MATLAB is carried out to select a suitable power electronic converter.
Near-field ion flow for molecular scale manipulation

By applying electrical pulse wave into highly-ionized solution, we observed that protein can be efficiently transported toward the electrode surface regardless the protein is positive or negative charged. The operational frequency and electrical potential of the driving electrical pulse waves are not in the range of typical electrokinetic. Here we hypothesized a fluidic movement normal to the electrode surface, named near-field ion flow, was driven by the movement of ions when the electrical double layer is being formed. The hypothesis was experimentally supported by showing that more enzyme was transported toward electrode surface after applying pulse. The investigation provides an alternative way to manipulating fluidic movement without complicate microfluidics implementation.
Structural Analysis of Highly Relaxed GaSb Grown on GaAs Substrates with Periodic Interfacial Array of 90° Misfit Dislocations.

We report structural analysis of completely relaxed GaSb epitaxial layers deposited monolithically on GaAs substrates using interfacial misfit (IMF) array growth mode. Unlike the traditional tetragonal distortion approach, strain due to the lattice mismatch is spontaneously relieved at the heterointerface in this growth. The complete and instantaneous strain relief at the GaSb/GaAs interface is achieved by the formation of a two-dimensional Lomer dislocation network comprising of pure-edge (90°) dislocations along both [110] and [1-10]. In the present analysis, structural properties of GaSb deposited using both IMF and non-IMF growths are compared. Moire fringe patterns along with X-ray diffraction measure the long-range uniformity and strain relaxation of the IMF samples. The proof for the existence of the IMF array and low threading dislocation density is provided with the help of transmission electron micrographs for the GaSb epitaxial layer. Our results indicate that the IMF-grown GaSb is completely (98.5%) relaxed with very low density of threading dislocations (105 cm−2), while GaSb deposited using non-IMF growth is compressively strained and has a higher average density of threading dislocations (>109 cm−2).
SrBi2Ta2O9(SBT) thin films prepared by electrostatic spray

Abstract Ferroelectric SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT) thin films were deposited on Pt/SiO2/Si substrates by electrostatic spray, and their structural and electrical properties were investigated. The spray-coated films crystallized upon heating at 680°C-760°C. The XRD patterns showed distinct peaks of (105), (110) and (200) orientations. P-E hysteresis loops were observed with a typical coercive field around 55kV/cm. The remanent polarization, 2P r , was above 12μC/cm2 for a 160nm film. The fatigue endurance was good, as the reduction of P r during 1012 switching cycles was less than 10% of its initial value. The electrostatic spray technique is capable of injecting submicron, stoichiometrically correct, metal-organic SBT droplets onto a rotating substrate, and has the potential to achieve a better step coverage than the spin-on technique while keeping its original advantages.
Drug Abuse and Identity: Linking Micro and Macro Factors

The quest to link micro and macro phenomena in symbolic interactionism has gained considerable attention over the years. The present study builds on this endeavor by linking micro and macro phenome...
Cardiovascular safety of conjugated estrogens plus bazedoxifene: Meta-analysis of the SMART trials

AbstractObjectives Five randomized, phase-3 trials demonstrated the efficacy and safety of conjugated estrogens/bazedoxifene (CE/BZA) in treating menopausal symptoms and preserving bone. This pooled analysis of these studies describes the cardiovascular safety of CE/BZA.Methods We pooled cardiovascular adjudicated safety data from healthy, non-hysterectomized, postmenopausal women who received ≥ 1 dose of CE 0.45 mg/BZA 20 mg (n = 1585), CE 0.625 mg/BZA 20 mg (n = 1583), any CE/BZA dose (n = 4868), or placebo (n = 1241) for up to 2 years in five trials. Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), coronary heart disease (CHD), and cerebrovascular events were reviewed by three different independent adjudication committees and summarized using a meta-analytic approach.Results The rate of VTEs per 1000 woman-years (95% confidence interval, CI) was 0.3 (0.0–2.0) in women taking CE 0.45 mg/BZA 20 mg, 0 (0.0–1.5) in those taking CE 0.625 mg/BZA 20 mg, 0.7 (0.0–1.5) among women taking any CE/BZA dose, and 0.6 (0.0–2.9) ...
Sequential Product Positioning Under Differential Costs

This paper examines the product positioning decisions of firms that enter a market sequentially and that have potentially different cost structures. It shows that if the first mover knows the second mover to have a lower production cost, it positions away from the most attractive location in the market; further, the larger the second-mover's cost advantage, the farther away the first mover positions from the most attractive location. The paper also models uncertainty in the first-mover's mind about the later-entrant's cost structure, and shows that an increase in this uncertainty (in the sense of mean-preserving spread) also makes the first mover position farther from the most attractive location in the market. Overall, this paper suggests that unless the first entrant in a market is certain that the later entrant will not have a superior cost structure, it may be better off leaving the best position in the market vacant and having a niche or fringe product.
Co-Constructing Community Forests in Nepal: Mutual Constraint in a Transnational Aid Network

Abstract Community forests in Nepal are co-constructed by multiple actors working together in a way that is mutually constraining for those involved in the network. Each network actor has goals/intentions that are mediated at the network level until the network as a whole develops a common, relatively “weak” goal sometimes far removed from individual starting goals. This mutual constraint prevents significant breakthroughs in restructuring local-level wealth and power disparities, which in turn play a role in depressing the livelihoods of marginalized households in rural Nepal.
Comparison of label-free biosensing in microplate, microfluidic, and spot-based affinity capture assays

Abstract Using both experimental assays and fluid-dynamic finite element simulation models, we directly compared the achievable performance limits of four distinct assay configurations for label-free detection of an analyte from a test sample on a biosensor surface. The assay configurations studied in this work included a biosensor incorporated into the bottom surface of a microplate well and a microfluidic channel. For each configuration, we compared assay performance for the scenario in which the entire bottom surface of the fluid-handling vessel is coated with capture ligands with assay performance for the scenario in which the capture ligands are applied in the form of localized spots. As a model system, we used detection of the protein biomarker tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) using immobilized TNF-α capture antibody. Results show that the microfluidic assay format dramatically reduces the time required to establish a stable equilibrium. Spot-based assays are advantageous for microplate-based detection for reducing the time required for equilibrium sensor response. The results derived are generally applicable to any label-free biosensor technology and any ligand–analyte system with adjustable variables that include sensor mass density sensitivity, analyte–ligand adsorption/desorption rate constants, immobilized ligand density, flow channel geometry, flow rate, and spot size.
Knowledge Discovery across Documents through Concept Chain Queries

This paper focuses on detecting links between two concepts across text documents (e.g. two persons). We interpret such a query as finding the most meaningful evidence trail across documents that connect these two concepts. Here we propose a fast and efficient algorithm to perform this task. It is based on the idea of hypothesis generation originated by Swanson called "complementary structures in disjoint literatures" (CSD). We adapted the technique by (i) developing an alternate method of generating semantic profiles and (ii) extending the technique to generate concept chains. Counterterrorism corpus is used to evaluate the performance of this approach and demonstrates the effectiveness of our algorithm.
Drawing the line between commensal and pathogenic Gardnerella vaginalis through genome analysis and virulence studies

Worldwide, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal disorder. It is associated with risk for preterm birth and HIV infection. The etiology of the condition has been debated for nearly half a century and the lack of knowledge about its cause and progression has stymied efforts to improve therapy and prevention. Gardnerella vaginalis was originally identified as the causative agent, but subsequent findings that it is commonly isolated from seemingly healthy women cast doubt on this claim. Recent studies shedding light on the virulence properties of G. vaginalis, however, have drawn the species back into the spotlight. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of a strain of G. vaginalis from a healthy woman, and one from a woman with bacterial vaginosis. Comparative analysis of the genomes revealed significant divergence and in vitro studies indicated disparities in the virulence potential of the two strains. The commensal isolate exhibited reduced cytotoxicity and yet the cytolysin proteins encoded by the two strains were nearly identical, differing at a single amino acid, and were transcribed at similar levels. The BV-associated strain encoded a different variant of a biofilm associated protein gene and demonstrated greater adherence, aggregation, and biofilm formation. Using filters with different pore sizes, we found that direct contact between the bacteria and epithelial cells is required for cytotoxicity. The results indicated that contact is required for cytotoxicity and suggested that reduced cytotoxicity in the commensal isolate could be due to impaired adherence. This study outlines two distinct genotypic variants of G. vaginalis, one apparently commensal and one pathogenic, and presents evidence for disparate virulence potentials.
Vacua and instantons of ghost-free massive gravity

Recently discovered models of ghost-free massive gravity and bigravity are characterized by a nontrivial potential that gives rise to a rich vacuum structure. We review maximally symmetric vacua of the de Rham-Gabadadze-Tolley (dRGT) massive gravity and of the Hassan-Rosen (HR) bigravity and discuss their perturbative stability. In particular, we discuss perturbations about self-accelerating vacua in HR bigravity and argue that, analogously to what was found in the case of dRGT gravity, some of them contain strongly coupled modes. We then show that it is impossible to construct regular instantons connecting different classically stable vacua of dRGT gravity without violating energy conservation or the null energy condition.
A Fuzzy Set Algorithm for Engineering Design with Applications to the Component Parts Industry

A fuzzy set algorithm is formulated for System Selection and Design Specification. To meet the requirements of a given application (Design Goal) the SSDS selects one among a finite number N of alternative systems and specifies the design parameters of the selected system optimally. Optimality is in the sense of highest membership function of the finally designed system in meeting the Design Goal. An application of the SSDS to electrical motor design is discussed.
Cation-Specific Conformations in a Dual-Function Ion-Pumping Microbial Rhodopsin

A recently discovered rhodopsin ion pump (DeNaR, also known as KR2) in the marine bacterium Dokdonia eikasta uses light to pump protons or sodium ions from the cell depending on the ionic composition of the medium. In cells suspended in a KCl solution, DeNaR functions as a light-driven proton pump, whereas in a NaCl solution, DeNaR conducts light-driven sodium ion pumping, a novel activity within the rhodopsin family. These two distinct functions raise the questions of whether the conformations of the protein differ in the presence of K+ or Na+ and whether the helical movements that result in the canonical E → C conformational change in other microbial rhodopsins are conserved in DeNaR. Visible absorption maxima of DeNaR in its unphotolyzed (dark) state show an 8 nm difference between Na+ and K+ in decyl maltopyranoside micelles, indicating an influence of the cations on the retinylidene photoactive site. In addition, electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the dark states reveal repositioning ...
The State of the Union is a Presidential Pep Rally

President Barack Obama has been criticized for questioning the Supreme Court's campaign finance decision in his State of the Union address, leading Chief Justice John Roberts to complain that the State of the Union had degenerated into a "political pep rally." This essay puts Obama's remarks into a broader context, and argues that the State of the Union has long been a political pep rally, that presidents often criticize the courts and judges, and that the particular venue in which they choose to do so is a matter of strategic calculation rather than decorum.
Religious Conversion: A Theory of Deviant Behavior

Recognizing the inadequacy of those attempts to explain the phenomenon of religious conversion via over-concern with the more sensational conversions to the "off-beat" sects and cults, this paper represents an attempt to increase the comprehensiveness of our understanding of religious conversion through an inclusion within its scope of those relatively neglected conversions within and between the more conventional socio-religious bodies. For its basic orientation, this theoretical endeavor employs a model of deviancy. Also of central importance to this undertaking is the development of a conversion typology based upon the factors of the degree and the direction of structural change, and the degree and the direction of content change within the belief system.
Evaluating Problems With Footwear in the Geriatric Population

Foot pathologies are common in nearly 80% of all elderly patients, and studies have indicated inappropriate footwear as one of the major underlying cause. It has been postulated that ill-fitting shoe wear affects plantar pressure, thus exacerbating weak balance. Complications arising from foot pathologies, which include difficulty in maintaining balance, have increased the risk of falls that can result in fractures and other serious injuries. The link between footwear and the onset or progression of certain foot pathologies has emphasized the need to explore and promote preventative measures to combat the issue. Wider and higher toe boxed shoes, along with sneakers, are examples of footwear documented to evenly distribute plantar pressure, increase comfort, and facilitate appropriate balance and gait. Ultimately, the use of appropriate footwear can help to better stabilize the foot, thus reducing the risk of sustaining debilitating physical injuries known to drastically decrease the quality of life among the geriatric population.
The Number of Regions Determined by a Convex Polygon

(1976). The Number of Regions Determined by a Convex Polygon. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 23-25.
Expression and induction by β-adrenergic agonists of the cystatin S gene in submandibular glands of developing rats

Repeated administration of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (isoproterenol, IPR), which produces hypertrophic/hyperplastic enlargements of rat submandibular and parotid glands, induces synthesis of a secretory protein shown to be a cysteine proteinase inhibitor, rat cystatin S. In the current study, Northern blot and hybridizations in situ were carried out to establish the developmental and beta-adrenergic regulation of the expression of the cystatin S gene. Cystatin S mRNA was not detected in submandibular glands of 20-day-old fetuses, nor in the glands of newborn or 10-day-old rats. However, steady-state levels of cystatin S mRNA increased between 21 and 28 days, reaching a conspicuously high concentration at 28 days; cystatin S mRNA then declined rapidly to a barely detectable level in glands of 32-day-old rats. IPR administration for 4 days induced high levels of cystatin S mRNA in submandibular glands of developing and adult rats. In both prepubertal and mature animals, induction of cystatin S mRNA in submandibular glands was more pronounced in female than in male animals. Hybridizations in situ revealed cystatin S mRNA only in acinar but not in duct cells of the submandibular gland. Developmentally, expression of the cystatin S gene coincided with acinar cell differentiation. These data suggest a complex neural, hormonal and developmental regulation of salivary cystatin genes.