cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energizing software engineering education through real-world projects as experimental studies

Our experience shows that a typical industrial project can enhance software engineering research and bring theories to life. The University of Kentucky (UK) is in the initial phase of developing a software engineering curriculum. The first course, a graduate-level survey of software engineering, strongly emphasized quality engineering. assisted by the UK clinic, the students undertook a project to develop a phenylalanine milligram tracker. It helps phenylketonuria (PKU) sufferers to monitor their diet as well as assists PKU researchers to collect data. The project was also used as an informal experimental study. The applied project approach to teaching software engineering appears to be successful thus far. The approach taught many important software and quality engineering principles to inexperienced graduate students in an accurately simulated industrial development environment. It resulted in the development of a framework for describing and evaluating such a real-world project, including evaluation of the notion of a user advocate. It also resulted in interesting experimental trends, though based on a very small sample. Specifically, estimation skills seem to improve over time and function point estimation may be more accurate than LOC estimation.
PeerWatch: a fault detection and diagnosis tool for virtualized consolidation systems

Server virtualization is now becoming an effective means to consolidate numerous applications into a small number of machines. While such a strategy can lead to significant savings in power and hardware cost, it may complicate the fault management task due to the increasing scalability and complexity in the virtualized environment. In this paper, we propose PeerWatch, a fault detection and diagnosis tool specially designed for virtualized consolidation systems. Based on the observation that each application usually reveals itself in multiple instances in the virtualized data center, PeerWatch introduces a statistical technique, canonical correlation analysis (CCA), to extract the correlated characteristics between multiple application instances. The extracted correlations are utilized to examine the status of each application instance. If some correlations drop significantly during the operation, PeerWatch regards that the system is in faulty situation and produces alarms. PeerWatch is robust to system dynamics, compared to traditional fault detection techniques and thus can avoid a lot of false alarms. Once the fault has been detected, PeerWatch proposes a diagnosis process that also takes advantage of the multiple instances feature in the virtualized systems. The diagnosis combines the spatial and temporal analysis on the measurement data across multiple instances before and after the failure. As a result, PeerWatch can obtain much accurate clues about the fault root cause. Experimental results in our virtualized testbed system have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed detection and diagnosis tool.
α-Adrenergic Vascular Responsiveness during Postexercise Hypotension in Humans

In sedentary individuals, postexercise hypotension following a single bout of aerobic exercise is due to an unexplained peripheral vasodilatation. We tested the hypothesis that α-adrenergic responsiveness in the forearm and leg vasculatures is blunted during postexercise hypotension. We studied 12 men and two women before and 30 min after a 60 min bout of cycling at 60 % V, peak. In the first five subjects, arterial pressure (brachial artery catheter) and forearm blood flow (plethysmography) were measured and vascular conductance was calculated during intraarterial infusions of the α1-agonist phenylephrine and the α2-agonist clonidine. Exercise reduced mean arterial pressure (89 ± 2 vs. 95 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05) and increased forearm vascular conductance 77 ± 33 % (P < 0.05). Despite these changes in baseline vascular conductance, vasoconstrictor responses in the forearm to phenylephrine and clonidine were similar (or enhanced) postexercise vs. preexercise. In the remaining nine subjects, arterial pressure (femoral artery catheter) and leg blood flow (Doppler ultrasound of the femoral artery) were measured and vascular conductance was calculated during intraarterial infusions of phenylephrine and clonidine. Exercise reduced mean arterial pressure (80 ± 2 vs. 89 ± 2 mmHg, P < 0.05) and increased leg vascular conductance 94 ± 16 % (P < 0.05). Despite these changes in baseline vascular conductance, vasoconstrictor responses in the leg to phenylephrine and clonidine were similar (or enhanced) postexercise vs. preexercise. These results suggest that vascular responsiveness to α-adrenergic agonists is maintained during postexercise hypotension in humans. Thus, while postexercise hypotension is associated with increased vascular conductance in the forearm and leg, it does not appear that blunting of α-adrenergic responsiveness is the cause.
Targeting the myofibroblast genetic switch: Inhibitors of myocardin-related transcription factor/serum response factor-regulated gene transcription prevent fibrosis in a murine model of skin injury

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, similar to many fibrotic disorders, lacks effective therapies. Current trials focus on anti-inflammatory drugs or targeted approaches aimed at one of the many receptor mechanisms initiating fibrosis. In light of evidence that a myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)–and serum response factor (SRF)–regulated gene transcriptional program induced by Rho GTPases is essential for myofibroblast activation, we explored the hypothesis that inhibitors of this pathway may represent novel antifibrotics. MRTF/SRF-regulated genes show spontaneously increased expression in primary dermal fibroblasts from patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc. A novel small-molecule inhibitor of MRTF/SRF-regulated transcription (CCG-203971) inhibits expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen 1 (COL1A2) in both SSc fibroblasts and in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)–and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)–stimulated fibroblasts. In vivo treatment with CCG-203971 also prevented bleomycin-induced skin thickening and collagen deposition. Thus, targeting the MRTF/SRF gene transcription pathway could provide an efficacious new approach to therapy for SSc and other fibrotic disorders.
Carboxylation of cytosine (5caC) in the CG dinucleotide in the E-box motif (CGCAG|GTG) increases binding of the Tcf3|Ascl1 helix-loop-helix heterodimer 10-fold

Abstract Three oxidative products of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) occur in mammalian genomes. We evaluated if these cytosine modifications in a CG dinucleotide altered DNA binding of four B-HLH homodimers and three heterodimers to the E-Box motif CGCAG|GTG. We examined 25 DNA probes containing all combinations of cytosine in a CG dinucleotide and none changed binding except for carboxylation of cytosine (5caC) in the strand CGCAG|GTG. 5caC enhanced binding of all examined B-HLH homodimers and heterodimers, particularly the Tcf3|Ascl1 heterodimer which increased binding ∼10-fold. These results highlight a potential function of the oxidative products of 5mC, changing the DNA binding of sequence-specific transcription factors.
Expansion of Elderly Couples' Iadl Caregiver Networks beyond the Marital Dyad

Factors influencing expansion of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) caregiver networks beyond the spouse/partner were studied, using data from the Asset and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) nationally representative sample of American elders (ages 70 and older). Analyses were based on 427 Black and White couples in which one partner regularly received IADL assistance; nearly 20% had expanded networks. Logistic regression showed expanded networks were significantly more likely when spouses had IADL or basic personal activity of everyday living (ADL) limitations and help recipients were wives or had numerous IADL or ADL limitations; they also tended to be more common (p < .10) for couples with numerous nearby daughters and help recipients with proxies and those without serious cognitive problems. Network expansion was unrelated to recipients' number of health conditions and Medicaid coverage or couples' ages, marital duration, income, and number of proximate sons. Implications for se...
Impact of peer counselling breast-feeding support programme protocols on any and exclusive breast-feeding discontinuation in low-income women

Departmentof Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USASubmitted 5 December 2013: Final revision received 10 March 2014: Accepted 13 March 2014AbstractObjective: Peer counselling (PC) programmes have been shown to improve breast-feeding outcomes in populations at risk for early discontinuation. Our objectivewas to describe associations between programme components (individual andcombinations) and breast-feeding outcomes (duration and exclusivity) in a PCprogramme for low-income women.Design: Secondary analysis of programme data. Multivariable-adjusted Coxproportional hazards models were used to examine associations between typeand quantity of peer contacts with breast-feeding outcomes. Types of contactsincluded in-person (hospital or home), phone or other (e.g. mail, text). Quantitiesof contacts were considered ‘optimal’ if they adhered to standard programmeguidelines.Setting: Programme data collected from 2005 to 2011 in Michigan’s BreastfeedingInitiative Peer Counseling Program.Subjects: Low-income (n 5886) women enrolled prenatally.Results: For each additional home, phone and other PC contact there wasa signiﬁcant reduction in the hazard of discontinuing any breast-feeding by6 months (hazard ratio (HR)=0·90 (95% CI 0·88, 0·92); HR=0·89 (95% CI 0·87,0·90); and HR=0·93 (95% CI 0·90, 0·96), respectively) and exclusive breast-feeding by 3 months (HR=0·92 (95% CI 0·89, 0·95); HR=0·90 (95% CI 0·88,0·91); and HR=0·93 (95% CI 0·89, 0·97), respectively). Participants receivinggreater than optimal in-person and less than optimal phone contacts had areduced hazard of any and exclusive breast-feeding discontinuation comparedwith those who were considered to have optimum quantities of contacts(HR=0·17 (95% CI 0·14, 0·20) and HR=0·28 (95% CI 0·23, 0·35), respectively).Conclusions: Speciﬁc components of a large PC programme appeared to have anappreciable impact on breast-feeding outcomes. In-person contacts were essentialto improving breast-feeding outcomes, but deﬁning optimalprogramme componentsis complex.KeywordsBreast-feedingPeer counsellingProgramme protocolSurvival analysisBreast-feeding reduces risk for a myriad of adverse healthoutcomes in both infant and mother
DLC Coated Piston Skirts Behavior at Initial IC Engine Start Up

The diamond-like carbon (DLC) based coating protects the lubricant-starved dry surface of the piston skirts against wear in a low-load and speed initial start-up of an internal combustion (IC) engine. Despite a relatively large radial clearance a physical contact between the skirts and the cylinder liner causes an elastic deformation of the DLC coated surface producing elastic stress and strains of noticeable amplitudes. The elastic stress accumulation may facilitate a subsequent de-lamination of the DLC coating. This study develops the numerical piston dynamics model by incorporating the secondary eccentric displacements of the piston skirts and their contact with the engine cylinder liner during the 720-degree crank rotation cycle. The contact zone in the boundary-value problem is discretized using the finite difference method. The elastic surface displacements, stresses and strains are determined by applying the theory of elasticity and solving the Navier’s or Lame’s equation numerically. The nature and extent of the displacements, stresses and strains produced at the interface of a fairly thin DLC coating with the substrate are analyzed. The results highlight the extent of the depth of the elastic surface displacements, the stresses and strains produced in the coating and the substrate materials. The simulation results show that the dry piston skirts establish a physical contact with the liner in the compression stroke that is maintained in the expansion and exhaust strokes. The stresses produced at the low engine start-up speed are significant, increase beneath the surface and accumulate at the interface between the coating and the substrate. The elastic displacements of a fairly thin DLC coating prevents the stress accumulation on the substrate and protects it from adhesive wear.
A bidirectional 2×2 photonic network building-block for high-performance data centers

The design of a unique bidirectional 2×2 SOA-based optical switch is detailed and experimentally validated. Error-free operation and routing correctness is verified for 4×10Gb/s pseudorandom messages.
Genetic variation in paternal investment in a seed beetle

Males of many species invest resources in their offspring. For paternal investment to evolve, it must exhibit heritable variation. Using a standard half-sibling quantitative genetic design, we investigated whether genetic variation in male ejaculate size, a trait that affects female fecundity and copulation duration, are present in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. Ejaculate size was estimated as the amount of weight lost by males during mating. Dams, but not sires, had significant effects on their sons’ absolute ejaculate size (both replicates) and relative ejaculate size (proportion of body weight; one replicate only), explaining 21‐25% of the variance in absolute ejaculate size and 8‐16% of the variance in relative ejaculate size. These results suggest either a large maternal effect on ejaculate size or sex-linkage of loci that affect the variation in ejaculate size. The proportion of phenotypic variance explained by sexlinkage (assuming no maternal effects) was 42 and 49% (ejaculate size) and 17 and 31% (relative ejaculate size) in the two replicates. These results indicate that male paternal investment can respond to selection, and that it may be able to do so especially rapidly because sex-linked traits have the potential to evolve much more quickly than autosomal traits. There were only weak negative correlations between ejaculate size and mating duration, contrary to what we predicted. There was additive genetic variation in female copulation duration, but not in male copulation duration, suggesting that copulation duration is under female control. © 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Frequency-shaped cost functionals for decentralized systems

The linear-quadratic (LQ) design methodology with frequency-shaped performance indices is extended to decentralized systems. This provides the opportunity to consider different frequency-related constraints in each channel. To obtain decentralized controllers, frequency weightings are included only on the outputs and the inputs. This controller design methodology permits the designer to have some frequency-domain design constraints in the LQ design setting. Inclusion of decentralized static and dynamic output feedbacks in the proposed formulation is examined. To illustrate the design approach, two nontrivial examples are given. The first is a model for the NASA mast flight system, and the second is a suspended beam developed in-house for experimentation. >
Retrospective self-reports by clients differ from original reports: implications for the evaluation of drug treatment programs.

In a longitudinal study, 344 drug addicts in treatment described their status at three points in time: at treatment intake, and at 2 months and 8 months after intake. At the final interview they retrospectively described their prior status at treatment entry and 2 months after treatment entry. The retrospective reports weTe systematically more negative than the original reports in such areas as illicit behavior, sources of income, and life satisfaction. The results were interpreted in terms of an impression management explanation which suggests that clients distort their early self-presentations to access desired treatment services. A consequence of having artificially elevated pretreatment measures is that even if treatment is beneficial, elevated pretreatment measures may obscure true gains during treatment.
Interspecific and temporal variation in herbivore responses to hybrid willows

We studied herbivory of two species of willows (Salix sericea and S. eriocephala) and their interspecific hybrids to test alternative hypotheses concerning the effects of hybridization on plant resistance. Individually marked plants were identified using morphological traits in the field and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) band analysis was used to verify the genetic status of many parental and hybrid plants. The desities of 12 herbivore species on plants in the field were compared between two parents and their F2-type hybrids. We found about equal support for the additive, dominance, and hybrid susceptibility hypotheses over 4 years. In one year, one species supported the hybrid resistance hypothesis. Guild membership was not a good predictor of similar responses of species to hybrid versus parental plants. There were marked differences in support for particular hypotheses among years for four herbivore species. This study demonstrates the diversity of responses of phytophages in response to interspecific hybridization, and indicates that year-to-year variation in relative resistance of hybrid plants can be important.
Large-Scale RDA Enrichment of Legacy Data at the University of Houston System Libraries

ABSTRACTUniversity of Houston (UH) Libraries, along with three other UH Systems libraries, took the initiative to implement Resource Description and Access (RDA), the new resource description standard, across their shared library database. An RDA Implementation Task Force was established to develop a plan and a strategy for the implementation process. The task force targeted a major goal of retrospective enrichment of all existing bibliographic records with RDA elements. This article discusses the RDA implementation planning, systems configuration, vendor collaboration, local RDA guidelines, training, and communication. Authors also identify challenges, benefits, and lessons learned from this process.
Effect of fixation time and freeze-thaw cycles on the molecular analysis of viral DNA.

This study was done to determine the effect of fixation lime and freeze-thaw (FT) cycles on the quantitation and positivity or viral DNA. There were significant decreases in the viral DNA copies in the specimens subjected to formalin flxation more than 24 hours. However, The viral DNAs of specimens with FT cycles we re not remarkably decreased as compare with those of fresh samples. These results implicate that there may be need to fix the samples less than 24 hours. Also, results of retrospective studies performed on specimens subjected to long-term fixation may be compromised.
Observations and Theory of Microseisms

As soon as fairly sensitive seismographs were available, it was found that the ground is never at rest. Various terms such as pulsations, pulsatory oscillations, microseismic movements, and microseisms were used to describe these continuous small movements which are not caused by earthquakes. Hecker, in 1906, divided the microseisms, as they are now usually called, into four groups: (1) those with periods of less than 4 sec, (2) those with periods of about 7 sec, (3) those with periods of about 30 sec, and (4) those with periods of about one minute and more. Later, additional types of microseisms were described. For a bibliography, see [4].
Crystal chemistry of ferromagnesian silicate spinels: Evidence for Mg-Si disorder

Single-crystal x-ray diffraction data have been obtained for synthetic Fe-Mg silicate spinels, γ-(Mg x Fe 1-x ) 2 SiO 4 (x=1.00, 0.40 and 0.20). The measurements on γ-Mg 2 SiO 4 synthesized at 20 GPa and 1400°C, compared with previous data on a specimen synthesized at 22 GPa and 1000°C, provide evidence that approximately 4% of the Si tot enters octahedral coordination in the sample synthesized at higher temperature. Fe-bearing silicate spinels synthesized at lower pressures display no evidence for Fe-Si disorder
The Chromatin Landscape of Cellular Senescence.

Cellular senescence, an irreversible growth arrest triggered by a variety of stressors, plays important roles in normal physiology and tumor suppression, but accumulation of senescent cells with age contributes to the functional decline of tissues. Senescent cells undergo dramatic alterations to their chromatin landscape that affect genome accessibility and their transcriptional program. These include the loss of DNA–nuclear lamina interactions, the distension of centromeres, and changes in chromatin composition that can lead to the activation of retrotransposons. Here we discuss these findings, as well as recent advances in microscopy and genomics that have revealed the importance of the higher-order spatial organization of the genome in defining and maintaining the senescent state.
Impact of standard of care treatments and disease variables on outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus trials: analysis from the Lupus Foundation of America Collective Data Analysis Initiative.

OBJECTIVE Most clinical trials for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) study the efficacy and safety of investigational agents added to variable background immunosuppressants, which has resulted in high response rates in patients treated with placebo plus standard of care (SOC) plus rescue measures. This project compared the impact of different SOC treatments and disease variables on the outcomes of SLE trials. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data were obtained from 981 patients receiving only SOC treatments in three nephritis and three general SLE trials to compare response and flare rates on the basis of the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index, a measure common to all trials. RESULTS For subjects enrolled in general SLE trials (n=173), those receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) had more severe baseline disease, included more patients of African descent, and were administered higher baseline steroid doses compared with those receiving azathioprine (AZA) or methotrexate (MTX). BILAG responses at week 12 were MMF 35%, AZA 49%, MTX 34%, and no immunosuppressant (NIS) 65%. At week 52, MMF response rates increased to 41% despite reducing the steroid doses, but fell in all others (p=0.07, adjusted for steroids). Patients with severe disease activity at baseline (SDAB) who were defined as ≥1 BILAG A (severe) organ score had lower response rates to AZA or MTX but higher rates to MMF or NIS. Interim flares were highest with MMF [flares/patient-year (pt-yr)]. For all flares, rates were as follows: AZA 1.24, MMF 1.87, MTX 1.42, and NIS 0.81 and severe flares were as follows: AZA 0.66, MMF 1.29, MTX: 1.20, and NIS 0.55. Interim flares occurred in 71% of MMF-endpoint responders, 54% of AZA, 50% of MTX, and 22% of NIS. Patients with SDAB had more flares than moderate patients in the MMF and MTX groups: MMF: 2.39 vs. 1.03 flares/pt-yr (p=0.01), MTX: 2.33 vs. 0.63 (p=0.0002), severe flares: 1.87 vs. 0.34 for MMF (p=0.0013), 2.13 vs. 0.40 for MTX (p<0.0001). In nephritis trials (n=808), MMF subjects received less steroids than intravenous cyclophosphamide and response rates were similar, but MMF-treated patients had fewer severe flares (p=0.03). CONCLUSION Compared with MMF, AZA and MTX were associated with lower response rates at week 52. AZA-treated subjects had fewer flares and remained more stable in trials while engendering lower placebo plus SOC responses. MMF-treated subjects had frequent responses but more flares, suggesting that flares should be included in endpoint definitions. Given the likelihood of treatment selection bias, these data do not provide conclusions regarding efficacy but may help future trial designs by distinguishing factors definable at entry that are predictive of outcomes.
Toward a Behavior Analytic Approach to Consultation

Of the developments in psychology and education over the last 50 years, those in behavioral psychology have been among the most important. Behavioral psychology has amassed an impressive technology for responding effectively to many problems with important social and pragmatic implications. Many volumes such as this one and entire scholarly journals have been devoted exclusively to descriptions of the effectiveness of behavioral technology for a wide array of problems. The application of behavioral technologies through a problem-solving process serves as the foundation for this volume. The efficacy of the application of behavioral technologies in a wide range of settings, targeting an array of problems, and incorporating a diversity of treatment agents is evident in the continuing stream of publications in this area. Unquestionably, the technology has been invented and validated.
These Are Our Mountains Now: Statecraft And The Foundation Of A Late Classic Maya Royal Court

This article presents a synthesis of new epigraphic readings of hieroglyphic texts from the sites of Sacul and Ixkun, in the northwestern Maya Mountains of Guatemala, with archaeological data previously published by the Atlas Arqueologico de Guatemala. It proposes that a late eighth century king of Sacul broke with his former allies at Ucanal to establish himself as a local suzerain, sponsoring a new vassal kingdom at Ixkun in the process. Visible in both the hieroglyphic and stratigraphic records, these events recapitulated on a smaller scale the geopolitical practices of hegemonic Maya kingdoms like Calakmul and Tikal. The Sacul king’s strategic cultivation of a separate but dependent court sheds light on the possibilities of and limitations on Classic Maya kingship.
Defective Interfering Rhabdoviruses

This review focuses on biological and molecular properties of defective interfering (DI) particles of the rhabdoviruses, but coverage of DI particles of other RNA viruses is frequently included to emphasize common principles, significant difference, or phenomena that have not yet been observed or examined among the rhabdoviruses. Nearly all definitive studies of rhabdovirus DI particles have been carried out with the prototype rhabdovirus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and VSV DI particles are probably the most studied and best understood of all DI particles. Space limitations prevent complete coverage of the DI-particle field, and the reader is referred to earlier reviews for supplemental background information (Huang and Baltimore, 1977; Reichmann and Schnitzlein, 1979, 1980; Holland et al., 1980; Perrault, 1981; Lazzarini et al., 1981; Blumberg and Kolakofsky, 1983).*
Outstanding doctoral dissertation award

Dr. Felix Heide's core research interests lie in computational imaging and display, which promises to revolutionize both imaging and display technologies through the introduction of computation, thereby enabling more robust, less expensive, and more portable optical devices. Moreover, it allows for completely new imaging modalities that were not possible previously. Felix in particular has focused on computational imaging topics with interesting inverse problems that can be solved as optimization problems, relying on both prior knowledge of the physical image formation process as well as statistical image priors.
Why Is the Entrepreneurial Mindset Important to Future Engineers

The purpose of this chapter is to explain the role of engineers in the entrepreneurial process, provide reasoning for how and why industry demands the entrepreneurial mindset in engineering graduates, and provide motivation for how engineering educators can benefit from incorporating the entrepreneurial mindset into the classroom, and ultimately engineering students.
Physician Practice Transitions to System Ownership Do Not Result in Diminished Practice Responsiveness to Patients.

Objective To examine the extent to which physician-to-system ownership transitions are associated with declines in practice-reported patient responsiveness (PRPR). Data Sources A longitudinal cohort of practices (n = 897) from the National Survey of Large Physician Organizations/National Survey of Small- and Medium-Sized Physician Organizations (2006/08) and the National Survey of All-Size Physician Organizations (2012/13). Study Design Multivariable regression estimated the effect of ownership on changes in PRPR, controlling for practice size, specialty composition, other practice, and market characteristics. Data Collection/Extraction Methods Data were collected from three nationally representative surveys of physician organizations consisting of 40-minute interviews with the medical director, president, or chief executive officer. Principal Findings Nine percent of organizations transitioned to system ownership. Compared to practices that were continuously physician-owned, practices that switched to system ownership did not have significantly lower PRPR at baseline but continuously system-owned practices did. Transitions to system ownership were associated with increased PRPR compared to continuously physician ownership. Increased practice size and changes in specialty composition, however, were associated with diminished PRPR. Conclusions Practices can maintain or improve strategies to address patient concerns when transferring ownership to systems with careful attention to the impact of increased size and changes in specialty composition.
A comparative performance evaluation of Si IGBT, SiC JFET, and SiC MOSFET power devices for a non-isolated DC-DC boost converter

Power semiconductor devices made with wide-bandgap (WBG) materials such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) are improving the energy conversion efficiency, power density, and switching performance of converters. This paper presents a comparative performance evaluation of Si IGBT, SiC JFET, and SiC MOSFET power devices implemented in an otherwise identical, non-isolated dc-dc boost converter. Switching characteristics and energy loss are used to compare the performance of the three different devices. Overall converter performance is evaluated by measuring the total power loss and efficiency at different switching frequencies, load currents, and output power levels. The results show that the SiC MOSFET and SiC JFET perform better in the converter than the Si IGBT because of their lower on-state resistance and switching energy loss. The SiC power devices in the converter reduce total power loss due to their better switching performance at higher frequencies. The SiC converters are more efficient at increasing load currents and output power levels.
Intrinsic Motivation and Effective Teaching

There is a great deal of confusion concerning teaching at the university level- Labeling it “teaching” and those who do it “teachers” is part of the problem. To teach implies a transfer of information, and that is not the main purpose of higher education. In fact, those who teach in universities are called “professors,” because their primary function is to profess an intellectual discipline. The most relevant meaning of the act of professing is the Middle English connotation of being bound by a vow or the even older Latin one that refers to one’s faith in, or expressing allegiance to, some idea of goal.
Cell surface glycoproteins of corneal epithelium.

PURPOSE: To identify those plasma membrane glycoproteins of corneal epithelial cells that are synthesized in a higher amount or are downregulated during cell migration. METHODS: Primary cell cultures of rabbit corneal epithelium were used. Sialic acid and terminal galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine residues of plasma membrane glycoproteins of migrating and nonmigrating corneal epithelial cells were labeled using two well-characterized cell surface carbohydrate labeling techniques. The labeled glycoproteins were extracted in phosphate-buffered saline containing nonionic detergents and various protease inhibitors, and then they were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. RESULTS: At least 12 to 13 radiolabeled components (molecular weight, 240 kd to 21 kd) were detected in the fluorographs of both sialic acid and galactose-labeled cells. Regardless of the labeling technique used, one sialoglycoprotein (GP1, 240 kd) was found in a higher amount in the extracts of nonmigrating cells than in migrating cells, and another glycoprotein (GP12, 28 kd) was present in a higher amount in migrating than in nonmigrating cells. Furthermore, one sialoglycoprotein (GP13, 21 kd) was detected only in migrating cells, and two glycoproteins (GP10, 42 kd; GP11, 32 kd) with terminal galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine residues were present in a higher amount in migrating than in nonmigrating cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that during corneal epithelial cell migration, the level of one membrane glycoprotein is markedly reduced, and the levels of four membrane glycoproteins are elevated. Further characterization of these glycoproteins should contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms that modulate corneal epithelial sheet migration and wound healing.
The Effect of Alcohol on Carbohydrate Metabolism: Carbohydrate Metabolism in Alcoholics

Any consideration of the influence of a chemical or pharmacologic agent on the processes of intermediary metabolism necessitates that metabolic phenomena be viewed from two broad aspects, namely, those occurring in the “fed state” or anabolic phase of metabolism and those occurring in the “fasted state” or catabolic phase of metabolism. This generalization is especially true when the intricate pathways of carbohydrate metabolism are viewed in the setting of acute and chronic alcoholism. The purpose of this chapter is to highlight those aspects of carbohydrate metabolism that are affected by the metabolism of alcohol. Derangement of intermediary metabolism as a consequence of both acute and chronic alcoholism will be considered. An extensive review of every aspect of carbohydrate metabolism is beyond the scope of this chapter, and for such a review the reader is referred to standard biochemistry texts.
Fractionation Of Asphalt By Thin-Layer Chromatography Interfaced With Flame Ionization Detector (TLC-FID) and Subsequent Characterization By FTIR

A simple, effective, and inexpensive thinlayer chromatography interfaced with flame ionization detector (TLC-FID) method is a major tool for quantitative analysiss of heavy hydrocarbon compositions, especially for asphalt composition. This destructive method is not only faster than ASTM D4124 or SARA, but also quicker than preparative Chromatotron since there is no need to spend time for evaporation of solvent. The results will be complemented by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) for special identification of asphalt. This method can be applied in practice for separation of chemical substances especially in medicine and biology, lipid chemistry and the characterization of crude oil.
Using SERS To Understand the Binding of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes to Gold Surfaces.

Surface functionalization is an essential component of most applications of noble-metal surfaces. Thiols and amines are traditionally employed to attach molecules to noble-metal surfaces, but they have limitations. A growing body of research, however, suggests that N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) can be readily employed for surface functionalization with superior chemical stability compared with thiols. We demonstrate the power of surface-enhanced Raman scattering combined with theory to present a comprehensive picture of NHC binding to gold surfaces. In particular, we synthesize a library of NHC isotopologues and use surface-enhanced Raman scattering to record the vibrational spectra of these NHCs while bound to gold surfaces. Our experimental data are compared with first-principles theory, yielding numerous new insights into the binding of NHCs to gold surfaces. In addition to these insights, we expect our approach to be a general method for probing the local surface properties of NHC-functionalized surf...
Remnance of Form : Interactive Shadows As Altered Views of Objects

The projective nature of light results in distorted shadows, the remnants of physical forms, no different from any human perception that is governed by subjectivity. This work seeks to widen the ga...
Impact of racial-ethnic minority status and systemic vulnerabilities on time to acute TBI rehabilitation admission in an urban public hospital setting.

Purpose/objective Racial/ethnic minorities and other vulnerable social groups experience health care disparities. There is a lack of research exploring how time to acute rehabilitation admission is impacted by race/ethnicity and other marginalizing systemic vulnerabilities. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether race/ethnicity and other sociodemographic vulnerabilities impact expediency of acute rehabilitation admission following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research Method/Design: This study is a secondary analysis of an existing dataset of 111 patients admitted for acute TBI rehabilitation at an urban public hospital. Patient groups were defined by race/ethnicity (People of color or White) and vulnerable group status (high or low vulnerable group membership [VGM]). Results White patients are admitted to acute TBI rehabilitation significantly faster than people of color. After taking vulnerabilities into account, high VGM people of color experience the most severe injuries and take the longest to receive acute TBI rehabilitation. Despite small differences in injury severity, low VGM people of color take longer to be admitted to acute TBI rehabilitation than White patients. High VGM White patients have less severe injuries yet take longer to be admitted to acute rehabilitation than low VGM White patients. Finally, notable differences exist between White patients and patients of color on rater-based injury severity scales that are discordant with severity as measured by more objective markers. Conclusions/implications Overall, findings indicate that sociodemographic factors including race/ethnicity and systemic vulnerabilities impact injury severity and time to acute TBI rehabilitation admission. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
The Study of Disordered Semiconductors by Compensation

Among the many techniques that have been applied to the challenging study of disordered semiconductors, compensation of dopants at significant density levels is one that has been used sporadically for more than 25 years1–7 and appears to have significant unrealized further potential. The goals of this paper are to summarize some of the benefits of compensated semiconductors in such studies, review selected past applications of the techniques, and point to some likely areas in which further use of compensation appears promising. This discussion encompasses disordered semiconductors that are either heavily doped crystals or amorphous materials.
A closed cycle for esterifying aromatic hydrocarbons with CO 2 and alcohol

The ability to functionalize hydrocarbons with CO2 could create opportunities for high-volume CO2 utilization. However, current methods to form carbon–carbon bonds between hydrocarbons and CO2 require stoichiometric consumption of very resource-intensive reagents to overcome the low reactivity of these substrates. Here, we report a simple semi-continuous cycle that converts aromatic hydrocarbons, CO2 and alcohol into aromatic esters without consumption of stoichiometric reagents. Our strategy centres on the use of solid bases composed of an alkali carbonate (M2CO3, where M+ = K+ or Cs+) dispersed over a mesoporous support. Nanoscale confinement disrupts the crystallinity of M2CO3 and engenders strong base reactivity at intermediate temperatures. The overall cycle involves two distinct steps: (1) CO32–-promoted C–H carboxylation, in which the hydrocarbon substrate is deprotonated by the supported M2CO3 and reacts with CO2 to form a supported carboxylate (RCO2M); and (2) methylation, in which RCO2M reacts with methanol and CO2 to form an isolable methyl ester with concomitant regeneration of M2CO3. Previous methods for functionalizing hydrocarbons with CO2 to form carboxylic acid derivatives have required stoichiometric energy-intensive reagents such as strong bases or electrophilic activators. Now, a simple solid base has been developed that transforms aromatic hydrocarbons, CO2 and methanol into aromatic esters via a two-step cycle requiring no additional reagents.
Prevalence and predictors of elevated central venous pressure and obstructive sleep apnea in patients with lower extremity chronic venous disease.

Abstract Background Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common vascular disorder with manifestations ranging from asymptomatic spider veins to venous ulcers. Elevated right atrial pressure, otherwise called central venous pressure (CVP), can also result in edema and hyperpigmentation similar to chronic venous insufficiency. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a known risk factor for elevation of CVP. Prevalence rates of elevated CVP or OSA are unknown in patients presenting with a diagnosis of CVD. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective, descriptive study of patients referred to our tertiary care center with a diagnosis of CVD. Each patient was evaluated by simultaneous venous duplex ultrasound (to assess venous reflux) and limited echocardiography of the right side of the heart (to assess elevated CVP). We assessed the prevalence and predictors of elevated CVP in this cohort using multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 264 patients with CVD were evaluated, and of these, 22.7% had elevated CVP and 26.9% had OSA. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of OSA or elevated body mass index in the group with elevated CVP compared with patients with normal CVP. The predictors of elevated CVP were age >64.6 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003-1.05; P = .026), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.05-4.5; P = .035), and right lower extremity Venous Clinical Severity Score of ≥8.5 (OR, 1.098; 95% CI, 1.011-1.193; P = .026). Other predictors included prior history of pulmonary embolism and renal insufficiency. Conclusions Compared with the general population, the prevalence of elevated CVP and OSA is significant in this cohort of patients. Age, diabetes, and right lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency symptoms seem to be predictors of elevated CVP. Larger, population-based prevalence studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Surgical Approaches for Rectosigmoid Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

Study Objective Demonstration of different surgical approaches for rectosigmoid DIE: • Shaving of rectal nodule • Dissection of rectovaginal septum, shaving of rectal nodule • Discoid excision of DIE • Resection and anastomosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis Design N/A Setting Multidisciplinary endometriosis center-University Teaching Hospital. Patients or Participants N/A Interventions Laparoscopic surgical intervention for rectosigmoid deep infiltrating endometriosis. Measurements and Main Results N/A Conclusion • Minimally Invasive Surgery is the preferred surgical route for rectosigmoid endometriosis • The surgical approach should be tailored according to the pathology and patients' symptoms and goals • Conservative surgical approach is preferred
A SURVEY OF IRRADIATED PILLARS, GLOBULES, AND JETS IN THE CARINA NEBULA

We present wide-field, deep narrowband H2, Br?, H?, [S ii], [O iii], and broadband I- and K-band images of the Carina star formation region. The new images provide a large-scale overview of all the H2 and Br? emission present in over a square degree centered on this signature star-forming complex. By comparing these images with archival Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer images we observe how intense UV radiation from O and B stars affects star formation in molecular clouds. We use the images to locate new candidate outflows and identify the principal shock waves and irradiated interfaces within dozens of distinct areas of star-forming activity. Shocked molecular gas in jets traces the parts of the flow that are most shielded from the intense UV radiation. Combining the H2 and optical images gives a more complete view of the jets, which are sometimes only visible in H2. The Carina region hosts several compact young clusters, and the gas within these clusters is affected by radiation from both the cluster stars and the massive stars nearby. The Carina Nebula is ideal for studying the physics of young H ii regions and photodissociation region (PDR), as it contains multiple examples of walls and irradiated pillars at various stages of development. Some of the pillars have detached from their host molecular clouds to form proplyds. Fluorescent H2 outlines the interfaces between the ionized and molecular gas, and after removing continuum, we detect spatial offsets between the Br? and H2 emission along the irradiated interfaces. These spatial offsets can be used to test current models of PDRs once synthetic maps of these lines become available.
Globalization and intention to vote: the interactive role of personal welfare and societal context

Recent electoral successes for candidates with anti-globalization platforms highlight the need to understand globalization’s effects on voting behavior. To understand how globalization affects whet...
Advanced age heightens hepatic damage in a murine model of scald burn injury.

BACKGROUND Elderly burn patients exhibit a lower survival rate compared with younger counterparts. The liver is susceptible to damage after burn injury, which predisposes to poor outcomes. Lipid homeostasis and the antioxidant glutathione system play fundamental roles in preserving liver integrity. Herein, we explored changes in these major pathways associated with liver damage in the aging animals after burn injury. METHODS We compared liver enzymes, histology, lipid-peroxidation, and glutathione-metabolism profiles from young and aged female mice after a 15% total body surface area burn. Mice were euthanized at 24 hours after injury, and livers and serum were collected. RESULTS Aged burn animals exhibited elevated (p < 0.05) aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels and increased inflammatory cell infiltration, edema, and necrosis compared with their younger counterparts. The percentage of adipophilin-stained area in livers from young sham, young burn, aged sham, and aged burn groups was 10%, 44%, 16%, and 78% (p < 0.05), respectively. Liver malondialdehyde levels were 1.4 ± 0.5 nmol/mg, 2.06 ± 0.2 nmol/mg, 1.81 ± 0.12 nmol/mg, and 3.45 ± 0.2 nmol/mg (p < 0.05) in young sham, young burn, aged sham, and aged burn mice, respectively. Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content increased 50% in the young burn, and 88% in aged burn animals compared with the young sham group (p < 0.05). The reduced glutathione GSH/GSSG ratio was significantly reduced by 54% in aged burn mice compared with young sham animals (p < 0.05). Furthermore, glutathione peroxidase gene expression showed a 96% decrease in the aged burn group compared with young sham mice (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Aged burn animals exhibit severe liver damage from heightened lipid peroxidation and inadequate antioxidative response. The increased peroxidation is associated with abundant lipid deposits in hepatic tissue postburn and a weak antioxidative response due to hepatic glutathione peroxidase downregulation. Further studies will focus on the functional significance of these findings concerning hepatic homeostasis.