cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Black Women and/in the Shadow of Romanticism

This essay argues that the study of Blackness in Romanticism centers on the spectacularity of violence to Black men and on work by white abolitionists. The result is the marginalization of Black wo...
Alleviation of paclitaxel-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and hyperalgesic priming with AMPK activators in male and female mice.

Abstract AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an energy-sensing kinase that has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for pain due to its ability to inhibit mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, two signaling pathways that are linked to pain promotion after injury as well as the development of hyperalgesic priming. MAPK and mTOR signaling are also implicated in chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). We conducted a series of experiments to gain further insight into how AMPK activators might best be used to treat pain in both sexes in the setting of CIPN from paclitaxel. We also assessed whether hyperalgesic priming emerges from paclitaxel treatment and if this can be prevented by AMPK targeting. AMPK can be pharmacologically activated indirectly through regulation of upstream kinases like liver kinase B1 (LKB1) or directly using positive allosteric modulators. We used the indirect AMPK activators metformin and narciclasine, both of which have been shown to reduce pain in preclinical models but with much different potencies and different efficacies depending on the sex of the animal. We used the direct AMPK activator MK8722 because it is the most potent and specific such activator described to date. Here, the AMPK activators were used in 2 different treatment paradigms. First the drugs were given concurrently with paclitaxel to test whether they prevent mechanical hypersensitivity. Second the AMPK activators were given after the completion of paclitaxel treatment to test whether they reverse established mechanical hypersensitivity. Consistent with our previously published findings with metformin, narciclasine (1 mg/kg) produced an anti-hyperalgesic effect, preventing paclitaxel-induced neuropathy in outbred mice of both sexes. In contrast to metformin, narciclasine also reversed mechanical hypersensitivity in established CIPN. Both metformin (200 mg/kg) and narciclasine prevented the development of hyperalgesic priming induced by paclitaxel treatment. MK8722 (30 mg/kg) had no effect on mechanical hypersensitivity caused by paclitaxel in either the prevention or reversal treatment paradigms. However, MK8722 did attenuate hyperalgesic priming in male and female mice. We conclude that paclitaxel induces robust hyperalgesic priming that is prevented by AMPK targeting and that narciclasine is a particularly attractive candidate for further development as a CIPN treatment.
The The body and sound as stimulators of interactive processes in young people with special educational needs

Introduction: Inserted in the development of a digital musical instrument, the Digital Sock, we present in this document the results obtained from the analysis of the psycho-pedagogical interactive cycle in which we investigate the instrument as a sound stimulation tool in interactive processes between body-instrument-environment. Objetives: Analysis of the psych pedagogical interaction cycle that investigates the relationship between body and sound, with the new instrument, the Digital Sock, as a stimulating device for communicational processes. Methods: The methodology used for this investigation was action research. In the first phase, we conducted a psychopedagogical intervention with young people in Special Education. In the second phase, we conducted a Case Study with a young man diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. For data collection we used audiovisual media and field diary, focused interview, participant observation and document analysis. For the interpretation of the data we performed the discourse analysis and the content analysis. The acting model used during the two phases of practical intervention prioritized the integration of music and body movement (Dalcroze, 1920; Pederiva, 2004; Santiago, 2008; Storolli, 2011); the formation of the scenic gesture (Laban, 1978; Katz, 2005; Miller, 2007; Greiner & Amorim, 2010; Miller, 2012; Amaral, 2015; Roquet, 2017); ludic practice (Lapierre, 1982; Fonseca, 2001; Acouturier & Lapierre, 2004; Vieira, Batista & Lapierre, 2005); creative improvisation (Nordoff & Robins, 1959; Bruscia, 1999) and the belief that sound and music enable peer communication (Benenzon, 1981; Whipple, 2004). Results: The body-sound relationship as a means of expression has shown to be able to stimulate creative processes and the development of critical and reflexive thinking. All the activities developed during the meetings prioritized the body-sound relationship. The analysis of the narratives showed that the message propagated by the sock (the sonority) was understood as a reaction to the sound heard during the exercise (with individual encoding and decoding) and expressed through the eyes of the hands, facial expression and body balance - subtle movements, more visible than the broad movements. Conclusions: The interpretation of the data led us to conclude that Digital Sock, perceived as a psychopedagogical tool for sound and gestural stimulation, favours the development of scenic-musical narratives in young people with Special Educational Needs.
Irinotecan for the Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Topoisomerase inhibitors have been widely studied for the treatment of refractory or recurrent cervical cancer. Various schedules have been used, with response rates ranging from 13% to 20%. The combination of cisplatin and irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar) is being studied in cervical cancer. Hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities have been observed. Gastrointestinal toxicities have been particularly problematic at high irinotecan doses. Further studies of irinotecan in combination with other drugs and radiotherapy are warranted.
Emergency medicine misconceptions: Utility of routine coagulation panels in the emergency department setting.

Abstract Background Coagulation panels are ordered for a variety of conditions in the emergency department (ED). Objective This narrative review evaluates specific conditions for which a coagulation panel is commonly ordered but has limited utility in medical decision-making. Discussion Coagulation panels consist of partial thromboplastin time (PTT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio (INR). These tests evaluate the coagulation pathway which leads to formation of a fibrin clot. The coagulation panel can monitor warfarin and heparin therapy, evaluate for vitamin K deficiency, evaluate for malnutrition or severe systemic disease, and assess hemostatic function in the setting of bleeding. The utility of coagulation testing in chest pain evaluation, routine perioperative assessment, prior to initiation of anticoagulation, and as screening for admitted patients is low, with little to no change in patient management based on results of these panels. Coagulation testing should be considered in systemically ill patients, those with a prior history of bleeding or family history of bleeding, patients on anticoagulation, or patients with active hemorrhage and signs of bleeding. Thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry offer more reliable measures of coagulation function. Conclusions Little utility for coagulation assessment is present for the evaluation of chest pain, routine perioperative assessment, initiation of anticoagulation, and screening for admitted patients. However, coagulation panel assessment should be considered in patients with hemorrhage, patients on anticoagulation, and personal history or family history of bleeding.
The Effects of Huanglongbing on Florida Oranges

The Effects of Huanglongbing on Florida Oranges (FSHN1108/FS169) This tri-fold brochure offers commercial citrus growers and other stakeholders’ succinct details about the effects of HLB, and presents important facts of HLB’s history in Florida, illustrated descriptions, and details regarding HLB’s effects on fruit yield, appearance, and quality. Includes author contact information. Written by Michelle Danyluk, Timothy M. Spann, Russell Rouseff, Renee M. Goodrich-Schneider, and Charlie Sims and published by the UF Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, January 2011. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs169
Burden of prematurity-associated recurrent wheezing: caregiver missed work in the D-Wheeze trial

This study describes the burden of prematurity-associated wheezing in black infants with respect to caregiver missed work. We analyzed data from the D-Wheeze trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01601847). Black infants between 28–0/7 to 36–6/7 weeks’ gestational age at birth receiving <28 days of supplemental oxygen were enrolled. The primary outcome was missed work to care for the infant in the first year. 147/277 (53.1%) infants had caregivers who reported time off. In an adjusted model, vitamin D supplementation (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.30–0.89]; P = 0.018), recurrent wheeze (OR 2.26 [95% CI, 1.15–4.44]; P = 0.018), and other children in the household <5 years old (OR 0.45 [95% CI 0.26–0.78]; P = 0.004) were significantly associated with caregiver missed work. Black premature infants had a significant burden of caregiver missed work, emphasizing the impact of prematurity-associated wheezing.
FPGA-Based High-Bandwidth Motor Emulator for Interior Permanent Magnet Machine Utilizing SiC Power Converter

A high-bandwidth (>20 kHz) motor emulator (ME) prototype for ac machines, utilizing field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based hybrid model predictive control (MPC) and a high fidelity motor model and implemented with a voltage source power converter, and fast-switching SiC devices, is presented in this article. The hybrid MPC incorporates a unique gate stitching modulation strategy that synchronizes the inverter switching state with the ME switching state for an accurate representation of the emulated motor currents in the physical inverter hardware output. The gate stitching MPC hybrid algorithm avoids the need for an excessively high switching frequency of the ME power converter. The developed high-bandwidth ME can emulate up to the switching ripple current of the inverter under test (IUT) where the current slope can change up to six times within one switching period when using space vector pulse width modulation (PWM). The FPGA-based fast iterating online motor model is another key component which along with the high-performance ME current regulation algorithm can accurately emulate the motor current. The bandwidth achieved far exceeds that of existing ME solutions that can only emulate fundamental current and only a few orders of harmonic content. The high bandwidth also allows the use of a small line inductor, which reduces the size and cost of the ME system. Simulation and experiment results are provided to the FPGA implementation and validate the high-bandwidth current emulating capability.
An experimental study of the effect of motile bacteria on the fluid displacement in porous media

Multiphase flow patterns in porous media largely depend on the properties of the fluids and interfaces such as viscosity, surface tension, and contact angle. Microorganisms in soils change the fluid and interfacial properties, and thus can alter multiphase fluid flow in porous media. This study investigates the impact of motile bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli ) on fluid displacement patterns in a microfluidic chip. The fluid displacement is observed during the saturation and the desaturation processes of the microfluidic chip with and without E.coli suspension. Time-lapse photography results show that the presence of E.coli alters the displacement patterns during the wetting and drying process and changes the residual saturation of the chip. Although studies of the impacts of motility on interfacial properties remain elusive, these results bring the expectation to the manipulation of multiphase transport in porous media and the adaptive control of industrial and environmental flow processes using active particles.
An integrated microfluidic platform to fabricate single-micrometer asymmetric giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) using dielectrophoretic separation of microemulsions.

We present a microfluidic technique that generates asymmetric giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) in the size range of 2–14 μm. In our method, we (i) create water-in-oil emulsions as the precursors to build synthetic vesicles, (ii) deflect the emulsions across two oil streams containing different phospholipids at high throughput to establish an asymmetric architecture in the lipid bilayer membranes, and (iii) direct the water-in-oil emulsions across the oil–water interface of an oscillating oil jet in a co-flowing confined geometry to encapsulate the inner aqueous phase inside a lipid bilayer and complete the fabrication of GUVs. In the first step, we utilize a flow-focusing geometry with precisely controlled pneumatic pressures to form monodisperse water-in-oil emulsions. We observed different regimes in forming water-in-oil multiphase flows by changing the applied pressures and discovered a hysteretic behavior in jet breakup and droplet generation. In the second step of GUV fabrication, an oil stream containing phospholipids carries the emulsions into a separation region where we steer the emulsions across two parallel oil streams using active dielectrophoretic and pinched-flow fractionation separations. We explore the effect of applied DC voltage magnitude and carrier oil stream flow rate on the separation efficiency. We develop an image processing code that measures the degree of mixing between the two oil streams as the water-in-oil emulsions travel across them under dielectrophoretic steering to find the ideal operational conditions. Finally, we utilize an oscillating co-flowing jet to complete the formation of asymmetric giant unilamellar vesicles and transfer them to an aqueous phase. We investigate the effect of flow rates on properties of the co-flowing jet oscillating in the whipping mode (i.e., wavelength and amplitude) and define the phase diagram for the oil-in-water jet. Assays used to probe the lipid bilayer membrane of fabricated GUVs showed that membranes were unilamellar, minimal residual oil remained trapped between the two lipid leaflets, and 83% asymmetry was achieved across the lipid bilayers of GUVs.
Structural delineation and phase-dependent activation of the costimulatory CD27:CD70 complex.

CD27 is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor, which stimulates lymphocytes and promotes their differentiation upon activation by TNF ligand CD70. Activation of the CD27 receptor provides a costimulatory signal to promote T cell, B cell, and NK cell activity to facilitate antitumor and anti-infection immunity. Aberrant increased and focused expression of CD70 on many tumor cells renders CD70 an attractive therapeutic target for direct tumor killing. However, despite their use as drug targets to treat cancers, the molecular basis and atomic details of CD27 and CD70 interaction remain elusive. Here we report the crystal structure of human CD27 in complex with human CD70. Analysis of our structure shows that CD70 adopts a classical TNF ligand homotrimeric assembly to engage CD27 receptors in a 3:3 stoichiometry. By combining structural and rational mutagenesis data with reported disease-correlated mutations, we identified the key amino acid residues of CD27 and CD70 that control this interaction. We also report increased potency for plate-bound CD70 constructs compared with solution-phase ligand in a functional activity to stimulate T-cells in vitro. These findings offer new mechanistic insight into this critical costimulatory interaction.
The use of high pressure liquid chromatography to monitor nucleotide levels in cells.

High pressure liquid chromatography has proved to be a valuable tool in measuring the nucleotide levels in cell extracts (1, 2). The analyses are accomplished with high speed, sensitivity, resolution and accuracy. A decided advantage of this technique is that the major naturally occurring nucleotides can be monitored at one time concurrently with nucleotides of purine and pyrimidine analogs.
Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Cadmium Toxicity in the Young Coturnix

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of supplements of individual dietary components in altering the toxicity of dietary cadmium. Day-old coturnix (Japanese quail) were fed 75 mg Cd/kg of an adequate purified diet for 2- or 4-week periods. Cadmium produced moderate growth retardation, severe anemia, decreased ash content of the tibia, and deviations from the normal concentrations of zinc, iron, cadmium, copper, and calcium in one or more of the cells or tissues assayed (erythrocyte, liver, kidney, and tibia). Dietary supplements of zinc, iron(III), copper, and L-cysteine-HCl and injected ascorbic acid produced slight to moderate protection against cadmium-induced anemia, whereas iron(II), ascorbic acid, and D-isoascorbic acid had marked effects in preventing the anemia, growth retardation, poor bone mineralization, and perturbations in elemental concentrations of tissues. Chromium, cobalt, selenium, nickel, molybdenum, and pteroylglutamic acid had no effects. Cadmium did not affect the total ascorbate content of the liver. Removal of dietary ethoxyquin did not affect the toxicity of cadmium or the protective effects of ascorbic acid. Initiation of ascorbic acid feeding at 2 weeks was beneficial to birds fed cadmium throughout the 4-week experiment. Under the conditions of these experiments cadmium produced a functional iron deficiency and less clear-cutmore » affects on zinc function. It appears that a primary effect of cadmium was to prevent absorption of dietary iron. 33 references, 6 tables.« less
Quality Managers and the Successful Management of Quality: An Insight

The importance of the quality manager in an organization has recently shown a significant increase. There are, however, very few comprehensive studies directed toward the functioning of these manag...
Lipophorin: The Structure of an Insect Lipoprotein and Its Role in Lipid Transport in Insects

Publisher Summary A significant way of organizing a lipid transport system is provided by insect lipoproteins, which provide an interesting contrast to the mammalian lipid transport system. In insects, a single lipoprotein, lipophorin, acts as a reusable shuttle to transfer diglycerides between the fat bodies, where they are stored as triglycerides, and the peripheral tissues. This chapter describes the composition and the organization of lipids and proteins in the lipophorins and the structure of apolipophorin-III that is determined by X-ray crystallography to 2.5 A. Lipophorin is reloaded with lipid by another remarkable protein, the lipid transfer particle, which can affect a net transfer of diglycerides from the fat bodies to the depleted lipophorin particles. The major progress that is achieved in describing the lipid transport system in insects provides the results of significance for understanding lipid transport in general, an illustration of comparative biochemistry at its best. The only common major lipid component of vertebrate and insect lipoproteins is phospholipid (PL). The physiological roles of lipophorin in the biosynthesis and metabolism are also discussed.
Isolation and characterization of eight tumor necrosis factor-induced gene sequences from human fibroblasts

Abstract A lambda cDNA library was prepared from polyadenylated RNA isolated from quiescent human diploid FS-4 fibroblasts stimulated with tumor necrosis factor for 3 h. Differential screening was used to isolate cDNA sequences that are stimulated by tumor necrosis factor. Eight distinct tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene sequences (designated TSG-1, -6, -8, -12, -14, -21, -27, and -37) were partially sequenced and compared with known sequences from GenBank. TSG-1 was identical to the gene for interleukin-8. TSG-8 corresponded to the gene for monocyte chemotactic and activating factor. TSG-21 and -27 were identical to the genes for collagenase and stromelysin, respectively. The other four sequences showed no homologies with known genes. Patterns of induction of mRNAs corresponding to the eight cloned cDNAs by various cytokines, growth factors, and activators of second messenger pathways were analyzed in FS-4 cells.
Electrically Tunable Bandpass Filter With Patterned Permalloy Thin-Film-Enabled Engineered Substrate

An electrically tunable bandpass filter based on an engineered substrate embedded with patterned permalloy (Py) thin film has been designed, implemented, and characterized. The bandpass filter is designed with metamaterial resonators to achieve a compact size; the designed filter is fabricated on a multilayered engineered substrate, which is composed of a layer of liquid crystal polymer, a layer of patterned Py thin film, and silicon substrate. The tunability of center frequency for the designed bandpass filter is dependent on the radio frequency (RF) characteristics of the implemented engineered substrate. The equivalent permeability of the Py thin film embedded in the engineering substrate is electrically tunable with the dc current, which thus provides high and tunable inductance densities for the split-ring resonators in the designed filter; the center frequency of the implemented bandpass filter is thus electrically tunable. The measured results show that the center frequency of the designed bandpass filter shifts from 2.37 to 2.45 GHz continuously when the applied tuning dc current is changed from 0 to 500 mA. The introduced unique concept of the engineered substrate provides design feasibility of filters with continuous frequency tunability, and the implementation of the engineered substrate enabled with the patterned Py thin film is suitable for the cost-effective fabrication of the arbitrary tunable RF devices.
Quantitation of DNA Copy Number in Individual Mitochondrial Particles by Capillary Electrophoresis

Here, we present a direct method for determining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers in individual mitochondrial particles, isolated from cultured cells, by means of capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) detection. We demonstrate that this method can detect a single molecule of PicoGreen-stained mtDNA in intact DsRed2-labeled mitochondrial particles isolated from human osteosarcoma 143B cells. This ultimate limit of mtDNA detection made it possible to confirm that an individual mitochondrial nucleoid, the genetic unit of mitochondrial inheritance, can contain a single copy of mtDNA. The validation of this approach was achieved via monitoring chemically induced mtDNA depletion and comparing the CE-LIF results to those obtained by quantitative microscopy imaging and multiplex real-time PCR analysis. Owing to its sensitivity, the CE-LIF method may become a powerful tool for investigating the copy number and organization of mtDNA in mitochondrial disease and aging, and in molec...
Rare Earth Based Upconverting Materials for Solar Cell Application

Basic spectroscopic studies of Yb and Er-doped M2O2S (M= Gd, La,Y) phosphor was reported with particular attention to its upconversion properties under 1550 nm excitation. Since the absorption spectra of Co2+overlaps with Er3+(4 I13/2→4I15/2) at near infrared (NIR) region, we are proposing the concept of an efficiency enhancement of infrared upconverting phosphors as an energy converting material that could potentially improve the efficiency of Si solar cells in bifacial configuration. Different concentrations of Er3+/Co2+ phosphors were synthesized by solid state flux fusion method. The phosphor powders were well crystallized in a hexagonal shape with an average size 4 mm. Preliminary upconversion analysis of singly Er3+ and doubly Co2+/Er3+ doped Y2O2S under 980 and 1550 nm excitation indicates that the composition has to be optimized to understand the role of Co2+ in the system.
Population genetics of an opportunistic parasitoid in an agricultural landscape

Parasitoid insects that use different hosts can have a subdivided population structure that corresponds to host use. A subdivided population structure may favour local adaptation of subpopulations to small-scale environmental differences and may promote their genetic divergence. In this paper, heritable Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers visualized by single strand conformational polymorphisms (SSCP) analysis were used to examine the population structure of the parasitoid wasp Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in an environment where two aphid hosts are available for oviposition. We found 11 codominant and 34 dominant RAPD polymorphisms that conformed to Mendelian segregation patterns. A nested analysis of variance indicated extensive genetic differentiation among six populations of D. rapae that were sampled for two years. Effective migration rates (Nm) between populations ranged from 1.2–1.6 per year, indicating a relatively low dispersal rate. Genetic distances were also calculated between populations and the resulting trees indicated that populations less than 1.0 km from each other were genetically differentiated. Our results indicate that D. rapae populations are genetically subdivided on a small spatial scale that corresponds to host-use patterns.
Listen to everything you want to read with Capti narrator

Capti Narrator is a new cross-platform application for convenient, hands-free consumption of digital content, enabling users to listen to news, blogs, documents, unprotected e-books, and more while commuting, cooking, working out, anywhere, anytime. Capti will improve the productivity of students, busy professionals, language learners, people with print disabilities, and anyone else who wants to listen to content instead of reading it from the screen.
Endothelial origin of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are fibroblastoid cells capable of long-term expansion and skeletogenic differentiation. While MSCs are known to originate from neural crest and mesoderm, immediate mesodermal precursors that give rise to MSCs have not been characterized. Recently, using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), we demonstrated that mesodermal MSCs arise from APLNR+ precursors with angiogenic potential, mesenchymoangioblasts, which can be identified by FGF2-dependent colony-forming assay in serum-free semisolid medium. In this overview we provide additional insights on cellular pathways leading to MSC establishment from mesoderm, with special emphasis on endothelial-mesenchymal transition as a critical step in MSC formation. In addition, we highlight an essential role of FGF2 in induction of angiogenic cells with potential to transform into MSCs (mesenchymoangioblasts) or hematopoietic cells (hemangioblasts) from mesoderm, and discuss correlations of our in vitro findings with the course of angioblast development during embryogenesis.
Treating borderline personality disorder: An overview

This article reviews and integrates the previous articles under central concerns facing the field about the treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder. Since borderline is a heterogenous category, various authors have isolated treatment-relevant subgroups. One approach to structuring treatment with these impulsive and chaotic patients is to begin with an explicit treatment contract. The choice of treatment tactics and techniques is related to the types of outcomes conceptualized by the various orientations. Finally, the therapist training needed to work with this patient population is examined. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Exploring the Use of Victim Surveys to Study Gang Crime: Prospects and Possibilities

There has long been debate on the appropriate method to collect valid and reliable data on gang member involvement in crime and delinquency. In general, research in this area is based on data from self-report surveys, qualitative field work, and official reports which have well-documented limitations. Given these limitations, triangulation of methods is important to fully understand the unique contribution of gang members to the problem of crime and delinquency. This article proposes an additional data source to study gang violence and enhance triangulation: The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), which added a measure of the victim’s perception of the offender’s gang status in 1992. We highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using the NCVS for gang violence research and present a comparison of victimizations reportedly committed by gang and nongang perpetrators across situational, offender, and victim characteristics. Findings demonstrate promise for the use of victimization data in future ...
DC-side series active power filter for STATCOM performance under system faults

Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) based Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) is used in transmission and distribution systems for the purpose of voltage regulation and reactive power compensation. In the transmission level, angle-controlled STATCOMs are of primary interest due to their high efficiency and excellent waveform quality. This type of the STATCOM is fired at line frequency to lower the switching losses. There are considerable numbers of angle-controlled STATCOMs installed in the different utilities in the United States. Despite the high efficiency and good voltage quality, this type of the STATCOM is showing poor performance under AC-system faults. They are usually tripped under severe unbalanced condition and system faults to protect the switches from huge negative sequence current flow. This paper provides a solution to improve the transmission level STATCOM performance under power system faults. Proposed solution is based on adding a single phase inverter in series with converter DC-bus. This single phase inverter generates controllable oscillations with twice the line frequency on the DC-link voltage which will be reflected as negative sequence voltage at VSC output terminals. Generated negative sequence voltage limits the fault negative sequence current flow on the STATCOM tie line. Based on the proposed Solution one specific controller is designed which provides the capability of simultaneous controlling of the both positive and negative sequence voltages. The results are supported by detailed simulation studies on the New York Power Authority (NYPA) STATCOM model using the PSCAD/EMTDC.
Infrared canopy temperature of early-ripening peach trees under postharvest deficit irrigation

Abstract Canopy temperature measurements with infrared thermometry have been extensively studied as a means of assessing plant water status for field and row crops but not for fruit trees such as peaches. Like in many regions of the world, the lack of water is beginning to impact production of tree fruit such as peaches in the San Joaquin Valley of California. This is an area where irrigation is the only source of water for agricultural crops in the summer growing season. A two-year field study was conducted to assess plant water stress using infrared canopy temperature measurements and to examine its feasibility for managing postharvest deficit irrigation of peach trees. Twelve infrared temperature sensors were installed in a mature peach orchard which received four irrigation treatments: furrow and subsurface drip irrigation with or without postharvest water stress. During the two-year period, measured midday canopy to air temperature differences in the water-stressed postharvest deficit irrigation treatments were in the 5–7 °C range, which were consistently higher than the 1.4–2 °C range found in the non-water-stressed control treatments. A reasonable correlation (R2 = 0.67–0.70) was obtained between stem water potential and the canopy to air temperature difference, indicating the possibility of using the canopy temperature to trigger irrigation events. Crop water stress index (CWSI) was estimated and consistently higher CWSI values were found in the deficit irrigation than in the control treatments. Results of yield and fruit quality assessments were consistent with the literature when deficit irrigation was deployed.
A mixing and deformation mechanism for a supercritical fuel droplet

Abstract A model is developed of the dispersion of a vapor fuel droplet that is suddenly set in motion in a gaseous environment that has a density similar to that of the fuel vapor. The objective of the analysis is to describe the mixing and deformation process encountered by a supercritically preheated fuel droplet that is suddenly injected in a gaseous environment that is well above the thermodynamic critical temperature and pressure of the fuel. The initial droplet injection process is modeled by instantaneously creating a potential flow around a moving spherical gaseous droplet, i.e., initially imposing a harmonic vortex sheet at the droplet surface. In the analysis, the transient, axisymmetric, stream function-vorticity and species equations are solved to determine the evolution of the vorticity distribution, species mixing, and the distortion of the initial interface. A time series expansion solution is developed for small times, and a fully numerical procedure is used to extend it to longer times. Specific results are obtained for Reynolds numbers of 50 and 200. They show that the initially spherical gaseous fuel droplet is extensively distorted, adopting a mushroom-like shape. This is caused by the evolution of the vorticity distribution that tends to form a ring vortex. It is also shown that the vapor mixing process is greatly enhanced around the vortex ring. These effects are stronger for the higher Reynolds number.
Comparability of developmental cognitive assessments between standard and computer testing methods

Substantial questions have been raised about the validity of using computer-based testing to assess cognitive development with young children. However, little work has been done to assess the comparability of performance elicited using computerized methods with performance garnered using standard testing methods. The purpose of this study was to establish whether computerized testing resulted in performance that was different than established performance norms for infant monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) tested on four highly used cognitive tasks. Infants performed comparably on simple discrimination, reversal learning, and delayed nonmatch to sample rule learning. However, the infants tested in a computer testing-environment appeared to have difficulty on a task that required them to form response strategies. The results of the study reveal some apparent limitations of computer-based testing with infants, but do show that performance on several common cognitive tasks is comparable between the environments.
Psychopathology and Achievement in Children at High Risk for Developing Alcoholism

ABSTRACT Objective To compare rates of psychopathology and academic achievement in children who were either at high or low risk for developing alcoholism and to determine whether academic deficits would predict prospectively the presence of psychopathology occurring within the next year. Method Children and adolescents, aged 8 to 18 years, were evaluated as part of a longitudinal follow-up. Diagnoses obtained by using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children and grade-equivalent scores from the reading, spelling, and arithmetic sections of the Wide Range Achievement Test were determined at yearly intervals. Results High-risk offspring were more likely to have a diagnosable disorder. In addition, analyses using the mother's and father's diagnosis of alcoholism as a covariate showed higher hazard ratios for selected disorders (depression, affective disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and conduct disorder), some of which were gender-dependent. Logistic regression analysis of achievement test scores demonstrated that reading and math scores predicted the presence of childhood psychopathology at the following annual evaluation. Conclusions Children from pedigrees with a high density of alcoholism are at greater risk for developing psychopathology. Furthermore, observed deficits in academic performance may be considered an indicator of a developing diagnosable illness.
Permutation invariant SVMs

We extend Support Vector Machines to input spaces that are sets by ensuring that the classifier is invariant to permutations of sub-elements within each input. Such permutations include reordering of scalars in an input vector, re-orderings of tuples in an input matrix or re-orderings of general objects (in Hilbert spaces) within a set as well. This approach induces permutational invariance in the classifier which can then be directly applied to unusual set-based representations of data. The permutation invariant Support Vector Machine alternates the Hungarian method for maximum weight matching within the maximum margin learning procedure. We effectively estimate and apply permutations to the input data points to maximize classification margin while minimizing data radius. This procedure has a strong theoretical justification via well established error probability bounds. Experiments are shown on character recognition, 3D object recognition and various UCI datasets.
A comparison of FT-IR/PA and FT-IR/PBD spectra of powders

FT-IR photoacoustic (PA) and also photothermal beam deflection (PBD) spectra were recorded with the same particulate samples (graphite, charcoal, aspirin, and silica) under the same conditions in order to compare the quality of the spectra obtainable with the two techniques. A PA cell fitted with windows for the PBD laser probe beam was used, and PA and PBD spectra of each sample were recorded at 8 cm−1 resolution at each of the four different interferometer scan velocities. Although the overall aspects of FT-IR/PA and FT-IR/PBD spectra are the same, the signal-to-noise ratios of PA spectra are appreciably better than those of PBD spectra because PBD detection is more prone to disturbance by vibration than is PA detection. Absorption bands appear at the same wavenumbers in PA and PBD spectra. However, the relative intensities of bands of PBD spectra depend on the absorptive properties of the powdered solids; with weak absorbers, some bands may not be detected at all. PAS can be used with all powders. PBDS is of little or no use for the examination of weakly absorbing powders unless they scatter IR radiation extensively.
Assessing equipment reliability for microwave radio-relay systems

Abstract Hitherto international specifications for microwave telecommunication systems have emphasized the performance in terms of propagation reliability, but in recent years there has been an increase in the demand for a more comprehensive assessment. This has necessitated an objective study of equipment reliability and the philosophy behind the use of protection switching. The article defines the MTBF parameters and derives a method of statistical analysis to determine MTBF values for a complete system from component data.
Remote sentry advanced technology demonstration

Experiences in Operational Desert Shield and Desert Storm revealed deficiencies in several areas of major importance in the post-Cold Ware era. Early entry forces must be provided with improved warfighting capabilities, especially against heavy armor, without affecting their deployability. The Rapid Force Projection Initiative (RFPI) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) is tasked with addressing this deficiency. The RFPI ACTD features a hunter/standoff killer concept that relies on a variety of hunters and standoff killers to provide a significant increase in the warfighting capability of early entry forces. One of the hunters is the Remote Sentry Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD). The Remote Sentry ATD will provide an autonomous, remote, ground based, wide-area Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition capability during day/night and limited visibility conditions. The Remote Sentry ATD is being produced by Alliant Techsystems in partnership with the Harris RF Communications. The ATD is managed and technically directed by the CERDEC Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The murine myeloperoxidase gene contains a bipartite distal enhancer, including a novel region regulated by PEBP2/CBF

The myeloperoxidase (MPO) gene is expressed specifically in immature myeloid cells. DNA (27 kb) derived from the murine MPO gene was subcloned into nine segments, and each examined for its ability to enhance transcription in 32D cl3 myeloid cells. Only one segment, besides the known proximal enhancer, was active. Deletional analysis of this region delimited two functional regions. One is located 3.4 kb upstream of the proximal enhancer and was also recently identified in a different cell system. The second novel region is a 133 bp segment located 1.1 kb further upstream. This region, like the proximal enhancer, binds and is regulated by PEBP2/CBF. The PEBP2/CBF binding-site in the distal enhancer, AACCAAT, differs from the PEBP2/CBF consensus, PuACCPuCA.
Clinical and economic outcomes in thrombolytic treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and deep venous thrombosis.

Purpose Over the past 2 decades the use of thrombolytic therapy in the management of peripheral occlusive diseases, most notably peripheral arterial occlusion (PAO) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT), has become an accepted and potentially preferable alternative to surgery. We examined the period when urokinase was in short supply and subsequently unavailable, to explore potential differences in clinical outcome and economic effect between urokinase and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Material and methods Data were obtained from the Premier Perspective Database, a broad clinical database that contains information on inpatient medical practices and resource use. The study population included all patients hospitalized in 1999 and 2000 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of PAO or DVT. Incidence was calculated for common adverse events, including bleeding complications, intracranial hemorrhage, amputation, and death. Cost data were also abstracted from the database, and are expressed as mean ± SD. Results Demographic variables were similar in the urokinase and rt-PA groups. The rate of bleeding complications was similar in the urokinase and rt-PA groups. There were no intracranial hemorrhages in the urokinase group, compared with a rate of 1.5% in the rt-PA PAO group ( P = .087) and 1.9% in the rt-PA DVT group ( P = .175). The in-hospital mortality rate was lower in the urokinase-treated PAO subgroup (3.6% vs 8.5%; P = .026), but a similar finding in the DVT subgroup did not achieve statistical significance (4% vs 9.8%; P = .069). While pharmacy costs were greater in the urokinase-treated group ($5472 ± $5579 vs $3644 ± $6009, P P = .003), overall hospital costs did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. This finding appears to be explained by a shorter hospital stay and reduced room and board costs in the urokinase-treated group. Conclusion There were significant differences in outcome in patients with PAO and DVT who received treatment with urokinase and rt-PA. While pharmacy costs were significantly greater when urokinase was used, reduction in length of stay accounted for similar total hospital costs compared with rt-PA. These findings must be considered in the context of the retrospective nature of the analysis and the potential to use dosing regimens that differ from those in this study.
On the Jahn-Teller coupling of an orbital triplet with a vibrational doublet

Abstract We explore the problem of an orbitally triple degenerate electronic state coupled with a doubly degenerate vibrational mode, for a molecule within the T d rigid geometrical point group, using exact as well as numerical methods. Franck-Condon overlap integrals are worked out and are displayed as a function of linear coupling parameter. The effect of inclusion of quadratic coupling terms on the eigenvalue and intensity distribution are compared with the linear case.
Industrial decline, rationalization and equal pay: The Bedaux strike at Rover automobile company

In September 1930, Britain's Transport and General Workers' Union negotiated an extraordinary and unprecedented agreement with the Rover company, one of Coventry's major automobile firms, abolishing the gap between women's and men's wage-rates in Rover's trim shops. The agreement was never implemented, and it would be decades before any union won comparable concessions again. None the less, for a brief moment, management and labour had agreed to level all gender-based pay differentials in Rover's trim shop. For the first time in the history of the British engineering industry, women and men were to receive equal pay for equal work. How was it that Rover was prepared to set aside the entire wage and production structure of its industry, a structure built on carefully distinguishing the work and wages of men and women, skilled and unskilled, adult and child? I believe that the answer lies in Rover's effort to survive the Depression by attempting an abrupt switch in its production strategy, from customized small batches to longer, mass production runs. Equal pay was an unexpected and unintended consequence of this attempted switchover, and very probably the reason for Rover's ultimate failure to make the planned transition. Reorganizing one's factory for mass production did not generally lead employers to grant equal pay to their women workers, nor had Rover initially intended any such thing. It was only when the women resisted specific features of the mass production plan, which promised to increase the pace and intensity of work, that Rover agreed to trade equal pay for the women's assent to work under the new system. But the story does not end there, for when Rover negotiated the equal pay agreement, other automobile and engineering firms in the Coventry district rose in sudden, sharp protest. What had been an internal affair at Rover now became a matter of district-wide importance, since granting equal pay would effectively double women's rates at Rover. The presence of a high-wage employer of women threatened to draw off the local supply of cheap female labour, on which Rover's colleagues depended, and so the other firms stepped in and prevented Rover from proceeding. What had begun as an attempt to survive the post-war economic crisis by adopting an innovative production strategy ended in a pitched battle between Rover and its traditionalist colleagues. When the battle was over, Rover had lost and any notion of equal pay was abandoned.
Marsupial and shape-shifting robots for urban search and rescue

Urban search and rescue (USAR) focuses on locating and extracting people trapped in collapsed or damaged structures. Rescuers are under extreme time pressure; after 48 hours, victim mortality drastically increases owing to exposure and lack of food, water, and medical treatment. Rescuing can be as dangerous to the workers and the victims as the initial event. Moving through the structure or widening entry points for humans and equipment can cause further collapse, injuring or killing the trapped survivors or rescuers. Gas leaks and explosions are also possible. Rescue dogs can help reduce human risk and can enter smaller voids in the rubble than a human can, but they cannot replace a video camera or structural assessment equipment. Lightweight mobile robots could benefit USAR while reducing the risk to humans and dogs. For example, they could: conduct tedious searches for survivors with a level of rigor that is normally fatiguing to humans; insert specialized sensors into the rubble and position them; collect visual and seismic data to assess structural damage; deposit radio transmitters or small amounts of food and medication with the survivors; guide the insertion of jaws-of-life tools, and identify the location of limbs to prevent workers from damaging a victim's arm or leg during extraction. Toward that end, the author has been developing USAR mobile robot hardware and software. Two promising technologies have emerged that present interesting challenges for artificial intelligence: shape-shifting, marsupial robots.