cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental Inlet Air Cooling of a 75 kW Gas Turbine

An experimental study of gas turbine inlet air cooling was conducted in the Cogeneration Laboratory at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). The cooling was done using both water sprays and air cooled by an absorption chiller. The primary objectives were to determine the effectiveness of inlet air cooling on a very small gas turbine and compare using water sprays with absorption cooled air. Secondary objectives were to investigate the use of low cost water spray equipment which is typically used in green houses, and the cost effectiveness of absorption cooling with a small turbine. The very small quantities of water, less than 0.006 L/s (0.1 gpm), required to saturate the turbine air flow was difficult to meter. With the low cost spray equipment employed, the only way to accomplish full saturation was to over saturate the air. The gas turbine engine did not respond well to this situation. The lower density of the inlet air caused unstable operation of the compressor resulting in reduced compressor efficiency. With about 2/3 of the turbine work going to the compressor, this loss in efficiency caused the electricity generated to be limited to about half the rated 75 kW. Concerns about damage to the engine caused early termination of these tests. The experiments using air cooled by absorption chilling were more successful but encountered some of the same difficulties. Again, the high humidity and lower density of the inlet air appeared to cause some instability in the compressor. Control of the air temperature proved to be difficult; thus the compressor inlet air was at the chiller discharge temperature, approximately 13 C (55 F). With this arrangement it was possible to operate the engine at full rated capacity which is substantially higher than the 60% fo full load possible with ambient air at approximately 32 C (90 F). In the case of this particular engine, it was concluded that the use of water sprays was not practical and in fact may cause damage. The difficulties of metering very small water quantities would be encountered with any similar size engine. The use of absorption cooling did improve performance but this is a costly solution. The economics of inlet cooling of micro-turbines is very questionable.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Decoherence of spin qubits due to a nearby charge fluctuator in gate-defined double dots

The effects of a nearby two-level charge fluctuator on a double-dot two-spin qubit are studied theoretically. Assuming no direct tunneling between the charge fluctuator and the qubit quantum dots, the Coulomb couplings between the qubit orbital states and the fluctuator are calculated within the Hund-Mulliken framework to quadrupole-quadrupole order in a multipole expansion. We identify and quantify the coupling term that entangles the qubit to the fluctuator and analyze qubit decoherence effects that result from the decay of the fluctuator to its reservoir. Our results show that the charge environment can severely impact the performance of spin qubits, and indicate working points at which this decoherence channel is minimized. Our analysis also suggests that an ancillary double-dot can provide a convenient point for single-qubit operations and idle position, adding flexibility in the quantum control of the two-spin qubit.
Phospholipid hydroperoxides are substrates for non-selenium glutathione peroxidase.

Abstract This study investigated phospholipid hydroperoxides as substrates for non-selenium GSH peroxidase (NSGPx), an enzyme also called 1-Cys peroxiredoxin. Recombinant human NSGPx expressed in Escherichia coli from a human cDNA clone (HA0683) showed GSH peroxidase activity withsn-2-linolenoyl- orsn-2-arachidonoyl-phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides as substrate; NADPH or thioredoxin could not substitute for GSH. Activity did not saturate with GSH, and kinetics were compatible with a ping-pong mechanism; kinetic constants (mM−1min−1) were k 1 = 1–3 × 105 and k 2 = 4–11 × 104. In the presence of 0.36 mm GSH, apparentK m was 120–130 μm and apparentV max was 1.5–1.6 μmol/min/mg of protein. Assays with H2O2 and organic hydroperoxides as substrate indicated activity similar to that with phospholipid hydroperoxides. Maximal enzymatic activity was at pH 7–8. Activity with phospholipid hydroperoxide substrate was inhibited noncompetitively by mercaptosuccinate with K i 4 μm. The enzyme had no GSH S-transferase activity. Bovine cDNA encoding NSGPx, isolated from a lung expression library using a polymerase chain reaction probe, showed >95% similarity to previously published human, rat, and mouse sequences and does not contain the TGA stop codon, which is translated as selenocysteine in selenium-containing peroxidases. The molecular mass of bovine NSGPx deduced from the cDNA is 25,047 Da. These results identify a new GSH peroxidase that is not a selenoenzyme and can reduce phospholipid hydroperoxides. Thus, this enzyme may be an important component of cellular antioxidant defense systems.
Assessing Completeness and Spatial Error of Features in Volunteered Geographic Information

The assessment of the quality and accuracy of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) contributions, and by extension the ultimate utility of VGI data has fostered much debate within the geographic community. The limited research to date has been focused on VGI data of linear features and has shown that the error in the data is heterogeneously distributed. Some have argued that data produced by numerous contributors will produce a more accurate product than an individual and some research on crowd-sourced initiatives has shown that to be true, although research on VGI is more infrequent. This paper proposes a method for quantifying the completeness and accuracy of a select subset of infrastructure-associated point datasets of volunteered geographic data within a major metropolitan area using a national geospatial dataset as the reference benchmark with two datasets from volunteers used as test datasets. The results of this study illustrate the benefits of including quality control in the collection process for volunteered data.
Negative Ion Mass Spectra, Electron Affinities, Gas Phase Acidities, Bond Dissociation Energies, and Negative Ion States of Cytosine and Thymine

Negative ion Morse potential energy curves for cytosine (C) and thymine (T) consolidate electron affinity, gas-phase acidity, bond dissociation energy, photoelectron spectrum, electron impact, tran...
Error analysis on a generalized Feldkamp's cone-beam computed tomography algorithm

To overcome the limitations of Feldkamp's cone-beam reconstruction algorithm, we generalized it in the case of noncircular and nonplanar scanning. In this paper, an error analysis is performed on this generalized approximate algorithm. The study is based on a reconstruction error formula. Roughly speaking, the error is proportional to the distance from a voxel to the mid-plane in the planar scanning mode, to the pitch of a scanning locus in the helix-like scanning mode, and inversely proportional to the horizontal size of the scanning locus. The error also depends on longitudinal variation of a specimen function. Longitudinal partial derivative distributions of specimen transverse sections are modeled as stochastic fields. Practical factors are simulated as noise terms in the reconstruction error formula. The simulation results show that the generalized Feldkamp's algorithm is not sensitive to noise and allows more accurate reconstruction in the helix-like scanning mode.
Inferring Lifetime Distributions from Kinetics by Maximizing Entropy Using a Bootstrapped Model

A bootstrapped model is used to improve the lifetime distribution recovered using the maximum entropy method from kinetics that involves overlapping exponential and distributed phases. The model defaulted to in the limit of low signal-to-noise is iteratively derived from the data to counter the tendency of regularization methods to over-smooth sharp features while under-smoothing broad ones. Upon each revision, some of the lifetime distribution is focused and the rest is blurred. This differential blurring can produce distributions that are virtually free of artifacts. The change in the result obtained upon a reasonable change in the default model provides a useful measure of the uncertainty in the lifetime distribution. In particular, the widths of peaks may not be well determined.
Integration host factor (IHF) binds to many sites in the A+T-rich b2 region of phage λ DNA

Abstract Computer analysis of almost the entire b2 region of λ phage (nt 22346–27475) revealed 23 consensus-like ihf sites, with eleven pointing in one direction and twelve in the opposite direction [27 bp; Kur et al., Gene 81 (1989) 1–15]. To confirm the significance of this finding experimentally, the region was subdivided into 21 fragments and examined for integration host factor (IHF) binding by gel retardation and a variety of footprinting methods. Out of 21 fragments examined 13 were found to be retarted on gels in the presence of IHF and to contain one to three ihf sites each. All sites which differ by up to 2 bp from our 27-bp consensus ihf sequence can bind IHF in vitro. However, three of the computer-predicted sites overlap with sites of opposite orientation; therefore we could not determine at the present time which of the two antiparallel sequences binds IHF. We have compared the predictive values of various kinds of consensus sequences and show that our 27-bp consensus ihf sequence agrees best with the experimental data. It was demonstrated by Kur et al. [Virology 168 (1989) 236–244] that the IHF protein represses transcrition from promoters located close to the right terminus of the b2 region, within the phage λ attachment site. We discuss the possibility that some of the IHF-binding sites could be instrumental in repressing in vivo transcription from the A + T-rich b2 region during the λ prophage state [Rosenvold et al., Virology 107 (1980) 476–487].
Discrete element simulations for granular material flows: effective thermal conductivity and self-diffusivity

Abstract This study uses a two-dimensional discrete-element simulation to determine the effective thermal conductivity and self-diffusivity quantities that depend on the random motions of particles within a granular material flow. The simulations are performed for solid fractions from 0.015 to 0.68 and for different Biot-Fourier numbers. The assumptions used in the simulations are consistent with dense-gas kinetic theory; hence, the simulation results are shown to compare well with the self-diffusivity based on kinetic theory predictions. For the heat transfer problem, the analysis differs from classic kinetic theory since the particles can exchange heat with the surrounding fluid. For Biot-Fourier numbers much less than 1, the effective conductivity from the simulations coincides with kinetic theory predictions. As the Bio Fourier number increases above 0.1, the results deviate considerably from the classic analysis, but can be predicted using a modified kinetic theory approach. The simulation is a powerful technique, which can be extended to problems that are not consistent with kinetic theory assumptions.
Innovation and strategic advantage : lessons from open source

In a dynamic and global market, innovation will increasingly become the core determinant of the success and failure of firms. As useful knowledge becomes more pervasive, the logic that supported manufacturer-centric and centralised approaches to innovation has begun to break down and is being replaced or supplemented by user-centric and decentralised approaches to innovation. Open source development provides important management lessons regarding the most effective ways to structure and implement innovation. When viewed through the lens of innovation processes, open source development is representative of a broader and more fundamental shift in how firms can generate new ideas and bring them to market.
The importance of the heterogeneity of the deformation in the ferrite phase of a dual-phase steel

Analyse du mode de deformation: plastique ou elastique de chacune des phases en fonction des contraintes appliquees, a partir du modele de Tomota
New approach to gridding using regularization and estimation theory

When sampling under time-varying gradients, data is acquired over a non-equally spaced grid in k-space. The most computationally efficient method of reconstruction is first to interpolate the data onto a Cartesian grid, enabling the subsequent use of the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). The most commonly used interpolation technique is called gridding, and is comprised of four steps: precompensation, convolution with a Kaiser-Bessel window, IFFT, and postcompensation. Recently, the author introduced a new gridding method called Block Uniform ReSampling (BURS), which is both optimal and efficient. The interpolation coefficients are computed by solving a set of linear equations using singular value decomposition (SVD). BURS requires neither the pre- nor the postcompensation steps, and resamples onto an n × n grid rather than the 2n × 2n matrix required by conventional gridding. This significantly decreases the computational complexity. Several authors have reported that although the BURS algorithm is very accurate, it is also sensitive to noise. As a consequence, even in the presence of a low level of measurement noise, the resulting image is often highly contaminated with noise. In this work, the origin of the noise sensitivity is traced back to the potentially ill-posed matrix inversion performed by BURS. Two approaches to the solution are presented. The first uses regularization theory to stabilize the inversion process. The second formulates the interpolation as an estimation problem, and employs estimation theory for the solution. The new algorithm, called rBURS, contains a regularization parameter, which is used to trade off the accuracy of the result against the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The results of the new method are compared with those obtained using conventional gridding via simulations. For the SNR performance of conventional gridding, it is shown that the rBURS algorithm exhibits equal or better accuracy. This is achieved at a decreased computational cost compared to conventional gridding. Magn Reson Med 48:193–202, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nonlinear Vibration of a Thin Laminate Due to the Stochastic Thermal Diffusion

We study the thermally induced nonlinear vibration of a laminate associated with the stochastic thermal diffusion. The stochastic diffusion process occurs in the conductive laminate with white noise. We consider the thermal field with temperature variation both in-plane and transverse to the plane of lamina. Our interest is to examine the stochastic resonance behavior due to different noise sources and noise strength. The equation of motion for the laminate is based on the decoupled modal form Duffing equation developed in our earlier study for the laminate in a simply supported boundary condition. The thermal fluctuation is of the additive and multiplicative Gaussian noise, respectively, with or without correction between the two noises. The computation demonstrates the stochastic resonance phenomena due to noise induced escape phenomena. The results provide a realistic prediction for the thermal vibration behavior of a laminate when the stochastic thermal process is present.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Discriminants and Functions of the Second Kind of Orthogonal Polynomials

We consider the problem of evaluating discriminants of general orthogonal polynomials. It is shown that for a general class of weight functions, the functions of the second kind and the orthogonal polynomials are linear independent solutions of the same second order differential equation. We derive a linear fourth-order differential equation satisfied by the numerator polynomials and give two additional linear independent solutions.
Understanding physical activity and exercise behaviors in patients with heart failure

Abstract Objective Explore perceptions of physical activity/exercise in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Background Although activity/exercise are HF self-care expectations, perceptions of patients are not well understood. Methods Ambulatory adults with HF were interviewed. Data were transcribed, categorized, and themes were developed. Results Of 48 participants, mean age was 58.8 ± 13.2 years. Themes that emerged were: patients not knowing and physicians not telling; scared into doing or not doing it; life gets in the way; meaningful support versus meaningless talk; emotional connections to exercise; value does not equal motivation to move; and disconnection between self-confidence and actions. Self-confidence in and value of physical activity/exercise were not primary motivators to action. Generally, physicians failed to provide details regarding exercise dose, length, warm-up and cool-down expectations, and usual and adverse effects. Conclusions Patient perceptions of what physical activity/exercise means are multi-dimensional; and fears, emotions, priority and participatory social support contribute to adherence.
The use of life-histories in testing theories of criminal behavior: Toward reviving a method

This paper traces the history of the life-history method from its heyday in the 1930's through the works following that period. General methodological discussions ensue which draw out the strengths of the life-history method. Validity is high since the life-history is second-order data to participant observation, and reliability can be improved for all methods by checking other sources. Conclusions from a life-history are generalizable when the subject is archetypal. The question of standards for interpretation is posed. Finally the question of theory testing is addressed.
Dissolution of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus polyhedra by the digestive fluid of Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) larvae☆☆☆

Abstract The dissolution of polyhedra of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus by digestive fluid collected from 5th stage Trichoplusia ni larvae was studied in vitro. Observations were made at timed intervals using phase contrast microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Dissolution occurred rapidly and in a detectable sequence. Under phase contrast, most polyhedra lost their refringence by 0.5 min. The polyhedra became rounded in appearance with small protuberances on the surface and Brownian movement was observed within. After 1 min, the envelope of most polyhedra had ruptured, releasing the enclosed virions. The protuberances were also observed under the scanning electron microscope after digestion for 0.5 min. Many shell fragments devoid of internal contents were seen after more lengthy digestion. Internal structural changes were revealed by electron microscopy. After 1 min of exposure, polyhedra were observed in all stages of dissolution. By 3 min, only virions, scattered about in heterogeneous material, could be distinguished.
Deterministic Production/Location Models on a Plane

While firm-level applications often involve location on a network, models in which the firm can locate anywhere within a subset of a plane can be useful and important in several ways. Planar models may satisfactorily represent real situations when the underlying transport network is dense, or when transport costs are relatively proportional to Euclidean distances (e.g., when transport is performed by air or sea using company fleets). In addition, planar models permit more interesting, informative, and formal sensitivity analyses than do network models and are, accordingly, an important object of study.
Three quite different things that matter to me.

I'm grateful to be asked to comment on cell biology and the next 50 years. There is much to say. But let me focus on just three quite different things that particularly matter to me. Susan Lindquist
Investigation of the Chemical Basis for Inefficient Lignin Removal in Softwood Kraft Pulp during Oxygen Delignification

In this study, an industrial softwood kraft pulp sample was subjected to an oxygen−alkali treatment over three consecutive times as part of a broader research effort to identify methods for selectivity improvements and lignin reactivity inefficiencies. Chemical properties of the pulp were determined that included active functional group analysis of the residual and effluent lignins. Further data for the analysis of the chemical reactions were obtained by collecting and identifying the low molecular weight compounds in the effluent liquors. We determined that the residual lignin cannot be removed beyond 75% of the original levels, although the first oxygen delignification reaction can remove nearly half of the original resident kraft residual lignin. The main factor limiting lignin removal during the oxygen delignification process is the penetration of oxygen and oxygen-active species into the lignin matrix along the microfibrils in the pulp. The matrix structure of carbohydrate and the lignin carbohydrate...
Producer Attitudes toward Multicommodity Electronic Marketing

The application of electronics to the marketing of agricultural commodities increased dramatically in the 1970s. A major justification for it was to increase efficiency. Henderson, Shrader, and Turner attributed this increase in efficiency to being able to separate negotiation of trades from the physical transfer of commodities. While many marketsgrain elevators, livestock auctions, terminal markets-traditionally perform these functions simultaneously, electronic marketing can divide them through centralizing negotiation of trades and decentralizing movement of products (Henderson, Shrader, Turner). Research suggests that electronic marketing can increase both pricing efficiency (Helmreich, Epperson, Huang; Henderson, Shrader, Turner; Holder) and operational efficiency (Engleman, Holder, Paul; Glazner and Sporleder). Sufficient trader interest is one of several conditions crucial to the success of electronic marketing (Henderson, Shrader, Turner). As Russell has pointed out, investigation of trader attitudes is also important when an electronic marketing system is designed. The objective of this note is to analyze factors hypothesized to affect producer attitudes toward an electronic market of multiple commodities.
Effects of chemicals on preservation of crab-processing waste and fermentation characteristics of the waste-straw mixture

Addition of 1.5% propionic/formic acid (1:1) prevented degradation of crab-processing waste for up to 14 days. The preserved waste was ensiled with wheat straw, sugarcane molasses, and water (32:32:16:20, wet basis) with or without 0.1% microbial inoculant. Reductions in pH and water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and an increase in lactic acid were achieved in silages made with or without inoculant. Preserving crab waste with either 0.2% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or 0.4% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) prevented deterioration for up to 7 days. The concentration of trimethylamine (TMA), which indicates offensive odor in marine products, increased (P < 0.05) from 3.70 to 12.85 mg of N/100 g in NaOCl-treated waste, compared to no change (2.66 vs 2.71 mg of N/100 g) for H2O2-treated waste. The use of 1% sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and a combination of 0.2% NaOCl/0.2% calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)2] (1:1, w/w) or 0.2% of each alone preserved the waste for a minimum of 10 days. Ammonia gas was first detected at day 12, and...
On the History of the International Encyclopedia of Unified Science

Rudolf Carnap accepted a professorship in philosophy at the University of Chicago in 1936. I had first met him during a stay in Prague in 1934. Otto Neurath made a visit to Chicago in October 1936, and the three of us met with Donald P. Bean of the University of Chicago Press to propose the publication of an International Encyclopedia of Unified Science. A contract with the Press to this end was signed in February 1937. Until Carnap left the University of Chicago in 1952 we worked closely together on the affairs of the Encyclopedia, and until Neurath’s death in 1945 we each had a very voluminous correspondence with him, and exchanged copies of our own letters. On my desk as I write this is a pile of letters from those years well over a foot high. I have re-read most of them for this occasion of paying homage to Carnap. Some historical facts which I salvaged — especially concerning the Encyclopedia — seem to me of sufficient interest to record briefly.
Syntheses and Reactions of Iron(II) Complexes Containing Diphosphine Ligands with Pendant Nitrogen Bases

A series of new iron(II)−hydride complexes that contain diphosphine ligands with pendant amine bases of the formula cis-[HFeL(PNP)2]+, where PNP = Et2PCH2NMeCH2PEt2 and L = CH3CN (3), CO (4), P(OEt)3 (5), have been synthesized and characterized. Protonations of the pendant bases in the PNP complexes have been characterized, and for selected complexes, pKa values have been determined. The acidity of the PNHP ligand depends significantly on the electronic properties of the Fe center to which it is bound, ranging from <7.0 to 12.7, depending on the nature of the coligands present. Unlike the previously studied hydride complexes [HNi(PNP)2]+ and trans-[HFe(CH3CN)(PNP)(dmpm)]+ (where dmpm is bis(dimethylphosphino)methane), the new hydride complexes reported here do not show rapid intramolecular exchange between the protonated base of the diphosphine and the hydride ligand. This is attributed to steric interactions between ethyl substituents on the PNP ligands.
Photonics and plasmonics applied to solar cells

The use of non-metallic, nano-element arrays for light trapping in substrate a-Si:H single junction solar cell structures is found to dramatically increase power conversion efficiency. This enhancement is consistent with significant light diffraction from the array into plasmon-polariton modes, photonic modes, or both. However, modeling shows that photonic effects dominate in substrate structures and that the light and carrier collection advantages of such arrays can result in short circuit current densities of 17.3 mA/cm2 for nominally 200nm a-Si:H substrate cells, giving a 56% increase in efficiency over planar 200nm controls while keeping photocarriers within 224nm from a collecting electrode.
Biological Control OfPolyphagotarsonemus latus (Acarina:Tarsonemidae) in greenhouses and field trials using introductions of predacious mites (Acarina:Tphytoseiidae)

Effect of predation of 2 phytoseiid species on the broad mitePolyphagotarsonemus lotus (Banks) was studied on bean and lime plants in the greenhouse and in the field in lime.Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) maintained mite density at low levels, whereas the effect ofNeoseiulus barken (Hughes) was erratic.N. californicus, together with a complex of indigenous predacious mites, keptP. latus density below economic damaging levels on lime fruits
Excretion of radiocalcium by normal rats.

Summary1. The excretion of subcutaneously administered radiocalcium has been studied in normal rats.2. The amount of labeled calcium injected appeared to be an important factor in determining the relative amounts of radiocalcium excreted in the urine and feces. When the quantity of labeled calcium injected was increased from 0.07 mg to 14 mg the fraction of the excreted radiocalcium which appeared in the urine in the first 24 hours increased from a relatively small value to a value approaching or slightly exceeding the amount of radiocalcium escreted in the feces. During a 9-day esperimental period the amount of radiocalcium escreted in the feces, when either 0.07 or 0.14 mg of labeled calcium was administered, greatly exceeded the amount excreted in the urine.3. The distribution of radiocalcium in the tissues and contents of the stomach, small intestine, cecum, and colon was determined at 1, 3, and 6-hour intervals after the administration of a dose of labeled calcium. The results of these experiments in...
Childhood maternal support and social capital moderate the regulatory impact of social relationships in adulthood

article i nfo For this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we assessed the impact of early social experi- ences on the social regulation of neural threat responding in a sample of 22 individuals that have been followed for over a decade. At 13 years old, a multidimensional measure of neighborhood quality was derived from parental reports. Three measures of neighborhood quality were used to estimate social capital—the level of trust, reciprocity, cooperation, and shared resources within a community. At 16 years old, an observational measure of maternal emotional support behavior was derived from a mother/child social interaction task. At 24 years old, participants were asked to visit our neuroimaging facility with an opposite-sex platonic friend. During their MRI visit, participants were subjected to the threat of electric shock while holding their friend's hand, the hand of an anonymous opposite-sex experimenter, or no hand at all. Higher adolescent maternal support corresponded with less threat-related activation during friend handholding, but not during the stranger or alone conditions, in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus and left insula. Higher neighborhood social capital corresponded with less threat-related activation during friend hand-holding in the superior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor cortex, insula, putamen and thalamus; but low childhood capital corresponded with less threat-related activation during stranger handholding in the same regions. Exploratory analyses suggest that this latter result is due to the increased threat responsiveness during stranger handholding among low social capital individuals, even during safety cues. Overall, early maternal support behavior and high neighborhood quality may potentiate soothing by relational partners, and low neighborhood quality may decrease the overall regulatory impact of access to social resources in adulthood. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tolerance to central hypovolemia: the influence of oscillations in arterial pressure and cerebral blood velocity

Higher oscillations of cerebral blood velocity and arterial pressure (AP) induced by breathing with inspiratory resistance are associated with delayed onset of symptoms and increased tolerance to c...
Specialized International Equity Investment With Forward Foreign Exchange Trading: A U. S. Viewpoint

Assuming risk-neutrality and the random walk model we derive a rule-of-thumb that periodically selects the appropriate foreign stock index and is either long or short foreign currency contracts. The empirical results of testing the rule-of-thumb with an investment universe of six major foreign equity markets show that our rule-of-thumb provides performance superior to investing in foreign stock indices alone. In addition, we test and reject the Unbiased Forward Rate Hypothesis (UFRH) in favor of the Random Walk Hypothesis (RWH).
Inter- and intra-observer variability of Doppler peak velocity measurements: An in-vitro study

To determine the variability of pulsed Doppler peak velocity measurements, four radiologists with differing experience were tested using a calibrated flow phantom. Two ultrasound units, three probes and eight velocity rates varying between 40.5 and 78 cm/sec were studied, with a total of 303 measurements. The results were normalized against a set of 106 separate measurements made under highly-controlled conditions. The residual error standard deviation (not attributable to any systematically varied factor, including the velocity rate) was 6.8 cm/sec, with most of the remaining variation due to changing transducer or machine. Observer/equipment interactions accounted for 15.8% of the observed variability. The duration of the radiologist's Doppler experience had no significant effect.
eRapa Restores A Normal Life Span in a FAP Mouse Model

Mutation of a single copy of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene results in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), which confers an extremely high risk for colon cancer. ApcMin/+ mice exhibit multiple intestinal neoplasia (MIN) that causes anemia and death from bleeding by 6 months. Mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitors were shown to improve ApcMin/+ mouse survival when administered by oral gavage or added directly to the chow, but these mice still died from neoplasia well short of a natural life span. The National Institute of Aging Intervention Testing Program showed that enterically targeted rapamycin (eRapa) extended life span for wild type genetically heterogeneous mice in part by inhibiting age-associated cancer. We hypothesized that eRapa would be effective in preventing neoplasia and extend survival of ApcMin/+ mice. We show that eRapa improved survival for ApcMin/+ mice in a dose-dependent manner. Remarkably, and in contrast to previous reports, most of the ApcMin/+ mice fed 42 ppm eRapa lived beyond the median life span reported for wild type syngeneic mice. Furthermore, chronic eRapa did not cause detrimental immune effects in mouse models of cancer, infection or autoimmunity; thus, assuaging concerns that chronic rapamycin treatment suppresses immunity. Our studies suggest that a novel formulation (enteric targeting) of a well-known and widely used drug (rapamycin) can dramatically improve its efficacy in targeted settings. eRapa or other mTORC1 inhibitors could serve as effective cancer preventatives for people with FAP without suppressing the immune system, thus reducing the dependency on surgery as standard therapy.
Highly activated and expanded natural killer cells for multiple myeloma immunotherapy

Background Patients with gene expression profiling-defined high-risk myeloma in relapse have poor outcomes with current therapies. We tested whether natural killer cells expanded by co-culture with K562 cells transfected with 41BBL and membrane-bound interleukin-15 could kill myeloma cells with a high-risk gene expression profile in vitro and in a unique model which recapitulates human myeloma.Design and Methods OPM2 and high-risk primary myeloma tumors were grown in human fetal bone implanted into non-obese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency mice with a deficient interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain. These mice are devoid of endogenous natural killer and T-cell activity and were used to determine whether adoptively transferred expanded natural killer cells could inhibit myeloma growth and myeloma-associated bone destruction.Results Natural killer cells from healthy donors and myeloma patients expanded a median of 804- and 351-fold, respectively, without significant T-cell expansion. Expanded natural killer cells killed both allogeneic and autologous primary myeloma cells avidly via a perforin-mediated mechanism in which the activating receptor NKG2D, natural cytotoxicity receptors, and DNAX-accessory molecule-1 played a central role. Adoptive transfer of expanded natural killer cells inhibited the growth of established OPM2 and high-risk primary myeloma tumors grown in the murine model. The transferred, expanded natural killer cells proliferated in vivo in an interleukin-2 dose-dependent fashion, persisted up to 4 weeks, were readily detectable in the human bone, inhibited myeloma growth and protected bone from myeloma-induced osteolysis.Conclusions These studies provide the rationale for testing expanded natural killer cells in humans.
Introducing Tablet PCs: Initial Results From the Classroom

Tablet PCs ("TPC"s) are drawing interest as a potential tool for improving teaching and learning in engineering education. Several schools have obtained the machines and are looking at effective uses. A recent initiative at Penn State involves thirty-one engineering faculty from eleven different disciplines. All of these faculty are trying out TPCs in their courses, and have agreed to do so for the next year and one-half. This paper reports on the initial stage of the project, in which the research question focuses on how engineering undergraduates perceive the effectiveness of the TPC as a teaching and learning tool. Over 100 students in three courses responded to an online survey related to specific uses of the TPC in their class. Responses from the students were overwhelmingly positive. This research is significant due to the increasing availability of TPCs, the lack of empirical evidence related to their effectiveness, and their potential for improving teaching and learning.
An Optimal Control Model of Rural Intersection Negotiation

A control theoretic model of an automobile driver's performance while negotiating a rural intersection is discussed. The model parameterizes vehicle response data in a manner which can be used to aid in categorizing variations in response observed across intersections. The data so obtained can be interpreted as being influenced by roadway geometrics and the driver's objectives. Results obtained using data collected with test drivers in an instrumented vehicle in actual driving situations are discussed.
The Treatment of Child Abuse: Play Therapy with a 4-Year-Old Child

Abstract There are few reports on the follow-up of child-abuse victims or indications that these children need any special treatment beyond removal from the abusing situation. We suggest that indeed these children suffer many sequelae and are in need of individual psychotherapy. A case study of play therapy with a severely regressed girl is presented. Typical issues that need to be resolved to prevent crystallization of a chronically disturbed and arrested character structure in these children are discussed.
Population trends and habitat use of Harlequin Ducks in Rhode Island

To assess population trends of Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) in Rhode Island (U.S.A.), we analyzed Christmas Bird Counts and other historical surveys and also conducted surveys during the winter of 2005-2006. We estimated sex and age ratios, evaluated the effects of tidal regime and time of day on survey precision, and quantified habitat use. The population in Rhode Island experienced logistic growth from 1976 to 2004, with approximately 150 birds now wintering at three primary sites in the state. We estimated that the current ratio of males to females in the region was 1.6:1 (62% males) and that 13% of males were first-winter birds. Most Harlequin Ducks were observed in rocky habitats within 50 m of the shore or offshore islands. We detected the greatest numbers of birds, with the least amount of variation, during morning surveys at low tide, suggesting that this may be the most appropriate time for population monitoring. Increases in the Rhode Island population and male-biased sex ratios may indicate a local population recovery resulting from a hunting ban initiated in 1990. Although most Harlequin Ducks in eastern North America winter in Maine, the population in Rhode Island represents one of the largest in the southern part of their range.
Embolotherapy: Basic Principles and Applications

Embolization therapy has become a major arm of modern interventional therapy. Its applications have become fundamental cores in the multimodality treatment paradigms in trauma, oncology, and endovascular therapy of vascular malformations and aneurysms. Knowledge of different techniques, materials and vascular anatomy and variants is essential to obtain good clinical outcome and minimize complications.
A generalization of doubly stochastic matrices over a field

Let X and Y be m×n matrices over a field F such that YTX is nonsingular, and let Λ and Λ′ be sets of n-square matrices over F. Solutions A to the simultaneous equations AX = XK and YTA = KYT where K ϵ Λ and K ϵ Λ′ are considered. It is shown that many properties of doubly stochastic matrices over a field have a natural generalization in terms of the set Δ(Λ,Λ′) of all such solutions.
Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic insulin‐glucose analysis for differentiation of beta‐cell function: an 18 month follow‐up study in pre‐pubertal lean and obese children

The objective of this study was to analyse the PK/PD of the insulin-glucose physiology for glucose stimulated insulin secretion from beta-cells between lean and obese pre-pubertal children in an 18 month study. The subjects were divided into two groups of six children according to their body mass index (BMI). Each subject was assessed on four occasions: on admission and at 6, 12 and 18 month follow-ups. Each time, 23 blood samples were obtained from the subjects according to the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test involving a bolus of 250 mg/kg dextrose. For the obese group, a significant difference (p <0.05) was found in the rate constant for the first phase secretion of insulin between the time of admission (1.73 +/- 0.372 min(-1)) and the 18 month follow-up (3.08 +/- 0.391 min(-1)). Additionally, the lean vs obese group comparisons showed a higher first phase insulin secretion rate constant (p <0.05) in the obese group on admission (1.73 +/- 0.372 vs 1.29 +/- 0.278 min(-1)), 6 months (1.96 +/- 0.317 vs 1.32 +/- 0.444 min(-1)), 12 months (2.33 +/- 0.621 vs 1.57 +/- 0.435 min(-1)) and 18 months (3.08 +/- 0.391 vs 1.83 +/- 0.587 min(-1)). The proposed PK/PD model for the insulin secretion from beta-cells is able to identify kinetic differences in first phase insulin secretion between lean and obese non-diabetic pre-pubertal children in this 18 month follow-up study.
Comparing clinicians’ use of an anticoagulation management service and usual care in ambulatory oncology

Purpose:There is no consensus in the oncology community about the optimal model for anticoagulation management of ambulatory cancer patients. To understand oncologists’ preferences regarding anticoagulation management, we compared the characteristics of patients referred to an oncology-oriented anticoagulation management service with “usual care” patients managed by the patient’s primary oncologist.Methods:We performed a retrospective medical record review of ambulatory oncology patients’ anticoagulation care at a comprehensive cancer center. We examined the characteristics of 33 patients anticoagulated before implementation of a dedicated oncology anticoagulation management service. We compared this group with 33 patients managed by the anticoagulation management service and with 39 usual care patients managed by the primary oncologist after the anticoagulation management service was created. We also examined differences in laboratory test utilization, time in the therapeutic range (for patients anticoag...
The nature of indexing: how humans and machines analyze messages and texts for retrieval: part II: machine indexing, and the allocation of human versus machine effort

Abstract Does human intellectual indexing have a continuing role to play in the face of increasingly sophisticated automatic indexing techniques? In this two-part essay, a computer scientist and long-time TREC participant (Perez-Carballo) and a practitioner and teacher of human cataloging and indexing (Anderson) pursue this question by reviewing the opinions and research of leading experts on both sides of this divide. We conclude that human analysis should be used on a much more selective basis, and we offer suggestions on how these two types indexing might be allocated to best advantage. Part I of the essay critiques the comparative research, then explores the nature of human analysis of messages or texts and efforts to formulate rules to make human practice more rigorous and predictable. We find that research comparing human versus automatic approaches has done little to change strongly held beliefs, in large part because many associated variables have not been isolated or controlled. Part II focuses on current methods in automatic indexing, its gradual adoption by major indexing and abstracting services, and ways for allocating human and machine approaches. Overall, we conclude that both approaches to indexing have been found to be effective by researchers and searchers, each with particular advantages and disadvantages. However, automatic indexing has the over-arching advantage of decreasing cost, as human indexing becomes ever more expensive.
Mechanism of Zonal Index Evolution in a Two-Layer Model.

Abstract A mechanism that drives a zonal jet to meander in the meridional direction is investigated with a two-layer multiwave quasigeostrophic β-plant channel model. This model isolates the zonal index characteristics of a purely eddy-driven jet. Empirical orthogonal function analysis is used to characterize the northward- and southward-shifted states of the jet, and the authors refer to these two states as “high” and “low” zonal indexes, respectively. Composite analysis is used to examine the evolution of the zonal-mean flow, eddy heat and momentum fluxes, storm tracks, and energetics associated with both zonal indexes. It is found that the zonal index is the most prominent form of variability over a broad range of meridional scales for the initially unstable region. As expected, the onset of either index is marked by an anomalous momentum flux convergence-divergence pair on either side of the time-mean jet, and the high and low indexes are dynamically equivalent. This eddy forcing of the zonal-mean flo...
Distribution Graphs of Suspended-Matter Concentration

Damages or benefits resulting from sedimentation at various points in a drainage basin may be due to different types of sediment, possibly coming from different sources. For instance, flood and dra...
A proposed model of person-, family-, and culture-centered nursing care

Abstract Background For decades person-, patient-, family-centered, and culturally competent care models have been evolving and conceptualized in the literature as separate. To our knowledge, there has not been a systematic approach to comparing all four of these conceptual models of care. Purpose To explicate and compare four conceptual care models: person-, patient-, family-centered, and culturally competent care. Methods A comparative concept analysis informed by Rogers' evolutionary concept analysis was used to compare 32 nursing research on person-, patient-, family-centered care, and culturally-competent care published between 2009 and 2013. Results Collective results of analyses of 32 nursing research articles found 12 attributes: collaborative relationship, effective communication, respectful care, holistic perspective, individualized care, inter-professional coordination, self-awareness, empowerment, family as unit of care, interpersonal relationships, cultural knowledge, and cultural skills. Antecedents included: lack of empirical evidence, poor patient outcomes, implementation problems, knowledge deficits, patient/parent emotional distress, poor patient-provider relationships, and health disparities. Consequences included: improved health-related outcomes, increased satisfaction, enhanced patient/family-provider relationships, reduced hospitalization, improved quality of life, improved quality of parent-child relationships, increased trust, enrollment in research, insights about biases, and appreciation for cultural differences. Social justice, advocated by scholars and national organizations, was absent from all studies. Conclusions Findings informed the proposed blended conceptual care framework that embraces the attributes of each care model and includes social justice.
A MATLAB toolbox and Excel workbook for calculating the densities, seismic wave speeds, and major element composition of minerals and rocks at pressure and temperature

To interpret seismic images, rock seismic velocities need to be calculated at elevated pressure and temperature for arbitrary compositions. This technical report describes an algorithm, software, and data to make such calculations from the physical properties of minerals. It updates a previous compilation and Excel® spreadsheet and includes new MATLAB® tools for the calculations. The database of 60 mineral end-members includes all parameters needed to estimate density and elastic moduli for many crustal and mantle rocks at conditions relevant to the upper few hundreds of kilometers of Earth. The behavior of α and β quartz is treated as a special case, owing to its unusual Poisson's ratio and thermal expansion that vary rapidly near the α-β transition. The MATLAB tools allow integration of these calculations into a variety of modeling and data analysis projects.