cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Array feed signal combining compensation system for antenna reflector deformations

We propose a new approach to compensate for reflector deformation losses by using an array of identical receiving antenna feeds in the focal plane of the reflector. Our approach is an optimum combining algorithm that minimize SNR losses depend on unknown radio source and system noise correlation parameters that need to be estimated. A singular value decomposition method is used in conjunction with sampling estimates to obtain these unknown parameters and arrive at estimated weight coefficients. The actual combined signal SNR using these estimated weight coefficients are derived. An operational environment using the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 34 meter antenna at 33 GHz is considered using a seven feed array.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A criterion for plane strain, fully plastic, quasi-steady crack growth

Plane strain fracture by hole growth in ordinary-sized parts of low-to-medium strength steels is essentially rigid-plastic, and may be approximated as non-hardening. Quasi-steady crack growth for such materials is predicted for crack-tip fields approximated by a pair of slip lines, such as unequally grooved specimens in tension and deep singly-face-cracked specimens under combined bending and tension. The crack growth increment Δa is given in terms of material parameters, far-field geometry, and loadings and their increments. For the rigid-plastic, non-hardening approximation, stress and strain increment fields for growing cracks are identical to those for stationary cracks. For fields with a pair of symmetric slip-lines, the flanks of the decohering zone turn out to be rigid, and the decohering zone does not affect the crack-tip opening angle (CTOA), which then depends only on the micromechanisms of hole nucleation, growth and linkage by flow localization or fine cracking. These mechanisms are in turn approximately controlled by the near-field plasticity parameters: the angle of the slip plane θs, and the normal stress and displacement increment across the slip plane σs and Δus. Note the three-parameter characterization of the near-tip fields, in contrast to the one- or two-parameter characterization in elastic or nonlinear elastic fracture mechanics. A sliding off and shear-cracking model for a growing crack, based on a hole growth equation, gives an approximate CTOA in terms of σs, θs, and material parameters. When hole nucleation strain is negligible, the estimated CTOA exhibits an inverse exponential dependence on σs and a higher order parabolic dependence on θs. For a given material, a series of fully plastic crack growth experiments is suggested to determine the approximate material parameters needed to characterize the dependence of CTOA on σs and θs, or from kinematics, of the shear strain behind the slip plane, γf, on σs.
Fractional dynamics, Cantorian space–time and the gauge hierarchy problem

Abstract The gauge hierarchy problem in particle physics refers to the large numerical disparity between the value of the Planck mass ( M Pl ≃1.22×10 19 GeV) and the mass scale of the electroweak interaction ( M EW ≈10 2 GeV). Explaining the hierarchy paradox has been attempted so far in quantum field models based on supersymmetry or higher dimensional space–time with a large number of extra dimensions (brane theories). Despite several years of experimental search, there is currently no validation for either one of these models. We approach the hierarchy paradox using the methodology of fractal operators in four-dimensional space–time. It is found that departure from the inverse-square gravity in the high-energy regime emerges naturally from the fractional Helmholtz equation and offers a simple resolution to the problem. Our work makes an explicit connection between the hierarchy problem and Cantorian geometry of space–time on energy scales comparable to the Planck mass.
Rocket measurments of the upper lonosphere by a radio propagation technique

Presented at International Convention on Radio Techniques and Space Research, Oxford, England, July 5-9, 1961. High-altitude measurements of the electron density distribution were performed well above the F2 peak of the ionosphere by using the two-frequency rocket-borne propagation experiment of Seddon. An example of a measurement of the electron density profile up to 620 km by means of the CW propagatlon technique is presented, including the inferred scale height and temperature of the upper ionosphere. For the anticipated measurements up to oae earth radius by the CW propagation experiment, the variation of the ionosphere below a vehicle must always be considered in order to arrive at reliable local electron density data. A correction for this time variation can be made by using recorded information on the ordinary and extraordinary propagation modes at two harmonically related frequencies. this correction procedure is briefly outlined. (auth)
Titanocene Borane σ-Complexes

The chemistry of titanocene bisborane complexes Cp2Ti(HBcat‘)2 (1a−g) (HBcat‘ = catecholborane or a substitued catecholborane) and monoborane complexes Cp2Ti(HBcat‘)(L) (2−4) (L = PMe3, PhSiH3, or PhCCPh) is reported. These complexes are unusual σ-complexes. The B−H bond in the catecholborane of 1 acts as a two-electron-donor ligand. The 4-tert-butyl version 1a was studied in depth and underwent ligand substitution reactions with PMe3, CO, PhSiH3, and PhCCPh. The products of the reaction of 1a with PMe3 and PhSiH3 are the novel monoborane σ-complexes Cp2Ti(HBcat‘)(PMe3) (2a; HBcat‘ = HBO2C6H3-4-t-Bu) and Cp2Ti(HBcat‘)(PhSiH3) (3; HBcat‘ = HBO2C6H3-4-t-Bu), in which the catecholborane remains a two-electron-donating ligand. Reaction with CO formed Cp2Ti(CO)2. Reaction with PhCCPh formed Cp2Ti(HBcat‘)(PhCCPh) (4; HBcat‘ = HBO2C6H3-4-t-Bu), which was observed in solution and reductively eliminated the vinyl boronate ester (Ph)(Bcat‘)CC(Ph)(H). The rates for the reactions of 1a with these substrates showed a ...
Effective Public Relations Leadership in Organizational Change: A Study of Multinationals in Mainland China

This study explored the role of public relations leadership during organizational change in 3 multinationals in mainland China. Based on 40 in-depth interviews, the findings suggested that the leadership of public relations unit or function during organizational change was shown through coaching middle management to manage employee emotions, providing communication training to middle management, communicating and reinforcing shared visions for change, and managing the conflicts between middle management and top management regarding change rationales, planning, and procedures. The leadership role of public relations managers was enacted through consulting CEOs' communication styles, exerting upward influence in change management, and acting as the different voice when decision making for change was questionable. Results of the study extended existing public relations leadership scholarship and shed light on some tentative dimensions of public relations leadership during organizational change: (a) coaching ...
Detection and control of foodborne viruses

Viruses are transmitted in foods as inert, submicroscopic particles that come from the human intestines. Serologic and molecular detection methods have been devised for the detection of hepatitis A and small, round, structured gastroenteritis viruses in feces, but are not yet applicable for their detection in foods. The control of viral transmission via foods still depends greatly upon preventing contamination or on the thorough cooking of virus-contaminated food.
Ethnic and sex differences in body fat and visceral and subcutaneous adiposity in children and adolescents

Body fat and the specific depot where adipose tissue (AT) is stored can contribute to cardiometabolic health risks in children and adolescents. Imaging procedures including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography allow for the exploration of individual and group differences in pediatric adiposity. This review examines the variation in pediatric total body fat (TBF), visceral AT (VAT) and subcutaneous AT (SAT) due to age, sex, maturational status and ethnicity. TBF, VAT and SAT typically increase as a child ages, though different trends emerge. Girls tend to accumulate more TBF and SAT during and after puberty, depositing fat preferentially in the gynoid and extremity regions. In contrast, pubertal and postpubertal boys tend to deposit more fat in the abdominal region, particularly in the VAT depot. Sexual maturation significantly influences TBF, VAT and SAT. Ethnic differences in TBF are mixed. VAT tends to be higher in white and Hispanic youth, whereas SAT is typically higher in African American youth. Asian youth typically have less gynoid fat but more VAT than whites. Obesity per se may attenuate sex and ethnic differences. Particular health risks are associated with high amounts of TBF, VAT and SAT, including insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, metabolic syndrome and hypertension. These risks are affected by genetic, biological and lifestyle factors including physical activity, nutrition and stress. Synthesizing evidence is difficult as there is no consistent methodology or definition to estimate and define depot-specific adiposity, and many analyses compare SAT and VAT without controlling for TBF. Future research should include longitudinal examinations of adiposity changes over time in representative samples of youth to make generalizations to the entire pediatric population and examine variation in organ-specific body fat.
Patient Experience Surveys: What Every Gastroenterologist Needs to Know

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has defined 6 National Quality Strategic priorities that will form the foundation of Medicare performance measures used to populate valuebased reimbursement programs. These programs will directly influence our reimbursement in the years to come as we move away from fee-for-service payment. One of the Priority Strategies is person- and caregiver-centered experience and outcomes. Measuring patient experience is not easy, yet many gastroenterologists will be confronted with survey results collected by their practices, hospitals, and hospital systems. Dr Rizk and his colleagues help us understand the framework, implementation, and implications of the major patient experience surveys used today. Many of us have used results from such surveys to identify gaps of care that can be improved in ways that impact our patient care.
A nucleotide sequence rearrangement distinguishes two isolates of satellite tobacco ringspot virus RNA.

Abstract Several strains of tobacco ringspot virus (TobRV) support the replication and encapsidation of satellite tobacco ringspot virus RNA (STobRV RNA). We have compared the nucleotide sequences of four STobRV RNAs, each initially associated with a different isolate of TobRV. A STobRV RNA from a geranium isolate of TobRV and STobRV RNA from the previously analyzed budblight isolate (J. M. Buzayan, W. L. Gerlach, G. Bruening, P. Keese, and A. R. Gould, 1986, Virology 151, 186–199) differed by a single nucleotide residue substitution. STobRV RNAs from TobRV isolates 62L and NC-87 have the same 360-residue nucleotide sequence. This sequence differs from that of the 359-nucleotide residue budblight STobRV RNA principally at locations 100 through 140. The differences between the two sequences in this region are consistent with a rearrangement of blocks of nucleotide residues. The two sequences can be folded with similar patterns of base pairing. All four STobRV RNAs share a sequence of eighty 5′-terminal and of twenty 3′-terminal residues, including the 5′ hydroxyl group and 2′:3′-cyclic phosphodiester group.
Apples and Oranges Mean a New Fruit Crop: New Business Plan Competition Model Integrates Economic and Community Development

Mount Wachusett Community College Entrepreneurial Resource Center Business Plan Competition brings together stakeholders across all economic sectors to bolster the regional economy. It also highlights entrepreneurs as a viable career choice. The competition disintegrates existing silos, provides education to all entrants, and gives business resources to facilitate start-up/growth for winners.
Stress-strain behavior of the passive basilar artery in normotension and hypertension

Vascular cells are very responsive to even subtle changes in their local mechanical environment, thus there is a pressing need to quantify normal states of stress and strain as well as any perturbations from these normal states. Toward this end, we must quantify constitutive behaviors for both normal and adapted (maladapted) arteries. In this note, we report the first quantification of changes in the biaxial mechanical behavior of the passive basilar artery due to hypertension.
Eccrine proliferation with follicular mucinosis

Proliferation of the eccrine sweat duct epithelium has been associated with skin tumors, especially keratoacanthomas and basal cell carcinomas. We report our observations on the extensive sweat gland changes in a patient who had idiopathic follicular mucinosis.
Quantifying Market Inefficiencies in the Baseball Players' Market

Among the central arguments of the bestselling book and movie Moneyball was the allegation that the labor market for baseball players was inefficient in 2002. At that time, Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics used observations made by statistical analysts to exploit this market inefficiency, and acquire productive players on the cheap. Econometric analysis published in 2006 and 2007 confirmed the presence of an inefficient market for baseball players, but left open the question of to what extent, and how quickly, a market correction would occur. We find that this market had in fact already corrected by 2006, and moreover argue that the perceived market response to Moneyball in 2004 is properly viewed as part of a more gradual longer-term trend. In addition, we use official payroll data from Major League Baseball to refute a previous observation that the relationship between team payroll and performance has tightened since the publication of Moneyball.
Possible overuse of 3-stage procedures for active ulcerative colitis.

Importance There is an assumption that patients treated with 3-stage procedures for active ulcerative colitis are undergoing a safer surgical approach and thus spared the complications associated with a 2-stage procedure. However, there is a paucity of data addressing the validity of this assumption, and the optimal staging approach for patients traditionally considered at high risk for anastomotic leak remains unclear. Objectives To identify factors associated with 3- vs 2-stage procedures and to determine their impact on surgical outcomes. Design Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent 2-stage or 3-stage ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery for active ulcerative colitis due to failure of medical management over a 10.5-year period (September 1, 2000, to March 30, 2011). The mean (SEM) follow-up was 5.15 (0.24) years (range, 0.26-11.09 years). Setting Single large academic medical center. Patients One hundred forty-four patients treated with 3- or 2-stage IPAA surgery for active ulcerative colitis. Among these patients, 77 were male and 67 were female. The mean (SEM) age was 34.6 (1.0) years (range, 11-67 years). Of the 144 patients, 116 (80.6%) had a 2-stage procedure and 28 (19.4%) had a 3-stage procedure. Interventions Two-stage vs 3-stage IPAA procedures for active ulcerative colitis. Main Outcomes and Measures Factors leading to decision for 3-stage procedure, postoperative outcomes with 3-stage vs 2-stage procedures, and risks for complications in patients undergoing 3-stage vs 2-stage procedures. Results Of 144 patients, only 19.4% had a 3-stage procedure. Decision to perform a 3-stage vs 2-stage procedure was affected by emergent status ( P P = .04) but not by age, sex, body mass index, use of steroids, or use of anti–tumor necrosis factor agents. For patients with 2-stage procedures, multivariate regression revealed that the number of perioperative complications was affected by surgeon experience ( P = .02) but not by emergent status, use of steroids, or use of anti–tumor necrosis factor agents. Two-stage procedures were associated with more perioperative complications on univariate analysis ( P = .05), but multivariate regression suggested that this difference was due to surgeon experience ( P = .02) rather than to creation of an IPAA at the first operation ( P = .55). Importantly, 2-stage procedures did not change the risk of anastomotic leak when all operations were taken into account (odds ratio = 1.09; P = .94). In the long term (mean [SEM], 5.2 [0.2] years), patients who underwent 2-stage surgery had a lower risk of anal stricture (odds ratio = 8.21; P = .01) and no differences in fistula or abscess formation or in pouch failure. Conclusions and Relevance In patients with active ulcerative colitis, use of steroids and anti–tumor necrosis factor agents alone do not appear to justify the decision to avoid IPAA creation at the first operation provided that it is performed by a high-volume inflammatory bowel disease surgeon.
WSS Switching Engine Technologies

Various switching engines such as MEMS, liquid crystal, and phased arrays, can be used to implement a colorless WSS. Switching engine affect on device design characteristics and implications on specifications for future applications are discussed.
Irradiation creep in bending of cold-worked AISI 316 stainless steel at low neutron fluence

The results from the first and second interim examinations of a test to measure irradiation creep in bending of 20 percent cold-worked AISI 316 stainless steel are presented. These low-fluence results indicate that irradiation creep in bending exhibits a larger primary creep component of the total strain as compared with creep in biaxial pressurized tubes of the same heat of material, but the secondary creep rates in the two cases appear to be similar. The data also indicate that the bending strains have a linear fluence and stress dependency, and strains measured on beams fabricated parallel to and transverse to the direction of cold work are similar, indicating that material texture anisotropy does not effect irradiation creep in bending. Higher-fluence data are needed to compare precisely irradiation creep in the bending and biaxial stress states so that the applicability can be ascertained for design correlations based on pressurized tube data to predict in-reactor bending deformations of liquid-metal fast-breeder reactor (LMFBR) core components.
Saflufenacil efficacy on horseweed and its interaction with glyphosate

Saflufenacil is a new herbicide on the market and its effectiveness on horseweed, several populations of which have evolved resistance to glyphosate, is not clear. In this research, the effect of adjuvants on the control of horseweed with saflufenacil in the field, the effect of the interaction between glyphosate and saflufenacil on glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-susceptible horseweed and the patterns of uptake and translocation of glyphosate applied alone and in combination with saflufenacil in horseweed were evaluated. The addition of methylated seed oil to saflufenacil provided the best control of horseweed, with crop oil concentrate being intermediate in effect and non-ionic surfactant ranking as the least-effective adjuvant. The interaction between glyphosate and saflufenacil was additive with regards to the control of glyposate-resistant horseweed. The glyphosate-susceptible horseweed population absorbed 6–13% more 14C-glyphosate than the glyphosate-resistant population. The addition of saflufenacil reduced 14C-glyphosate translocation in both the glyphosate-resistant and the glyphosate-susceptible horseweed populations by at least 6%; however, due to the exceptional efficacy of saflufenacil, these reductions did not reduce the level of control. Saflufenacil holds great potential as an alternative control option for glyphosate-resistant horseweed and is a valuable tool in the management of resistant weeds.
Analysis of the Campylobacter jejuni Genome by SMRT DNA Sequencing Identifies Restriction-Modification Motifs

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading bacterial cause of human gastroenteritis. The goal of this study was to analyze the C. jejuni F38011 strain, recovered from an individual with severe enteritis, at a genomic and proteomic level to gain insight into microbial processes. The C. jejuni F38011 genome is comprised of 1,691,939 bp, with a mol.% (G+C) content of 30.5%. PacBio sequencing coupled with REBASE analysis was used to predict C. jejuni F38011 genomic sites and enzymes that may be involved in DNA restriction-modification. A total of five putative methylation motifs were identified as well as the C. jejuni enzymes that could be responsible for the modifications. Peptides corresponding to the deduced amino acid sequence of the C. jejuni enzymes were identified using proteomics. This work sets the stage for studies to dissect the precise functions of the C. jejuni putative restriction-modification enzymes. Taken together, the data generated in this study contributes to our knowledge of the genomic content, methylation profile, and encoding capacity of C. jejuni.
Generalization in Interpretive Theory

THERE ARE ARGUMENTS at large about the nature of legal interpretation, proceeding from an implicit proposition that interpretation is the same phenomenon or experience whatever its setting. An assumption that there is one phenomenon can be found in discussions among lawyers of interpretation and in discussions among nonlawyers of legal interpretation-and as often in the work of those who would deny there is any significance to theorizing about interpretation, as of those who think persuasion to a particular theory will have the utmost consequence for law and society. Proceeding from such a proposition, rather than toward it, raises the risk that distinctive features of legal interpretation may be overlooked. If there is to be a common understanding or theory of interpretation it should not be built upon misinterpretation of the evidence. As examples from law appear more frequently in nonlegal settings, and nonlegal examples in discussion of law, distinctive features of legal interpretation are the more easily overlooked. These features are linked, but they may be roughly divided and treated under four headings. Some are more obvious than others. Some will be more obvious to lawyers than to nonlawyers, but it is an odd characteristic of current discussion that the reverse may also be true.'
Heart rate variability analysis before and during exposing to low pulsed microwaves in mammals

The main objective of this work is to study the effect of low pulsed microwaves on heart rate variability signals derived from electrocardiogram signals( ) of ten cats. The cats were irradiated with rectangular pulsed microwaves at . , peak, . us wide and repetition rate applied to their brains through horns and wave guides for min followed by a min recovery period after exposure. The results clearly indicate that the pulsed microwaves radiation induced high fluctuations in power spectra of heart rate variability signal( R ) specially in the band of s to s ( . to . ) which is related to the thermoregulatory control activity, examining the power spectra of R of recovery period (after min microwave exposure) shows that change of power spectra of R signals during microwave exposure is not permanent.
Centrifugation of Human Lung Epithelial Carcinoma A549 Cells Up-Regulates Interleukin-1β Gene Expression

Cytokines are important mediators for host defense and inflammation to bacterial infections. Chlamydia pneumoniae , an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes acute respiratory infections in human hosts, has been shown to induce cytokine expression in various human and murine model systems ([2
The effects of scoliosis bracing on parent and child perception of adolescent’s quality of life.

Methods Thirteen consecutive patients with AIS returning to clinic for a follow-up visit, who had been wearing a TLSO brace for >3 months but <2 years, were recruited to participate. They were given a BrQ survey, and their parents were also given the same survey, with the wording changed to indicate that the questions were about the adolescent, and not the parent. Results The correlation between the overall BrQ scores between patient and parent were high (r = 0.79). When the subscores were evaluated, the scores for Emotion, Self Esteem, Social Functioning, and Bodily Pain correlated most strongly. General Health, Physical Functioning, Vitality, and School Activity correlated the weakest. Parent scores were higher than patient scores 80% of the time. Conclusions The BrQ survey showed that although patient and parent scores were similar, the parent gives the adolescent higher scores than they give themselves.
D2 Receptors in the Paraventricular Nucleus Regulate Genital Responses and Copulation in Male Rats

The D2 dopamine receptor agonist quinelorane (LY-163502), microinjected into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), affected genital response of restrained supine male rats in a biphasic dose-dependent fashion. A moderate dose (1 microgram) facilitated penile responses (intense erections and penile movements), and decreased the latency to the first response. A high dose of quinelorane (10 micrograms) facilitated seminal emission while inhibiting penile responses. The addition of the D1 antagonist SCH-23390 to the 1 microgram dose of quinelorane potentiated quinelorane's increase in seminal emission. We suggest that D1 receptors in the PVN may be antagonistic to D2 receptor-mediated seminal emission, and possibly also penile responses. In copulation tests 1 microgram quinelorane decreased mount latency, whereas 10 micrograms quinelorane increased mount and intromission latencies and slowed copulatory rate. Both 1 and 10 micrograms quinelorane, and also 1 and 10 micrograms of the mixed D1 and D2 agonist apomorphine, decreased the number of intromissions preceding ejaculation.
An Analysis of Sphere Tessellations for Pose Estimation of 3-D Objects Using Spherically Correlated Images

Eigendecomposition is a common technique used for pose detection of three-dimensional (3-D) objects from two- dimensional (2-D) images. It has been shown in previous work that the eigendecomposition can be estimated using spherical sampling in conjunction with the Spherical Harmonic Transform. The issue then becomes deciding on the best tessellation of the sphere to define the sampling pattern. In this paper we evaluate three popular tessellations and compare and contrast their computational performance, as well as their estimation accuracy for the eigendecomposition of this spherical data set.
Thermal effects on the threshold of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers: first- and second-order phase transitions

We investigate the threshold behavior of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL's) by solving the set of coupled equations for carrier density, field amplitude, and plasma and lattice temperatures. We show that, because of plasma heating and lattice heating, the threshold of VCSEL's can be continuous or discontinuous with bistability between lasing and nonlasing states (correspondingly second- or f irst-order phase transition), depending on the relative position of the cavity frequency to the gain bandwidth and on the ambient (substrate) temperature of the device.
Variations of strain-drops of aftershocks of the 1999 İzmit and Düzce earthquakes around the Karadere-Düzce branch of the North Anatolian Fault

SUMMARY We estimate the strain-drops of 7498 aftershocks of the 1999 u and D¨ uzce earthquakes using P waveforms recorded by a local seismic network along the Karadere-D¨ uzce branch of the North Anatolian fault in the 6 months following the u main shock and evaluate the site effects of the various recording stations. The method is associated with separation of source, traveltime and station spectral terms and stacking results at several stages to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. The strain-drops are obtained by fitting iteratively the separated source spectra of 201 nearest neighbouring events in different amplitude bins to the ω −2 source spectral model. The obtained strain-drops generally increase with depth between 3 and 10 km and remain approximately constant for the deeper section. A local shallow patch of seismicity north of the Karadere segment has relatively low strain-drop values. Along the relatively straight Karadere segment, the strain-drops are lower than along the geometrically complex bounding regions. In some sections, the range of strain-drop values decay with time from the u and D¨ uzce main shocks, whereas in others the values fluctuate within about constant ranges. The observed spatial variations of strain-drops can be explained by increasing normal stress with depth, along with the degree of geometrical complexity of different fault sections and the expected slip deficit at different depth sections. The seismic energy in the separated station spectra decreases overall with distance from the rupture zone and the spectra of various stations have three peaks at 6, 14 and 25 Hz. The spectral peak at 6 Hz is also observed in trapped waves studies and may be related to the damaged fault zone layer.
Minimum Wages and Economic Justice: A Classroom Exercise

Abstract This paper presents a classroom exercise for an introductory economics course that allows students to discover the economic and social impacts of working for minimum wages. Students are asked to estimate a budget necessary for both a desirable and sustainable standard of living for those earning a minimum wage income. By engaging in active learning on topics such as economic justice, normative economic policy, living wages, and non-material needs, the exercise is an effective vehicle for integrating social economics into a principles course; and offers an opportunity to augment traditional economic pedagogy. Extensions, variations, and a suggested assessment tool for the exercise are also provided.
Experiments and modeling of the hydraulic resistance of in-line square pin fin heat sinks with top by-pass flow

In this paper, we present some early findings from an experimental and analytical study aimed at obtaining physical insight into the behavior of square, in-line pin fin heat sinks. In the experimental study, various size aluminum heat sinks were utilized, where the pin heights were 12.5 mm, 17.5 mm, and 22.5 mm, and the base dimensions were kept fixed at 25 /spl times/ 25 mm. A "two-branch by-pass model" was developed, in which a one-dimensional differential approach was used to model the fluid flow through the heat sink and its top by-pass duct. Central to the analysis is the introduction of accurate correlations for inlet, exit and core pressure drop within the heat sink. Pressure drop predictions correlated well with the experimental data when pressure drop coefficients measured for the heat sinks were used. Agreement was poorer when classical circular tube bundle pressure drop correlations were utilized, but the accuracy was high enough for design purposes. Inlet and exit pressure losses were as important as the core pressure drop in establishing the overall flow and pressure drop. Available literature models for inlet and exit effects were mostly adequate.
Species Distribution Modeling

The use of species distribution models (SDM) to map and monitor animal and plant distributions has become increasingly important in the context of awareness of environmental change and its ecological consequences. From their original inception as resource inventory and conservation mapping tools, SDM have evolved along with the increasing variety and availability of statistical methods, digital biological, and environmental data with which they are built in a geographic information system. Beyond predicting species distributions, these models have become an important and widely used decision-making tool for a variety of biogeographical applications, such as studying the effects of climate change, identifying potential protected areas, determining locations potentially susceptible to invasion, and mapping vector-borne disease spread and risk. This article outlines the steps involved in formulating an SDM and focuses on the conceptual and theoretical foundations on which it is based and identifies issues that have merited recent and will merit future research attention.
Optimized scintigraphic evaluation of infection and inflammation: role of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography fusion imaging.

Gallium-67 citrate and radiolabeled white blood cells have become standard inflammation/infection-seeking agents whereas other agents, such as 99m Tc diphosphonates, commonly are used to infer an infectious process. These radiopharmaceuticals reflect physiologic and pathologic function rather than anatomical abnormality. In the clinical setting, it is often necessary to correlate these functional studies with anatomical imaging. The advent of single-photon emission computed tomography, as well as positron emission tomography, provides tomographic images for direct correlation to anatomic modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The methods by which these functional and anatomic imaging modalities are correlated include side-by-side, software, and hardware fusion. Clinically, fusion imaging has been applied primarily to oncologic and neurologic applications. The literature supports the premise that multimodality fusion would increase the specificity of the physiologic modality and increase the sensitivity of the anatomic modality. Our institution uses software fusion to aid in the diagnosis of infection and inflammation. Through case vignettes, we illustrate applications for single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography fusion for the diagnosis of infection and inflammation in multiple organ systems.
U.S. Earth-Sensing Satellites Left Out in the Cold

The degree of precision needed to forecast hurricanes, and the future accuracy of climate modeling as well, may be in danger if recent trends in Earth-observing satellite programs persist. This paper shows why weather prediction and climate monitoring are endangered
Impact of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on mortality of subjects hospitalised with pneumonia

Recent studies suggest that statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may have beneficial effects for some types of infections. The present study aimed to examine the association of outpatient use of these medications on 30-day mortality for subjects aged >65 yrs and hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. A retrospective national cohort study was conducted using the Department of Veterans Affairs administrative data including subjects aged >/=65 yrs hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia, and having >/=1 yr of prior Veterans Affairs outpatient care. In total, 8,652 subjects were identified with a mean age of 75 yrs, 98.6% were male, and 9.9% of subjects died within 30 days of presentation. In this cohort, 18.1% of subjects were using statins and 33.9% were using ACE inhibitors. After adjusting for potential confounders, current statin use (odds ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-0.70) and ACE inhibitor use (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.89) were significantly associated with decreased 30-day mortality. Use of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors prior to admission is associated with decreased mortality in subjects hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. Randomised controlled trials are needed to examine whether the use of these medications in patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia may be beneficial.
Morphological response of prey to drilling predation in the Middle Devonian

Abstract Numerous studies have documented a pattern at global scales of an increase in potentially anti-predatory ornament in brachiopods during the mid-Paleozoic. Other studies have provided evidence that brachiopod ornament could serve an anti-predatory function. These results have suggested the hypothesis that morphological change in mid-Paleozoic brachiopods was a response to increased predation pressure. However, no prior study of brachiopods has demonstrated a morphological response to predation at the species level over short temporal scales. The present study from the Silica Shale (Givetian) of Ohio, USA demonstrates that (1) the genus Pholidostrophia had two morphotypes, one lamellose, and one smooth; (2) lamellose individuals had thicker shells than smooth individuals; (3) Pholidostrophia was attacked by a predatory driller; (4) the driller preferred to attack smooth individuals; and (5) the percentage of lamellose individuals varies positively from bed to bed with drilling frequency (r=0.909). These results corroborate the hypothesis that lamellae in Pholidostrophia were a morphological response to changes in predation intensity. Lamellae may have been an adaptation or alternatively may have been an example of a plastic, induced defense.
Distribution and Hosts of Callidiellum rufipenne (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an Asian Cedar Borer Established in the Eastern United States

The distribution and hosts of the exotic cedar-boring beetle, Callidiellum rufipenne (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), were determined in five northeastern U.S. states by capturing adults on cedar trap logs and by rearing adults from various conifers. This beetle was detected in the coastal states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. In these states, adults emerged from the live or dead wood of four genera and eight species of Cupressaceae; species of Pinaceae were not hosts. Through its entire range, C. rufipenne is reported to infest at least 14 species of Cupressaceae, four species of Pinaceae, and one species of Taxaceae; but, records of Pinaceae and possibly Taxaceae are suspect. Based on the number of adults that emerged from coniferous poles in a five-way choice test in the field, the infestation level was significantly greater in Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) Britton, Sterns, and Poggenburg and Juniperus virginiana L. than in Pinus rigida Miller, Pinus strobus L., and Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere (last three species uninfested). In a second test of host preference in the wild, beetles infested four cupressaceous species, but not Abies balsamea (L.) Miller, Picea rubens Sargent, Pinus rigida, P. strobus, and Ts. canadensis in the Pinaceae. Infestation level was highest in Ch. thyoides, followed in decreasing order by Juniperus communis L., Thuja occidentalis L., and J. virginiana. In a comparison of live and dead J. virginiana, beetles developed to adults only in dead trees (36 beetles per tree). When trunk sections of Th. occidentalis with and without bark were offered to females in cages, beetles of the next generation emerged exclusively from wood with bark. In the Northeast, only species of Cupressaceae apparently are suitable hosts for C. rufipenne. Infestation of these species may be prevented or reduced by proper care of live plants and by debarking trees after harvesting.
Pendrin: an apical Cl−/OH−/HCO3 −exchanger in the kidney cortex

The identities of the apical Cl-/base exchangers in kidney proximal tubule and cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells remain unknown. Pendrin (PDS), which is expressed at high levels in the thyroid and its mutation causes Pendred's syndrome, is shown to be an anion exchanger. We investigated the renal distribution of PDS and its function. Our results demonstrate that pendrin mRNA expression in the rat kidney is abundant and limited to the cortex. Proximal tubule suspensions isolated from kidney cortex were highly enriched in pendrin mRNA. Immunoblot analysis studies localized pendrin to cortical brush-border membranes. Nephron segment RT-PCR localized pendrin mRNA to proximal tubule and CCD. Expression studies in HEK-293 cells demonstrated that pendrin functions in the Cl-/OH-, Cl-/HCO3-, and Cl-/formate exchange modes. The conclusion is that pendrin is an apical Cl-/base exchanger in the kidney proximal tubule and CCD and mediates Cl-/OH-, Cl-/HCO3-, and Cl-/formate exchange.
Oligosaccharides as Endogenous Cryoprotectants in Woody Plants

Cold hardy woody plant species possess remarkable capacity to acclimate and survive seasonal stresses. While growth and development are normally most active under fully hydrated conditions, plant tissues are also least adapted to cope with environmental stresses in the hydrated state. Reduction in moisture content must be accompanied by endogenous conditions which enable stabilization of cellular components. Seeds are the obvious example of such adaptation (Leopold, 1990), but many other plant organs and tissues also tolerate water loss, facilitating survival at extreme temperatures. Freeze-induced desiccation is an important step in cold acclimation and especially in achieving survival at cryogenic temperatures. Indeed, the capacity to acquire desiccation tolerance is one of the most critical stages in a series of events which permit plant tissues to stabilize and survive freezing stresses. Thus, endogenous metabolic events which accompany cold hardiness are of considerable interest.
Second malignant neoplasms following treatment for primary cancer.

BACKGROUND Long term survival following treatment for primary cancer has increased significantly in the past decade. With cure comes 'survivorship'. One of the factors clearly affecting quality and length of survival is morbidity associated with treatment and the development of subsequent malignancies. OBJECTIVE This article aims to look at the risks associated with the development of second malignant neoplasms, give some meaningful figures, and provide suggestions for follow up. DISCUSSION The balance of heightened awareness and healthy lifestyle versus relentless surveillance and ongoing patient concern is a difficult one. We hope to make our patients aware of the small but significant risk of a second malignancy, advise on any appropriate screening investigations and encourage a life long relationship with their chosen family physician to enable detection of any future malignancy.
Better Twitter Summaries

This paper describes an approach to improve summaries for a collection of Twitter posts created using the Phrase Reinforcement (PR) Algorithm (Sharifi et al., 2010a). The PR algorithm often generates summaries with excess text and noisy speech. We parse these summaries using a dependency parser and use the dependencies to eliminate some of the excess text and build better-formed summaries. We compare the results to those obtained using the PR Algorithm.
Lack of effect of sodium phenosulfazole on certain experimental virus infections.

SummaryUnder the circumstances which have been described, Darvisul revealed neither prophylactic nor therapeutic value in mice infected with the MM virus, the Lansing strain of poliomyelitis virus or Theiler's virus of mouse encephalomyelitis (TO).
EFFECT OF ZINC DEFICIENCY AND RESTRICTED FEEDING ON WOUND HEALING IN THE BOVINE.

Summary and conclusionsLarge areas around surgically imposed wounds developed parakeratosis in zinc-deficient calves. The regions involved normally do not develop parakeratosis. Thus secondary factors such as mild trauma appear to determine the location of parakeratosis. This also indicates that the basic condition of the skin in a zinc deficiency is the same throughout the body. Reducing the total amount of feed consumed, either by zinc deficiency or by limited feeding, substantially retarded the rate of generation of new skin following surgical removal of the skin. The effects of zinc deficiency and dietary restriction were reversible.
A medieval fallacy: the crystalline lens in the center of the eye.

Author(s): Leffler, Christopher T; Hadi, Tamer M; Udupa, Akrithi; Schwartz, Stephen G; Schwartz, Daniel | Abstract: ObjectiveTo determine whether, as most modern historians have written, ancient Greco-Roman authors believed the crystalline lens is positioned in the center of the eye.BackgroundHistorians have written that statements about cataract couching by Celsus, or perhaps Galen of Pergamon, suggested a centrally located lens. Celsus specifically wrote that a couching needle placed intermediate between the corneal limbus and the lateral canthus enters an empty space, presumed to represent the posterior chamber.MethodsAncient ophthalmic literature was analyzed to understand where these authors believed the crystalline lens was positioned. In order to estimate where Celsus proposed entering the eye during couching, we prospectively measured the distance from the temporal corneal limbus to the lateral canthus in 30 healthy adults.ResultsRufus of Ephesus and Galen wrote that the lens is anterior enough to contact the iris. Galen wrote that the lens equator joins other ocular structures at the corneoscleral junction. In 30 subjects, half the distance from the temporal corneal limbus to the lateral canthus was a mean of 4.5 mm (range: 3.3-5.3 mm). Descriptions of couching by Celsus and others are consistent with pars plana entry of the couching needle. Anterior angulation of the needle would permit contact of the needle with the lens.ConclusionAncient descriptions of anatomy and couching do not establish the microanatomic relationships of the ciliary region with any modern degree of accuracy. Nonetheless, ancient authors, such as Galen and Rufus, clearly understood that the lens is located anteriorly. There is little reason to believe that Celsus or other ancient authors held a variant understanding of the anatomy of a healthy eye. The notion of the central location of the lens seems to have arisen with Arabic authors in 9th century Mesopotamia, and lasted for over 7 centuries.
Thermostable Oxidations in Tumor and Muscle Tissue

SummaryIt has been shown that although minced Flexner-Jobling rat carcinoma has an aerobic respiration equal to that of rat skeletal muscle mince, the oxygen uptake in the presence of gluta-thione of thermostable powders (essentially denatured proteins) prepared from the tumor tissue is considerably lower than the oxygen uptake of similar powders prepared from muscle. This seems to parallel the fact that although the tumor powder and the muscle powder have approximately the same total sulfur content, the percent of the total sulfur which is present as sulfhydryl sulfur is much lower in the tumor powder than in the muscle powder.
Surveillance of schistosomiasis in Chongqing city from 2009 to 2011 and SWOT analysis countermeasure

Objective To evaluate the epidemic situation of schistosomiasis and the recent prevention efforts in order to adjust the control of schistosomiasis and to provide the theoretical basis for future control strategies in Chongqing.Methods Using descriptive epidemiological methods to analysis the schistosomiasis surveillance data of Chongqing from 2009 to 2011.SWOT analysis was used to explore the internal and external impact factors for improving the ability of schistosomiasis monitoring and putting forward the corresponding strategies and intervention measures.Results 4 591 subjects from the mobile population were investigated.The sero-positive rate of the people returning home from the endemic areas and the people directly come from the endemic area was 2.49% and 1.04%,respectively;and the difference between these 2 populations was significant(χ 2 =11.06,P0.05).People returning from the endemic areas had statistical significance in three years(χ 2 =6.82,P0.05).People came from endemic areas had no statistical significance in three years(χ 2 =0.85,P0.05).The advantages and opportunists for improving the ability of schistosomiasis monitoring in Chongqing were greater efforts on monitoring and government's attention,whereas no comprehensive monitoring system for schistosomiasis and the current severe situation of schistosomiasis in Chongqing were still the shortages and threats that we must face.Conclusion The monitoring of schistosomiasis in Chongqing should be strengthened.The quality of healthcare service provided by the workers should be improved.