cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of drug use on inmate misconduct: A multilevel analysis

Abstract Despite the importance of drug use problems among offenders, relatively little was known about whether drug use history affected inmate behavior in prison. Using data from the 1997 survey of inmates in state facilities in the U.S., this study examined the following relationships: the effect of drug use prior to incarceration on substance rule violations per month during incarceration and the effect of drug use prior to incarceration on non-substance rule violations per month in prison. This study revealed that the variable drug use history was a significant predictor of substance rule violations per month and of non-substance rule violations per month in prison. The implications of the findings are also discussed.
Regional increases in rat nasal epithelial cell proliferation following acute and subchronic inhalation of formaldehyde.

Short-term studies (9 days) in the rat have demonstrated that formaldehyde-induced nasal epithelial lesions are associated with increases in surface epithelial cell proliferation rates. The present studies were designed, in part, to investigate cell proliferation rates in the nasal epithelium of rats exposed to formaldehyde for a longer duration in order to determine if correlations exist between (1) the concentration-response in cell proliferation rate with the previously published formaldehyde bioassay tumor response; (2) sites of increased cell proliferation and the regions of the nasal passages that exhibit formaldehyde-induced cytotoxicity; and (3) sites of increased cell proliferation and the regions of the rat nasal passages previously determined to be most susceptible to neoplasia (i.e., the lateral meatus and nasal septum of the anterior nasal passages). Another important endpoint of this study was to provide data for a comparison of formaldehyde-induced responses in rats with previous findings in rhesus monkeys. Fischer-344 rats were exposed to 0, 0.7, 2, 6, 10, or 15 ppm formaldehyde for up to 6 weeks and pulse labeled with tritiated thymidine prior to each scheduled termination. Exposure to formaldehyde at 6 ppm or higher induced site-specific lesions in the nasal respiratory epithelium and was associated with increases in cell proliferation rate which remained statistically elevated throughout the 6 weeks. While a direct correlation between sites susceptible to formaldehyde-induced nasal cancer and increased cell proliferation was not evident, results from the present studies did demonstrate a clear correlation between sites of cellular injury and increases in cell proliferation and a concentration-dependent response which correlated with the previously published formaldehyde bioassay tumor response. Furthermore, this work demonstrated that formaldehyde-induced responses in rats exposed to 6 ppm were morphologically similar to those reported in the rhesus monkey; however, the distribution of lesions between the two species differed significantly.
GC-MS analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Lake Erie

Lake Erie is one of the five great lakes of North America. It is the shallowest, the warmest, and the most biologically productive of the Great Lakes producing more fish than all of the other four lakes combined. It is also a source of drinking water for 11 million people and a recreational asset. On the flipside, it is also very vulnerable and troubled with environmental challenges because it has the smallest water volume, but the greatest pressures from the human settlement. One of the many issues faced by the Lake is pollution. It receives larger loads of many pollutants than any other Great Lake. Even with the best pollution controls many pesticides and organohalogens continue to enter the lake. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame-retardants that have been used in a variety of consumer products since the 1970s. They are added to many commercial and household products such as computers, foam mattresses, carpets, etc. Being largely non-polar and chemically stable, these chemicals are extremely lipophilic and resist degradation in the environment, thus giving them a high affinity for their bioaccumulation. Due to these properties PBDEs have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants. These compounds are reported to be endocrine disruptors and could cause oxidative damage. This report presents the sample preparation protocol, the GC-MS analysis of PBDEs in Lake Erie sediment samples.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influence of Threonine Metabolism on S-Adenosylmethionine and Histone Methylation

Threonine is the only amino acid critically required for the pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), but the detailed mechanism remains unclear. We found that threonine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) metabolism are coupled in pluripotent stem cells, resulting in regulation of histone methylation. Isotope labeling of mESCs revealed that threonine provides a substantial fraction of both the cellular glycine and the acetyl–coenzyme A (CoA) needed for SAM synthesis. Depletion of threonine from the culture medium or threonine dehydrogenase (Tdh) from mESCs decreased accumulation of SAM and decreased trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3), leading to slowed growth and increased differentiation. Thus, abundance of SAM appears to influence H3K4me3, providing a possible mechanism by which modulation of a metabolic pathway might influence stem cell fate.
High-performance submicrometer AlInAs-GaInAs HEMT's

The performance of long (1.3- mu m) and short (0.3- mu m) gate-length Al/sub 0.48/In/sub 0.52/ As-Ga/sub 0.47/In/sub 0.53/ high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) is reported. Transconductances of 465 and 650 mS/mm, respectively, were achieved. The 0.3- mu m-long gate-length device exhibited an f/sub t/>80 GHz. These results are attributed to the excellent electronic properties of the AlInAs-GaInAs modulation-doped system. >
The Role of Gonio-Photocoagulation in Neovascularization of the Anterior Chamber Angle

Gonio-photocoagulation is a name applied to direct laser therapy to neovascular vessels in the anterior chamber angle in progressive anterior segment neovascularization. The technique is useful not in altering the stimulus to anterior segment neovascularization, but in immediately altering the product of the stimulus, the new vessels in the angle. The goal is to halt immediately progression toward angle closure and severe neovascular glaucoma. A recommended protocol is presented for incorporation of this technique into a prophylactic regimen for neovascular glaucoma in conjunction with retinal therapy to alter the stimulus.
A search for the reported 400-keV gamma-ray line from Crab Nebula

A balloon-borne large volume high resolution gamma-ray spectrometer which utilizes 40 cu cm Ge(Li) crystals was used June 10, 1974 to search for a 400-keV gamma-ray line from the Crab Nebula. Energy loss spectra in the 400-keV vicinity are compared with gamma-ray measurements of the same source which were reported by Leventhal et al. (1977). In contrast with the 1976 experimental results reported by Leventhal et al., a 400-keV line was not observed. Further, it is thought that the 1974 data contradict the measurement reported by Leventhal et al. if a constant source intensity is assumed.
Silicon Nanowires and Silica Nanotubes Seeded by Copper Nanoparticles in an Organic Solvent

Crystalline silicon (Si) nanowires were synthesized by adding copper sulfide (CuS) nanocrystals and monophenylsilane (MPS) to supercritical toluene at 500 °C at 10.3 MPa. When a small amount of water and oxygen is added to the reaction, amorphous SiO2 nanotubes form. In both the nanotube and nanowire reactions, the CuS nanocrystals converted to Cu metal. Because the growth temperature is several hundred degrees below the Cu:Si eutectic temperature at 800 °C, the nanowires and nanotubes both appear to grow by a solid-phase seeding process. Furthermore, a portion of the SiO2 nanotubes (∼5%) were found to be helically coiled. When gold (Au) nanocrystals were added instead of CuS, only SiO2 nanofibers with solid cores formed and there were no coiled structures. The silica/metal interface morphology was examined for both Cu and Au and found to differ significantly for each metal, which perhaps explains the difference in silica morphology produced by these two metals.
Profitability and accumulation in Greek manufacturing

This paper examines long-term trends in profitability and capital accumulation for the Greek manufacturing industry from 1955 to 1989, using the growth accounting framework introduced by Weisskopf (1979) and further developed by Glyn et al. (1990). The results show that the overall 7% annual decline in profit rate in Greek manufacturing is attributed primarily to falling profit share and secondarily to falling productivity of capital. The effect of capacity utilization was negligible. The analysis is carried out for different subperiods and the relative importance of each of the constituent components of profitability is evaluated.
Patient-induced susceptibility effect on geometric distortion of clinical brain MRI for radiation treatment planning on a 3T scanner.

Concerns about the geometric accuracy of MRI in radiation therapy (RT) have been present since its invention. Although modern scanners typically have system levels of geometric accuracy that meet requirements of RT, subject-specific distortion is variable, and methods to in vivo assess and control patient-induced geometric distortion are not yet resolved. This study investigated the nature and magnitude of the subject-induced susceptibility effect on geometric distortions in clinical brain MRI, and tested the feasibility of in vivo quality control using field inhomogeneity mapping. For 19 consecutive patients scanned on a dedicated 3T MR scanner, B0 field inhomogeneity maps were acquired and analyzed to determine subject-induced distortions. For 3D T1 weighted images frequency-encoded with a bandwidth of 180 Hz/pixel, 86.9% of the estimated displacements were 2 mm. The maximum displacement was <4 mm. The greatest distortions were observed at the interfaces with air at the sinuses. Displacements decayed to less than 1 mm over a distance of 8 mm. Metal surgical wires generated smaller distortions, with an averaged maximum displacement of 0.76 mm. Repeat acquisition of the field maps in 17 patients revealed a within-subject standard deviation of 0.25 ppm, equivalent to 0.22 mm displacement in the frequency-encoding direction in the 3D T1 weighted images. Susceptibility-induced voxel displacements in the brain are generally small, but should be monitored for precision RT. These effects are manageable at 3T and lower fields, and the methods applied can be used to monitor for potential local errors in individual patients, as well as to correct for local distortions as needed.
Frontal and temporal volumes in Childhood Absence Epilepsy

Summary Purpose: This study compared frontotemporal brain volumes in children with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) to age- and gender-matched children without epilepsy. It also examined the association of these volumes with seizure, demographic, perinatal, intelligence quotient (IQ), and psychopathology variables. Methods: Twenty-six children with CAE, aged 7.5–11.8 years, and 37 children without epilepsy underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at 1.5 Tesla. Tissue was segmented, and total brain, frontal lobe, frontal parcellations, and temporal lobe volumes were computed. All children had IQ testing and structured psychiatric interviews. Parents provided seizure, perinatal, and behavioral information on each child. Results: The CAE group had significantly smaller gray matter volumes of the left orbital frontal gyrus as well as both left and right temporal lobes compared to the age- and gender-matched children without epilepsy. In the CAE group these volumes were related to age, gender, ethnicity, and pregnancy complications but not to seizure, IQ, and psychopathology variables. In the group of children without epilepsy, however, the volumes were related to IQ. Conclusion: These findings suggest that CAE impacts brain development in regions implicated in behavior, cognition, and language. In addition to supporting the cortical focus theory of CAE, these findings also imply that CAE is not a benign disorder.
Phase I trial with a combination of docetaxel and 153Sm-lexidronam in patients with castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer

Abstract Background This study was designed to evaluate toxicity and preliminary efficacy of 2 cycles of concomitant standard dose/schedule of 153 Sm-lexidronam plus Q 3 weeks schedule escalating doses of docetaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Methods mCRPC patients with progressive bone metastases were treated in 4 cohorts. Docetaxel doses were escalated from 50, 50, 0 mg/m 2 (on days 1, 22, 43, per 12-week cycle) to 75, 75, 75 mg/m 2 . 153 Sm-lexidronam was administered on days 2 (Q 12 weeks) at dose of 1 mCi/kg/cycle (maximum of 2 cycles). Results Thirteen patients received an average of 3.6 doses of docetaxel (range, 2–6 doses, median 4) and 1.5 doses of 153 Sm-lexidronam (range, 1–2, median 2). Toxicity was primarily hematologic. There were total 35 episodes grade 3/4 neutropenia with a median 7 (range 7–14) days to recovery to ≤grade 1. One dose limiting grade 3 thrombocytopenia occurred on cohorts 3 and 4. Eight of 13 (62%) patients had PSA > 50% decrease as best response during the treatment. Median time to bone disease progression was 5.2 months (range 91 days–10 months+); 6/13 (46%) patients had stable/improved bone scans at 6 months and 6/6 (100%) symptomatic patients had improvement in pain. Conclusions Concurrent 6-month administration of 4 doses (75 mg/m 2 ) of standard Q 3 weeks schedule of docetaxel with 2 Q 3 months infusions of 1 mCi/Kg 153 Sm-lexidronam is feasible with reversible bone marrow suppression, and deserves further testing in mCRPC patients with extensive bone metastasis.
Activity and Regulation of the Centrosome-associated Proteasome

Regulated proteolysis is important for maintaining appropriate cellular levels of many proteins. The bulk of intracellular protein degradation is catalyzed by the proteasome. Recently, the centrosome was identified as a novel site for concentration of the proteasome and associated regulatory proteins (Wigley, W. C., Fabunmi, R. P., Lee, M. G., Marino, C. R., Muallem, S., DeMartino, G. N., and Thomas, P. J. (1999) J. Cell Biol. 145, 481–490). Here we provide evidence that centrosomes contain the active 26 S proteasome that degrades ubiquitinated-protein and proteasome-specific peptide substrates. Moreover, the centrosomes contain an ubiquitin isopeptidase activity. The proteolytic activity is ATP-dependent and is inhibited by proteasome inhibitors. Notably, treatment of cells with inhibitors of proteasome activity promotes redistribution of the proteasome and associated regulatory proteins to the centrosome independent of an intact microtubule system. These data provide biochemical evidence for active proteasomal complexes at the centrosome, highlighting a novel function for this organizing structure.
Low Endolymph Calcium Concentrations in deafwaddler2J Mice Suggest that PMCA2 Contributes to Endolymph Calcium Maintenance

In vertebrates, transduction of sound into an electrochemical signal is carried out by hair cells that rely on calcium to perform specialized functions. The apical surfaces of hair cells are surrounded by endolymphatic fluid containing calcium at concentrations that must be maintained by active transport. The mechanism of this transport is unknown, but an ATP-dependent pump is believed to participate. Mutation of the Atp2b2 gene that encodes plasma membrane calcium ATPase type 2 (PMCA2) produces the deaf, ataxic mouse: deafwaddler2J (dfw2J). We hypothesized that PMCA2 might transport calcium into the endolymph and that dfw2J mice would have low endolymph calcium concentrations, possibly contributing to their deafness and ataxia. First, using immunocytochemistry, we demonstrated that PMCA2 is present in control mice inner and outer hair cell stereocilia where it could pump calcium into the endolymph and that PMCA2 is absent in dfw2J stereocilia. Second, using an aspirating microelectrode and calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye, we found that dfw2J mice endolymph calcium concentrations are significantly lower than those of control mice. These findings suggest that PMCA2, located in hair cell stereocilia, contributes significantly to endolymph calcium maintenance.
Temperature and equivalent temperature over the United States (1979–2005)

Temperature (T) and equivalent temperature (TE) trends over the United States from 1979 to 2005 and their correlation to land cover types are investigated using National Centers for Environmental Prediction North American Regional Reanalysis data, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) land use/cover classification, the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 1992–2001 Retrofit Land Cover Change and the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from AVHRR. Even though most of the magnitude of TE is explained by T, the moisture component induces larger trends and variability of TE relative to T. The contrast between pronounced temporal and spatial differences between T and TE at the near-surface level (2 m) and minor-to-no differences at 300–200 mb is a consistent pattern. This study therefore demonstrates that in addition to temperature, atmospheric heat content may help to quantify the differences between surface and tropospheric heating trends, and hence the impact of land cover types on the surface temperature changes. Correlations of T and TE with NDVI reveal that TE shows a stronger relationship to vegetation cover than T, especially during the growing season, with values that are significantly different and of opposite signs (−0.31 for Tvs NDVI; 0.49 for TEvs NDVI). Our results suggest that land cover types influence both moisture availability and temperature in the lower atmosphere and that TE is larger in areas with higher physical evaporation and transpiration rates. As a result, TE can be used as an additional metric for analysing near-surface heating trends with respect to land cover types. Moreover, TE can be tested as a complementary variable for assessing the impact of land surface and boundary layer processes in re-analysis and weather/climate model studies. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Zirconium Fluoride Fiber Requirements For Mid-Infrared Laser Surgery Applications

Laser power transmission through fluoride glass fibers is possible, but requires stringent glass processing techniques to avoid laser induced damage. A pulsed Er:Yag laser was used to determine the damage threshold of these fibers.
Charge Transfer Dynamics in Donor-π-Bridge-Acceptor Side-Chain Polymers for Solar Cells

We report charge transfer dynamics as a function of decreasing HOMO-LUMO gap in donor-?-bridge-acceptor conjugated side-chain polymers PFDCNIO, PFDCN, and PFPDT blended with electron acceptor PC70BM measured using optical-pump THz-probe spectroscopy.
High- $Q$ 3 b/4 b RF MEMS Digitally Tunable Capacitors for 0.8–3 GHz Applications

A high-Q digitally tunable capacitor is demonstrated with 3 and 4 b resolutions for 0.8-3 GHz applications. The device shows a tuning range of 1.0-3.75 pF in the 3 b configuration and 1.25-3.80 pF in the 4 b configuration ( ~ 1-4 pF simulated). In addition to digital tuning, 30-530 fF of analog tuning is achieved and allows for precision tuning. The measured Q of the digitally tunable capacitor is >;100 at 1 GHz and >;60 at 2 GHz for all tuning states. A novel circular geometry maintains a high- Q as the capacitance is increased. The device is 2×1.8 mm which is ideal for tunable filters, matching networks and antennas.
Fitness consequences of foraging behaviour in the zebra finch

OPTIMAL foraging theory is based on the assumption that natural selection favours animals that forage most efficiently1–3. But such selection does not act directly on foraging efficiency, but rather indirectly by favouring animals that survive and reproduce most successfully. Studies that use optimal foraging models often assume that maximization of some behavioural currency, such as the animal's net rate of energy gain, maximizes the animal's fitness4, but rarely is an attempt made to test this assumption5–8. Most studies of the effects of foraging behaviour on fitness fail to control for the amount of energy gained by the foraging animals5–8, and lead to the obvious conclusion that animals that eat more reproduce more. Often the studies do not control for characters correlated with foraging behaviour6 or compare traits assumed to be correlated with fitness7,8. A better method would be to assign net rates of energy gain to randomly chosen individuals for their entire lifetimes in a controlled environment and measure fitness directly. Variation in the amount of energy consumed would be controlled by using individuals that employ a time-minimizing foraging strategy9 and would alter the time taken to satisfy their daily energy requirements, while obtaining the same absolute amount of energy. I have now manipulated the net rate of energy gain in four populations of the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata, and show that fitness, as measured by population growth rate, is indeed positively and significantly correlated with the net rate of energy gain.
Anomalous prompt photon production in hadronic collisions at low xT.

We investigate the discrepancy that exists at low [ital x][sub [ital T]]=2[ital p][sub [ital T]]/ [radical][ital s] between the next-to-leading-order QCD calculations of prompt photon production and the measured-cross section. The central values of the measured cross section are of order 100% larger than QCD predictions in this region. It has been suggested that the bremsstrahlung contribution may account for this discrepancy. The quark fragmentation function [ital D][sub [gamma]/[ital q]]([ital z]) has not been measured and an exactly known asymptotic form is normally used in calculations. We examine the effect of much larger fragmentation functions on the QCD predictions. After illustrating the effect of the large fragmentation functions in some detail for recent CDF data at [radical][ital s] =1.8 TeV, we perform a [chi][sup 2] fit to eight prompt photon data sets ranging in c.m.s. energy from 24 GeV to 1.8 TeV. While a large fragmentation function normalization may prove to play an important role in resolving the discrepancy, the present theoretical and experimental uncertainties prevent the determination of any definite normalization value.
Using Outcome Data to Create Clinical Change: Foundations and Example

This paper discusses the value of using self-report strength and symptomology outcome data from three informants to guide clinical decisions for troubled youth. We discuss the theoretical and scientific foundation for an outcome system where data can be used to make programmatic changes in the delivery of care for youth. We discuss the design requirements for the development of outcome instrumentation. Finally, we present predictive modeling data that show the importance of collecting information from multiple informants and using strengths to help youth.
Mixing Enhancement in Compressible Base Flows via Generation of Streamwise Vorticity

A C-type boundary-layer grid around a NACA-0012 airfoil has been generated up to a normal distance corresponding to 1=Ch D 0:06. The values of N and s are 20 and i4, respectively. This boundary-layermesh is coupled and with unstructuredand algebraicmeshes as shown in Fig. 5. Figure 6a shows the streamlines in laminar  ow with the conditions for freestream Mach number M1 D 0:5, Reynolds number based on chord RechD 5£ 10 and incidence ®D 0 deg, same as those used by Liu.4 The present results, including a small separation zone near the trailing edge, are in good agreementwith Liu.4 Figure 6b shows the isentropicMachnumbercontoursfor the turbulentcompressible owatM1 D 0:754, Rech D 3:76£ 106 , and ®D 3:02 deg. With the help of hyperbolic grid, the Baldwin–Lomax turbulencemodel has been implemented without any complex changes, such as those suggested by Turner and Jennions. The standard k–" model is used in the unstructured and algebraic grid zones. This result is in good agreement with the predictions of Kallinderis.
Science to Practice: What Does MR Oxygenation Imaging Tell Us about Human Breast Cancer Hypoxia?

The paradoxical relationship between blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and breast cancer hypoxia challenges our current understanding of what we believe is happening to erythrocytes in tumors. The ability of air breathing R2* measurements to reflect tissue hypoxia appears to be tumor type–specific, which should prompt further exploration of this image contrast mechanism in both human and animal tumors.
Physical planning for on-chip multiprocessor networks and switch fabrics

On-chip implementation of multiprocessor systems requires the planarization of the interconnect network onto the silicon floorplan. Manual floorplanning approaches will become increasingly more difficult and ineffective as multiprocessor complexity increases. Compared with traditional ASIC architectures, multiprocessors have homogeneous processing elements and regular network topologies. Therefore, traditional ASIC floorplanning methodologies based on macro placement are not effective in this domain. We propose an automated physical planning tool, called REGULAY, which can generate floorplans for different topologies under different design constraints. Compared with traditional floorplanning approaches, REGULAY shows significant advantages in reducing the total interconnect wire-length while preserving the regularity and hierarchy of the network topology.
Parallel testing of parametric faults in a three-dimensional dynamic random-access memory

A testable design of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) architecture which allows one to access multiple cells in a word line simultaneously is presented. The technique utilizes the two-dimensional (2-D) organization of the DRAM and the resulting speedup of the conventional algorithm is considerable. The failure mechanism in the three-dimensional (3-D) DRAM with trench-type capacitor is specifically investigated. As opposed to the earlier approaches for testing parametric faults that used sliding diagonal-type tests with O(n/sup 3/2/) complexity, the algorithms discussed here are different and have O( square root n/p) complexity, where p is the number of subarrays within the DRAM chip. These algorithms can be applied externally from the chip and also they can be easily generated for built-in self-test applications. >
Characterizing the multi–scale spatial structure of remotely sensed evapotranspiration with information theory

Abstract. A more thorough understanding of the multi-scale spatial structure of land surface heterogeneity will enhance understanding of the relationships and feedbacks between land surface conditions, mass and energy exchanges between the surface and the atmosphere, and regional meteorological and climatological conditions. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify which spatial scales are dominant in determining the evapotranspiration flux between the surface and the atmosphere and (2) to quantify how different spatial scales of atmospheric and surface processes interact for different stages of the phenological cycle. We used the ALEXI/DisALEXI model for three days (DOY 181, 229 and 245) in 2002 over the Ft. Peck Ameriflux site to estimate the latent heat flux from Landsat, MODIS and GOES satellites. We then applied a multiresolution information theory methodology to quantify these interactions across different spatial scales and compared the dynamics across the different sensors and different periods. We note several important results: (1) spatial scaling characteristics vary with day, but are usually consistent for a given sensor, but (2) different sensors give different scalings, and (3) the different sensors exhibit different scaling relationships with driving variables such as fractional vegetation and near surface soil moisture. In addition, we note that while the dominant length scale of the vegetation index remains relatively constant across the dates, the contribution of the vegetation index to the derived latent heat flux varies with time. We also note that length scales determined from MODIS are consistently larger than those determined from Landsat, even at scales that should be detectable by MODIS. This may imply an inability of the MODIS sensor to accurately determine the fine scale spatial structure of the land surface. These results aid in identifying the dominant cross-scale nature of local to regional biosphere-atmosphere interactions.
Intelligent Modularized Emitter Turn-Off Thyristor (ETO)-Based High Power Converter

This paper proposes a new practical modular power converter, combining with the new power electronics technologies: the emerging emitter turn-off (ETO) thyristor device, modular voltage source converter and digital control technology. A modularized ETO based power converter with digital local controller is designed and developed. Comparing with the conventional power converter, the proposed power converter simplifies the interface between converter and controller, applies the self-sensor and flexible local programmable protection functions. The design is modularized and standardized which is suitable for high power applications. The prototype is demonstrated in the pulse tester and the boost converter. Experimental results validate its functions and performances.
Revisiting domain-general accounts of category specificity in mind and brain.

Theories about the neural basis of semantic knowledge have been strongly influenced by reports that particular semantic categories can be differentially impaired by neuropathology and can differentially activate particular regions of cortex in brain imaging studies. One well-known interpretation of these data is that the brain has evolved distinct functional and anatomical modules for storing and retrieving knowledge about different kinds of things. We review the evidence supporting an alternative view: that category specificity arises from many heterogeneous factors and so tells us little directly about the cognitive and neural architecture of semantic memory. We consider four general hypotheses about domain-general causes of category-specific patterns, their roots in early work, and their reemergence in contemporary research. We argue that there is compelling evidence supporting each hypothesis, and that the different hypotheses together can explain most of the interesting data. We further suggest that such a multifactor domain-general approach to category specificity is appealing partly because it explains the important findings with reference to theoretical claims that are already widely accepted, and partly because it resolves several puzzles that arise under the alternative view. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.
Emergence of Memory in Reactive Agents Equipped With Environmental Markers

In the neuronal circuits of natural and artificial agents, memory is usually implemented with recurrent connections, since recurrence allows past agent state to affect the present, on-going behavior. Here, an interesting question arises in the context of evolution: how reactive agents could have evolved into cognitive ones with internalized memory? Our idea is that reactive agents with simple feedforward circuits could have achieved behavior comparable to internal memory if they can drop and detect external markers (e.g., pheromones or excretions) in the environment. We tested this idea in two tasks (ball-catching and food-foraging task) where agents needed memory to be successful. We evolved feedforward neural network controllers with a dropper and a detector, and compared their performance with recurrent neural network controllers. The results show that feedforward controllers with external material interaction show adequate performance compared to recurrent controllers in both tasks. This means that even memoryless feedforward networks can evolve behavior that can solve tasks requiring memory, when material interaction is allowed. These results are expected to help us better understand the possible evolutionary route from reactive to cognitive agents.
Automated bone segmentation from Pelvic CT images

Segmentation of bone tissue from pelvic CT images is a crucial step in developing an automated system for assisting experts with diagnostic decisions for traumatic pelvic injuries. The method proposed in this paper combines wavelet processing, Laplacian filtering, morphology operations, a series of region growing techniques and gradient based segmentation methods to create an automated segmentation system. The method, tested against a database of pelvic injury CT images, provides promising results. This computationally efficient method sets the grounds for creating an automated decision making system that will be able to provide physicians with reliable recommendations for the treatment of traumatic pelvic injuries.
Calcium channel blockers as tocolytics

This article reviews the clinical and basic science investigations regarding the safety and efficacy of calcium channel blockers as tocolytic agents. The authors reviewed the English language literature on the pharmacology and clinical applications of calcium antagonists in obstetrics. A MEDLINE (1966-2000) search was performed with the terms "calcium channel blockers," "randomized controlled trial," "preterm labor," "calcium antagonist," "tocolysis," and "nifedipine." References from these data sources were then used to find additional studies. Animal data and clinical trials in humans were included. The safety of these agents was researched in published data from the nonobstetric as well as obstetric literature. The calcium channel blockers most commonly used as tocolytics are nifedipine and nicardipine. These agents act to inhibit calcium influx across cell membranes, thereby decreasing tone in the smooth muscle of the vasculature. They act as profound vasodilatory agents and have minimal effect on the cardiac conduction system. Numerous randomized clinical trials have shown them to be as effective as beta-mimetics and magnesium in achieving tocolysis. When used for tocolysis, calcium antagonists have fewer maternal side effects than other tocolytics and have no adverse effect on fetal outcome.
Small world stratification for distribution fault diagnosis

Automated distribution fault diagnosis generally learns from historical faults and only those relevant to the fault events under study should be investigated. From the spatial perspective, using fault events within a small region is preferred in order to focus on the local fault characteristics. However, a small region may not provide sufficient events for an algorithm to make proper inference about the root cause. To cope with this problem, we propose Small World Stratification (SWS) sampling strategy. SWS involves sampling relevant fault events by Geographic Aggregation (GA) and Feature Space Clustering (FSC), and identifying the group of events that should be investigated together. In this paper, we use simulated fault events to demonstrate that SWS is necessary to improve the fault diagnosis performance when we focus on a small local region and FSC is superior to GA when fault characteristics in neighboring regions are different.
Delay Guarantees for Throughput-Optimal Wireless Link Scheduling

We consider the question of obtaining tight delay guarantees for throughout-optimal link scheduling in arbitrary topology wireless ad-hoc networks. We consider two classes of scheduling policies: 1) a maximum queue-length weighted independent set scheduling policy, and 2) a randomized independent set scheduling policy where the independent set scheduling probabilities are selected optimally. Both policies stabilize all queues for any set of feasible packet arrival rates, and are therefore throughput-optimal. For these policies and i.i.d. packet arrivals, we show that the average packet delay is bounded by a constant that depends on the chromatic number of the interference graph, and the overall load on the network. We also prove that this upper bound is asymptotically tight in the sense that there exist classes of topologies where the expected delay attained by any scheduling policy is lower bounded by the same constant. Through simulations we examine the scaling of the average packet delay with respect to the overall load on the network, and the chromatic number of the link interference graph.
Chapter 6.2 – Six-Membered Ring Systems: Diazines and Benzo Derivatives

Found in natural products, and frequently used as flavoring agents or as building blocks for pharmaceuticals, diazines and their benzo derivatives possess a diverse set of properties, allowing a broad range of applications, spanning from medicinal chemistry to electrochemistry. New diazine-based natural products continue to be isolated and studied. In addition, new syntheses, reactions, and applications of diazine-based compounds are reported every year. Recent advances in the development of new preparations, reactions, and applications of diazines and their benzo derivatives as well as the discovery of new diazine-based natural products, published in the literature in 2014, are discussed in this review.
Performance Analysis of the Lattice Boltzmann Model Beyond Navier-Stokes

The lattice Boltzmann method is increasingly important in facilitating large-scale fluid dynamics simulations. To date, these simulations have been built on discretized velocity models of up to 27 neighbors. Recent work has shown that higher order approximations of the continuum Boltzmann equation enable not only recovery of the Navier-Stokes hydrodynamics, but also simulations for a wider range of Knudsen numbers, which is especially important in micro- and nanoscale flows. These higher-order models have significant impact on both the communication and computational complexity of the application. We present a performance study of the higher-order models as compared to the traditional ones, on both the IBM Blue Gene/P and Blue Gene/Q architectures. We study the tradeoffs of many optimizations methods such as the use of deep halo level ghost cells that, alongside hybrid programming models, reduce the impact of extended models and enable efficient modeling of extreme regimes of computational fluid dynamics.
The African Capacity to Transfer

As a result of the sizeable external debts accumulated over several years, many Sub-Saharan African countries face both the serious budgetary problem of extracting resources for debt service payments, and the transfer problem of converting such resources into a form acceptable to creditors. The paper defines the capacity to transfer and identifies its most important determinants, with emphasis on those factors that traditional economic analysis usually ignores. Several examples from the region are used as illustrations of the key factors in a country's capacity to transfer. A number of propositions that could be used as a framework for policies designed to enhance the capacity to transfer, emerge from the discussions.
Activation of pattern recognition receptors in brown adipocytes induces inflammation and suppresses uncoupling protein 1 expression and mitochondrial respiration

Pattern recognition receptors (PRR), Toll-like receptors (TLR), and nucleotide-oligomerization domain-containing proteins (NOD) play critical roles in mediating inflammation and modulating functions in white adipocytes in obesity. However, the role of PRR activation in brown adipocytes, which are recently found to be present in adult humans, has not been studied. Here we report that mRNA of TLR4, TLR2, NOD1, and NOD2 is upregulated, paralleled with upregulated mRNA of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the obese mice. During brown adipocyte differentiation, mRNA and protein expression of NOD1 and TLR4, but not TLR2 and NOD2, is also increased. Activation of TLR4, TLR2, or NOD1 in brown adipocytes induces activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, leading to inflammatory cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression and/or protein secretion. Moreover, activation of TLR4, TLR2, or NOD1 attenuates both basal and isoproterenol-induced uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) expression without affecting mitochondrial biogenesis and lipid accumulation in brown adipocytes. Cellular bioenergetics measurements confirm that attenuation of UCP-1 expression by PRR activation is accompanied by suppression of both basal and isoproterenol-stimulated oxygen consumption rates and isoproterenol-induced uncoupled respiration from proton leak; however, maximal respiration and ATP-coupled respiration are not changed. Further, the attenuation of UCP-1 by PRR activation appears to be mediated through downregulation of the UCP-1 promoter activities. Taken together, our results demonstrate the role of selected PRR activation in inducing inflammation and downregulation of UCP-1 expression and mitochondrial respiration in brown adipocytes. Our results uncover novel targets in BAT for obesity treatment and prevention.
Deducing fast electron density changes in randomly orientated uncrystallized biomolecules in a pump-probe experiment.

We propose a method for deducing time-resolved structural changes in uncrystallized biomolecules in solution. The method relies on measuring the angular correlations of the intensities, when averaged over a large number of diffraction patterns from randomly oriented biomolecules in solution in a liquid solvent. The experiment is somewhat like a pump–probe version of an experiment on small angle X-ray scattering, except that the data expected by the algorithm are not just the radial variation of the averaged intensities. The differences of these correlation functions as measured from a photoexcited and dark structure enable the direct calculation of the difference electron density with a knowledge of only the dark structure. We exploit a linear relation we derive between the difference in these correlation functions and the difference electron density, applicable for small structural changes.
HOW RELIABLE IS THE TOEFL TEST

We estimated the reliability of scores on four forms of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) using a hybrid IRT model. Very little difference between their overall reliability was found when the testlet items were assumed to be independent and their dependence was modeled. A larger difference in reliability was found when test sections were analyzed individually. Then we found as much as a 40 percent overestimate in reading comprehension testlets, with the longer testlets of the newest form of the TOEFL test showing the most local dependence. The listening comprehension testlets exhibited much less local dependence. We also found that the test was unidimensional enough for the use of univariate IRT to be efficacious, and that the reading comprehension testlets showed essentially no differential functioning by sex.
Medium Is the Message: Moderate Parental Control of Feeding Correlates With Improved Weight Outcome in a Pediatric Obesity Intervention

Objective Previous studies have suggested complex associations among variables related to parental control of feeding and child/adolescent obesity. The current study examined associations between parental food control variables and weight outcomes in the context of a behaviorally based family treatment program. Methods Parents of youths (n = 93) enrolled in a clinical trial comparing 2 weight management interventions completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire pre- and post-treatment, and at a 12-month follow-up. Results Latent growth curve modeling indicated that mean levels of restriction decreased over the course of treatment in the Positively Fit (PF) condition. Youths in the PF treatment condition whose parents increased their restriction of food experienced greater decreases in zBMI over treatment. Conclusions Results echo previous reports that high and low parental control over food intake are associated with higher zBMI. Moderate parental control can be associated with beneficial outcomes in youths enrolled in behavioral treatment programs for obesity.
Achievable rates and scaling laws for cognitive radio channels

Cognitive radios have the potential to vastly improve communication over wireless channels. We outline recent information theoretic results on the limits of primary and cognitive user communication in single and multiple cognitive user scenarios. We first examine the achievable rate and capacity regions of single user cognitive channels. Results indicate that at medium SNR (0-20 dB), the use of cognition improves rates significantly compared to the currently suggested spectral gap-filling methods of secondary spectrum access. We then study another information theoretic measure, the multiplexing gain. This measure captures the number of point-to-point Gaussian channels contained in a cognitive channel as the SNR tends to infinity. Next, we consider a cognitive network with a single primary user and multiple cognitive users. We show that with single-hop transmission, the sum capacity of the cognitive users scales linearly with the number of users. We further introduce and analyze the primary exclusive radius, inside of which primary receivers are guaranteed a desired outage performance. These results provide guidelines when designing a network with secondary spectrum users.
The Changing World of Think Tanks

Economists and political observers in recent years have bemoaned the decline of American competitiveness in traditional industries such as steel, automobiles, and textiles. Some of these observers worry that the U.S. economy will increasingly be dominated by service industries. At least one service industry in the United States does appear to be growing and thriving, despite some very adverse economic circumstances. That industry is the non-profit public policy research industry, more commonly known as “think tanks.” The think tank universe has become much more diverse over the past decade, reflecting both new entrants into the marketplace of ideas and changes in these organizations' environment. There are, moreover, inherent tensions in any of the three main models (“university without students,” contract researcher, and advocacy tank) that think tanks may pursue. Attempting to mix the models can be difficult too.These tensions and environmental changes have created tremendous uncertainty, but also some entrepreneurial opportunities, for think tank managers. Increasingly, these managers must be concerned with finding a viable niche in a crowded, fragmented market. And they must do so while dealing with staffs who may be resistant not only to specific courses of change, but also to external direction of any sort.
Asymptotic Equations for Nonlinear Hyperbolic Waves

Universal asymptotic equations. It is a remarkable fact that, in suitable asymptotic limits, the behavior of almost all nonlinear waves is described by a few rather simple looking nonlinear equations. Examples include Burgers equation, the Kortewegde Vries (KdV) equation, and the nonlinear Schrodinger equation. These equations are “universal” or “canonical” because their applicability depends only on a few, very general features of the wave motion, such as the form of the linearized dispersion relation and the type of nonlinearity acting on the wave. Universal equations thus provide a common theoretical core for the study of nonlinear waves in an enormous number of diverse physical systems.