cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opportunities Found and Lost: Labor, Radicals, and the Early Civil Rights Movement

Most historians would agree that the modern civil rights movement did not begin with the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board ofEducation. Yet all too often the movement's history has been written as if events before the mid-1950s constituted a kind of prehistory, important only insofar as they laid the legal and political foundation for the spectacular advances that came later. Those were the "forgotten years of the Negro Revolution," wrote one historian; they were the "seed time of racial and legal metamorphosis," according to another. But such a periodization profoundly underestimates the tempo and misjudges the social dynamic of the freedom struggle.1 The civil rights era began, dramatically and decisively, in the early 1940s when the social structure of black America took on an increasingly urban, proletarian character. A predominantly southern rural and small town population was soon transformed into one of the most urban of all major ethnic groups. More than two million blacks migrated to northern and western industrial areas during the 1940s, while another million moved from farm to city within the South. Northern black voters doubled their numbers between 1940 and 1948, and in the eleven states of the Old South black registration more than quadrupled, reaching over one million by 1952. Likewise, membership in the National Association for the Advancement
Seabed mapping and characterization of sediment variability using the usSEABED data base

Abstract We present a methodology for statistical analysis of randomly located marine sediment point data, and apply it to the US continental shelf portions of usSEABED mean grain size records. The usSEABED database, like many modern, large environmental datasets, is heterogeneous and interdisciplinary. We statistically test the database as a source of mean grain size data, and from it provide a first examination of regional seafloor sediment variability across the entire US continental shelf. Data derived from laboratory analyses (“extracted”) and from word-based descriptions (“parsed”) are treated separately, and they are compared statistically and deterministically. Data records are selected for spatial analysis by their location within sample regions: polygonal areas defined in ArcGIS chosen by geography, water depth, and data sufficiency. We derive isotropic, binned semivariograms from the data, and invert these for estimates of noise variance, field variance, and decorrelation distance. The highly erratic nature of the semivariograms is a result both of the random locations of the data and of the high level of data uncertainty (noise). This decorrelates the data covariance matrix for the inversion, and largely prevents robust estimation of the fractal dimension. Our comparison of the extracted and parsed mean grain size data demonstrates important differences between the two. In particular, extracted measurements generally produce finer mean grain sizes, lower noise variance, and lower field variance than parsed values. Such relationships can be used to derive a regionally dependent conversion factor between the two. Our analysis of sample regions on the US continental shelf revealed considerable geographic variability in the estimated statistical parameters of field variance and decorrelation distance. Some regional relationships are evident, and overall there is a tendency for field variance to be higher where the average mean grain size is finer grained. Surprisingly, parsed and extracted noise magnitudes correlate with each other, which may indicate that some portion of the data variability that we identify as “noise” is caused by real grain size variability at very short scales. Our analyses demonstrate that by applying a bias-correction proxy, usSEABED data can be used to generate reliable interpolated maps of regional mean grain size and sediment character.
A Sounding Board for the Self: Virtual Community as Ideology

Claims about the emergence of a new type of social aggregation—“virtual community”—cover a type of ideological discourse about social interactions. The main cultural resource fueling this ideology is the counterculture and its social project. Virtual community, both as a discursive and as a social practice, is a culmination rather than a resolution of the modern conflict between community and individuality. Presenting virtual community as a panacea for modern social tensions, especially that between individualistic and communitarian ideals, hides from sight not only some of the negative aspects of on-line social life (cliquish behavior and incivility) but also the role played by communication technology in fragmenting modern society.
Detection and Characterization of Hepatic Engraftment of Embryonic Stem Derived Cells by Fluorescent Stereomicroscopy

Background Embryonic stem (ES) cells have been investigated as a potential replacement therapy for failed organs, such as the liver. However, detection of hepatic engraftment from candidate stem cells has been difficult due to low engraftment efficiency. Previous detection methods required that the graft be processed by molecular and/or immunohistochemical techniques, limiting further functional studies. This study evaluated the use of three-dimensional fluorescent stereomicroscopy for gross detection of ES cell derived hepatic engraftment. Material and Methods Murine ES cells expressing the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) underwent directed endodermal lineage differentiation. Three days after two thirds partial hepatectomy, cells were injected into the liver parenchyma, and livers were harvested at 10 to 20 d and examined by fluorescence stereomicroscopy with a GFP2 long pass filter (100447084; Leica Microsystems AG, Wetzlar, Germany). The sensitivity and reliability of the test was evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) to assay for the presence of EGFP mRNA in the tissue. Results Fluorescent microscopy detected EGFP-positive cells engrafted with normal histology in 5 of 11 specimens. EGFP mRNA was confirmed in all five specimens by q-PCR. Only one of the 11 specimens was negative by fluorescence stereomicroscopy and positive by q-PCR, P Conclusion Utilization of three-dimensional stereomicroscopy with a GFP2 long pass filter is a powerful and fast screening tool for GFP-ES derived hepatic engraftment.
Evaluation of the adult with suspected immunodeficiency

Several primary immunodeficiencies may have their initial presentation in adulthood. Although recurrent infections are the hallmark of an underlying immunodeficiency, they need not be the presenting manifestation. This review highlights aspects of infections, as well as noninfectious diseases, that should prompt a high index of suspicion for an underlying immune disorder. The office tests that can be obtained for initial screening and their interpretation are detailed.
Transferrin receptor and ferritin expressions of a human-human hybridoma in protein-free media

The expressions of transferrin receptor and ferritin in a human-human hybridoma in protein-free media were examined. The regulation of the expressions of the two proteins appeared to be decoupled in protein-free cultures. Such cultures also exhibited much higher ferritin expression and endogenous iron pool than a culture in serum-free medium containing transferrin.
Mechanism of 2-naphthylamine oxidation catalysed by pig liver microsomes.

1. In pig liver microsomes 2-naphthylamine-dependent NADPH oxidation, oxygen reduction, and hydroxylamine formation are linear with time for several minutes. A sharp increase in NADPH oxidation and oxygen uptake then coincides with an abrupt loss of hydroxylamine from the medium.2. The initial rate of 2-naphthylamine N-oxidation correlates with the micro-somal concentration of mixed-function amine oxidase and the extent of linear accumulation of hydroxylamine is dependent on microsomal NADPH-cyto-chrome c reductase activity and concentration of lipid (microsomes).3. Antisera to NADPH-cytochrome c reductase markedly decreased hydroxylamine accumulation during incubation but had no effect on the rate of 2-naphthylamine N-oxidation.4. A system duplicating all of the kinetic properties of the microsomal 2-naphthylamine oxidase was constructed with two purified flavoproteins, (mixed-function amine oxidase and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase) and a lipid phase (erythrocyte ghosts or synthetic lecithin liposomes).5...
Intubation of patients with cervical spine injuries

To the Editor-1 read with interest the article by Wright et al.’ It is reassuring to have additional data that support the low incidence of serious cervical spine injury in blunt trauma patients and the rare incidence of neurologic deterioration following intubation techniques. This article supports the fact that the most important component of intubation technique in the potentially cervical spine injured patient is physician skill and training, ie, using whatever technique the practitioner feels most “comfortable” with. In Table 3 the authors show that 62.6% of their patient population was intubated orally. However, only 30% of patients with unstable fractures without neurologic deficit were intubated orally. In this same group of patients, 58% had an associated head injury. Recent data suggest that the use of neuromuscular blockade for intubation of head injured patients is safe regardless of the status of the cervical spine.2 I am curious as to the philosophy regarding neuromuscular blockade at the authors’ institution and whether neuromuscular blockade was used has an adjunct to oral intubation in these patients. The authors state that patients in traumatic arrest were excluded from their study. However, of the 20 patients with “neurologic impairment” at the time of intubation, nine were apneic with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in progress. Only two of these patients were discharged from the hospital, both to rehabilitation facilities. It seems difficult to retrospectively determine whether these patients had true spinal cord injury from fracture or whether their lack of movement after resuscitation was secondary to severe head injury coupled with cerebral anoxia. If these patients were truly in traumatic arrest at the time of intubation they should have been excluded from the study. The controversy regarding airway management in the cervical spine-injured trauma patient will continue. The authors are to be commended for their excellent addition to the literature on this important topic in trauma management.
Explicit Use of Categorical and Dimensional Strategies to Decode Facial Expressions of Emotion

This experiment compares the explicit use of categorical and dimensional decoding strategies to recognize facially expressed emotion. Results suggest that people can consciously employ both strategies but that their facility in doing so is a function of the particular emotion displayed in combination with the completeness of the expression. By identifying the relative effectiveness of deliberate use of particular decoding strategies in specific circumstances, this investigation has implications for the design of facial decoding studies, for further research into cognitive mechanisms underlying the recognition of facially expressed emotion, and for development of practical applications to enhance facility with facial decoding.
Enhanced piezoelectricity and nature of electric-field induced structural phase transformation in textured lead-free piezoelectric Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-BaTiO3 ceramics

This letter provides a comparative description of the properties of textured and randomly oriented poly-crystalline lead-free piezoelectric 0.93(Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3)-0.07BaTiO3 (NBT-BT) ceramics. A high longitudinal piezoelectric constant of (d33) ∼ 322 pC/N was obtained in (001)PC textured NBT-7BT ceramics, which is almost ∼2× times the d33 coefficient reported for randomly oriented ceramics of the same composition. In situ neutron diffraction experiments revealed that characteristically different structural responses are induced in textured and randomly oriented NBT-BT ceramics upon application of electric fields (E), which are likely related to the varying coherence lengths of polar nanoregions and internal stresses induced by domain switching.
Physical and physiological basis for the reflectance of visible and near-infrared radiation from vegetation

Knowledge of how solar radiation interacts with vegetation is necessary to interpret and process remote sensing data of agricultural and many natural resources. A plant leaf typically has a low reflectance in the visible spectral region because of strong absorption by chlorophylls, a relatively high reflectance in the near-infrared because of internal leaf scattering and no absorption, and a relatively low reflectance in the infrared beyond 1.3 μ because of strong absorption by water. The reflectance of a plant canopy is similar, but is modified by the nonuniformity of incident solar radiation, plant structures, leaf areas, shadows, and background reflectivities. Airborne sensors receive an integrated view of all these effects, and each crop or vegetation type tends to have a characteristic signature which permits its discrimination. When disease and physiological stresses directly affect the reflectance properties of individual leaves, the most pronounced initial changes often occur in the visible spectral region rather than in the infrared because of the sensitivity of chlorophyll to physiological disturbances. The primary basis for the detection of stress conditions in a crop or other plant community by aerial remote sensors often, however, is not a change in the reflectance characteristics of individual leaves, but a reduction in the total leaf area exposed to the sensors. This reduction can result from a direct loss of leaves, a change in their orientation, or an overall suppression of plant growth. In such cases the total infrared reflectance tends to be decreased relatively more than the visible reflectance because of a reduction in the infrared enhancement due to fewer multiple leaf layers and because of an increase in background exposure.
Tibiofemoral Compression Force Differences Using Laxity- and Force-Based Initial Graft Tensioning Techniques in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Reconstructed Cadaveric Knee

Purpose: Our purpose was to document the tibiofemoral (TF) compression forces produced during clinical initial graft tension protocols. Methods: An image analysis system was used to track the position of the tibia relative to the femur in 11 cadaveric knees. TF compression forces were quantified by use of thin-film pressure sensors. Before anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions were performed with patellar tendon grafts, measurements of TF compression force were obtained from the ACL-intact knee with knee flexion. ACL reconstructions were then performed by use of "force-based" and "laxity-based" graft tension approaches. Within each approach, high- and low-tension conditions were compared with the ACL-intact condition over the range of knee flexion angles. Results: The TF compression forces for all initial graft tension conditions were significantly greater than those of the normal knee when the knee was in full extension (0°). The TF compression forces produced with the laxity-based approach were greater than those produced with the force-based approach. However, the laxity-based approach was necessary to restore normal laxity at the time of surgery. Conclusions: The results of this study show that initial graft tension conditions influence TF compressive forces at the time of surgery and that clinically relevant initial graft tension conditions produce different TF compressive forces. Clinical Relevance: This study showed that the TF compression forces were greater in the ACL-reconstructed knee for all of the initial graft tension conditions when compared with the ACL-intact knee and that clinically relevant initial graft tension conditions produce different TF compressive forces.
Medical Versus Surgical Management of Prolactinomas

Prolactinomas are the most common hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas, comprising 40% of all pituitary tumors. Prolactinomas present a unique challenge for clinicians, as these tumors are amenable to either medical or surgical treatments based on patients' comorbidities, tolerance to medical treatment, and the response of tumors to medical treatment. Rare prolactinomas that are unresponsive to either medical or surgical treatment modalities may be responsive to radiation therapy. This article reviews the recent advancements in the management of prolactinomas.
Solution-processed photodetectors using colloidal germanium nanoparticles

A photodetector comprised of a colloidal germanium nanoparticle active material is reported. The non-toxic, heavy-metal free germanium nanoparticles are synthesized from solution and reap the benefits of solution-processing.
Orthopedic injuries before combat deployment--will the soldiers be ready for combat when their unit is called upon?

ABSTRACTOrthopedic injuries can occur anytime; but, before a known deployment, they can affect mission planning for commanders. A longitudinal cohort study of 158 soldiers with an orthopedic injury approximately 3 months before, and after, initial deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from a U.S. Army Brigade Combat Team was performed. Only 53 were fit to deploy on time, with six more deploying within 3 months to follow, leaving 99 in the cohort (62.7%) not deploying. Half the injuries (79) are lower extremity; however, spine injuries (44) were least likely to rehabilitate with only six (13.6%) deploying. Upper extremity injuries (35) were most deployable with 17 (48.6%). It was not expected for the entire cohort to deploy; however, it was expected that an additional 3 months for rehabilitation (6 months total) would result in more than six of the remaining 105 soldiers (3.8% of the cohort) to recover from their injuries and deploy, considering 33.5% of the cohort was deployable in 3 months or ...
Insulin-Resistant Prediabetic Subjects Have More Atherogenic Risk Factors Than Insulin-Sensitive Prediabetic Subjects Implications for Preventing Coronary Heart Disease During the Prediabetic State

Background—Subjects who convert to type 2 diabetes mellitus have increased cardiovascular risk factors relative to nonconverters. However, it is not known whether these atherogenic changes in the prediabetic state are predominantly due to insulin resistance, decreased insulin secretion, or both. Methods and Results—We examined this issue in the 7-year follow-up of the San Antonio Heart Study, in which 195 of 1734 subjects converted to type 2 diabetes. At baseline, converters had significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, triglyceride concentration, and blood pressure and lower HDL cholesterol than nonconverters. Atherogenic changes in converters were markedly attenuated (and no longer significant) after adjustment for the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR, a surrogate for insulin resistance); in contrast, the differences in risk factors between converters and nonconverters increased after adjustment for the ratio of early insulin increment to early glucose increme...
The face of the other: Zapatismo, responsibility and the ethics of deconstruction

Recent work has highlighted the importance of moral and ethical issues for geographical inquiries of space and place. Much of this work has been couched in a modernist framework, drawing on universalist conceptions of subjectivity and legal rights in an attempt to ground the normative foundations for ethical conduct. In this paper, I draw upon post‐structuralist theory to elaborate an alternative approach to spatial ethics. Drawing on the work of Emmanuel Levinas, I outline a theory of subjectivity that would view our relationship to distant others as a form of unconditional responsibility. Our ability to meet this responsibility, I suggest, is dependent upon a deconstructionist ethics which, in recognizing the impossibility of grounding ethical conduct, expands the horizon of political engagement. In the second half of the paper, I interpret the Zapatista movement in Mexico as an example of such an ethics. Through an examination of the writings of Subcomandante Marcos, I argue that the Zapatistas have ar...
Wearable sensor data fusion for remote health assessment and fall detection

In this paper, we present the system architecture and design flow for remote user physiological data and movement detection using wearable sensor data fusion. Our design utilizes an Android smartphone to integrate and process multiple body sensor data to enhance the reliability for remote health diagnosis. Various sensor data such as body temperature, current geographical location, electrocardiography, body posture and fall detection data are collected using concurrent Bluetooth connections to the Android smartphone. Our Android application software is designed to handle real-time analysis of collected sensor data to determine current user status, such as instant heart beat rate, body orientation and possible fall recognition. With the help of the Internet connection on the Android smartphone, the system communicates with a remote server and a designated contact person to log sensor data, and to notify authorized professionals in case of an emergency situation. Our system is highly valuable for remote and mobile patient monitoring and diagnosis. This design flow can be extended to condition assessments in various environments and it is not limited to body temperature, current geographical location, electrocardiography, body posture and fall detection.
Structure-Guided Engineering of Plant Phytochrome B with Altered Photochemistry and Light Signaling

Phytochromes (phys) encompass a diverse collection of biliproteins that enable cellular light perception by photoconverting between a red-light-absorbing ground state (Pr) and a far-red light-absorbing active state (Pfr). Based on the central role of plant phys in controlling numerous agriculturally important processes, their rational redesign offers great promise toward accelerating crop improvement. Employing as templates the available three-dimensional models of the photosensory module within bacterial phys, we report here our initial attempt to apply structure-guided mutagenesis to phy engineering using Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) phyB, the dominant isoform in light-grown plants, as the example. A collection of phyB mutants was generated affecting the bilin-binding pocket that altered photochemistry, thermal stability, and/or nuclear localization patterns, some of which also impacted phenotypic outputs. Of particular interest are the Y361F substitution, which created Arabidopsis plants with greatly enhanced light sensitivity, mutants variably altered in Pfr-to-Pr thermal reversion and nuclear aggregation, and the D307A substitution, which failed to photoconvert from Pr to Pfr and display light-induced nuclear aggregation but retained some biological activity and accelerated turnover in red light. Taken together, this collection provides variants potentially useful to agriculture as well as new tools to better understand the molecular mechanisms underpinning phy signaling.
War and Splendour

Collective performances cannot be understood only from the intentions of the organizers, participants and bystanders, and from their historical, political, economic and ideological contexts. Cultural performances close in on themselves and evolve with their own logic: that of ceremony and festival in which their own scenes of splendour, dance and war adjust to one another.
Interscale mixing for high-resolution and highly-compact imaging systems

We present a diffraction-based imaging paradigm and illustrate its applications for subwavelength imaging and for implementation of highly-compact imaging sensors capable of dynamic refocusing of optical images
Polysome profiling reveals broad translatome remodeling during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a network of intracellular signaling pathways that supports the ability of the secretory pathway to maintain a balance between the load of proteins entering the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the protein folding capacity of the ER lumen. Current evidence indicates that several pathogenic fungi rely heavily on this pathway for virulence, but there is limited understanding of the mechanisms involved. The best known functional output of the UPR is transcriptional upregulation of mRNAs involved in ER homeostasis. However, this does not take into account mechanisms of translational regulation that involve differential loading of ribosomes onto mRNAs. In this study, a global analysis of transcript-specific translational regulation was performed in the pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus to determine the nature and scope of the translational response to ER stress. ER stress was induced by treating the fungus with dithiothreitol, tunicamycin, or a thermal up-shift. The mRNAs were then fractionated on the basis of ribosome occupancy into an under-translated pool (U) and a well-translated pool (W). The mRNAs were used to interrogate microarrays and the ratio of the hybridization signal (W/U) was used as an indicator of the relative translational efficiency of a mRNA under each condition. The largest category of translationally upregulated mRNAs during ER stress encoded proteins involved in translation. Components of the ergosterol and GPI anchor biosynthetic pathways also showed increased polysome association, suggesting an important role for translational regulation in membrane and cell wall homeostasis. ER stress induced limited remodeling of the secretory pathway translatome. However, a select group of transcription factors was translationally upregulated, providing a link to subsequent modification of the transcriptome. Finally, we provide evidence that one component of the ER stress translatome is a novel mRNA isoform from the yvc1 gene that is induced by ER stress in a UPR-dependent manner. Together, these findings define a core set of mRNAs subject to translational control during the adaptive response to acute ER stress in A. fumigatus and reveal a remarkable breadth of functions that are needed to resolve ER stress in this organism.
Do channel restoration structures promote ammonium uptake and improve macroinvertebrate-based water quality classification in urban streams?

AbstractComparisons of ammonium uptake parameters in restored and unrestored urban streams suggest that sufficient light penetration to areas where hard substrates have been installed should be an important management consideration to enhance biofilm accumulation and subsequent ammonium removal to the streambed. We studied ammonium uptake parameters and macroinvertebrate communities in 3 types of restoration structures (riffle, cross vane, and step pool) in restored streams and in unrestored urban streams in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, where urbanization has led to high nutrient concentrations, degraded channel conditions, and low biotic diversity in streams. Restored streams had a significantly higher percentage of large substrates (boulder, cobble, and gravel) and less canopy cover compared to unrestored streams (P = 0.029; t-test), providing substrates and sufficient light penetration for biofilm growth. Benthic chlorophyll a was higher in restored compared to unrestored streams. Significantly sho...
Probing Amplitude, Phase, and Polarization of Microwave Field Distributions in Real Time

A coherent (homodyne) detection system is used to map field distributions in real time. A key feature is the use of an electrically modulated (10-kHz) dipole scatterer which is also mechanically spun (150 Hz) to create an amplitude- and phase-modulated backscattered field. The system is monostatic. The backscattered field is coherently detected by mixing with the CW reference. A phase-insensitive detector is used, comprised of two balanced mixers which are fed in quadrature phase by one of the RF inputs followed by a phase quadrature combiner. The resulting amplitude and phase of the 10-kHz output are proportional to the square of the RF field component along the instantaneous axis of the spinning dipole. Both are measured simultaneously and independently in real time. From these, the polarization properties can also be found, so the field is uniquely described. The system's application to scanning the E-field transmitted through Iossy, nonhomogeneous and anisotropic media (e.g., wood) is demonstrated. Other applications besides nondestructive testing are microwave vector holography, nearfield antenna measurements, and inverse scattering.
A light and electron microscopic study of the pecten of the pigeon eye.

The pecten in the pigeon is a pleated lamina that consists of blood vessels and interstitial pigment cells. Arterioles with thin, unspecialized endothelium give origin to an exceedingly dense capillary network. The endothelial cells of the capillaries are provided on both the luminal and basal surfaces with thin lamellar processes, constricted at their origins from the cell body. Luminal lamellae are long, erect and have a prevailing longitudinal orientation. Basal lamellae are shorter, more irregularly oriented and more closely compressed. Besides the usual complement of cytoplasmic organelles, a moderate number of coated vesicles and of coated and uncoated inpocketings of the plasmalemma is present in the endothelial cells. A labyrinthine system of interstices surrounds the stalks of the basal lamellae and contains a material that resembles the substance of the basement lamina in density and texture. A similar material is found on the outer surface of the basal lamellae and imperceptibly merges with the ground substance of an unusually thick adventitial layer that is permeated by numerous unit fibrils of collagen. The capillary network is drained by venules, whose wall resembles the capillary wall. The pigment cells contain melanin granules, large mitochondria and many bundles of filaments. They are sandwiched between two basement laminae and separate the blood vessels from the vitreous body. The bridge of the pecten consists of pigment cells with a few interspersed capillaries.
Effects of behavioral weight control intervention on binge eating symptoms among overweight adolescents

This study examined change in binge eating symptoms reported by moderately overweight adolescents following participation in a behavioral weight control intervention. A total of 194 adolescents across two randomized controlled trials participated. Adolescents in both study samples endorsed a mild level of binge eating symptoms at baseline. Results from both Study 1 and Study 2 indicate a significant reduction in binge eating symptoms following participation in a 16-week weight control intervention, F(1,60) = 9.43, p<.01 and F(1,98) = 20.98, p<.01, respectively. Several significant relationships between measures of self-concept and binge eating symptoms were noted, with lower self-concept scores related to higher binge eating symptoms scores at baseline. Changes in binge eating symptoms were also related to changes in physical appearance self-concept, global self-concept and physical self-worth at the end of the intervention. In conclusion, findings from this study support an emerging body of evidence suggesting that dietary restriction, as practiced through participation in a weight control intervention, leads to a reduction in binge eating symptoms among overweight adolescents.
Two‐step procedure for data‐based modeling for inferential control applications

A two-step procedure for building an inferential control model, which uses both historical operation data and plant test data, is proposed. Motivation for using the two types of data is given, and a systematic way to combine them in the model-identification step is proposed. Some potential problems associated with the procedure in practice and their solutions are discussed. The efficacy of the procedure is demonstrated in a case study involving a multicomponent distillation column simulated in HYSYS.
The Age and Job Satisfaction Relationship: Does its Shape and Strength Still Evade Us?

Many investigations have examined the relationship between age and job satisfaction. However, various types of relationships have been reported across studies: positive linear, negative linear, U-shaped, inverted U-shaped or inverted J-shaped, or no significant relations. Such conflicting results have left the true nature of the relationship unresolved. The present study used a large national probability sample of workers (N = 1,095) to investigate the shape and strength of the age--job satisfaction relationship. Results indicated a significant but weak positive linear age--job satisfaction relationship. That is, age failed to explain a substantial proportion of linear variance in our job satisfaction measure. This indicates that age, as a chronological variable, is not a viable predictor of job satisfaction. Future research attempting to explain age differences in job satisfaction should instead focus its attention on other more pertinent psychological variables associated with the underlying aging process.
Improved transmit beamforming for WLAN systems

We study methods to improve the performance of transmit beamforming as specified in the draft specification of IEEE 802.11ac [1]. Through numerical analysis of exemplary channel statistics, we propose methods to reduce overhead for Givens decomposition based explicit feedback. We further evaluate the channel estimation performance tradeoff using smoothing, and beamforming. Lastly we propose non-precoded channel estimation for low delay spread channels. Numerical performance of the proposed methods are also presented.
A Novel Method to Measure Mitral Valve Chordal Tension

Proper leaflet coaptation of the mitral valve is vital for a healthy functioning heart. Chordal tension directly affects leaflet coaptation. The C-shaped transducer used previously to measure chordal tension was too big for tension measurement of multiple chordae and their branches. A new method is needed to measure chordal tension with minimum interference with chord and leaflet motion. The method was to extrapolate longitudinal chordal tension from transverse chordal fibril force measured by inserting a small elliptical AIFP4 sensor from MicroStrain Inc. (Williston, VT) through a chord. Sensitivity of the method has been tested with the sensor implanted in chordae, and error of the method has been estimated at various sensor deviation angles. Intact porcine and ovine hearts were used to measure mitral valve strut and marginal chordal tensions at static transmitral pressures of 120mmHg and 160mmHg under an in vitro condition. The results obtained from the AIFP4 sensor were similar to the results obtained previously by C-shaped transducers in the porcine mitral valves. The sensor output errors increased with the increase in sensor deviation angle in the chord at a peak systolic tension. Strut chordal tensions of four ovine mitral valves of Edwards ring size M 28 were 0.29±0.06N at the transmitral pressure of 120mmHg. The tension of 18 porcine strut chordae of porcine mitral valves of Edwards ring size M 32 was 1.00±0.42N at the transmitral pressures of 120mmHg. The tension of 22 anterior leaflet marginal chordae from porcine mitral valves of Edwards ring size M 32 was 0.10±0.04N at the transmitral pressure of 120mmHg. A new method using an AIFP4 miniature force sensor to measure mitral valve chordal tension indirectly is successfully developed. This force sensor works well in measuring mitral valve chordal tension at an in vitro hydrostatic transmitral pressure. The size and simple fixation of the sensor make it favorable for chordal tension measurement of multiple chordae and their branches under in vitro or in vivo conditions with minimal interference with chordal geometry and dynamics.
Extended sleep and performance: The Rip Van Winkle effect

An investigation was undertaken of the possible effects upon performance of sleep in excess of that habitually taken. Twelve Ss worked on 15-min vigilance and calculation tasks on 2 successive days 30min after either 8 or 11 h of nocturnal sleep. The order of sleep length and task presentation was counterbalanced among Ss. Performance on the vigilance task was significantly poorer after 11 h of sleep than after 8hof sleep (p <.05). Performance on the calculation task was unaffected by the sleep condition. The results indicate that extended sleep can produce decrements in performance similar to those which occur with sleep deprivation.
Ball Bearing and Tapered Roller Bearing Torque: Analytical, Numerical and Experimental Results

The miscellaneous components of bearing torque are described analytically. When the rolling element - race contact lengths are similar, the hydrodynamic ball bearing torque component can be similar to the tapered roller bearing one. In ball bearings, the sliding speed distribution encountered at the ball/race contact is the result of two torque contributions: curvature in space of the contact ellipse and spinning effects. These two torque contributions don't exist in tapered roller bearings. However, tapered roller bearings are subjected to a roller/rib torque which is compared analytically to the two previous hall hearing torque components. The final tapered roller hearing torque is compared to hall hearing torque under various operating conditions. It is shown that there are conditions for which the tapered roller hearing torque can he smaller than the hall hearing one; the latter point is demonstrated numerically and experimentally in reported literature. Presented at the 57th Annual Meeting Houston, T...
Periconceptional Maternal Alcohol Consumption and Neural Tube Defects

BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTD)s, which occur when the neural tube fails to close during early gestation, are some of the most common birth defects worldwide. Alcohol is a known teratogen and has been shown to induce NTDs in animal studies, although most human studies have failed to corroborate these results. Using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, associations between maternal reports of periconceptional (1 month prior through 2 months postconception) alcohol consumption and NTDs were examined. METHODS NTD cases and unaffected live born control infants, delivered from 1997 through 2005, were included. Interview reports of alcohol consumption (quantity, frequency, variability, and type) were obtained from 1223 case mothers and 6807 control mothers. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR)s and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS For all NTDs combined, most aORs for any alcohol consumption, one or more binge episodes, and different type(s) of alcohol consumed were near unity or modestly reduced (≥ 0.7 < aOR ≤ 1.1) and were not statistically significant. Findings were similar for individual NTD subtypes. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest no elevated association between maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption and NTDs. Underreporting of alcohol consumption, due to negative social stigma associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and limited reports for mothers with early pregnancy loss of a fetus with an NTD may have affected the estimated odds ratios. Future studies should aim to increase sample sizes for less prevalent subtypes, reduce exposure misclassification, and improve ascertainment of fetal deaths and elective terminations.
Regulation of collecting duct water permeability independent of cAMP-mediated AVP response.

We have used the isolated perfused tubule technique, measurements of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content in single tubules, and freeze-fracture electron microscopy to study the basi...
Estimation of historic flows and sediment loads to San Francisco Bay, 1849–2011

Summary River flow and sediment transport in estuaries influence morphological development over decadal and century time scales, but hydrological and sedimentological records are typically too short to adequately characterize long-term trends. In this study, we recover archival records and apply a rating curve approach to develop the first instrumental estimates of daily delta inflow and sediment loads to San Francisco Bay (1849–1929). The total sediment load is constrained using sedimentation/erosion estimated from bathymetric survey data to produce continuous daily sediment transport estimates from 1849 to 1955, the time period prior to sediment load measurements. We estimate that ∼55% (45–75%) of the ∼1500 ± 400 million tons (Mt) of sediment delivered to the estuary between 1849 and 2011 was the result of anthropogenic alteration in the watershed that increased sediment supply. Also, the seasonal timing of sediment flux events has shifted because significant spring-melt floods have decreased, causing estimated springtime transport (April 1st to June 30th) to decrease from ∼25% to ∼15% of the annual total. By contrast, wintertime sediment loads (December 1st to March 31st) have increased from ∼70% to ∼80%. A ∼35% reduction of annual flow since the 19th century along with decreased sediment supply has resulted in a ∼50% reduction in annual sediment delivery. The methods developed in this study can be applied to other systems for which unanalyzed historic data exist.
A New Plan for Instructing Large Classes in Basic Mathematics

In January of 1957 the Mathematics Department of the University of Houston began preliminary study of an experiment designed to attack the problem of teaching an increasing number of freshmian mathematics students without a corresponding increase in faculty and physical facilities while maintaining high academic standards in these basic mathematics courses. All known plans of instruction at other Universities that utilized video in any form were investigated before a decision was made on the details of the proposed experiment. Plane trigonometry was selected as the subject to be taught because of the large number of students enrolled therein. The main features of the plan used in the fall semester of 1957 to teach plane trigonometry to 350 freshmen students are listed below:
Adult rat cortical thickness changes across age and following adolescent intermittent ethanol treatment.

Human studies have established that adolescence is a period of brain maturation that parallels the development of adult behaviors. However, little is known regarding cortical development in the adult rat brain. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology to assess the impact of age on adult Wistar rat cortical thickness on postnatal day (P)80 and P220 as well as the effect of adolescent binge ethanol exposure on adult (P80) cortical thickness. MRI revealed changes in cortical thickness between P80 and P220 that differ across cortical region. The adult P220 rat prefrontal cortex increased in thickness whereas cortical thinning occurred in both the cingulate and parietal cortices relative to young adult P80 rats. Histological analysis confirmed the age-related cortical thinning. In the second series of experiments, an animal model of adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE; 5.0 g/kg, intragastrically, 20 percent ethanol w/v, 2 days on/2 days off from P25 to P55) was used to assess the effects of alcohol on cortical thickness in young adult (P80) rats. MRI revealed that AIE resulted in region-specific cortical changes. A small region within the prefrontal cortex was significantly thinner whereas medial cortical regions were significantly thicker in young adult (P80) AIE-treated rats. The observed increase in cortical thickness was confirmed by histology. Thus, the rat cerebral cortex continues to undergo cortical thickness changes into adulthood, and adolescent alcohol exposure alters the young adult cortex that could contribute to brain dysfunction in adulthood.
Integrating Usability into use Cases: An Empirical Study of User-Centered Object Orientation

Usability concerns for a planned web-based decision-support application were gathered through a survey of potential end users and then integrated into two sets of object-oriented specifications: the function-oriented and the use-case specifications. Correspondingly, software developers (N=6) as paid subjects participated in a two-condition between-subjects experiment: the function-oriented condition (N=3) vs the use-case condition (N=3). Each developer was instructed to implement the web-based decision-support application that complies with the given specifications. Developers' performance and preferences for using the given specifications were examined. Analysis of the six developed web applications indicates that user interface architecture is markedly influenced by the “orientation” of the specifications. Given a list of system functionalities, the three developers constructed three web applications in a way of mainly presenting the relevant information; whereas the three developers in the use-case con...
Reality of Diffuse Volume Flow in Fluid Continua

A gedankenexperiment is outlined that confirms the reality of diffuse volume transport in fluid continua. This example shows, inter alia, that the phenomenon is not limited to rarefied gases but is...
The role of the α7 nicotinic receptor in cognitive processing of persons with schizophrenia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cognitive abilities are established as major deficits in those with schizophrenia and represent significant impediments toward successful psychosocial functioning within the community. Pharmacological treatments have historically focused on reducing the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, with recent increased attention to developing agents to improve cognition as a treatment outcome. This review will highlight the recent advances in developing agents that act at neuronal α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). RECENT FINDINGS A number of agents have demonstrated improvements in cognitive deficits in studies using both preclinical and clinical models. Evidence suggests that α7 nAChR activation impacts rule acquisition and initial learning in preclinical models. Preclinical studies indicate improved spatial working memory and reversal of phencyclidine-induced learning and memory deficits. Clinical studies indicate normalization of neuronal default network activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging methods. In addition, research on new agents developed to improve cognition suggests improved cognitive functioning in multiple domains (e.g., attention, memory, executive functioning, sensory gating and overall cognition) and promising safety profiles of additional agents. SUMMARY Improvements in cognitive functioning within preclinical and clinical studies of schizophrenia are evident through the use of α7 nAChR agonists, while positive allosteric modulators may gain increased attention in the future.
Identification of Structural Nonlinear Behavior using Singular Value Decomposition Methods

The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is highly effective at identifying patterns in data, and has proven utility in diverse applications such as digital image processing, turbulent flow analysis, and structural response analysis. The first objective of this work is to show how the spectral content of a decomposed snapshot matrix can indicate the presence of nonlinear behavior. The second objective is to show how the POD can be used to identify patterns in the response of a structure without a priori specification of the nonlinearity mathematics. These response patterns may prove useful in developing reduced order models of complex, nonlinear structures that are capable of predicting the system response for any arbitrary set of loading conditions.