cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The President and the Parties: The Transformation of the American Party System Since the New Deal

Presenting a new synthesis of twentieth-century American political development, The President and the Parties is the first text to examine closely the association between the chief executive and the two-party system. Placing parties in a broad historical context and shedding light on their connection to other parts of the American political system, Sidney Milkis argues that, beginning with the New Deal, reforms intended to liberate the chief executive from the shackles of partisan politics only weakened an already fragile relationship, isolating presidents from what was once popular and institutional support from their parties. Written for political science students at all levels, this comprehensive analysis covers a broad range of issues and events, including FDR's 1938 "Purge" of the Democratic Party, The Executive Reorganization Act of 1939, the legacy of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society, and the triumph of executive centralization during the Reagan "Revolution." By providing a unique perspective on the elements of American government, Milkis offers new insights into the decline of the party system and the process that fashioned a stronger, more active national state, but one lacking in vital representative institutions capable of common deliberation and choice. Placing the issue in contemporary perspective, he warns of the challenges ahead for a nation struggling to repair its frayed connection between government and people.
Modified Canonical Formalism

The possible substitutes for the canonical commutation relations which are consistent with microscopic causality and Lorentz invariance are obtained. The result is also valid if fields are treated as 3-dimensional distributions.
Design and Characterization of a Variable High Temperature/Low Pressure Facility for Evaluating Thermal Protection Systems in Reentry Environments

A variable high temperature / low pressure facility has been developed to characterize the thermal response of candidate thermal protection materials in reentry environments. Transient, non-linear finite element models were developed to optimize the design of the test facility. All models used temperature dependent material properties and time dependent boundary conditions based on thermocouple data obtained during checkout runs. These experimental runs were based on simulated reentry profiles. A one-dimensional model was developed considering only the axial heat flow through the thickness of the test stack. It was used as a benchmark when considering multi-dimensional heating effects. Axisymmetric and three-dimensional models were developed to minimize transverse heating and edge effects through a unique combination of material selection and geometry. The final, optimized configuration is capable of temperatures as high as 4500 °F with pressures as low as 100 mTorr in inert atmosphere. Heating rates that produce surface temperature changes of 300 °F / min are attainable. Pyrometers are used to measure the element temperature and the specimen hot face temperature. Up to thirty-five thermocouples are used to measure internal specimen, cold-face, and insulation temperatures within the stack. A PID algorithm is used to control the furnace, while a data acquisition system is used to log all data.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Pre- and Postoperative Rest and Exercise Hemodynamics in Children with Pulmonary Stenosis

Twenty children with pulmonary valvular stenosis were studied by cardiac catheterization both at rest and during submaximal supine exercise, prior to and following pulmonary valvotomy. The resting and exercise states were comparable preoperatively and postoperatively since cardiac output, heart rate, A - V O2 difference and oxygen consumption were similar. Evidence of improved cardiac function was found postoperatively. Both the rest and the exercise right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP) decreased significantly following pulmonary valvotomy. Preoperatively, 12 of 20 patients showed an increase in RVEDP with exercise; in six of these there was a simultaneous fall in stroke index, indicating impaired myocardial function. No patient showed this response postoperatively. This indicates that although altered cardiac function can be demonstrated in some children with pulmonary valvular stenosis, it is reversible by pulmonary valvotomy. This is in contrast to studies in adults, and suggests that a fac...
Hunter‐gatherer landscapes and lowland trade in the prehispanic Philippines

Abstract Ethnographers have recently debated two distinct models of hunter‐gatherer and agriculturalist interaction in the tropical forests of island Southeast Asia: (1) the ‘Isolate’ Model, proposing that hunter‐gatherers had a social network and stable, tropical forest‐based foraging economy largely independent of contact with sedentary farmers until the historic era, and (2) the ‘Interdependent’ Model, suggesting a lengthy history of symbiotic exchange and economic overlap between the two populations. While these models have been examined and debated from the perspective of ethnohistoric and linguistic data, relevant archaeological evidence has been lacking. This paper uses archaeological data on settlement patterns, lithic assemblage composition and the regional circulation of ceramics, metal, and other trade goods to demonstrate that the types of economic interactions suggested by the ‘Interdependent’ Model have existed between lowland agriculturalists and upland foragers in the Tanjay Region of the ...
Drug Courts: A Conceptual Framework:

Structural and process characteristics of drug courts may have a major influence on offender outcomes. However, despite the existence of dozens of outcome evaluations in the drug court literature, ...
PARTICULATE CAPTURE OF PLUTONIUM BY HIGH GRADIENT MAGNETIC SEPARATION WITH ADVANCED MATRICES

A high performance superconducting magnetic separator is being developed for near single particle retrieval from low concentration field collected samples. Results show that maximum separation is obtained when the effective matrix element diameter approaches the diameter of the particles to be captured. Experimentally, we were able to capture very dilute levels of 0.2 to 0.8 μm PuO2 particles with dodecane as a carrier fluid. The development of new matrix materials is being pursued through the deposition of nickel dendrites on an existing stainless steel matrix material. The new materials are promising for the submicron collection of paramagnetic particles. Results indicate that these new matrices contain a high number of capture sites for the paramagnetic particles. We have also derived a force-balance model that uses empirically determined capture cross section values. The model can be used to optimize the capture cross section and thus increase the capture efficiency. This enables the prediction of hig...
A near Pareto optimal auction with budget constraints

Abstract In a setup where a divisible good is to be allocated to a set of bidders with budget constraints, we introduce a mechanism in the spirit of the Vickrey auction. In the mechanism we propose, understating budgets or values is weakly dominated. Since the revenue is increasing in budgets and values, all kinds of equilibrium deviations from true valuations turn out to be beneficial to the auctioneer. We also show that ex-post Nash equilibrium of our mechanism is near Pareto optimal in the sense that all full winnersʼ values are above all full losersʼ values.
Optical calibration of a digital micromirror device (DMD)-based compressive imaging (CI) system

Compressive imaging (CI) system is a novel electro-optical imaging system design, which uses a single-pixel photo detector to capture two dimensional (2D) images. Instead of sampling the image directly by the sensor following the classic Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem, CI systems insert a measurement layer between the image formation and the image recording media so that projection measurement matrices used to conduct compressive sampling can be effectively introduced to the imaging process. The Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) can be used to implement the projection measurement matrices. The imaging performance of a DMD based CI system relies more than just on the imaging optics and the pixel size of the sensor. It also depends on the design of the measurement matrices and their physical representations by the DMD. In the present work, we implemented three compressive sampling methods with the DMD, namely the random basis under-sampling method, the random sampling method in the Hadamard space and the variable density sampling method in the Hadamard space. We experimentally demonstrated that the design and implementation of these methods have a direct impact on the imaging performance of the CI system. We tested the system with different sampling ratios, DMD mirror configurations and imaging optics. Their influences on the reconstructed image quality are demonstrated by experimental results. Lastly, we discussed the illumination issue of the reconstructed image, which is not related to resolution, but is important for our visual perception of the reconstructed image.
A Theoretical Analysis of Combustive Synthesis of Titanium Carbide and a Comparison of Predictions with Measurements

Abstract –A numerical model is developed to predict the propagation speed of a Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS) reaction wave along a vertical cylindrical reactant compact made from a mixture of titanium and carbon powders. A two-dimensional formulation along with convective + radiative heat loss from the peripheral surface to the surrounding inert gas atmosphere is used. The reaction kinetics employed are from the earlier work of Kanury. The model predicts the dependency of the wave propagation speed on various physical and geometric parameters of a titanium + carbon compact. It also predicts conditions at which the reaction wave does not propagate in a self-supporting manner. Effects of peripheral heat losses are also investigated. Some of the predictions are compared with experimentally measured propagation speeds to find excellent agreement.
Toward quantitative analysis of water-energy-urban-climate nexus for urban adaptation planning

Water and energy are two interwoven factors affecting environmental management and urban development planning. Meanwhile, rapid urban development and a changing climate exacerbate the magnitude and effects of water-energy interactions in what a nexus defines. These factors and their mutual interactions affect how we evaluate urban developmental alternatives. In this perspective, a few pressing issues and a systems approach are discussed for quantitative analysis of the water-energy-climate-urban nexus in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Next steps in the study of sudden infant death syndrome.

Varias licoes importantes podem ser aprendidas a partir do artigo de Pinho & Nunes1 presente nesta edicao. Primeiramente, em um cuidadoso estudo caso-controle, os autores mostram, de maneira convincente, que as caracteristicas epidemiologicas da sindrome da morte subita do lactente (SMSL) em Porto Alegre (RS) sao semelhantes as encontradas em outras partes do mundo onde mortes de lactentes ja foram estudadas. Essas caracteristicas incluem maiores taxas de prematuridade, baixo peso ao nascer, gravidez na adolescencia, etnia negra, tabagismo e pobreza – juntamente com a caracteristica mais distintiva e intrigante da SMSL, a saber, uma media de idade de 3 meses ao obito. Os autores apontam que, por causa da relativa prosperidade e diversidade da populacao de Porto Alegre, a incidencia determinada de 0,55/1.000 nascidos vivos pode nao ser representativa de outras areas do Brasil. Em areas menos prosperas, a frequencia dessa incidencia provavelmente e maior, assim como a mortalidade infantil em geral.
Classification and predictive modeling of liver X receptor response elements.

Background The liver X receptor (LXR), a transcription factor that forms a heterodimer with the retinoid X receptor, plays a key role in the transcriptional regulation of many important genes implicated in prevalent metabolic diseases. In spite of numerous studies, a complete list of LXR direct target genes remains elusive. To complement experimental approaches, computational prediction can be used to help build such a list because all LXR target genes are expected to carry the response elements (LXREs) in their promoter or enhancer regions. In practice, however, such a prediction has been hampered by the inaccuracies of currently available predictive models of LXREs. We report on a novel computational application for the highly accurate prediction of LXREs in DNA sequences.
Race philanthropy: Personalities, institutions, networks, and communities

A scholar provides a firsthand account of his introduction to the history and sociology of race philanthropy.
Nuclear Fuel Management Optimization Using Genetic Algorithms

The code independent genetic algorithm reactor optimization (CIGARO) system has been developed to optimize nuclear reactor loading patterns. It uses genetic algorithms (GAs) and a code-independent ...
A Simple Dynamical Model of the Warm-Water Branch of the Middepth Meridional Overturning Cell

A reduced-gravity model is presented of the warm-water branch of the middepth meridional overturning circulation in a rectangular basin with a circumpolar connection. The model describes the balance between production of warm water by Ekman advection across the circumpolar current, dissipation of warm water by eddy fluxes southward across the current, and the net production or dissipation of warm water by diabatic processes north of the current. The results emphasize the role of the eastern boundary condition in setting the thermocline structure northofthe current andthe nonlinear interactions betweenwind forcing, eddyfluxes, and diabatic mixing, which together control the structure and amplitude of the model meridional overturning circulation. SolutionsareshowntoexistinwhichthenorthwardEkmantransportacrossthecircumpolarcurrent is completely compensated by southward eddy fluxes and the meridional overturning north of the current is entirely driven by diabatic forcing and interior upwelling through the base of the layer. Other solutions are shown to exist in which the interior upwelling into the warm layer at midlatitudes is negligible and the meridional overturning circulation consists of a continuous cell that carried the fluid delivered by the northward Ekman transport across the circumpolar current through midlatitudes to the Northern Hemisphere subpolar gyre, where it cools and returns todepth. The results emphasize that the coupled elements ofwind driving, eddy fluxes, and diabatic processes are inextricably intertwined in the middepth meridional overturning circulation.
How Well Can We Predict the Toxicity of Pesticide Mixtures to Aquatic Life

Results of published pesticide mixture toxicity experiments conducted with aquatic organisms were compiled and evaluated to assess the accuracy of predictive mixture models. Three types of models were evaluated: Concentration addition (CA), independent action (IA), and simple interaction (SI). The CA model was the most often tested (207 experiments), followed by SI (59) and IA (37). The reviewed experiments are listed in the Supplemental material to provide a resource for future investigators. The predictive accuracy of each model was quantified for each experiment by the model deviation ratio (MDR), which was calculated by dividing the predicted toxicity by the observed toxicity. Eighty-eight percent of all experiments that evaluated the CA model had observed effective concentrations within a factor of 2 of predicted values (MDR values from 0.5–2.0). The median MDR was 1, about 5% of MDRs were less than 0.5, and about 5% were greater than 2, indicating unbiased estimates overall. The predictive accuracy of CA and IA models was influenced, however, by the different modes of action (MOA) of the pesticides. For experiments with pesticides with the same MOA, CA more accurately predicted effective concentrations for more experiments compared to IA, which tended to underpredict toxicity. The IA model was somewhat more accurate than the CA model for most mixtures with different MOAs, but in most cases there were relatively small differences between the models. Additionally, 80% of SI experiments had an MDR value below 2.0 despite a bias towards experiments that are likely to have an interaction. Thus, results indicate that the CA model may be used as a slightly conservative, but broadly applicable model with a relatively small likelihood of underestimating effects due to interactions.
Benefits of exercise for community-dwelling older adults.

Abstract Bean JF, Vora A, Frontera WR. Benefits of exercise for community-dwelling older adults. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85(Suppl 3):S31–42. This focused review highlights the benefits of exercise and physical activity for community-dwelling older adults. It is part of the study guide on geriatric rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article specifically focuses on the benefits of physical activity and exercise for older adults with regard to morbidity, mortality, and disability. It discusses the appropriate preexercise screening and evaluation procedures for older adults contemplating exercise. Last, it reviews the current literature on the benefits of varying modes of exercise to modify the most prevalent chronic medical conditions of late life, including arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, pulmonary disease, and osteoporosis. Overall article objective To summarize the current knowledge regarding the therapeutic benefits of exercise for community-dwelling older adults.
Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 8. Eleutherodactylus planirostris, the Greenhouse Frog (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae)

Abstract: The greenhouse frog, Eleutherodactylus planirostris, is a direct-developing (i.e., no aquatic stage) frog native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It was introduced to Hawai‘i via nursery plants in the early 1990s and then subsequently from Hawai’i to Guam in 2003. The greenhouse frog is now widespread on five Hawaiian Islands and Guam. Infestations are often overlooked due to the frog's quiet calls, small size, and cryptic behavior, and this likely contributes to its spread. Because the greenhouse frog is an insectivore, introductions may reduce invertebrates. In Hawai‘i, the greenhouse frog primarily consumes ants, mites, and springtails and obtains densities of up to 12,500 frogs ha-1. At this density, it is estimated that they can consume up to 129,000 invertebrates ha-1 night-1. They are a food source for the nonnative brown tree snake in Guam and may be a food source for other nonnative species. They may also compete with other insectivores for available prey. The greatest direct economic impacts o...
Effects of pesticides on nitrite oxidation by Nitrobacter agilis.

The influence of pesticides on the growth of Nitrobacter agilis in aerated cultures and on the respiration of N. agilis cell suspensions and cell-free extracts was studied. Two pesticides, aldrin and simazine, were not inhibitory to growth of Nitrobacter, but five compounds [isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (CIPC), chlordane, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDD), heptachlor, and lindane] prevented growth when added to the medium at a concentration of 10 μg/ml. Whereas CIPC and eptam prevented nitrite oxidation by cell suspensions, the addition of DDD and lindane resulted in only partial inhibition of the oxidation. Heptachlor and chlordane also caused only partial inhibition of oxidation, but were more toxic with cell-free extract nitrite oxidase. None of the pesticides inhibited the nitrate reductase activity of cell-free extracts, but most caused some repression of cytochrome c oxidase activity. Heptachlor was the most deleterious compound.
Alcohol and spouse abuse ethnic differences

This chapter examines theoretical and empirical evidence on the interplay between ethnicity, structural and cultural factors, and alcohol-related assaults against wives and considers whether there is a differential vulnerability to such assaults among varying ethnic groups. Our review demonstrated that structural factors emerged as dominant in their influence on alcoholrelated wife assaults in varying ethnic groups. The empirical evidence, though limited, showed that the linkages between drinking and wife beating are not just a problem of poor ethnic minorities. Heavy drinking per se is associated similarly in Hispanic-American and Anglo-American families. However, we also identified differences among Hispanic subgroups, as well as cultural variations in drinking patterns that differentially affected wife assaults. Although data on alcohol-wife assault relationships among African Americans are extremely limited, the available evidence indicates little or no effect of drinking by African-American men on wif e assaults, after taking other socioeconomic variables into account. Empirical evidence did not support the saliency of particular cultural beliefs favoring violence toward women as intrinsic to any one ethnic group. The major cultural differences in alcohol-related cognitions are consistent with the greater legitimation of alcohol-related misbehavior and the acceptance of “machismo” drinking by Hispanic Americans compared to Anglo-Americans.
Optimisation of film condensation with periodic wall cleaning

Abstract This is a theoretical and experimental study of the time-optimisation of condensation on a vertical wall when the film is removed periodically by a mechanical device. The objective is to fine-tune the periodic process so that the production of condensate and the heat transfer rate are maximal. The first part of the paper develops the scales of the periodic condensation process, and predicts the existence of an optimal condensation time interval. The analysis also predicts that the augmentation of condensation increases as the mechanical cleaning time decreases. These design optimisation opportunities are confirmed in the second part of the paper, which reports measurements of steam condensation on a vertical surface scraped periodically.
Comparison of fears and coping strategies reported by Nepalese school-age children and their parents.

This study explored the self-reported fears and coping strategies of Nepalese school-age children and their parents’ perceptions of their children’s fears and coping strategies. Seventy-nine healthy school-age children attending a private school in Nepal and 48 parents participated in the study. The scores on the Child Medical Fear Scale (CMFS) indicated that children had moderate levels of fear. On the Schoolagers’ Coping Strategies Inventory (SCSI), children reported using coping strategies less frequently and found them less effective than those reported by their parents. No significant correlations were found between fear scores and coping strategies. Significant differences were found between level of fears reported by school-age children and parents. No significant difference was found between children’s and parent’s report of children’s coping strategies. However, a significant difference was found between effectiveness of coping strategies reported by children and parents. Nurses need to gather information from children, as well as from parents, about fears and coping strategies. Nursing intervention should be culturally sensitive with an awareness of cultural influences impacting how children perceive fears and cope with their fears.
Collaborative care for the treatment of Hispanic children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract Objective This study examined the use of the collaborative care model in treating Hispanic children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) living in underserved communities. Methods The study was implemented in two clinics, one in a rural and one in an urban setting. We evaluated model implementation and used standardized rating scales to assess pre/post-intervention changes in ADHD symptoms. All children were referred and treated by their pediatricians. A care manager conveyed medication recommendations from a child and adolescent psychiatrist to the pediatrician who in turn implemented recommendations. The care manager also provided psychoeducation regarding the causes and management of ADHD. Results The model was successfully implemented. Differences were observed across the two clinics. The urban clinic provided more sessions in the first 2 months of treatment, collected more rating scales, provided more psychoeducation, made more medication adjustments, and prescribed higher medication doses. However, children at both sites showed comparable reductions in ADHD symptoms. Parents were satisfied with the collaborative care model. Staff expressed the need for more administrative support in implementing the model. Conclusions Collaborative care appears feasible and acceptable for the treatment of Hispanic children with ADHD and shows preliminary evidence of effectiveness.
A projection method for the visualization of high-dimensional biomedical datasets

The analysis and interpretation of high-dimensional biomedical datasets for the purposes of confirmatory or exploratory data analysis is a challenging problem. The process raises issues that are not only typically associated with high-dimensional data but also with software implementations of the visualization models. The relative distance plane projection method, which uses a distance-based mapping for visualizing high dimensional patterns and their relative relationships, addresses these confounding factors. This paper describes the algorithm, its implementation in software, and the specialized user interface. Its functionality is demonstrated using a high-dimensional biomedical dataset.
Time optimal navigation via slack time sets

An algorithm for determining the minimum-time obstacle avoidance trajectory for a robot is presented. Since different joints, when moved independently, may reach their desired end values at different times, any delay of a joint, other than the slowest, will not affect the total time of motion. This natural redundancy is used with obstacle avoidance to simplify any path search algorithm by at least one order of magnitude (one degree of freedom less). By neglecting the presence of all obstacles and assigning to each actuator maximum control torque (bang-bang), a lower-bound estimate of the time T/sub task/ needed to complete a task is calculated. The A/sup */ heuristic search is used to search the subset of the state space which contains only those states which are members of a trajectory with a task time equal to T/sub task/. If no trajectory is found during the initial search, the subset of the state space being examined is sequentially increased until a valid trajectory is found. Since, in general, the minimum-time obstacle avoidance trajectory is not unique, secondary constraints such as minimum distance in the state space and others can also be satisfied. >
A performance evaluation of Chinese mutual funds

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the performance of Chinese mutual funds during the period of January 2000 to July 2013. Emerging market funds provide investors with alternative risk exposure for their portfolios. The Chinese market has developed rapidly and differs from developed markets regarding wide range of market and economic characteristics, including size, liquidity, and regulation. The performance of these funds is investigated by using various risk adjusted measures. The study also compares performances of mutual fund subgroups and explains the factors influencing their performances. Design/methodology/approach – This is an empirical paper using various risk performance measures. These measures include the Sharpe ratio, Information ratio, Treynor ratio, M-squared and Jensen’s α. The data comprises 1,037 funds. These funds are further divided into ten subgroup of funds based on their classification: equity (484); aggressive allocation (95 funds); conservative allocation (18 funds...
Continuous Viral Escape and Selection by Autologous Neutralizing Antibodies in Drug-Naïve Human Immunodeficiency Virus Controllers

We assessed differences in the character and specificity of autologous neutralizing antibodies (ANAbs) against individual viral variants of the quasispecies in a cohort of drug-naive subjects with long-term controlled human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and moderate levels of broad heterologous neutralizing antibodies (HNAb). Functional plasma virus showed continuous env evolution despite a short time frame and low levels of viral replication. Neutralization-sensitive variants dominated in subjects with intermittent viral blips, while neutralization-resistant variants predominated in elite controllers. By sequence analysis of this panel of autologous variants with various sensitivities to neutralization, we identified more than 30 residues in envelope proteins (Env) associated with resistance or sensitivity to ANAbs. The appearance of new sensitive variants is consistent with a model of continuous selection and turnover. Strong ANAb responses directed against autologous Env variants are present in long-term chronically infected individuals, suggesting a role for these responses in contributing to the durable control of HIV replication.
Profiling hemodialysis patients with high ferritin levels.

Aims Hemodialysis patients receiving intravenous iron and erythropoietin may develop greatly elevated ferritin levels. Both iron overload and inflammation may account for this hyperferritinemia. The aim of this study was to try to identify the cause of the high ferritin level among individual patients. Methods Sixty-seven chronic hemodialysis patients with ferritn levels or = 700 microg/l. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and evaluated by cluster analysis which allowed patients to be placed into statistically dissimilar groups. Results The 47 high ferritin patients segregated into 3 clusters consisting of 28, 3, and 16 patients based on ferritin, zinc protoporphyrin, albumin, C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin. When contrasted with cluster 1, cluster 3 patients had higher levels of Zn-PP, CRP, and ferritin and lower levels of albumin and hemoglobin. Conclusions Utilizing these data and the results of many other studies, we conclude that, relative to cluster 1, cluster 3 patients had a more intense inflammatory response that blocked iron mobilization required for erythrocyte production. Cluster analysis appears to be a useful method of analyzing clinical data of relatively small patient population.
Low-voltage vacuum contactors: a good alternative to air break?

The technical and commercial potential for vacuum contactors is evident. Advances in the science of vacuum-sealing techniques and contact metallurgy have provided reliable high-performance products. This opportunity for vacuum control in mining and pumping applications is mainly due to the voltage utilization level. Vacuum contactors are inherently better suited for switching voltages above 600 V. In addition, the product's smaller size and competitive price at higher voltage proves vacuum to be an effective alternative to the air-break devices in these and other process industries. The issue, however, is not nearly as clear on applications involving voltage levels of 600 V and less. Air-break and vacuum devices have their own place at these voltage levels, and the optimum choice in a given situation is dependent on several factors, not the least of which are the application and the horsepower of the motor being switched. >
Spectrum Opportunity and Interference Constraint in Opportunistic Spectrum Access

In this paper, we study two important concepts in opportunistic spectrum access: spectrum opportunity and interference constraint. We aim to provide a certain level of rigor to these seemingly intuitive terms central to opportunistic spectrum access. Their implications in spectrum opportunity detection and transmission power control of secondary users are discussed.
Application of a viability-staining method for Mycobacterium leprae derived from the athymic (nu/nu) mouse foot pad.

Mycobacterium leprae cannot be cultured, so ascertaining viability of the organism remains a major obstacle, impeding many avenues of investigation. This study tested a two-colour, Syto9 and propidium iodide, fluorescence assay, which scores for membrane damage in individual bacilli, to determine if a rapid direct-count viability-staining technique can be reliably applied to M. leprae. A variety of experimental conditions were employed to validate this technique. This technique was also used to correlate the viability of M. leprae with the course of athymic mouse foot pad infection to optimize the provision of viable M. leprae as a research reagent. The data show that in untreated suspensions of M. leprae there is a good correlation between the metabolic activity of leprosy bacilli and their membrane damage. Fixation of M. leprae with ethanol, paraformaldehyde and gluteraldehyde completely suppressed their metabolic activity but showed little effect on their membrane integrity. The present study also showed that the metabolic activity of M. leprae declines more than the extent of membrane damage at 37 °C within 72 h, but that they are not significantly affected at 33 °C. Irradiation at 104 Gy showed high numbers of dead bacilli by the staining method. The results show that the reliability of metabolic-activity data as well as viability-staining data is dependent on the method by which M. leprae is killed. This staining method helped us predict reliably that the smaller M. leprae-infected athymic mouse foot pad seen early in infection, between 4 and 5 months, yields markedly better quality leprosy bacilli than older, larger foot pad infections, as defined by their metabolic activity and membrane integrity.
Ungulate distributions in a rangeland with competitors, predators and pastoralists

Summary African rangelands support diverse ungulate communities whose member species exhibit unique combinations of body morphology and behaviour that have evolved over millions of years to limit the effects of competition and predation on fitness, and more recently, to cope with people and livestock. The mechanisms by which native ungulates cope with the combined effects of competition, predation and human disturbance are poorly understood. Addressing this knowledge gap will help guide management and conservation plans for large mammal communities outside of strictly protected areas. We conducted animal counts on line transects and used a spatially explicit distance sampling model to test the influence of bottom–up effects (vegetation), top–down effects from African lion Panthera leo and spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta and human disturbance (livestock density, occupied human settlements) on native ungulate densities and distributions across a multiple-use rangeland in Kenya. We examined five species that varied in body morphology and foraging strategy, including two large-bodied grazers (zebra Equus quagga; wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus), two medium-bodied, mixed-feeders (Grant's gazelle Nanger granti; impala Aepyceros melampus) and one very large-bodied browser (giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi). Densities and distributions of all species varied across available land-use types, with bottom–up effects (vegetation) and human disturbance having the strongest overall effects. Responses varied by ungulate foraging strategy. Distributions of grazers and the browser (giraffe) changed seasonally, while distributions of mixed-feeders and a grazer (zebra) changed diurnally. At broad spatial scales, ungulates did not respond to long-term variation in predation risk though they have been shown to respond behaviourally to short-term variation in risk. Synthesis and applications. Our results revealed that native ungulates in this multiple-use rangeland occur at densities comparable to many flagship protected area populations. We attribute observed densities to spatial heterogeneity across this landscape that included variation in human land use (community conservation area, seasonal settlements and livestock grazing, permanent settlements) and vegetation (grassland, bushland, woodland) that changed through time (seasonally, diurnally). This variation allowed ungulates to carve out ecological niches while reducing exposure to the potential limiting effects of competition and human disturbance. For some species, securing access to forage resources and avoiding human disturbance may be associated with costs through increased risk of predation. Our research reveals the trade-offs native ungulates make to cope with changes in forage availability, human disturbance and predation risk, providing important insights to help guide native ungulate conservation efforts in multiple-use rangelands.
Torsin ATPases: structural insights and functional perspectives

Torsin ATPases are the only members of the AAA+ ATPase family that localize to the endoplasmic reticulum and contiguous perinuclear space. Accordingly, they are well positioned to perform essential work in these compartments, but their precise functions remain elusive. Recent studies have deciphered an unusual ATPase activation mechanism relying on Torsin-associated transmembrane cofactors, LAP1 or LULL1. These findings profoundly change our molecular view of the Torsin machinery and rationalize several human mutations in TorsinA or LAP1 leading to congenital disorders, symptoms of which have recently been recapitulated in mouse models. Here, we review these recent advances in the Torsin field and discuss the most pressing questions in relation to nuclear envelope dynamics.
Two Cases of Postoperative Pulmonary Thromboembolism of Lumbar Spinal Diseases

Recently, we treated two cases of postoperative pulmonary thromboembolism after lumbar spinal surgery. Pulmonary thromboembolism is responsible for one of the greatest dangers in orthopaedic surgery.Case 1 was a 30-year-old man. There was a disc herniation of L4/5 and Love's operation was done. Six days after the surgery, he complained of chest pain, tachypnea, cough and bloody sputum.Case 2 was a 41-year-old man. There was a disc herniation of L4/5 and Love's operation and postero-lateral fusion were done. Thirteen days after the surgery, he complained of bloody sputum, tachypnea, chest pain and cough.The early signs of pulmonary thromboembolism are often difficult to detect, especially when it occurs in a patient remaining in bed. The diagnosis of the pulmonary thromboembolism was not easily made by chest X-ray findings and blood biochemical tests.Analysis of arterial blood gas and respiratory gas will be a most reliable method to differentiate pulmonary thromboembolism from other respiratory diseases.
Tolerance of Three Beet Armyworm Strains in Arizona to Methomyl

Tolerance levels of Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) to methomyl were investigated in Arizona. Laboratory cultures developed from feral collections in the Yuma, Mesa, and Safford localities were reared on a pinto bean diet. Acetone solutions of test grade methyl were topically applied with a standard microapplicator. Dosage-mortality data were obtained from 3rd instars held for 24 h after treatments. The Safford and Mesa strains were 3 times as tolerant as the Yuma strain. Dosage-mortality curves indicated a potential for resistance, but comparison with a 14-yr-old USDA strain showed that no methomyl resistance of any consequence is present in Arizona populations.
Abstract A19: Progesterone receptor signaling inhibits cervical cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major etiological factor for cervical cancer, which remains third most frequent and fourth most deadly malignancy in women worldwide. However, evidence indicates that other non-viral cofactors are also required for the disease. The uterine cervix is sensitive to female hormones, which have been implicated in cervical carcinogenesis. A transgenic mouse model expressing HPV oncogenes E6 and/or E7 is relevant to human cancer. We use this model to study a mechanism of hormone actions in the context of this common malignancy. Estrogen and estrogen receptor α (ERα) are required for the development of cervical cancer in this mouse model. ERα is known to upregulate expression of the progesterone receptor (PR), which, upon activation by its ligands, either promotes or inhibits carcinogenesis depending on the tissue context. In the present study, we demonstrate that progesterone-PR signaling inhibits cervical and vaginal epithelial cell proliferation in a ligand-dependent manner. We also demonstrate that synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) promotes regression of cancers and precancerous lesions in the female lower reproductive tracts (i.e., cervix and vagina). Our results provide the first experimental evidence supporting that the progesterone signaling is inhibitory for cervical cancer in vivo. Our results also suggest that cervical cancer recurs if MPA treatment is ceased. They imply that MPA efficiently get rid of bulk of disease, yet cancer progenitor/stem cells remain. Our mouse model provides a unique opportunity to interrogate mechanism of PR and PR ligands in cervical cancer. Citation Format: Fabiola Mehta, Young A Yoo, Jieun Son, Francesco J. DeMayo, John P. Lydon, Sang-Hyuk Chung. Progesterone receptor signaling inhibits cervical cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: The Translational Impact of Model Organisms in Cancer; Nov 5-8, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2014;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A19.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors in gynecologic cancers with lessons learned from non-gynecologic cancers.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The immune system plays a critical role in controlling cancer through a dynamic relationship with cancer cells. Immunotherapy can establish a sustained immune response against recurring cancer cells leading to long-term remissions for cancer patients. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which work by targeting molecules that regulate immune responses, might be a promising avenue of immunotherapeutic research in gynecologic cancers.Areas covered: This review focuses on the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and the programmed death receptors such as PD-1 and PD1-ligand in gynecologic cancers. Combinatorial approaches utilizing immunotherapeutic agents with conventional treatments as well as immune-related response criteria and the adverse effects arising due to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy have been also discussed in the review.Expert opinion: After years of very little success, a better understanding of the pivotal role ...
Nutritional consequences of long-term acid suppression; are they clinically important?

Purpose of reviewAs acid suppression therapies with proton pump inhibitors are an extremely common practice for common acid-related diseases, there has been increased scrutiny on the safety of this class of therapy.Recent findingsThere have been increasing reports of allegation of harm with the sust
Uncertainty characterization for robust MPC using an approximate convex hull method

A method to characterize model uncertainty for robust model predictive control is studied. The goal is to reduce the computational complexity of robust MPC. The main element of this method is the computation of an approximate convex hull of the model set. The introduced method guarantees that the actual output is in a given bound. This method is an effective tool to eliminate the model set redundancy and decreasing the number of extreme models in robust MPC approaches which results in decreasing the computational complexity. The simulation results show a solid performance for the proposed method.
On the Presentation of Error Coefficients in Introductory Control Theory

Error coefficients, a measure of steady-state polynomial tracking accuracy, have commonly, though inappropriately, been based on the actuating error in a negative unity feedback configuration. This paper develops an alternate introductory presentation correcting this misdirected structural normalization by providing generalized formulas directly related to system tracking capability.
Characterizing emergency department patients who reported work-related injuries and illnesses.

BACKGROUND: Per a Congressional directive and funding, this study describes worker and workplace characteristics of emergency department (ED) patients who reported their injury/illness to their employer. The study also responds to Congress's request to enumerate injured/ill self-employed workers and workers with chronic conditions. METHODS: We conducted a follow-back study on injured/ill workers, including self-employed, identified from a national ED surveillance system from June 2012 through December 2013. RESULTS: An estimated 3,357,000 (95%CI: 2,516,000-4,199,000) workers treated in EDs reported their injury/illness to their employer or were self-employed. Of those, 202,000 (95%CI: 133,000-272,000) had a chronic condition. Of all reporters, excluding self-employed, 77% indicated they received instructions as to whom to report. CONCLUSION: The study did not identify underreporting issues and revealed that medical records data may not be appropriate for assessing underreporting. Additional research is needed to examine workplace characteristics that encourage injury and illness reporting. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:610-620, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
The performance limit for distributed Bayesian estimation with identical one-bit quantizers

In this paper, a performance limit is derived for a distributed Bayesian parameter estimation problem in sensor networks where the prior probability density function of the parameter is known. The sensor observations are assumed conditionally independent and identically distributed given the parameter to be estimated, and the sensors employ independent and identical quantizers. The performance limit is established in terms of the best possible asymptotic performance that a distributed estimation scheme can achieve for all possible sensor observation models. This performance limit is obtained by deriving the optimal probabilistic quantizer under the ideal setting, where the sensors observe the parameter directly without any noise or distortion. With a uniform prior, the derived Bayesian performance limit and the associated quantizer are the same as the previous developed performance limit and quantizers under the minimax framework, where the parameter is assumed to be fixed but unknown. This proposed performance limit under distributed Bayesian setting is compared against a widely used performance bound that is based on full-precision sensor observations. This comparison shows that the performance limit derived in this paper is comparatively much tighter in most meaningful signalto- noise ratio (SNR) regions. Moreover, unlike the unquantized observations performance limit which can never be achieved, this performance limit can be achieved under certain noise observation models.
Alderson, Sessions and the 1950s Manager

An analysis of the newsletter, Cost and Profit Outlook that was published by Alderson & Sessions, Incorporated during the 1950s provides insights into how Wroe Alderson and Robert Sessions viewed the 1950s manager. Also it offers a perspective for how contemporary marketing academicians might view or interact with the 1980s manager.
What are high-energy cosmic rays?

Every day the Earth is bombarded by cosmic rays, particles accelerated to energies of billions of electron volts and higher by sources in the Milky Way and other galaxies. It is generally accepted that the bulk of these particles – which include protons, electrons, positrons, alpha particles and other nuclei – are accelerated by supernovae in the Milky Way, although the exact mechanism is still a matter of speculation.
A Diversity DoctorΓÇÖs Best Lessons from the Campus

Review of the book: ΓC£Taking on Diversity: How We Can Move from Anxiety to RespectΓCoA Diversity DoctorΓCOs Best Lessons from the Campus.ΓC¥ By Rupert W. Nacoste. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2015.┬a ISBN: 978-1-63388026-9 ┬a